We talked to Atlanta-based creatives and executives at Fitzgerald & Co, Bark Bark, JWT, 22 Squared to discover what's bubbling under the surface of the home of the world's favourite drink
Atlanta is a city that deserves to be best known for its food, drink, natural beauty and sporting excellence. However in terms of advertising, one brand stands head and shoulders above the rest. Atlanta's home to a certain drinks producer named Coca-Cola, a brand that local adlanders argue didn't only put the city on the map but shaped it too. The brand is so popular that, after the word 'ok', the word 'Coke' is the world's second most universally recognised word. Being the home of the world's favourite drink has its advantages and has attracted a lot of business and productivity to the city, but it's not the tipple of choice for everyone who lives there and the city obviously has a lot more to offer than fruit flavoured fizzy pop.
We spoke to local creatives at Fitzco, Bark Bark, J. Walter Thompson and 22 Squared to get the low down on their favourite haunts to visit, eat, drink and discover in Atlanta and find out what the city has bubbling behind the scenes.
Atlanta – Best Places to Eat and Drink
Cheap Meals
“El Rey del Taco on Buford Highway, El Mexicano or El Progreso in Southeast Atlanta for extremely cheap, extremely good tacos. Lee’s Bakery, Pho dai Loi 2, or Quoc Huong for banh mi sandwiches and pho along Buford Highway. Manuel’s Tavern in Poncey-Highland has a criminally underrated (and cheap) weekend brunch, and is a stalwart of the neighbourhood. Victory Sandwich Bar (in Decatur or Inman Park) has delicious slider sandwiches, ping-pong tables, cult films projected on the wall, and whiskey slushies. The Highland Tap is generally everyone’s favourite for the best (and best-priced) prime rib in town, especially mid-week, before the frat storms descend." Emily Grim, Strategist, 22squared
Quick Meals
“Bocado in West Midtown has one of the best burgers in town and is best had at lunchtime.Home Grown in Reynoldstown for the Comfy Chicken Biscuit (and other Southern comfort foods).” Emily Grim, Strategist, 22squared
"I love Harry & Sons in Virginia Highlands for friendly, inexpensive neighbourhood sushi." Matt Woehrmann, CEO, Fitzgerald & Co
There are so many to choose from, but for the family you can't go wrong with one of the three Verde restaurants" Chris Tuff,EVP, Director of Content Marketing & Partnerships, 22squared
High End Delicacies
"Kimball House in Decatur has insane oysters and cocktails (and a weeknight oyster happy hour that keeps the price tag relatively under control). Great music and spectacular service. Atlas at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead is like a 2-in-1 date night (dinner + a museum) with fabulous art in rotation on the walls. Staff will give you an iPad tour to check out the collection unobtrusively. While you’re there, get the “password” for Himitsu, Umi Sushi’s downstairs cocktail lounge that features some of the best people-watching you’ll get in Atlanta. St. Cecilia for ambience and classic coastal dishes (even though Atlanta’s landlocked). Bread & Butterfly is the most Instagrammable brunch in the city." Emily Grim, Strategist, 22squared
"Date night, I'd hit Ford Fry's many great restaurants (Superica, JCT or The Optimist)" Chris Tuff, EVP, Director of Content Marketing & Partnerships, 22squared
Bars
Clermont Lounge (if you’re feeling really adventurous... it’s a dive bar with strippers over the age of 50)." Ann Daykin, Studio Executive /Partner, Bark Bark
"Sweetwater Brewery tours are clutch." Chris Tuff, EVP, Director of Content Marketing & Partnerships, 22squared
"The rooftop at the Glenn Hotel downtown has a great skyline view. Go on Wednesday-Sunday nights to enjoy Eat Me Speak Me’s pop-up food menu. Proof & Provision in Midtown, TIconderoga Club in Krog Street Market, and Little Trouble in West Midtown for truly fabulous, “artisanal” cocktails with all the trappings (including the hipsters). Euclid Avenue Yacht Club in Little 5 Points, Trackside Tavern in Decatur, and The Earl in East Atlanta all have great bar food and very cheap drinks. These are all (proudly) divey places, so if you’re not into that you won’t appreciate them. Joystick Gamebar in Old Fourth Ward is fun for an arcade game-themed night out, Mary’s in East Atlanta for karaoke and porch-sitting/day-drinking, and The Graveyard/The Basement or Mother for a dance party." Emily Grim, Strategist, 22squared
Atlanta – The Best Things to Do
Festivals
"DragonCon. Flux night in Castleberry Hill (projections, dance, performances, music, sound and light installations, parades, and more!" Ann Daykin, Studio Executive / Partner, Bark Bark
Theatres
"See a show at the Fox Theatre." Ann Daykin, Studio Executive /Partner, Bark Bark
Galleries and Museums
High Museum, Centre for Puppetry Arts, Whitespace Gallery, Botanical Gardens." Ann Daykin, Studio Executive /Partner, Bark Bark
Sport
"Shoot The Hooch" and Frisbee Golf."Ann Daykin, Studio Executive / Partner, Bark Bark
"Professional: Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta United FC (MLS), Georgia Swam (NLL). College Football Hall of Fame; College Football Peach Bowl; brand-new Mercedes-Benz stadium; Georgia Tech sports + facilities." Spence Kramer, CEO, J. Walter Thompson Atlanta
"Atlanta Beltline: comprehensive transportation and economic development effort; among the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs currently underway in the United States. It features:
o22 miles of pedestrian friendly rail transit
o33 miles of multi-use trails
o1,300 acres of parks
o5,600 units of affordable housing
o$10-20 billion in economic development
o30,000 permanent jobs
oPublic art
oHistoric preservation
oSustainability"
Spence Kramer, CEO, JWT Atlanta
Culture
"The street art in Atlanta is top notch. There is an amazing community of artists whose work makes travelling through the city an ever-changing adventure. fun." Mike McGarry, Business Lead, Fitzgerald & Co
"Living Walls is a local organisation that brings street artists from all over the world to create murals around the city. It’s worth it to try to map out each of the walls and just drive around the city to check them out. Mammal Gallery and Murmur in South Downtown are community spaces that consistently feature thoughtful, provocative art and performance. Atlanta has a very active Creative Mornings chapter that brings the city together to celebrate creativity, General Assembly regularly holds creative and UX events at its headquarters in Ponce City Market, and #WeLoveATL celebrates city pride through Instagram/photo meetups, projects and talks. If you’re in Atlanta and not getting stoked about all the inspirational and creative power we have going on here, you’re doing it wrong. Ponce City Market The classic structure, which is the area’s largest adaptive reuse project, has been reinvented as a vibrant community hub housing the Central Food Hall, various shops, flats and offices, all while pointing back to the roots of its inception." Emily Grim, Strategist, 22squared
