Hi-Lo Lounge

By Samantha Ward

Can you really say you know what Athens is like till you get a taste of Normaltown? For a literal taste of this established, artsy side of town, you can’t go wrong with Hi-Lo Lounge. Open afternoons and evenings, this is a chill place with a diverse selection of tastefully greasy pub food. Vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike will all find a favorite dish to sink their teeth into, and the alcohol selection is nothing to sniff at either. This lounge is a must-see if you find yourself in the Classic City hungry for some classic eats.

Hi-Lo first opened a little over five years ago, a big deal in a city where many restaurants come and leave faster than a UGA student. Speaking of students, one thing I seriously appreciate is that even though this is technically a bar, all ages can enter. Those under 21 still want a place to hang out in the evenings, and not all of us are willing to risk it with fake ID’s just to get inside a place. If you’re trying to match the party vibe of downtown Athens, though, this isn’t the place for you. While Hi-Lo is plenty of fun (especially on trivia or karaoke nights), the general vibe is pretty chill due to the slightly older crowd of townies.

Speaking of chill, the atmosphere in Hi-Lo is laid back while still showing off some townie personality. The front door is almost completely covered in all kinds of stickers like pride flags, the Nuçi’s Space logo, and a Terrapin turtle. There’s darker lighting inside, walls covered in rustic art and metal beer signs and even a few couches in the middle of the main area. As soon as you walk in, you can’t help but notice the multitude of liquors available for cocktails or to enjoy on their own. In the next room, you may also notice a stage built for those trivia and karaoke nights I mentioned earlier.

Everything that I’ve tried from their menu is pretty good, but the one that I’ve fallen in love with is the Oyster Mushroom PoBoy. This fully vegan dish doesn’t skimp out on the flavor with beer-battered, fried oyster mushrooms, lemon caper aioli, lettuce and Frank’s hot sauce busting out of a good-sized Luna hoagie. Pair that with their thin (yet not too crispy) fries, and you have my perfect dinner out. As far as other dishes on the menu go, I can only vouch for the vegan options. The kale salad is great for someone looking for a lighter option that still has plenty of flavor. The vegan corndog and Tofurkey Klub are also solid choices here. In terms of non-vegan options, I’ve heard good things about their roasted chicken sandwich and Ano Prosím (Czech for ‘yes please’) which are breaded, fried triangles of Muenster cheese topped with parsley along with roasted red pepper puree and horseradish mayo on the side.

Of course when reviewing a bar you have to talk about the drinks served. Hi-Lo offers a decent selection of draft beers, cocktails and whiskeys. Beers include locally-made Creature Comforts as well as drinks from all around the country and beyond. The cocktails are classy but not too intimidating. For anyone who likes a spicy drink, I’d recommend the Chinga el Muro (Jalapeno-infused Morales tequila, Agave nectar, Gosling’s ginger beer, Lime juice). My personal favorite, however, is the sweeter Butterfly Rose (Empress 1908 gin, Lavender, Simple syrup, Rose water, Lemon juice). If whiskey is more to your liking, I’d recommend requesting it be served with an ice ball if you want to look fancy or need something novel to break the ice with your date (pun absolutely intended).

The only complaint I have is the limited street parking (which is a bit easier later at night when you can get by going to the Agua Linda parking lot). Besides that, this lounge is one of the best places in Athens. It’s the first place I take any visitors for a bite to eat, and will definitely be a place I go to when I visit Athens myself post-graduation. It just goes you show chill, townie spots are where it’s at.

Photo courtesy of Yelp.