Travel Product Reviews
Travel Tuesday: The Club ATL Grab & Go Pantry Lounge Review
Last week, I set off for San Francisco from my home in Springfield, Missouri. But, since I was flying Delta, I of course needed to make a stop in Atlanta before my flight back in the correct direction. Over the years, I’ve spent plenty of time at ATL, so when something new pops up, I take notice. That was the case this time around as I noticed a grab-and-go location next to The Club ATL (which I would have sworn was called The Club at ATL), which I’m told opened late last year. Since I still had some time before my connecting flight, I decided to check out this alternative Priority Pass option.
So what is The Club ATL’s grab-and-go section, how does it work, and is it worth it? Let’s get into my thoughts.
Note: the featured image is from the Priority Pass site, while the other photos in this article are mine.
The Club ATL Pantry Grab-and-Go Lounge Review: What You Need to Know
Location
This new grab-and-go pantry can be found right next to the regular The Club ATL lounge location. That is to say, it is located in Concourse F on the second level — before the food court, and pretty much across from the Delta Sky Club.
As a reminder, Concourse F is the international concourse and marks one side of the airport (with Concourse T on the opposite side). That means it could be a bit of a hike from your gate if you’re flying domestically. Luckily, the Plane Train connects all of the concourses, getting you between wherever you are and the lounge within a few minutes. Also, there are some domestic departures from F or nearby E, so it may not be as far as you think.
Entry
Here’s the catch: if you want to check out this pantry section of The Club ATL, you’ll need to do so instead of visiting the main lounge. In other words, it’s either-or. This situation was one I heard explained several times during my short time inside the space as, with the main club boasting an hour-long wait list, some people in the queue thought they could “pre-game” at this grab-and-go. Alas, this is not the case, so choose wisely.
Aside from that, for entry, you’ll need to provide your Priority Pass and boarding pass. If your Priority Pass entitles you to a guest, they’re welcome as well. In my case, I just handed over my physical card, scanned my boarding pass, and I was in.
According to a sign outside the lounge, it’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What it Offers
If it wasn’t clear from my “grab-and-go” description, this isn’t a regular lounge. Instead, it’s a relatively small spot offering some small snacks, treats, and drinks. There is some seating as well, but it is limited.
After signing in, the first station you’ll see is Sweets. During my visit, this seemed to be pretty much just various flavors of jelly beans. However, further down, there was a freezer filled with Blue Bell ice cream cups, so perhaps that will satisfy your sweet tooth instead.
Moving on, the main food section is the fridge. Here you’ll find assorted items such as sandwiches, pretzels with hummus, hard-boiled eggs, pasta salad, yogurt, cheese, and more. Conveniently, each is placed in a container that makes it easy to take with you. A sign above the refrigerated area advises that there is a limit of three items per person.
Speaking of limits, when you check in, you’ll be given a tap card that will be used to redeem two free drinks. These are some unique options on tap, including Stumptown Cold Brew and peach sweet tea in addition to some beer selections (and more). By the way, beyond these beverages that you need to use your tap card for, there is a water station between the fridge and freezer.
Finally, just beyond the drinks is a small popcorn machine. I didn’t end up trying any popcorn myself, but it smelled delicious. Also, this fun cart added to the overall theme and vibe of the space.
My Experience
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not one to fill up on food before a flight. But, I did want to check out this space — and then didn’t want to just walk right out like some sort of weirdo. So, I treated myself to a cup of chocolate ice cream and some water while relaxing in this tiny lounge. The ice cream cup ended up being the perfect size and hit the spot.
I also loved the decor in this little lounge. Everything was bright, fun, and playful. In fact, if it hadn’t been for this loud aesthetic, I might have walked by this location without knowing it was there.
If there was anything that disappointed me, I do wish there were just a few other options. For example, considering that there’s plenty of space in the Sweet section, I’d have hoped for more than just jelly beans. I suppose they don’t want you just grabbing a bunch of Snickers and walking away — but how much could they really cost them if I did?
Anyway, since I didn’t care about staying long and just wanted a quick snack, this pantry lounge proved to be the perfect solution. Plus, I got to use my Priority Pass, which is rare for me. Therefore, I count this as a win.
Final Thoughts on The Club ATL Pantry Lounge
If your idea of a good airport lounge is big, relaxing chairs, cocktails, and a buffet, then this The Club ATL pantry location is going to disappoint you. Yet, if you’re just looking to grab a bite and avoid having to spend out-of-pocket money in the terminal, then there’s nothing wrong with this grab-and-go spot. While the selection may not be the most extensive, there are some solid choices. And, if you do want to hang out for a few, there will likely be spots to do it.
The only real downside to this spot is the location. If you don’t have much of a layover and you’re departing from anything beyond the C gates, it might not make such sense to head all the way to F Concourse just to nab some hummus pretzels. But, if you have a little more time, I do think you’d be fine taking the Plane Train there and back.
All in all, I’m glad this The Club ATL grab-and-go option exists and would love to see similar spots pop up at more airports. To me, it’s a great way to use your Priority Pass perk even when you don’t have a lot of time and/or the regular lounge is at capacity. Just be sure that you want to use your visit on the pantry option before you head in so you don’t lose the chance to visit the “real” lounge if you so desire.
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