I went here to play pool and drink beer with some good friends after attending a buddy's father's funeral and wake not far from this place (in a town outside of Heflin, AL [Fruithurst, AL]) Johnny's Bar, located at 10 W. Alabama St, in a an old commercial building in the town of Tallapoosa by town square / main street.
The place is a typical small-town, honky-tonk variety of rustic dive bar; very popular with the locals / area blue collar types. It's the kind of place where you can drink cheap pitchers of beer, play pool (or darts in a electronic, soft-tip coin operated dart board) and / or hang with your closest of friends. Smoking is allowed inside (so non smokers be forewarned).
Classic Rock and Country Rock (Rockabilly) was continuously blaring from the jukebox / (or house stereo) inside the bar. Sadly this place does not appear to serve food; that would have been interesting indeed.
I always give this warning to those not familiar with small town, honky tonk type dive bars prevalent throughout the Southeast: Best not to piss off the locals if you find yourself getting too drunk or overly obnoxious (or cocky while playing pool or darts). This is the kind of place where you might get your ass seriously kicked if you mouth off to or piss off the wrong person.
If you are nice & friendly, the people in the bar will usually follow suit. If you are inclined to behave badly, then you will likely find trouble.
Tallapoosa, Georgia (like most small towns in West Georgia) can be a hazardous place for the uninitiated. Don't boast about being from Atlanta; folks in rural West Georgia tend to be distrustful of (if not outright negatively inclined towards) non-locals - especially those from Atlanta.
Johnny's has been in business since 1946. The original owner (Johnny) died of a heart attack in the bar sometime in the early 60s and many of the locals there swear that his spirit still inhabits the premises. I don't think much has changed with respect to the interior of the place since the time the original owner died (perhaps out of respect / deference to Johnny). The walls are covered with old, brown wood paneling; Both Auburn and Alabama football banners hang from the walls and the floor is covered with old vinyl tiling.
The bathroom, though clean, features old wallpaper, fixtures and lots of stickers / graffiti. As far as dive bars go, this one is solid. Perhaps really deserves or 4.5 stars. So If you find yourself in Tallapoosa,GA and feel like doing some drinking or watching college football on a Saturday afternoon, you might as well go to Johnny's. I'm sure you will be glad that you did. read more