EST. 2004
Six Bars.
Classic Southern Hospitality.
Hospitality South offers a unique portfolio of bars in downtown Athens that provide distinct atmospheres for everyone.
Founded in 2004 by J. Dunn
Portfolio
Hospitality South Portfolio
Resturants
Union Fare
An Indoor / Outdoor Food truck park and event space
2025
Union Fare spans an entire downtown block, with an indoor side opening onto Clayton Street and a connected outdoor patio facing Washington. The two spaces offer complementary atmospheres under one roof, giving guests the option of a sit-down indoor experience or open-air patio dining and drinks.
Paloma Park
Tex-mex Tequila Sports Bar
2021
Paloma Park is one of the most versatile bar and restaurant concepts in Athens. The venue pairs Tex-Mex food and a full drink program with a dedicated event space that hosts everything Athens throws at it, including private parties, group buyouts, and large gatherings. Out back, a massive outdoor screen turns the patio into the city's go-to spot for watching Braves games, SEC football, and any other event worth gathering around.
Bars
Empourium
Rooftop Cocktail Bar
2022
Emporium opened in 2022 as a fresh addition to downtown Athens nightlife, built as its own distinct concept of frozen cocktails and a rooftop experience.
Woodford
Downtown Athens Staple
2015
Woodford has anchored downtown Athens nightlife since 2015. The bar takes its name and its spirit from Woodford Reserve, leaning into a bourbon and whiskey-focused identity that gives it a distinct character within the downtown scene. A decade in, Woodford remains one of the steady regulars of an Athens night out.
Double Barrel
A bar built around Athens history
2011
Double Barrel pays direct homage to Athens itself. The name takes after the life-sized double barrel cannon that stands outside Athens City Hall, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The space is grounded in local history and welcoming a new generation of Athens regulars.
Sand Bar
A tropical beach bar in the middle of downtown Athens.
2007
Sandbar opened in 2007 as Jason Dunn's tribute to a long-held dream of owning a tropical beach bar. Tucked into downtown Athens, the space brings island energy to a college town, offering an escape that feels worlds away from the average bar. Sandbar was the first step in Hospitality South's effort to diversify its portfolio and build distinct concepts for distinct crowds.
Meet Hospitality South, the management group behind Athens’ most loved bars
On weekends and weeknights alike, many Athenians can be found walking through the doors of Union Fair, Emporium, Sandbar, Double Barrel, Woodford or Paloma Park. All these bars have one thing in common: they are owned by Hospitality South.
Jason Dunn, the owner and proprietor of these six establishments, moved from his hometown of Roswell, Georgia to start his journey in Athens as a student. He began his first business in 2003: a tea and coffee shop called Infusia. By 2004, Dunn shifted his focus from coffee, tea and food to a bar atmosphere, Buddha Bar, that is now merged into Doubble Barrel.
Jason Dunn, the owner and proprietor of these six establishments, moved from his hometown of Roswell, Georgia to start his journey in Athens as a student. He began his first business in 2003: a tea and coffee shop called Infusia. By 2004, Dunn shifted his focus from coffee, tea and food to a bar atmosphere, Buddha Bar, that is now merged into Doubble Barrel.
Looking to Host Your Next Private Event?
Our portfolio of bars are perfect host a private event of any size. Ask about our full service catering options.
“Providing Athens Distinct Experiences, Exceptional Southern Hospitality, and Community Enrichment Since 2004.”
6
Venues Downtown
20+
Years Serving Athens
150+
Jobs Created in Athens
$1M+
Raised for Local Causes