Bottle Rocket, a longtime Castleberry Hill bar and restaurant known for its sushi, burgers, and cocktails, is pulling up stakes this fall after more than a decade and relocating to Mitchell Street, a half mile away, in South Downtown.
A popular spot for Castleberry Hill residents and game-day patrons alike, Bottle Rocket will remain open at its present Walker Street location until closer to the opening on Mitchell Street later this year.
Located between Tyde Tate Thai Kitchen and Spiller Park Coffee along historic Hotel Row, Bottle Rocket will reside on the ground floor of a renovated early 20th-century storefront on Mitchell Street, once part of the bustling commercial and hotel district tied to the area’s former railroad stations.
Although still accessible from the neighborhood via the Nelson Street Pedestrian Bridge, the decision to leave Castleberry Hill wasn’t an easy one. However, the South Downtown location will increase seating capacity at Bottle Rocket, include an updated bar, and provide more space to host larger events during game days at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The move also allows Bottle Rocket to expand its menu to offer lunch and new dishes at dinner and weekend brunch.
“We’ve known we needed more space. We tried really hard to stay in Castleberry. We looked at every spot and then some,” said Bottle Rocket founder and partner Josh Calvin, who credited a regular for pointing out the progress across the bridge in South Downtown.
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One day, South Downtown co-developer Jon Birdsong posted a construction update on Instagram, casually mentioning that all the development needed now was a neighborhood bar. Calvin said he jokingly replied that Bottle Rocket was looking for a new home. Little did he know that South Downtown Marketing Director April Stammel had gotten in touch with Birdsong, who stopped by Bottle Rocket to chat after a University of Georgia football game at the stadium.
But Calvin wants to assure people that the relocation won’t change what makes Bottle Rocket so special, only improve upon what’s already great about it.
“We call Castleberry Hill ‘the island’ because we all hang out there, like we’re locked in. Many neighbors don’t work traditional 9-to-5 jobs here. To say the neighbors were a little hesitant [about the relocation] would be an understatement,” said Calvin. “Our regulars are most concerned that the vibe of the place is going to change. The funny thing is, they are the ones who created the vibe. We just gave them a place to do it.”
While the expanded menu is still under development, Bottle Rocket Culinary Director Dallas Miller plans to lean into healthier options at lunch like poke bowls, sandwiches, and salads.
Calvin said he’s most excited about the fresh daily fish specials (Think seafood-and-three plates) and the sushi, which will become more streamlined and an experience. People can still expect to see their favorite dishes on the menu in South Downtown, including the Bottle Rocket sushi roll, burger, and Crab Rangoon.
Look for some of the new dishes to pop up on the menu at the Walker Street location as specials or during multi-course dinners this summer.
Calvin first opened Bottle Rocket in 2011 on Walker Street, taking over the former Wasabi Sushi and Sake Lounge space just around the corner from No Mas! Cantina in the heart of Castleberry Hill. He describes Bottle Rocket as “izakaya-ish” with a laidback vibe and a menu melding sushi, bar food, and cocktails.
Another big change for Bottle Rocket this year is its ownership, which now includes three longtime members of staff: Miller, Calvin’s wife and Bottle Rocket General Manager Bonny McKinnon, and Marketing Director Kim Singleton. All four owners are current or former residents of Castleberry Hill.
“Our landlords, the owners of No Mas!, Walt [Bilinski] and Steve [MacNeil], literally built the block we’re on. Without those guys, we wouldn’t be here. Castleberry Hill as it is today wouldn’t be here,” Calvin said, who is grateful for Bilinski and MacNeil being patient while he and his Bottle Rocket partners searched for a new location. “They’ve had plans to grow their business for years and have some plans for our current space that I’m sure will be fantastic.”
Related stories:
• Edgewood taqueria El Tesoro joining South Downtown restaurant lineup
• Delilah’s Everyday Soul opening on Hotel Row in South Downtown
• Barbecue restaurant joining El Tesoro in South Downtown town square
Atlanta Tech Village founders Jon Birdsong and David Cummings purchased the South Downtown redevelopment project in 2023 from German developer Newport RE. The entire project includes 56 buildings and six acres of parking lots.
Birdsong and Cummings have continued the sympathetic renovations of the buildings started by Newport to maintain the historic character and charm of the old commercial district.
Bottle Rocket joins Tyde Tate Kitchen, Spiller Park Coffee, and upcoming locations of El Tesoro, Broad Street BBQ, from the owners of Sammy’s, and Delilah’s Everyday Soul in South Downtown. Earlier this spring, Moods Music owner Darryl Harris opened Crates record store at 215 Mitchell St.
More restaurant and retail announcements are expected throughout 2025.
Bottle Rocket, 231 Mitchell St., South Downtown. Relocating from Walker Street to Mitchell Street this fall.