James Bond-inspired Vesper has opened its Glenwood Park doors, at 924 Garrett St. Ste D. Damien McGee and Jon Tilley, former bartender coworkers at Hyatt Regency Hotel’s Polaris Lounge, are behind the new bar and restaurant.
While some elements of Vesper are very in-your-face 007, like actual clips from the film series playing on its website on loop, the British secret service agent is more subtly integrated into the bar itself. Vesper’s cocktails are no exception with several named for some of the most popular Bond characters like the Ruby Bartlett—Ketel One Oranje, Poire William, Ruby Red Grapefruit juice, Noilly Prat Dry, Luxardo, served up with Luxardo cherries—or the Holly Goodhead—Aviation Gin & Tonic served over Cucumber Ice and Rosemary. Barlett was a sleeper agent in the series and Goodhead, a CIA agent. And of course, there is the Vesper Lynd—Hendriks Gin, Titos Vodka, Lillet Blanc, chilled and served up—named for the fictional character in Ian Fleming’s 1953 James Bond novel Casino Royale and Vesper’s namesake.
The menu, fashioned as tapas, does not offer any Bond innuendos. Dishes include the Lobster Quesadillas, a Tuna Poke Bowl, and Local Cheese Plate.
Vesper held its soft opening last week but final touches are still being made to its “mid-century modern vibe space,” which sits adjacent to Kevin Gillespie’s Gunshow restaurant. McGee and Tilley next week will install a currently-under-construction live edge bar, according to further reporting by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday. Outdoor seating is also expected in the very near future.
Vesper operates Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday through Saturday from 5 p.m.to 2 a.m., and 3 p.m. to midnight Sunday.
This makes me hungry and thirsty. Sounds great.
I feel shaken– not stirred.