Where is ATL's Nightlife? : ALL OVER (Atlanta: transport, budget, land)

[mjtinmemphis]

I use to live in the Lakeview area of Chicago. Who with money wants to live in neighborhood with the problems that come from a high concentration of bars and clubs with a last call at 3 or 4am. Those neighborhoods are nice for cities in their infancy to build a certain image that they are lively and for tourism but Atlanta is so far beyond that.

[cparker73]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I use to live in the Lakeview area of Chicago. Who with money wants to live in neighborhood with the problems that come from a high concentration of bars and clubs with a last call at 3 or 4am. Those neighborhoods are nice for cities in their infancy to build a certain image that they are lively and for tourism but Atlanta is so far beyond that.

Good point, which is why downtown tourist districts are usually best for this sort of thing. The Buckhead Village bar scene grew organically when Underground Atlanta died out in the 70s and 80s before its revival as an underground mall. I think Underground has the potential to become the default party district again once South Downtown and Atlantic Yards take off and have a more seamless connection to Five Points to the arena and stadium. Basically, an oversized version of The Battery.

As for last call, when and why did it change to 2:30 a.m. from 4 a.m? I recall seeing a study that cities with later last calls see fewer incidences of drunk driving and post-closing fights. The thinking is that with a 4 a.m. last call, there's a longer stretch of time for people to sober up and less binge drinking in the last couple of hours. With fewer drunks, you have fewer people with liquid courage to start something in the parking lot that could escalate into a shootout.

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by cparker73

Good point, which is why downtown tourist districts are usually best for this sort of thing. The Buckhead Village bar scene grew organically when Underground Atlanta died out in the 70s and 80s before its revival as an underground mall. I think Underground has the potential to become the default party district again once South Downtown and Atlantic Yards take off and have a more seamless connection to Five Points to the arena and stadium. Basically, an oversized version of The Battery.

As for last call, when and why did it change to 2:30 a.m. from 4 a.m? I recall seeing a study that cities with later last calls see fewer incidences of drunk driving and post-closing fights. The thinking is that with a 4 a.m. last call, there's a longer stretch of time for people to sober up and less binge drinking in the last couple of hours. With fewer drunks, you have fewer people with liquid courage to start something in the parking lot that could escalate into a shootout.

I may be wrong, but I believe Underground was granted a 4:00am close?

[walker1962]

When the Buckhead district died, I expected the Ponce Market/midtown and Little Five Points to really benefit but they never did really replace what was lost.

[cparker73]

Originally Posted by walker1962

When the Buckhead district died, I expected the Ponce Market/midtown and Little Five Points to really benefit but they never did really replace what was lost.

In the 90s, L5P was at the height of it's goth/EDM/alternative/emo/rock phase and not quite the crowd that would mesh well with the SEC school Greek crowd. I think the closest we have are brew pubs lining The Beltline.

[ShenardL]

Originally Posted by cparker73

In the 90s, L5P was at the height of it's goth/EDM/alternative/emo/rock phase and not quite the crowd that would mesh well with the SEC school Greek crowd. I think the closest we have are brew pubs lining The Beltline.

Yeah, Old fourth ward east beltline, maybe the Westside Provisions District/West Midtown have potential to be that type of area. It will also be interesting to see the crowd around Centennial Yards if it's built out like the renderings and Underground Atlanta's redevelopment. That whole area connecting with Centennial Olympic Park and the touristy areas with the Ferris Wheel, Coke, GA Aquarium has potential as well.

[Born 2 Roll]

Mayor Andre Dickens has rolled-out new training sessions for Atlanta business owners that want to do their part in making the city’s nightlife culture safer. It’s part of the city’s first “Nightlife Divison” within the Mayor’s Office to address establishments that have a history of high crime.

One city leader that’s been pushing for tougher crackdowns is District 11 City Councilwoman Marci Collier Overstreet.

She spoke with WABE’s “All Things Considered” last year about the increase of restaurants masquerading as nightclubs — where factors like late-night alcohol servings and overcrowding have led to [fights and parking lot shootings].

New workshops address how Atlanta nightlife is too often a backdrop for violence (WABE Atlanta)

[JulianMabowski]

Originally Posted by ShenardL

Yeah, Old fourth ward east beltline, maybe the Westside Provisions District/West Midtown have potential to be that type of area. It will also be interesting to see the crowd around Centennial Yards if it's built out like the renderings and Underground Atlanta's redevelopment. That whole area connecting with Centennial Olympic Park and the touristy areas with the Ferris Wheel, Coke, GA Aquarium has potential as well.

West Midtown reminds me of the West Loop/Fulton Market in Chicago. Both have an industrial vibe. The problem is West midtown has no public transport and Howell Mill is a disaster. I love all the new buildings coming up but there's like no cohesive plan to stitch everything together like in Fulton Market. It definitely has potential tho. Sad most urban planning leaders in this city have no idea what they're doing.

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by JulianMabowski

West Midtown reminds me of the West Loop/Fulton Market in Chicago. Both have an industrial vibe. The problem is West midtown has no public transport and Howell Mill is a disaster. I love all the new buildings coming up but there's like no cohesive plan to stitch everything together like in Fulton Market. It definitely has potential tho. Sad most urban planning leaders in this city have no idea what they're doing.

Of course they know what they're doing, they just don't have magic wands with attached budgets to make transit just 'happen.'

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

New workshops address how Atlanta nightlife is too often a backdrop for violence (WABE Atlanta)

I think the councilwoman meant nightclubs masquerading as restaurants, not the other way around.

Be that as it may, why in tarnation do nightclubs have to lead to violence? Can't people simply enjoy a little music and conversation with their friends without pulling out guns? That is plumb crazy!