Pinky Cole to Shutter Bar Vegan’s Atlanta Location Following Business Restructuring

Bar Vegan, the lively plant-based restaurant and cocktail lounge founded by Pinky Cole, will shut its Atlanta doors on May 5th after four years in business.

The closure is part of a larger shake-up within Cole’s business portfolio, including the recent shutdowns of Slutty Vegan locations in Duluth and on the campuses of Spelman College and Georgia Tech.

Bar Vegan confirmed the news via Instagram, saying, “This chapter may be closing, but the story doesn’t end there. Stay tuned; there’s more coming to Atlanta this summer. Rumor has it, we may just be a part of it.”

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Since its debut in February 2021 at Ponce City Market, Bar Vegan made a splash with theatrical cocktails served in Ferris wheels and fire extinguishers, alongside bold vegan dishes like Philly Cheesesteaks and eggrolls.

However, the business faced headwinds. In 2022, a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging improper tip pooling and wage violations. Then, in 2025, Cole temporarily lost control of her company due to financial strain, including a staggering $10 million corporate overhead. She handed over ownership as part of a restructuring plan. By March, Cole reclaimed the brand under a new entity, “Ain’t Nobody Coming To See You, Otis LLC,” a nod to “The Temptations” film and announced plans for “Slutty Vegan 2.0.”

Bar Vegan has since expanded, with a second location opening in Lawrenceville in July 2024.