Nightlife · Atlanta · United States
Atlanta nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Atlanta, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Atlanta's nightlife ranges from neighbourhood bars and breweries to hip-hop clubs and big concerts. Midtown and Edgewood Avenue are the most concentrated going-out areas. The main areas are Midtown, Edgewood Avenue, Little Five Points and Buckhead.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Midtown
- Local drink
- Sweet tea
Where to go out
Midtown
Bars and clubs around 10th Street, Crescent Avenue and Juniper Street, the heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife.
Edgewood Avenue
Dive bars, cocktail bars and DJ nights along a short stretch near Sweet Auburn.
Little Five Points
Alternative bars, live-music venues and late-night food in a bohemian shopping district.
Buckhead
Upscale lounges and hotel bars, with dress codes at some venues.
Nightlife tips
- Bars generally serve until about 2am, later in a few licensed venues.
- Plan a ride-hail home; MARTA trains stop running in the early hours.
- Check for big concerts or games downtown, which change traffic and ride prices.
Evening sights
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Architecture · Midtown
Fox Theatre
Even a cheap seat for a concert gets you the full interior; arrive early to look around.
- Time needed
- 1 hour tour or an evening show
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- After dark
- Couples
- History
What to drink
- Sweet tea — Black iced tea brewed strong and sweetened while hot, served by the glass or pitcher with almost every Southern meal. Ask for 'unsweet' if you want it plain.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 22°C (72°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 17:51 | 2°C (36°F) | 11 |
| April | About 20:08 | 11°C (52°F) | 9 |
| July | About 20:49 | 22°C (72°F) | 12 |
| October | About 19:04 | 12°C (54°F) | 7 |
Getting home late
- Metro — Buy a reloadable Breeze card or use the Breeze app instead of paying per ride at the machine each time.
- Walking — Downtown's attractions are walkable around Centennial Olympic Park, and Midtown is pleasant on foot.
- Tram — The Atlanta Streetcar runs a short downtown loop between Centennial Olympic Park and the King sites on Auburn Avenue.
- Ride-hailing — Uber and Lyft are the practical way to reach Buford Highway, West Midtown, Virginia-Highland and other areas away from MARTA.
Late-night bites
- The Varsity chili dog — The original Varsity on North Avenue in Midtown.
- Boiled peanuts — Roadside stands and gas stations outside the city, and some markets and ballpark concessions.
Staying safe at night
Car break-ins are common, so leave nothing visible in parked cars. Downtown can feel deserted at night outside event times, so use ride-hailing rather than walking long distances after dark, and carry water in the summer heat.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, nightlife and culture
Midtown
Midtown is Atlanta's most walkable district, with the High Museum, the Fox Theatre and the Woodruff Arts Center along Peachtree Street, and Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden on its eastern side. Restaurants and bars run along 10th Street and Crescent Avenue, and three MARTA stations connect it to downtown and the airport.
- Good
- Most walkable base in the city; MARTA rail on the doorstep; Parks, museums and restaurants together
- Watch out
- Higher hotel rates than downtown; Traffic along Peachtree at rush hour
- Nearby
- Piedmont Park, High Museum of Art, Fox Theatre, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Atlanta?
Midtown, Edgewood Avenue and Little Five Points. Bars and clubs around 10th Street, Crescent Avenue and Juniper Street, the heart of LGBTQ+ nightlife.
+Which area of Atlanta is best for nightlife?
Midtown: High-rises, the arts district and Piedmont Park's skyline views.