Wet Willie's has closed in Buckhead. The popular daiquiri bar, located in the Lindbergh City Center development along Piedmont Road near the Lindbergh MARTA station, reportedly closed shortly after hosting events during Super Bowl weekend. Former NFL player Carlos Emmons opened the Atlanta franchise of the Savannah-based business March 5, 2010.
In the coming weeks, potentially before the end of the month, Emmons plans to reopen the business as B 51, short for Bar 51, a new bar that will be largely similar to its predecessor, but with the addition of new mixed drinks and other beverages. The 51 in the name is an ode to Emmons' number when he played professional football and likely a way for him to continue a similar business without the costs associated with a franchise agreement.
Another Wet Willie's location in Beaufort, South Carolina, that only opened in December 2017, closed in late 2018, and is reportedly looking to make a similar transition to that of Emmons.
Although Atlanta and Beaufort are the first instances we are aware of where Wet Willie's closed and later reopened as similar, but un-franchised concepts, the practice is not uncommon. A number of Atlanta area Mellow Mushroom and Taco Mac restaurants have closed over the years, later reopening similar but independent concepts serving similar food and drink options.
Fourteen other Wet Willie's remain in business including two locations in Savannah and one on Tybee Island.
Are you a fan of Wet Willie's? Would you like to see another Wet Willie's opened in metro Atlanta? What is your favorite bar in Atlanta?
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