Love Local: Fadó Midtown Embraces Shamrocks and Soccer
06/18/2025
BY BRIAN CARR
When it comes to Atlanta watering holes, few have had a sustained run as incredible as Fadó, the Irish pub and sports bar where locals go for pints and good times.
The original Buckhead location opened its doors in 1996 and the Midtown location arrived at the corner of Peachtree and 8th Streets in 2015 on the same day as the annual St. Patrick’s parade. Fadó means “long ago” in Gaelic. And Fadó Midtown General Manager Jenny Goodman can truly appreciate what it means: she has been with the organization since the very beginning.
We spoke with Goodman about Fadó Midtown, how to pour the perfect glass of Guinness, and what’s on tap for soccer fans as the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now just a year away. Read more:
Central Hangout Brings Lots of Different Groups Together
Goodman describes the versatility in Fadó’s identity as a blend of Irish pub, premier sports bar, and casual local hangout. Midtown’s excellent walkability profile and fast-growing residential population made it an easy decision for the Fadó leadership team to plant their flag here. The bar is easy to get to on foot and only a couple of blocks from the Midtown MARTA station. And Fadó Midtown is a longstanding Midtown Alliance member. Walk in and pull up a stool, and you’ll see business execs enjoying happy hour, jersey-clad soccer aficionados watching Premier League matches on TV, and residents catching up over a cocktail.
The draft beer really does taste better at Fadó Midtown.
As Goodman explains, Fadó uses specialized equipment to serve their draft beer that comes from Europe. Kegs are routinely changed out to stay fresh. And when a keg runs dry, it drops a fob to block the lines from pulling in air. What’s more, the lines are cleaned bi-weekly to eliminate buildup and avoid wasting any product. The pub also serves all its beers in the proper glassware to stay true to the brand. And that glassware is cleaned to ensure there are no residues or impurities on the glass.
“If you do a Guinness training, you learn to tell if the glass is dirty by the way that the Guinness settles on the glass,” Goodman said. “It leaves marks if the glass is not properly cleaned.”
Fadó Midtown also serves specialty cocktails. Their signature Old-Fashioned swaps out traditional bourbon for Irish whiskey instead.
The menu speaks to comfort.
Fadó Midtown’s scratch kitchen offers a variety of value options with daily soup and sandwiches. And many Irish pub staples. Fish and Chips? Check. Shepherd’s Pie? Yep. But Goodman says her go-to is the Smoked Salmon Bites appetizer. The plate features cold smoked salmon on top of a potato pancake with a horseradish mayo, capers, red and green onions, a little bit of pepper and lemon.
“They’re amazing,” Goodman says of the Smoked Salmon Bites. “My family makes me bring them every year to all of our Christmas and Thanksgiving get-togethers. They're like, ‘You're bringing the smoked salmon bites. Right?’”
Goooooaaaaaalllll! Soccer is a big draw for Fadó Midtown.
Throughout the year, the pub is a top destination for soccer fans to watch matches from all over the world. Fadó Midtown airs English Premier League and German and Spanish League matches on its TVs throughout the pub. The Midtown location is the official gathering spot for the Manchester United Supporters Club in Atlanta. They partner with the home team Atlanta United for special events and to show matches. And more recently, Fadó became the home of the American Outlaws, supporters for Team USA soccer, including both the men’s and women’s national teams.
Goodman said these supporter groups receive special deals for drinks, and they bring a lot of fans into Midtown to get together.
Atlanta is now just a year away from hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to draw 500K visitors to the city. And the team at Fadó Midtown is busy planning out its programming, which will likely include a heavy schedule of hosting watch parties for televised matches and block-party styled events on Peachtree Street.
“We're just excited that we're going to have a lot of soccer fans in the city,” Goodman said. “This event will absolutely bring a lot of business into Midtown and the downtown area.”
Shamrock Central
Beyond soccer, Fadó Midtown is ground central for people to enjoy the annual St. Patrick’s Parade, the oldest parade in Atlanta. The event is part of Fadó Midtown’s DNA. Mark your calendar now for the 2026 event, which takes place on March 14. And as Goodman explains, planning work happens year-round to make the day really special.
“I've led two planning meetings already since the last St. Patrick’s Atlanta parade,” Goodman said. “We meet with our partners and find out what went well, and what we can do better for next year.”
Fadó Midtown also partners annually with the St. Patrick's Day 5K run, with the starting line on 8th Street right outside the pub, and a block party afterward.
“It goes without saying that producing these events takes a lot of work,” Goodman said, “but I always tell my team to remember that it's all about the vibe and people having fun.”
More to Love (Local) About Fadó Midtown
- Fadó runs a lunch card loyalty program where Midtown guests can get their cards punched to earn their fifth lunch free
- Happy Hour at Fadó runs from 2-7pm versus the more common duration of one or two hours at other bars
- Fadó Midtown also started recently a Yappy Hour for guests and their dogs, featuring treats for dogs and themed specials
- Find Fadó Midtown at 933 Peachtree Street NE. Browse their menu here.