Atlanta, GA
This Atlanta Neighborhood With A Quirky Name Has Walkable Streets And Trendy Eats – Islands
It’s sometimes hard to believe that Atlanta has been destroyed by fire twice — first toward the end of the Civil War, and again in 1917, when a blaze destroyed 3,400 buildings. In the century since, the city’s undergone much development, often at the expense of historic communities. “Atlanta has an unfortunate habit of bulldozing historic properties in exchange for shiny new ones,” according to Atlanta Magazine. Despite this, ATL remains defined by its neighborhoods, a rich mix of historic districts, green spaces, and celebrated food scenes. Longstanding neighborhoods like Cabbagetown — a queer-friendly enclave known for its eateries — and Inman Park — an artsy neighborhood with charming architecture and cafés — reflect this past and present. SoNo, a quirky nickname derived from “South of North,” as in “South of North Avenue,” sits at the center of it all. Located west of Old Fourth Ward, a historic neighborhood with good shopping, SoNo has emerged as a thriving hub thanks to its trendy eats, entertainment options, and historic vibe. It’s also considered one of Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhoods.
Interstate 85 runs along SoNo’s western edge, providing quick access from elsewhere. With a transit score of 65 on WalkScore.com, the neighborhood is obviously well connected to the rest of the city. Although surrounded by skyscrapers and office buildings, SoNo retains its history through smaller buildings and long-standing businesses. Roughly 100 establishments, from coffee shops to restaurants to music venues, call SoNo home, including the original J.R. Crickets, an acclaimed chicken wings chain. For entertainment there’s the Fox Theatre, built in 1929, as well as the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, home to Atlanta’s Shakespeare Company. And like most Atlanta enclaves, there’s no shortage of green spaces. Folk Art Park features city skyline views, while sprawling Central Park sits just east.
SoNo has carved out a quirky balance of modern and historic
When you look at the Atlanta skyline from a distance, you’re seeing SoNo. SoNo is bounded to the north by North Avenue — once the city’s northernmost boundary — Central Park to the east, and Interstate 85 to the west and south. Midtown sits just above North Avenue. SoNo received its modern moniker around 2005, when new development revitalized the area, introducing contemporary apartments and helping the neighborhood carve out a distinct identity among Atlanta’s many districts. Today, SoNo features contemporary high-rise condos and apartment buildings that contribute to the city skyline, with average rents on Apartments.com reported at $1,782 for studios.
Other standout landmarks include Bank of America Plaza, Atlanta’s tallest building, and the Rufus M. Rose House, a rare, late Victorian Queen Anne-style mansion once owned by the founder of Four Roses Distillery (interior tours not available as of this writing). Nearby, the W.W. Orr Building, a 1930s-era Art Deco structure, continues to function as part of the Emory University Hospital Midtown campus, and One Georgia Center adds to the area’s quirky mix of historic and modern.
One of SoNo’s most historic stretches is the Baltimore Block, a series of rowhouses uncommon in the South, where historic residential architecture typically consists of semi-detached duplexes or shotgun-style homes. Built by Baltimore native Jacob J. Rosenthal, the 14 rowhouses became the city’s first long-term lease rental units. They were considered modern and opulent for the time, featuring rare luxuries like central heating, gaslight fixtures, and marble mantels. The area was briefly a hotspot for Atlanta’s white high society, though it eventually fell into disrepair, with some buildings demolished. Slowly, restoration began in the 1930s, and by the 1980s, Baltimore Block had been converted into a mixed-use office and apartment complex.
Enjoy SoNo’s walkable selection of trendy eats
SoNo’s WalkScore rating of 87 in walkability pairs with a bike score of 72, meaning it’s easy to get around. While its own restaurant scene isn’t as large or widely known as Bucktown, Little Five Points, or nearby Midtown — a vibrant district with festivals, rooftop spaces, and art – SoNo still has a few standout, innovative and trendy eating options. Poor Calvin’s, in the neighborhood since 2012, was once known for a “killer brunch” but now focuses on dinner, offering fusion Thai-American dishes like Deviled eggs with crab, lobster macaroni and cheese, frog legs, and Fuji apple cake. “Imagine shrimp curry with a side of mac-and-cheese,” wrote one TripAdvisor reviewer. “I could not possibly recommend this restaurant more.” Another agreed: “This is such a popular restaurant and there’s no need to guess why.”
Nikolai’s Roof on the 30th floor of the Hilton Atlanta, a short walk south of SoNo, is perfect for celebratory events. Its fine dining menu features seared foie gras, duck breast, and a ricotta-gruyère lasagna, plus caviar service, complemented by a wine list and cocktails. “Nikolai’s is a gem!” wrote a TripAdvisor reviewer. “The small details are not overlooked and the food was delicious.” Another agreed: “Amazing food, great views of the city, awesome environment. 10/10 definitely recommend.” There are plenty more restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisines, and there’s the aforementioned J.R. Crickets, an acclaimed fried chicken wing spot.
While the historic Fox Theatre and Publik Draft House are just north of North Avenue, they’re easily walkable or bikable from SoNo, making it simple to enjoy the broader Midtown dining and nightlife scene. You could even make it on foot to the one-Michelin star Lazy Betty for innovative contemporary dishes, about a mile walk.
Here’s a closer look at Atlanta’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this summer. The new and renovated Atlanta-area venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Hotel Phoenix
Rendering: Courtesy of Green Olive Media
One of downtown Atlanta’s most anticipated openings, Hotel Phoenix brings 292 guest rooms, 15 suites, and more than 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space to the rapidly evolving Centennial Yards district, just in time for FIFA festivities. Opening in December 2025, the 18-story property sits steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and offers floor-to-ceiling skyline views throughout. For planners, the headline is the flexible event footprint, anchored by an 8,214-square-foot ballroom that can be separated into three spaces by airwalls. The indoor flexibility is complemented by outdoor gathering spaces, which debuted this spring, including a resort-style pool deck, event lawn, and terrace lounge. With modern industrial design, built-in AV capabilities, and easy access to Atlanta’s sports and entertainment corridor, Hotel Phoenix is poised to become a go-to destination for conferences, galas, receptions, and high-energy corporate events.
JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Photo: Courtesy of JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Following a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta Downtown, JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown debuted in May with 237 guest rooms and nearly 10,000 square feet of refreshed meeting and event space. The property’s redesigned venues include conference rooms, banquet spaces, prefunction areas, and JW Marriott’s signature Blank Canvas Room, a gallery-style venue featuring white walls and wood floors designed to be fully customized for any event vision. An elevated boardroom, one of the city’s largest executive lounges, wellness-focused guest accommodations, and a rooftop pool bar add extra appeal for executive retreats and multi-day conferences. For planners seeking a luxury downtown option with a fresh new identity, this one deserves a spot on the shortlist.
Cosm Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Cosm Atlanta
If your attendees have already seen every ballroom in Atlanta, introduce them to Cosm. The new 70,000-square-foot venue in Centennial Yards is anchored by an 87-foot-diameter LED dome that delivers immersive “shared reality” experiences unlike anything currently available in the meetings market. The three-level venue accommodates up to 2,000 guests across three distinct event environments. The Dome seats up to 500 for screenings, presentations, and private experiences beneath the massive 12K+ LED display. The Hall offers a two-story event space with theater seating for 500, while The Deck provides outdoor reception space for up to 400 guests overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. From product launches and media events to client entertainment and branded activations, Cosm offers planners a built-in wow factor that requires very little additional dressing.
SKOL Brewing Company & Valhalla Gaming Lounge
Photo: Courtesy of Caren West PR
Already known for its Nordic-inspired brewpub atmosphere inside downtown Atlanta’s historic 200 Peachtree building, SKOL Brewing Company is leveling up with the addition of Valhalla Gaming Lounge, a 30,000-square-foot expansion designed for immersive group experiences. Combined with SKOL’s existing 5,000-square-foot footprint, the venue creates a sprawling entertainment destination packed with more than 40 interactive attractions, including simulators, bocce courts, billiards, darts, arcade games, and experiential gaming zones. Private event options are already available, making this a compelling choice for team-building programs, client entertainment, conference after-parties, and events that need a healthy dose of friendly competition.
Thrillz Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Thrillz Atlanta & Brown Bag Marketing
Forget trust falls. Thrillz Atlanta is bringing adrenaline-fueled team building to the city with a massive indoor adventure park featuring more than 20 attractions under one roof. Designed for group outings, corporate events, and large-scale celebrations, the venue combines amusement rides, virtual reality experiences, laser tag, duckpin bowling, obstacle courses, arcade gaming, and towering slide attractions reaching up to 40 feet high. Ten themed private event rooms, dedicated event coordinators, and full food-and-beverage service make planning surprisingly turnkey. For companies looking to inject some serious energy into meetings, incentive programs, or employee events, Thrillz offers an experience attendees won’t forget.
You42 Studios
Photo: Courtesy of You42 Studios
Part content campus, part entertainment complex, part event venue, You42 Studios is one of the most unconventional new event destinations to open in metro Atlanta. Located in Roswell, the 36,000-square-foot facility combines creator studios, production suites, restaurants, nightlife concepts, live entertainment, and flexible event space under one roof. For planners, versatility is the selling point. The campus includes a 3,800-square-foot event venue, 11 professional content-creation studios, podcast suites, themed production sets, and The Block Theater, featuring a 30-by-18-foot LED screen for presentations, screenings, and live performances. Add multiple food-and-beverage concepts led by celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe, and You42 becomes a one-stop shop for conferences, content-driven events, brand launches, influencer programs, and corporate gatherings looking for something far more memorable than a hotel meeting room.
Peachtree Sporting Club & American Dive
Photo: Zachary Bobo
Downtown Atlanta’s new 207 Peachtree development is betting big on experiential events. The 45,000-square-foot entertainment, dining, and event destination opened this month with Peachtree Sporting Club, an upscale sports bar concept, and American Dive, a live music venue serving Southern barbecue in a nostalgic dive-bar setting. For planners looking to move beyond traditional ballrooms, the venue offers built-in energy, multiple environments under one roof, and the flexibility to host everything from watch parties and networking receptions to buyouts and branded activations. It’s the kind of place where attendees can swap conference badges for cocktails without ever leaving the venue.
SAN FRANCISCO — Robbie Ray was everything the Giants could ask for on Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park.
In a performance that continued a strong recent stretch, the 34-year-old went eight innings and gave up a single unearned run, leading San Francisco to a 3-2 win.
It was an outing that will only increase potential interest in Ray at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, one where the Giants figure to be busy after ending their first winning homestand since April with a record of 35-48.
The Braves, who remain in first place in the NL East, are 49-33.
Ray was perfect through four innings until Matt Olson broke up his run of 12 consecutive batters retired with a single to center to lead off the fifth.
His shutout bid was ruined in the eighth when Michael Harris II drove in Eli White with a sacrifice fly, but Ray buckled down and retired Ozzie Albies with a popup to center to end the inning.
The Giants got on the board when Luis Arraez scored in the sixth on an infield single by Rafael Devers, running home when Austin Riley’s throw bounced off Olson’s glove and trickled away from him down the right-field line. They scored again when Albies threw the ball past Olson on Jung Hoo Lee’s grounder to the right side, allowing Heliot Ramos to score.
Ramos made his return from a right quad strain Sunday and played in his first game with the Giants since May 15.
Arraez led off the inning with an infield single down the left-field line, and Ramos further set the table with a single to center. Arraez added on in the seventh, bringing in an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Drew Gilbert, who had led off the inning with a pinch-hit single to center.
The Sunday matinee was attended by 33,138 fans. Next up for the Giants is a quick six-game trip that begins Monday with an evening game in Arizona and will continue with a three-game set in Colorado over the holiday weekend, starting Friday.
Check back for updates to this story.
Subscribe to our Giants HQ newsletter for game analysis, scores, and everything you want to know about your San Francisco Giants.
-
New York1 hour agoRead the Indictment of Malik Beasley
-
Los Angeles, Ca1 hour agoStolen Sea Scouts boat found in Marina del Rey, suspect arrested
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoMichigan House passes bill to restrict big investors from amassing single-family homes
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoSan Francisco rolls out heightened security measures ahead of World Cup knockout match, 4th of July
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoKlyde Warren Park reveals expansion plans, construction timeline
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoPerson hospitalized after fire breaks out at North Miami Beach apartment building
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoScottish soccer fan who died in Boston was ‘Tartan Army to his core,’ fundraising page says – The Boston Globe
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoNuggets decline Jalen Pickett’s team option for 2026-27 season, sources say
