Airports with better pubs than the Sky Club
Nov 26, 2023, 9:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 597
Airports with better pubs than the Sky Club
As 2025 looms and us Reserve carders will be limited in the number of visits, I began thinking about which airports it's OK to skip the Sky Club. We will have to perform some triage on visits where the layover is relatively short. Yes, yes, "food" and drinks are complimentary at the Sky Club, but with limited visits, hard choices will have to be made. A cold pint of beer in a nice environment between flights makes traveling bearable for me.
The first one that comes to mind is ATL Terminal F and Ecco. The bars at most Atlanta Sky Clubs are awful and Ecco feels like a true pub. Same with SAN and Stone Brewing. Maybe Stone Arch at MSP if you don't want to make the long trek to the new Sky Club. What would you add to the list of airport pubs better than the Sky Club?
The first one that comes to mind is ATL Terminal F and Ecco. The bars at most Atlanta Sky Clubs are awful and Ecco feels like a true pub. Same with SAN and Stone Brewing. Maybe Stone Arch at MSP if you don't want to make the long trek to the new Sky Club. What would you add to the list of airport pubs better than the Sky Club?
Nov 26, 2023, 9:30 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: I've gone underground!
Posts: 4,605
This is completely subjective, based on personal taste. Ignoring cost, I think ATL has more than one good place to grab a beer and a snack in every terminal. I don’t like Ecco personally. But I love Grindhouse. OFS has lost allure for me; I think it peaked pre-COVID.
Add in cost. Yesterday in DEN I ate at the Mercantile on priority pass. My family of four ate for the price of the tip and I had a good local brew. The food was better than the skyclub and I got a “better” beer “for free”.
As a road warrior who will also be spending the $75k, I think of the lounge as costing me <$10/visit. So it’s the best deal I can get. However, if I didn’t get the waiver and had the vanilla PLT at $295 ($695 - $200 airline credit - $200 Uber) and 10 visits: $30/visit, I’d be looking elsewhere.
Add in cost. Yesterday in DEN I ate at the Mercantile on priority pass. My family of four ate for the price of the tip and I had a good local brew. The food was better than the skyclub and I got a “better” beer “for free”.
As a road warrior who will also be spending the $75k, I think of the lounge as costing me <$10/visit. So it’s the best deal I can get. However, if I didn’t get the waiver and had the vanilla PLT at $295 ($695 - $200 airline credit - $200 Uber) and 10 visits: $30/visit, I’d be looking elsewhere.
Nov 26, 2023, 10:15 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 34
I too have been very disappointed with the Atlanta clubs. You would think, perhaps I'm wrong, that given its their HQ - they would showcase the best of their product. Instead, clubs at DCA, MCI, and ORD have better staff, facilities, and offerings. Is there any chance...Delta improves their Atlanta offerings post 2025 SkyClub changes?
Nov 26, 2023, 10:25 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: I've gone underground!
Posts: 4,605
The thing about ATL is this… they don’t have to do better since it’s a captive market and the clubs are always full.
I don’t think they’re bad, though. LAX, SEA, and ORD are all incredibly nice. I think ATL B and F are better than the average DL club and on par with BNA. T, E and central A are “average” (like TPA, DCA) and better than MCO or DEN. Then there’s D-12 which rivals JAX for being a dump.
I don’t think they’re bad, though. LAX, SEA, and ORD are all incredibly nice. I think ATL B and F are better than the average DL club and on par with BNA. T, E and central A are “average” (like TPA, DCA) and better than MCO or DEN. Then there’s D-12 which rivals JAX for being a dump.
Nov 26, 2023, 10:55 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 597
Woah there, JAX might be a dump, but it is our dump :-) Just glad to have a club at all. This isn't about Sky Clubs, it's about great airport pub alternatives. Ideas? Is there one in the new SLC A concourse to avoid the long slog to the current Sky Club?
Nov 26, 2023, 11:28 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Death March, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott/Hilton Gold Life
Posts: 1,547
As 2025 looms and us Reserve carders will be limited in the number of visits, I began thinking about which airports it's OK to skip the Sky Club. We will have to perform some triage on visits where the layover is relatively short. Yes, yes, "food" and drinks are complimentary at the Sky Club, but with limited visits, hard choices will have to be made. A cold pint of beer in a nice environment between flights makes traveling bearable for me.
The first one that comes to mind is ATL Terminal F and Ecco. The bars at most Atlanta Sky Clubs are awful and Ecco feels like a true pub. Same with SAN and Stone Brewing. Maybe Stone Arch at MSP if you don't want to make the long trek to the new Sky Club. What would you add to the list of airport pubs better than the Sky Club?
The first one that comes to mind is ATL Terminal F and Ecco. The bars at most Atlanta Sky Clubs are awful and Ecco feels like a true pub. Same with SAN and Stone Brewing. Maybe Stone Arch at MSP if you don't want to make the long trek to the new Sky Club. What would you add to the list of airport pubs better than the Sky Club?
However, quality has slipped a bit, and they are sloooooooooooow.
Nov 26, 2023, 1:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: DL Charter DM/DM/2MM, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,925
Plenty of better drinking/eating spots in the B Concourse T2 at JFK, including a Buffalo Wild Wings and two Shake Shack locations, and even between the A and B Concourses there are a couple of drinking spots, and at least one more in the A Concourse.
Nov 26, 2023, 2:36 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: AA Plat Pro
Posts: 910
The thing about ATL is this… they don’t have to do better since it’s a captive market and the clubs are always full.
I don’t think they’re bad, though. LAX, SEA, and ORD are all incredibly nice. I think ATL B and F are better than the average DL club and on par with BNA. T, E and central A are “average” (like TPA, DCA) and better than MCO or DEN. Then there’s D-12 which rivals JAX for being a dump.
I don’t think they’re bad, though. LAX, SEA, and ORD are all incredibly nice. I think ATL B and F are better than the average DL club and on par with BNA. T, E and central A are “average” (like TPA, DCA) and better than MCO or DEN. Then there’s D-12 which rivals JAX for being a dump.
Nov 26, 2023, 5:27 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,110
I think if the question is "are any of the JFK F&B options a better place to drink than the SkyClubs" the answer is probably "no, but then then SkyClubs aren't all that great, you probably should just drink in Manhattan before heading to the airport."
Nov 26, 2023, 5:39 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: ANC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,859
My favorites are:
ATL - One Flew South in E. I think food-wise it was better Pre-Covid, but still a solid choice. Portion sizes are small and pricey. But drinks wise, excellent cocktails and one of the few places I actually enjoy sitting at the bar. Have had the bartender make me specialties before when I describe what I’m in the mood for. Try a lemon drop, but made with bourbon. Excellent.
SEA - Africa Lounge near A5 has excellent (and strong) cocktails. Food wise it’s very basic and nothing really African about it. Good nachos though if you aren’t watching your sodium intake lol. Skip Beecher’s. It’s the flagship place at SEA and very underwhelming IMO.
MSP - Haven’t really found a place that I particularly enjoy since Ike’s closed (both the mall location and F terminal). Lots of small wine bars scattered throughout so maybe give one of those a try.
ANC - The new 49th state brewing at the entrance of C concourse is outstanding. The king crab wontons are awesome. Great beer selection and always had friendly staff. Avoid Humpys in B by the DL gates. Definitely peaked pre-Covid and now always seems to be closing anytime a flight is scheduled. Silver Gulch in C is so-so. Lousy food, hit or miss cocktails, but really good to-go pizzas. Sushi on the Fly at the far end of C is pretty good too, albeit a tad pricey. Great cocktails too. It’s a bit of a walk from the DL B gates, so be sure and allow time.
ATL - One Flew South in E. I think food-wise it was better Pre-Covid, but still a solid choice. Portion sizes are small and pricey. But drinks wise, excellent cocktails and one of the few places I actually enjoy sitting at the bar. Have had the bartender make me specialties before when I describe what I’m in the mood for. Try a lemon drop, but made with bourbon. Excellent.
SEA - Africa Lounge near A5 has excellent (and strong) cocktails. Food wise it’s very basic and nothing really African about it. Good nachos though if you aren’t watching your sodium intake lol. Skip Beecher’s. It’s the flagship place at SEA and very underwhelming IMO.
MSP - Haven’t really found a place that I particularly enjoy since Ike’s closed (both the mall location and F terminal). Lots of small wine bars scattered throughout so maybe give one of those a try.
ANC - The new 49th state brewing at the entrance of C concourse is outstanding. The king crab wontons are awesome. Great beer selection and always had friendly staff. Avoid Humpys in B by the DL gates. Definitely peaked pre-Covid and now always seems to be closing anytime a flight is scheduled. Silver Gulch in C is so-so. Lousy food, hit or miss cocktails, but really good to-go pizzas. Sushi on the Fly at the far end of C is pretty good too, albeit a tad pricey. Great cocktails too. It’s a bit of a walk from the DL B gates, so be sure and allow time.
Nov 26, 2023, 8:05 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: On the run
Programs: DL 2MM/DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 573
New bourbon bar with multiple outdoor terraces opening soon ATL terminal E aka Centurion Lounge.
Don’t forget that the ATL SkyClubs have contracted vendors, as T through D have a different vendor than the E&F SkyClubs.
Don’t forget that the ATL SkyClubs have contracted vendors, as T through D have a different vendor than the E&F SkyClubs.