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In Virginia Highland, the best changes don’t erase the past. They build on it. As the neighborhood evolves, so do the families behind its longtime businesses, carrying old stories forward while creating something new. That balance is what defines Lounge 832, a new late night cocktail lounge rooted in family history and guided by a next generation perspective.
Opened by Megen Chey with the support of her father and cousin, Lounge 832 reflects the natural evolution of a family legacy in hospitality that has shaped Virginia Highland for nearly three decades.
Old Roots Making Room for New Ideas
The Chey family has helped shape Virginia Highland’s dining scene for decades, beginning with Highland Bagel, which opened in the neighborhood in 1994 and shared space with Caribou Coffee as Atlanta’s first dual coffee-and-bagel concept. In response to growing dinner traffic near the Atkins Park node, the space later evolved into Osteria 832, now a longtime neighborhood staple. In 1997, that legacy continued with the opening of Doc Chey’s less than two miles down North Highland Ave.
Lounge 832 builds on that foundation, offering a new chapter for both the family and the neighborhood.
Lounge 832 operates out of the same space as Osteria 832, but the experience shifts once the dinner crowd clears. As the night goes on, the lights dim, the music changes, and the menu transitions from full service dining to cocktails and light bites. What feels like a familiar restaurant by day becomes a late night lounge by night, offering a place to sit, unwind, and stay out a little longer without leaving the neighborhood.
Open after dinner service and running late into the evening, Lounge 832 is designed to extend the night rather than restart it. The name Lounge 832 intentionally mirrors Osteria 832, both tied to the building’s street address and a reminder that the new concept is rooted in the same place and history.
A Concept Shaped by Place
Megen began thinking about the concept after recognizing a gap along this stretch of the district. While the area is known for its energy and nightlife, there were fewer places designed for conversation, comfort, and a slower pace. The idea was to create something that felt at home in Virginia Highland while offering something distinctly new.
When she brought the idea forward, it pushed the family business in a new direction. Nightlife was not the traditional lane, but her father trusted her vision. That willingness to let the next generation lead mirrors what is happening across the neighborhood, as new concepts open and new voices emerge without Virginia Highland losing its sense of place.
Craft That Reflects a New Chapter
Megen’s role at Lounge 832 is the result of years spent learning the business from the inside. She began working in the family’s restaurants as a teenager, and her interest in mixology and cocktails took shape during her six years bartending at Osteria.
That experience shaped the lounge from the ground up. The atmosphere, the pacing of the night, and especially the cocktail program were all built with intention. Lounge 832 was designed to feel intimate and welcoming, a place where people can sit down and stay awhile.
“I want to establish a reputation for a place where you can come and have a good conversation over an even better cocktail,” says Chey.
The cocktail menu is where that philosophy comes to life. Megen developed the drinks herself, experimenting with techniques and flavors before opening. The menu features handcrafted cocktails, refined over numerous iterations, including details like chili oil washed tequila prepared in house. The goal, she said, was never to recreate what already exists elsewhere.
“I wanted the drinks here to be drinks that you can’t get anywhere else,” says Chey
Seasonal menus and rotating offerings ensure the space continues to evolve, just like the neighborhood around it.
Built to Complement, Not Compete
Lounge 832 has been met with support from neighboring businesses and regulars alike. Rather than competition, there is collaboration and shared momentum. Bartenders point guests down the street. Owners exchange advice. The success of one space helps strengthen the district as a whole.
“We’re not competing with neighbors. We’re kind of looking to provide something that you can’t get at the other places,” says Chey.
As the Chey family business evolves and the next generation steps forward, Lounge 832 stands as a reflection of Virginia Highland itself. Old culture shaping new ideas and making room for what’s next. A neighborhood and a family growing together, one thoughtful step at a time.
