Regional Chain-
Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs-Who knows how the heck a jersey style sub became a thing down here, but here they are, since 1975
ATLANTA
For record fanatics, stop into Criminal Records for a great selection of toys, comics and CDs but not a stitch of Vinyl (466 Moreland Ave. NE, 404-215-9511 in Little Five Points).
A true hipster can spend and entire trip in the neighborhoods Little Five Points, Virginia Highlands and East Atlanta.
There is also a branch of Trader Vics in a fancy Hotel, the only major tiki chain
Alternative Radio-WRAS-88.5 FM
Get current info on bands playing and such in Creative Loafing. Some offbeat events are run by RowdyDowdy.
Tiki Bars-
Trader Vics in the Hilton Atlanta (Lower Level) 255 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 Complimentary Self-Parking at Hilton Atlanta
The S.O.S. Tiki Bar-340 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030(404) 377-9308 closed Sunday Monday and Tuesday
More Clubs:
Euclid Yacht Club-1136 Euclid Avenue (404-688-2582)-awesome dive bar with boiled peanuts in little five points.
The Tabernacle-152 Luckie Street-(404-659-9022) housed in an old church.
The Righteous Room-1051 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 874-0939
Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium– 466 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312-Quirky dance and ping pong bar. A sister location in Athens
Live Music Clubs in Atlanta:
The EARL-488 Flat Shoals Road-(404-522-3950)
The Echo Lounge-551 Flat Shoals Road-(404-681-3600)
Masquerade-695 North Avenue-404-577-2007
Smiths Olde Bar-1580 Piedmont Rd-Tel: (404) 875-1522
Terminal West-Foundry turned venue at King Plow Arts Center, with bar/restaurant. 887 West Marietta St NW C, Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 876-5566
Variety Playhouse-1099 Euclid Avenue in Little Five Points.
East Atlanta Icehouse-eastatlantaicehouse.com-543 Flat Shoals Avenue SE
Atlanta, GA 30316 (404) 577-2073
The Mammal Gallery -Art Gallery with band events: 91 Broad St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303: (678) 744-7095
eyedrum-515 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30312-
Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery is a non-profit art space and venue in Atlanta, Georgia
529 Bar // East Atlanta -full bar and music venue located in the heart of East Atlanta Village | 529 Flat Shoals Ave, Atlanta, Ga. 30316 | 404-228-6769.
Northside Tavern-1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318-Once a gas station, offering live blues nightly (with house band Mudcat) & pool. (404) 874-8745
Starlight Drive In-Old timey drive in with occasional afternoon band events, etc.2000 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, (404) 627-5786
Record Stores:
Criminal Records-466 Moreland Avenue NE, Little Five Points (404) 215-9511
Wax N Facts-432 Moreland Avenue-(404-525-2275)-Vinyl, Vinyl, Vinyl
Satellite Records-421 Moreland Avenue-(404-880-9746) Dance Music
Wuxtry-2096 North Decatur Road- (404-329-0020)
Eats:
There is a mini chain called Grindhouse Killer burgers that serve shake shack style burgers with great onion rings and an amazing logo.
Zesto Atlanta-Mini chain of soft serve ice cream and DQ like burgers, etc. From a tipster “Zesto is a twisty cone place and I swear there is meth or crack or metha’crack in this devlish concoction b/c I have NEVER liked twisty cones like I like these, nor wanted to tell anyone {shout from rooftops} plus it’s an icon.”-Sadly the oldest location has closed.
Silver Skillet-200 14th St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318- 404-874-1388-Breakfast restaurant only open til 2 pm. Since 1967. Ham steak recommeded.
The Greater Good BBQ-4441 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342-404-303-8525-Good Ribs
Added 8/26/07 tip from Ursula1000
Ria’s Bluebird, 404.521.3737 421 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta, GA. 30312 http://www.riasbluebird.com
They have these pancakes w/ caramelized bananas that are to die for. I’m serious. Do yourself a favor and grab brunch there.
Eats-760 Ponce de Leon Avenue-(404-873-5002)-very unusual mini food court with all sorts of veggie and pasta dishes
Fellinis Pizza-1634 McLendon Avenue and other locations-(404-687-9190)
Mellow Mushroom-931 Monroe Drive and other locations-(404-874-2291)
Savage Pizza-484 Moreland Avenue-(404-523-0500) Yum! Garlic tomato paste!
K & K Soul Food-881 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
www.kksoulfood.com +1 404-685-1073
Bridgetown Grill-1156 Euclid Avenue and other locations (404-653-0110) Great Carribean food.
The Colonnade, 1879 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324-4923
(404) 874-5642 Old school sprawling restaurant bridging the gap between soul food and modern
The Varsity-61 North Avenue-(404-881-1706)-Gigantic, unusual, touristy burger and dog joint. Its been featured on Food Network and the PBS hotdog special. Chili Dogs are the Specialty of the house. Many other locations too.
Heaping Bowl and Brew-469 Flat Shoals Avenue-ecclectic bistro where dishes are served in bowls.
Majestic-1031 Ponce de Leon-(404-875-0276)-Greasy 24 hour Diner with classic diner fare.
Flying Biscuit-1655 McLendon Avenue-Brunchy, Pseudo vegetarian fare (meaning lots of salads, etc) at this restaurant co-owned by an Indigo Girl. Now a mini chain.
Daddy D’z-264 Memorial Drive SE-404-222-0206-BBQ and Blues. Featured on food network.
La Fonda Latina, Little Five points and other locations. Excellent, very cheap cuban/spanish/mexican food. Paella for less than 8 bucks!!!
The Vortex-two locations, one in little five points-“best place for tots and burgers and you can get cussed out by the servers all in one visit. They have a trailer park sandwich of pimento loaf and white bread along with The Coronary which is a fried egg upon top of one of these giant greeezy burgers (four stars **** for hangover friendly). “
The Highlander, 931 Monroe Drive • Atlanta, Georgia 30308 (404) 872-0060 bar with super awesome bar food-2022 closed. Maybe it will relocate?
Hankook Taquaria-1341 Collier Road – Atlanta, GA 30318 , 404.352.8881 Korean tacos!? and cheap 7 dollar Bi Bim Bap.Closed Sunday and only lunch monday. Til 9 pm other days.
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q -1238 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 Most days til 11PM: (404) 577-4030 Fried pickles and jalapenos and good ribs, smoked wings and brisket
Moe’s & Joe’s Tavern -1033 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia.-Burgers and sandwiches since the 40s
Mary Mac’s Tea Room – 224 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308-southern food classic since the 40s
OK Cafe -1284 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327-Cool building
Bon Ton ATL- 674 Myrtle St. NE, Atlanta, GA-Crab boil restaurant
Stay away from the Buckhead neighborhood. It is for khaki people.
Regional Oddity-Gigantic cups of Sweetened Ice Tea. If you want unsweetened you have to TELL THEM!!!!
Girls Roller Derby League-http://www.atlantarollergirls.com/
“Budget Hotels”
Worth noting for superior service and luxury at a less expensive price is the centrally located Georgian Terrace. It is located directly across the street from the historic and beautiful Fox Theater in Midtown and is itself a restored historic building. 659 Peachtree St. 404-897-1991
Rates: $150 and up
There’s a lower-end hotel/motel on nearly every corner, but few have as much character as the Highland Inn in Virginia Highlands. “recently” renovated to attract a “higher-end” clientele-though still on the rustic side with separate hot and cold faucets in the sinks, etc. The Highland is a renovated mansion with 55 rooms that are sparsely but tastefully decorated. You’ll see a lot of European tourists and more often than not, a rocker on the road, crashing conveniently and cheaply for the night. 644 N. Highland Dr., Phone: 404-874-5756
Rates: $71 and up.
An alternative to hotels is a Victorian bed and breakfast. You can stumble upon many along Midtown’s Juniper and Piedmont Avenues.
MJQ Concourse is literally an underground club Its in a parking lot and the only visible sign is a tiny shack that leads into an underground garage.Cash-only -736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 also hosts shows by thedrunkenunicorn.net . 2022-MJQ will be forced to move again. 3rd location hopefully coming soon.
Clermont Lounge-789 Ponce De Leon Avenue-Normally I wouldn’t put a strip joint in the punk travel listings, but this one kept coming up in my research, so I am including it. Apparantly, this is a great dive bar with cheap beer and amusing, non tradational strippers. It is very close to MJQ and the restaurant Eats. Also nearby in the Kroger shopping center is the internet cafe Innovox.
Junkmans Daughter-464 Moreland Ave, Little Five Points-toys, clothes, shoes, etc.
Marietta, GA (Atlanta Suburbs)
Eats-
The Red Eyed Mule -1405 Church St Extension, Marietta, GA 30060 (678) 809-4546, only open for breakfast and lunch til 2 pm, this is the home of “Jakes Sloppy Slaw burger” a favorite of Alton Brown.
Brandi’s World Famous Hot Dogs-1377 Church Street Ext NW, Marietta, GA 30060-A rare chili dog spot in Greater Atlanta.
Allentown, GA (Outside Macon)
Eats-
A&A Restaurant & Grocery– 803 US-80, Allentown, GA 31003 Great burgers and Southern Food in sparse old filling station. 7 days but Lunch only on Sunday.
Athens, GA Hometown of the B-52s
Athens, GA
The local alternative paper is the Flagpole. Also checkRock Athens. Dawgfood is a local food blog.
Bars-
The World Famous – 351 N Hull St, Athens, GA 30601 (706) 543-4002 Apparantly the food isn’t as good as it used to be but the bar is supposed to be cool.
Flicker Theater and Bar-263 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601 (706) 546-0039 Occasional live bands too
Walkers Coffee Shop & Pub-128 College Ave, Athens, GA 30601-Here’s something I wish other bars would copy nationwide. A cozy coffee bar and dive bar with food and coffee alcoholic beverages.
Sister Louisa’s Church – Athens-254 W Clayton St, Athens, GA 30601-Athens location of quirky dance spot of Atlanta. Over the top in a good way.
Eats-
five & ten-1653 S. Lumpkin Street -Athens, Georgia 30606
(706) 546-7300 upscale southern food
Mamas Boy-197 OAK STREET-ATHENS, GA 30601 (706) 548-6249 -breakfast, lunch and brunch, biscuits, pork chops, etc.
Live music-
40 Watt Club -285 W. Washington St. -Athens GA -706.549.7871
Georgia Theater-215 N Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601 (706) 850-7670
Record Stores-
Low Yo Yo Stuff, 261 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601
Secret Sounds- 215 Commerce Boulevard in a stall market Athens, GA 30606
Wuxtry Athens-197 E. Clayton St., Athens GA 30601-2702 ,(706)-369-9428
Avondale Estates, GA (Atlanta Suburbs)
Eats-
Pallookaville Fine Foods -17N Avondale Plz, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 (404) 500-1785-“gourmet” corn dog and quirky decor.
Blakely, GA
Eats
Blakely Chicken -212 N Main St, Blakely, GA 39823 (229) 723-4201 most days-10AM–10PM-Chicken shack with amazing cheap fried chicken. good fried okra too. Take out of picnic table only.
Cartersville, Ga
Eats-
4 Way Lunch-E Main, Cartersville, GA 30120. Great diner where they smother your burger in chili
Scott’s Walk-Up Bar-B-Q– 206 N Tennessee St, Cartersville, GA 30120
Chamblee, GA (Greater Atlanta)
Eats-
Old Brick Pit Barbeque-4805 Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341-BBQ with a vinegar sauce in a barn building. Good Looking Ribs too.
Clayton, GA
Shoppe-
Aunt B’s General Store-539 US-441, Clayton, GA 30525 706-982-9098
Augusta, GA
Augusta was the home of James Brown. The local History Museum has a permanent exhibition about him and there are James Brown Tours you can take.
The local alternative paper is the Metropolitan Spirit.
Eats-
Mini Chain-Wife Saver-fried chicken and Shrimp Southern sides, try the brocolli casserole and pimento cheese. 3316 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 860-2605
BBQ Barn-Only Wednesday to Saturday-10298 Atomic Rd, North Augusta, SC (803) 278-7202 THey have St Louis Gooey butter cake on the dessert menu.
Gary’s Hamburgers- 3909 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30907 most days 6AM–9PM (706) 210-7575
Hildebrandt’s-226 6th St #1416, Augusta, GA 30901-German restaurant with a southern twist
Jackies M’s and Son Cafe and Catering: 3308 Milledgeville Rd, Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 738-6055 They have cheesesteaks, but you want to get a soul roll with Cucumber sauce and hot smoked turkey sandwiches. Closed Sunday and Monday
Olde Time Burgers-1944 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 736-4464 The kind of small burgers this site lives for. Closed Sunday, Most days 11AM–7PM Get a double
Perry’s Pig – 1957 Old Savannah Rd, Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 724-2387 BBQ Closed Sunday and Monday.
Sports Center Restaurant -594 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 724-9307 Big thick burgers and best onion rings anywhere. RECOMMENDED
Honey From the Rock Cafe-2621 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30904 www.honeyfromtherockcafe.com 1 706-434-1098
venues-
Soul Bar : 984 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 most nights 4PM–2AM (706) 724-8880
Le Chat Noir-100-seat arts space, cocktail lounge & cabaret – 304 8th St, Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 722-3322
Bars-
The Hideout-3014 Washington Rd Augusta, GA 30907-Very cool locals bar in a tourist and chain restaurant area. Brilliant in that they have two separate bars, a smoking and non smoking side. Normally very cheap motels very close, unless a golf tournament is going on.
Downtown Augusta Bars-
Soul Bar-984 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901 Closes 2AM (706) 724-8880-Great Bar downtown in a beautiful old space. Touring Punk Bands and a monthly 45s night. Other nights are more normal music selections. Great Place.
Firehouse Bar-1145 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30903-Rock and Roll bar with a normal crowd comfortable for all ages.
Joes Underground-144 8th St, Augusta, GA 30901-Divey bar so divey, its underground. Food Menu available.
Brunswick, GA
Hostel-
Hostel in the Forest, Brunswick, GA 912-264-9738-Sleep in a treehouse for 15 bucks a night!
Venues-
Tipsy McSways – homemade pretzels & live music : 1414 Newcastle St, Brunswick, GA 31520 (912) 267-9991 Most nights til 2AM
Buena Vista, GA (near Atlanta)
While visiting Atlanta, take a drive to see folk art masterpiece Pasaquan. Only open weekends-238 Eddie Martin Rd., Buena Vista GA 31808
Cordele, GA
Eats-Jack’s Old South BBQ is in Cordele, GA.. just off of I-75 (exit 101) in South Ga. When you exit (assuming you are going south on I-75), take a right. Look for a Liberty gas and Shoney’s restaurant. There is a little road between them that leads to a shopping center (approx. 100 yards). You will see the restaurant on the right side as you enter the shopping center.
Decatur, GA
Sites-Waffle House Museum – 2719 E College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030-first waffle house, now a museum. W-Th by appt, call 48 hrs in advance.770-326-7086 Admission:Free
– See more at: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/18095#sthash.N5Z7Lrwh.dpuf
Bars-
Brick Store Pub– 125 E Court Square, Decatur, GA 30030-Belgian beer bar
Dublin, GA
Eats-
Brian’s Giant Subs-1632 Veterans Blvd #A, Dublin, GA 31021-Great Sub Shop. The number one is Baloney. Lots of History. Lunch only on Saturday, closed Sundays.
Dunwoody, GA (Greater Atlanta)
Eats-
NFA Burger-Inside the Chevron, 5465 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338-Burgers inside the Chevron
Eatonton, GA
On Highway 142 between Covington and Eatonton, you will find the Nuwaubian Pyramids of Georgia. It is the compound of a religious organization that is founded on ancient Egyptian teaching. 404 Shady Dale Road, Eatonton, Ga., Highway 142
Gainesville, GA
Eats-
The Hickory Pig-3605 Thompson Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506-Great bbq but also awesome burgers like the off menu hickory burger. The original owner has retired so it is only open for Lunch Thursday Friday and Saturday.
Gwinett, GA
The local alternative paper is the Gwinett Loaf.
Clarkesville, GA
Eats-
Hangry’s A & E Grill
4739 GA-115, Clarkesville, GA 30523, 706-754-7417-Chili Dogs
Helen, GA
An “alpine village” in northern Georgia. You can stay at their Fantasy Inn which looks like a castle, and visit the inns “museum of the hills and Fantasy Kingdom”, before eating at the Troll tavern. The Castle Inn, 8590 Main Street, Box 258, Helen, GA 30545, (706) 878-3140 | Toll Free (877) 878-3140
Eats-
Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe-Chattahoochee Strasse, Helen, GA 30545
Jackson, GA
Eats-
Fresh Air Barbecue– 1164 GA-42, Jackson, GA 30233 (770) 775-3182-Since 1929. Also a location in Macon, GA.
Kennesaw, GA
Eats-
Stilesboro Biscuits -3545 Stilesboro Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA 30152
LaGrange, GA
Eats-Charlie Joseph’s- 2238 W Point Rd, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-0379 Old timey burger and hot dog joint. Theres a newer location Downtown too.
Lookout Mountain, GA
THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST
Attraction-
Rock City Gardens-1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750-The most amazing, trippy, panic attack inducing old timey roadside attraction just outside of Chattanooga, TN across the border. See 7 States! Trippy black light fairyland caves with gnomes and some panic inducing parts where you walk through narrow gaps in the mountain or over a swinging bridge. Must see! Also nearby is Ruby Falls, but if your time is limited, SEE ROCK CITY!
Macon, GA Eats-Nu-Way Weiners – founded in Macon, Georgia in 1916, is America’s second-oldest hot dog chain and has world-famous chili dogs that are bright red. Also hot dogs-430 Cotton Ave Macon, GA 31201
(478) 743-1368
The Rookery -543 Cherry St, Macon, GA 31201 (478) 746-8658-Sorta looks like a TGIFridays knock off but actually good burgers and mind blowing onion rings.
Tucker’s Barbecue– 4591 Broadway, Macon, GA 31206-Nice old bbq joint. This is chopped pork bbq.
Anderson’s Diner-3700 Pio Nono Ave, Macon, GA 31206-Southern food Buffet
H & H Soul Food-807 Forsyth St, Macon, GA 31201-Southern food like Meatloaf
Finchers BBQ-3947 Houston Ave, Macon, GA 31206-Original location of a small regional bbq chain.
Kudzu Seafood Company-: 512 Poplar St, Macon, GA 31201-A little fancy at this southern seafood place.
Mayflower Restaurant– 171 E Broad St, Athens, GA 30601-Since 1948, Breakfast and Lunch Only.
ADD DRUG-1695 S Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30606-Lunch Counter at a 1970s Drug store. Good food but not as charming as similar spots like this. Burger needs to be a double for it to be excellent and the onion rings are great.
Music and Misc
Golden Bough Bookshop, 371 Cotton Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31201
478-744-2446-at the time of this writing they had tuesday night concerts are free and start around 9ish
Museum-
The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House– 2321 Vineville Ave, Macon, GA 31204
Perry, GA
Eats-
Oil Lamp Restaurant -401 General Courtney Hodges Blvd, Perry, GA 31069-soul food buffet
St Simons Island, GA
Eats-
Southern Soul Barbeque- 2020 Demere Rd, St Simons Island, GA 31522
Savannah, GA
Like New Orleans, Savannah allows you to take drinks to go and walk the streets with them.
The JW Marriot has a free display of Fossils and Geodes that is a wonderful walk through. 400 W River St, Savannah, GA 31401 Free.
The local alternative paper is Creative Loafing Savannah.
Take a ghost tour. A good way to see a lot of places. Haunted Pub Crawls are good too. The other touristy must do is visit Forsythe Park and Take a photo of the fountain. The Sentient Bean coffee shop is a good place to take a break from the park.
Local Specialties-Shrimp and Grits and Low Country Boil
Annual Festival in March –Savannah Stopover Music Festival
Candy Store-
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen is located at 225 East River Street. Savannah also has a location at 318 West Saint Julian Street at City Market, or you can visit in Charleston at 32 North Market Street. Pralines and Divinity
Museum-
Graveface Museum-410 E Lower, Factors Walk, Savannah, GA 31401-Museum of oddites. Museum Admission includes a 24 hour pinball pass.
The Grey-Fancy Schmancy upscale upscale Southern in an old Bus terminal. Must have Reservations weeks in advance. Main dining room is prix-fixe $65 for 4 courses. Brunch is a good option.
Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House-(912) 232-5997, 107 West Jones St.-THE place to eat in Savannah. Down home cooking in an old rooming house. Feature from tourist info site.
The Crab Shack-912-786-9857-At Chimney Creek on Tybee Island. Said to be the best seafood in Savannah.
Breakfast Club-1500 Butler Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328 912-786-5984-fools wait in line for boring breakfast, but us smarties come later for an amazing burger, one option is a burger between grilled cheese.
Sly’s Sliders and Fries -1710 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31401 912-239-4219
The Cotton Exchange Tavern-201 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401-In the very touristy River District, Their Low Country Boil is a great value.
Tricks Barbecue-2601 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401(912) 436-7338-Good ribs
Townsend, GA
Eats-the Old School Diner -1080 Jesse Grant Rd NE, Townsend, GA 31331
912-832-2136
Tucker, GA (Greater Atlanta)
Eats-Old Hickory House -Country-style American fare, barbecued meats & more : 2202 Northlake Pkwy, Tucker, GA 30084-Last restaurant of a former chain. Great looking Baby Back ribs, brunswick stew
Matthews Cafeteria -2299 Main St, Tucker, GA
Valdosta, GAAmusement Park-
Wild Adventures Theme Park, 3766 Old Clyattville Road, Valdosta, GA This is a real amusement park with multiple coasters, about 1.5 hours from Jacksonville, FL I-75, exit 13
White, GA
Eats-
J’s Simply Soul,3367 US-411, White, GA 30184 Soul restaurant with great Texas Style Brisket and Black Eyed Peas. Closed Many Days
Wes-Man’s Restaurant-3167 US-411, White, GA 30184
wesmansrestaurant.com (770) 386-9933-Wacky mostly breakfast and lunch restaurant in an A frame room . Closed Sunday
