The Lawrence: A Date Night for Movie Geeks in Atlanta

First to be featured in our new series, Date Night in Atlanta: FanBolt Edition, is The Lawrence. Nestled into the corner of 8th and Juniper in Midtown, you’ll find this Atlanta foodie gem. With scrumptious American-style dishes and creative cocktails, it’s not hard to see why The Lawrence is a favorite in the neighborhood.

Of course, you know how we do things here at FanBolt, so you know there’s a geeky twist coming. And that twist is a rather incredible movie-themed cocktail list that has a hint of love in the air. I mean, who wouldn’t want a Princess Bride cocktail?

But before the Princess Bride cocktail, there was Love Sticks, the Wedding Singer cocktail. This drink reminded me of a smoky Old Fashioned, and it was delightful!

My date (my husband – Doug), got Loneliness Is Underrated, the 500 Days of Summer cocktail. Doug loves scotch, so this drink immediately had his attention. It was just as tasty as mine with a little more of a bite.

Both drinks paired perfectly with our appetizers – the Cheese and Charcuterie Plate and the Stuffed Georgia Quail, which were also delicious and ideal for sharing.

Next, it was time for the Princess Bride cocktail and The Lawrence’s Old Fashioned as our main courses were on their way! Doug and I have always been drawn towards whiskey drinks – Old Fashioneds especially. We have a list going of what we consider to be the best Old Fashioneds in Atlanta and then a separate list with our favorites internationally. What makes the perfect Old Fashioned for us? It’s the perfect blend of sweetness and bitters – a dance that happens effortlessly on your tastebuds with each sip that you take. Where did The Lawrence’s Old Fashioned rank for us? In a list of more than 40 Atlanta restaurants, The Lawrence’s is in our Top 5.

The Lawrence’s Old Fashioned & The Princess Bride Cocktail

My favorite cocktail of the night was The Princess Bride cocktail, As You Wish. Created by bartender Anna Dzubinksi, it’s a whiskey-based cocktail featuring: Reiger Kansas City Whiskey, Oloroso, Cream Sherry, Honey, Orange, Lemon, and Mint. I paired it with the Maine Diver Scallops, which laid on top of Butterbean Succotash, Red Okra, Pancetta, Tarragon, and Creamed Corn. It was heavenly.

Doug had the Heritage Pork Chop, which came with Grilled Summer Squashes, Red Kale, Ricotta Polenta, and Local Peach Gastrique. The meal complimented his Old Fashioned to a T.

Those dishes are without question our recommendations for the movie lovers’ date night, but you can’t go wrong with any of the menu selections. We’re also big fans of The Larry Burger and the Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese with Bacon.

Curious about the other movie-themed cocktails on the list? Take a look at the other cocktails that are currently on the menu.

Movie-Themed Cocktails from The Lawrence

Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner (Dirty Dancing)
Vodka, Lillet Rose, Punt E Mes, Yellow Chartreuse, Lime, Watermelon, Thyme, Cucumber, Sparkling Rosé

I Knew You’d Be Watching
Turmeric-Infused Gin, Combier Kummel, Honey, Orange, Lime, Tonic

Is There Anything You Don’t Know?
Campari, Montanaro Xtra Dry, Homemade Peach & Basil Jam, Prosecco, Soda

I’d Pity Him
Hayman’s London Dry Gin, Sambuca, Passionfruit, Blackberries, Blueberries, Mint, Lemon, Cava

A Bit Of Madness Is Key (La La Land)
Beet Root Infused Tequila, Cointreau, Ancho Reyes, Honey, Lime, Soda

There’s A Place For Us
Havana Club Anejo Clásico, Vida Mezcal, Suze, Honey, Lemon, Cherries

New Penzance
Rittenhouse Rye, Laird’s Applejack, China China, Honey, Lemon, Raspberries, Egg White

Boys For Breakfast
Tamarind-Infused Denizen White Rum, Denizen Merchant’s Reserve, Huana Guanabana, Angostura, Velvet-Falernum, Orange, Lemon

A Nickie From Kenickie
Strawberry-Infused Rittenhouse Rye, Citadelle Old Tom, Grenadine, Fee Bros Lemon, Peychauds

Dracula Musical!
La Favorite Rhum Agricole, Clement Mahina Coco, Pineapple-Infused Campari, Lillet Blanc, Tiki Bitters

Doodle That Can’t Be Undid
Monkey 47, Lillet Blanc, Bandol Rosé, Fernet Gancia, Raspberry

Young Hearts Run Free & Die
Compass Box Flaming Heart, Green Chartreuse VEP, Cynar, Lemon, Burlesque Bitters

As You Wish
J. Reiger Kansas City Whiskey, Oloroso, Cream Sherry, Honey, Orange, Lemon, Mint

Love Me Tender
Del Maguey Santo Domingo Albarradas Single Village Mezcal, Angostura, Chareau Aloe

Love Stinks
Smoked Elijah Craig Bourbon, Laird’s Applejack, Dolin Dry, Ciociaro, Angostura

Loneliness Is Underrated
Glasgow Blended Scotch, Elijah Craig Bourbon, Montenegro, Dolin Dry, Giffard Apricot, Basil

For the handful of years that I lived in Midtown, The Lawrence was a go-to spot for me. So for this date night, I was eager to introduce my husband to their menu and rather remarkable bar. Our shared love of food, film, and drink is how we theme most date nights, and there’s no shortage of good food and drink options in the filming capital of the south!

The Lawrence is just a few blocks from filming locations for Stranger Things, MacGyver, Black Lightning, Dynasty, Brockmire, and Ozark – just to name a few. Or head over for a walk in Piedmont Park and visit the jogging scene from Avengers: Infinity War! So you can even take a mini-movie tour after your dinner to top off a rather lovely and a little geeky date night.

The Lawrence switches out their cocktail menu seasonally, so there’s not much time left to try out these summer cocktails that are inspired by different big-screen love stories. For more information on The Lawrence, visit them online at https://www.thelawrenceatlanta.com/. And be sure to keep an eye out for their next seasonal menu change! We heard the cocktail list might just be inspired by your favorite fall television series.

The Lawrence – Thank you for a wonderful date night!

Featured Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee
Food & Beverage Photos: Emma Loggins

Date Night in Atlanta: FanBolt Edition is a series of features that highlight recommended establishments for a geeky date night in Atlanta. From foodie hotspots to nerdy gamebars and everything in-between, FanBolt showcases the best that Atlanta has to offer to those us that like to geek out!