Big Game Sports Bar & Grill, the hunting-lodge-style sports bar on Ralph McGill that looks out over Historic Fourth Ward Park, has called it quits with no warning. A brief note posted to its website on Thursday said the bar would close “effective immediately,” thanked regulars for “an incredible six-year run” with the neighborhood, and pointed fans toward the owner’s other nearby spots, Bantam Pub and Motorboat.
Closure posted to the bar's website
The homepage now carries a shutdown notice that opens, “I regret to inform you that Big Game Sports Bar & Grill will be closing effective immediately,” according to Big Game's website. The message, signed “Sincerely, Tim,” thanks guests for their support over the years and says the team looks forward to serving patrons at Bantam Pub and Motorboat instead. The site still lists the address as 720 Ralph McGill Blvd and includes a phone number for anyone with questions.
How it fit in Old Fourth Ward
Big Game debuted in mid-February 2022 as a roughly 250-seat sports bar on the ground floor of the Anthem on Ashley complex, serving a mix of wild-game dishes and classic stadium fare, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That coverage described the interior as a huntsman’s lodge, complete with more than 35 televisions and a patio facing Historic Fourth Ward Park. With its sudden exit, the neighborhood loses one of its newer sports-bar options just a few years after it arrived.
Owner points customers to nearby pubs
The closure note steers Big Game regulars toward Bantam Pub and Motorboat, hinting that those spots are expected to pick up some of the game-day crowd. Motorboat’s own site lists its hours and Ponce de Leon Avenue address, showing that the sandwich bar remains open for takeout and late-night service, according to Motorboat's website. Bantam Pub, across Ralph McGill from the former Big Game space, is still listed online as an operating neighborhood pub. For now, those two bars are the closest options for former Big Game patrons looking to catch a game or grab a bite.
Confirmation and next steps
Local TV station WXIA (11Alive) confirmed the online message and noted that Google has already marked the listing as permanently closed. The station also reported it did not receive an immediate response after reaching out for comment. As of publication, the former Big Game address sits in a busy stretch of Old Fourth Ward that has seen its share of openings and closings in recent years, and there is no public word yet on what might replace it. City records and future leasing listings will reveal who moves in next, while neighbors keep an eye on how the block’s nightlife mix continues to evolve.
