A new sweet destination is coming to Poncey-Highland as acclaimed pastry chef Claudia Martinez unveils Bar ANA, a dessert and cocktail bar set to open this summer behind the popular restaurant El Ponce. This exciting collaboration between Martinez, Rosa Thurnher (owner of El Ponce), and a silent partner promises a creative and elevated space for desserts, cocktails, and an atmosphere that celebrates the neighborhood’s rich history.
A Sweet Addition to Poncey-Highland
Set in the basement space of El Ponce, formerly home to El Bar, Bar ANA will offer a daytime coffee shop experience, featuring a rotating pastry menu and savory snacks, along with drinks from an acclaimed local barista. But the real transformation happens at night, where the focus shifts to sophisticated cocktails, delicious desserts, and music that nods to El Bar’s legacy as a hip-hop dance club. Thurnher shares that while the upstairs bar already has a strong cocktail program, Bar ANA will focus on a more refined and visually stunning drink selection.
A Delectable Menu of Pastries and Cocktails
The menu at Bar ANA will feature both indulgent and artfully crafted offerings. Look forward to delights like Venezuelan chocolate mousse with candied hazelnuts and passion fruit, fried doughnuts with seasonal fruit compote and house-made ice cream, and a local charcuterie and cheese selection. For those with a sweet tooth, a limited dessert tasting menu will showcase a rotating collection of Claudia Martinez’s signature pastries.
In addition to the tantalizing desserts, Martinez and Thurnher are designing a cocktail menu that promises to be both inventive and seasonal, featuring drinks made with local ingredients like the much-anticipated seasonal daiquiri.
A Vision Brought to Life
With a rich background that includes awards such as James Beard nominations, the Eater Young Gun award, and a stint on Food Network’s “Chopped Sweets”, Martinez has established herself as a leading figure in the pastry world. After leaving Miller Union in December 2024, she was eager to pursue an independent project that would allow her to create an elevated yet approachable space.
Martinez and Thurnher have worked together before, and their partnership grew out of a shared passion for food and community. What began as a discussion over a glass of wine has turned into a permanent space for Martinez to share her vision with the world.
When Can You Visit Bar ANA?
Bar ANA will open this summer with an initial operating schedule of Thursday to Monday. Coffee service will begin early in the day and end by 3 or 4 p.m., followed by cocktail service from 6 p.m. to midnight or 1 a.m. Martinez and Thurnher are excited to bring this new space to life, offering the Poncey-Highland community a unique, welcoming atmosphere to enjoy delectable pastries, innovative cocktails, and the perfect vibe.
“I’m so excited to bring the neighborhood something that I think they will love,” says Thurnher. With her background and vision, it’s clear that Bar ANA is poised to become one of the most exciting additions to Atlanta’s culinary scene.
Stay tuned for the opening of Bar ANA and prepare for a summer full of delicious indulgence in the heart of Poncey-Highland!
Related topics: