As temperatures drop, paradise stays inside attain for these exploring Atlanta’s Westside.
Pictures by Andrew Thomas Lee
Strangers in Paradise, the ‘80s resort-inspired cocktail bar from the staff at Electrical Hospitality, presents an escape the place the seasons don’t matter—simply good drinks, nice firm, and an environment that seems like a everlasting trip.
Surrounded by lush greenery, classic postcards from dreamy locations, and nostalgic resort trinkets, Strangers in Paradise invitations company right into a world of thriller and journey. Whether or not you’re sipping on a tropical-inspired cocktail or soaking within the effortlessly cool vibes, it’s a spot the place tales are shared, and winter woes soften away.
We chatted with proprietor Michael Lennox to dive into his journey within the hospitality business, the inspiration behind Strangers in Paradise, and what makes this cocktail vacation spot a must-visit.
Speak to us about your background within the business.
I labored as a server and a busboy for just a few months in school however other than that, my main background is beginning and opening Ladybird on the BeltLine in Atlanta in 2014. I used to be primarily the Normal Supervisor there for the primary couple of years after which we began to develop fairly a bit and I opened just a few extra eating places – Muchacho and Golden Eagle – in 2017. Following that, I then shaped Electrical Hospitality, which is our general administration group and hospitality firm, and have opened a number of different ideas since then, together with Strangers in Paradise in 2024.
Speak to us about Strangers in Paradise.
Strangers in Paradise is a very enjoyable, late 80’s/early 90’s Florida-beach-inspired cocktail bar. We actually went in depth on being deliberately kitschy with the idea, the look, and the texture. We tried to make it in order that you might droop your disbelief, and really feel such as you’ve been transported to the seaside while you come to Strangers in Paradise, despite the fact that we’re positioned in Atlanta, GA and we’re inside a meals corridor on the southwest a part of the BeltLine path.
What sort of expertise can company count on whereas visiting?
Strangers in Paradise is admittedly supposed to be a pure, enjoyable expertise in an “excessive” manner. Every thing inside the bar is shiny, loud, and tropical, and the workers is tremendous pleasant and heat. We attempt to have an excellent, high-positive vitality always and the drinks form of share that spirit in a manner. They’re all shiny and colourful and we have now enjoyable glassware, large garnishes, and enjoyable surprises throughout service that company can have interaction with.
One instance is the Cheeseburger in Paradise that’s based mostly off of the ever-present Jimmy Buffett tune. If somebody orders it off the menu, you’ll get a big punch bowl that’s formed like a cheeseburger, and it’s meant for anyplace from 2-4 company. It’s loaded to the hilt with a pleasant rotating tropical punch after which our workers will put Jimmy’s tune on and are available out from behind the bar with complimentary plastic retro sun shades, Hawaiian leis, and so they’ll sing the tune and make a complete spectacle out of it!
They’ll then take polaroid footage to commemorate the expertise. We give polaroids to the company that had been there and we additionally dangle them up across the house, in order that we’ve acquired a rising wall of polaroids of parents who’ve loved the complete Cheeseburger in Paradise expertise. That’s only one instance however there’s plenty of enjoyable available while you come hang around on the bar at Strangers.
What’s the cocktail program like?
The idea is a real cocktail bar. We don’t serve meals; it’s primarily high-quality, enjoyable cocktails impressed by that retro Florida-beach feeling that I discussed earlier.
What impressed the menu?
We tried to base our menu on basic resort drinks and take it in a extra crafted, up to date route by leaning into higher sourced spirits, artistic garnishes, and contemporary juices…so on and so forth.
Which cocktail is your favourite and why?
I’d say my favourite cocktail for the time being at Strangers in Paradise is The Shark Chunk. It sort of captures every little thing enjoyable and playful that we’re attempting to do with the idea.
The cocktail itself has Tequila, Curaçao, a Rhubarb Ginger Syrup that’s house-made, a touch of Lemon Juice to stability all of it out, and it comes on this actually enjoyable open-mouth Nice White Shark mug that we apply a little bit little bit of grenadine to, to make it appear to be the shark simply took a chew out of one thing, and is in the midst of its feast. It’s virtually unimaginable to order that drink and never have an excellent again and again, it truly is the embodiment of every little thing we’re attempting to get throughout at Strangers in Paradise.
