Atlanta is sad to lose a community staple this week, The Rusty Nail. This weekend is reportedly the last weekend The Rusty Nail will be open for business.
The dive bar, just off Bufford Highway, was a local favorite, and easily recognizable from the road by its 18-foot smoking gun, which stood outside the building for an impressive 20 years, smoking delicious, mouthwatering BBQ. According to their website, The Rusty Nail prided itself on being the South’s ‘Cheers.’
What is The Rusty Nail?
The Rusty Nail was opened in 1974 by Nick Cardellino and Pete Hayes, and previously had other locations as well, which also closed earlier last year. It’s had an impressive fifty year run, and the community is sad to see it go.
Reports say that the property is being bought for development, and even though there are rumors of Cardellino opening up a new Rusty Nail somewhere, nothing is currently set in stone.
What did The Rusty Nail have to offer?
They had a wide range of classic dive bar entertainment, like trivia, darts and a juke box. They also had amazing weekly specials, like well cocktails for only $3.75 on Monday and Wednesday and $2.50 16 oz PBR cans on Tuesday and Friday. Their menu also included perfectly southern dive bar pub food, like a fried pork chop sandwich, jalapeño cheese grits, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
According to local reports, The Rusty Nail will be having a send-off party on their last day, Saturday, September 23rd. Their usual business hours go late–until 1am–but the party might go even later.
Come down to The Rusty Nail this weekend for their ‘Last Call’ and enjoy the unique ambiance of the dive bar.
For more information, check out their website!
Address: 2900 Buford Hwy, Atlanta GA, 30319. If you can’t find it, look for the massive smoking gun.