10 Things to Do in Atlanta at Night

If you want to take advantage of Atlanta at night, you will be pleased to know that there are many things you can do in the city when the sun goes down.

María Cano

María Cano

9 min read

10 Things to Do in Atlanta at Night

Sunset in Atlanta | ©Brad Huchteman

You may already know, there are plenty of fun things to do in Atlanta; however, the cultural and entertainment offerings of Georgia's capital city are not exclusively daytime.

At night, the city shows a completely different side. In this article you will find plans of all kinds, from theater plays to ghost tours, art galleries and dinners in the purest style of southern gastronomy.

1. Take a night tour to see the lights of Atlanta

Atlanta by night| ©Taylor Strobridge
Atlanta by night| ©Taylor Strobridge

The city of Atlanta takes on a special glow when night falls and the lights of its streets and buildings are turned on. You can find out what I'm talking about with this night tour to see the lights of Atlanta. The experience lasts approximately two hours and, at all times, you will be guided by a professional. The tour is done in an air-conditioned vehicle, which makes it one of the best things to do in Atlanta in winter, as you can take shelter from the cold.

This tour is a different way of sightseeing in the city, as you can see some of the main sights of the capital of Georgia; as The Varsity, the historic park Martin Luther King Jr, Ponce City Market, Millennium Gate, the Mercedes-Benz estate or Centennial Park.

In addition to contemplating the lights, the guide will tell you the history of all the places you visit. As if that were not enough, thanks to the absence of tourists, you can enjoy these sites in a much quieter way and take spectacular photos of the city illuminated at night. The tour is done in small groups, which makes this experience practically personalized. Being groups of about 14 people, you can ask all your questions and curiosities.

This experience begins at 19:30 hours, approximately, and includes the return by vehicle to the original starting point. The ticket includes the trip in an air-conditioned vehicle with a tour guide, bottled water and the corresponding stops at the tourist attractions.

Book a Night Tour to see the lights of Atlanta

2. Dinner menu at the Hard Rock Café in Atlanta

Hard Rock Café| ©Mark Chandler
Hard Rock Café| ©Mark Chandler

Not everything is going to be tourism, in this list of recommendations that I make there has to be room for everything. Another of the best things to do in Atlanta at night is to enjoy an exquisite dinner in the purest American style at the Hard Rock Café in Atlanta. With a reservation, you can enjoy a 2 or 3 course menu, depending on the option you choose.

You can choose from the chain's famous hamburgers, fish, sandwiches, salads, grilled meat and many other dishes. The menu includes drinks, which you can choose from soft drinks, coffee or tea. You will also have the opportunity to complete the dining experience with a delicious dessert. If you are going to Atlanta with children, you will be pleased to know that there is also the possibility of choosing a children's menu, for which the little ones will have to be under 10 years old.

In addition, the reservation is with preferential entrance, which will save you from having to wait in long lines to enjoy your meal. As soon as you enter the restaurant, your table will be waiting for you.

You will do all this while you contemplate a rock decoration with photos of great artists of this musical genre. You will also see on the walls records signed by the stars, as well as objects that belonged to them and clothes they wore to their concerts.

Reserve a menu at the Hard Rock Café

3. Have a spooky night with a ghost tour of Atlanta

Ghost Tour| ©Carden D
Ghost Tour| ©Carden D

One of the best things to do in Atlanta at night is a ghost tour of the city. For about an hour, with the company of a professional guide, you will discover the spookiest and most terrifying stories hidden in the capital of Georgia. The guide is a documented professional and trained on the paranormal events that have occurred, both in the past and present, in Atlanta.

With the tour, you will discover secrets and stories that happened in places that at first glance do not seem to have anything paranormal. Among the stops on this ghost tour, you will go to Sivas Hookah Lounge, known to be the most haunted restaurant in Atlanta. Many tragedies and accidents have happened, most of them inexplicably, behind its doors.

You will also be able to walk along Piedmont Avenue, a street where you will still see citizens jogging or drinking coffee. However, although it may not seem like it, multiple murders and suicides have occurred at these coordinates, which science cannot explain. Of course, you will visit the Fox Theater, whose employees claim to have seen spirits roaming the premises.

The tour also includes a visit to St. Mark's United Methodist Church, known to have been a haven for murderers during the Civil War. The entire tour is done on foot under the dim moonlight. The tour starts around 8:00 p.m. and can be cancelled free of charge.

4. Have fun at the Atlanta Magic Theater

Centennial Olympic Park| ©nnever5000
Centennial Olympic Park| ©nnever5000

Another of the best things to do in Atlanta at night is to attend a session at the Atlanta Magic Theater. Here you can enjoy **Atlanta'**s #1 show, where magic and comedy go hand in hand to make you laugh and be amazed in equal parts. The Atlanta Magic Theater show is available Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. On Thursday and Friday, the show starts at 8:30 pm. On Saturdays, the show starts at 9:30 p.m.

The show takes place in an intimate theater room with a capacity of 40 people and is located in Centennial Olympic Park, in the heart of downtown, next to some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.

The experience lasts one hour and 15 minutes and includes audience participation, which makes it interactive. The show is led by magician Peter Morrison, who will perform live magic and mentalism with performances perfect for all ages.

Beyond this, you can complete the activity in the performance area. This is an area where you can meet the magician Peter Morrison before the show. During this appointment, you will see the magic up close while enjoying something to drink. If you want to include this part of the show, you will need to arrive at the theater an hour and a half before the show.

5. Feed your soul and your stomach at Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint

Famous Pork Ribs| ©OneWorldObservatory
Famous Pork Ribs| ©OneWorldObservatory

In the heart of downtown Atlanta you will find Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint, an establishment that will transport you to the era of segregation in the south of the United States.

The Juke Joint were establishments run by African Americans that emerged during this time to give a space to the black community, who were forbidden to enter white places. In those safe spaces, music and food went hand in hand to provide a unique experience. Many great artists, such as BB King, Ray Charles or James Brown, offered their music in these places in their early days.

The Sweet Georgia 's Juke Joint imitates this bar model so you can enjoy live music. All while you discover the typical dishes of Southern cuisine, such as smoked St. Louis ribs, shrimp and grits or fish fingers.

After the delicious dinner, enjoy a cocktail and hit the dance floor to dance your best moves. This is not only a fun experience, but one that will immerse you in the culture and history of the South, as you discover the African-American culture that, for a long time, had to remain isolated.

6. Discover Sister Louisa's Church of the living room & ping pong emporium

Doing Karaoke| ©RODNAE Productions
Doing Karaoke| ©RODNAE Productions

If you want to get a taste of **Atlanta'**s authentic nightlife, I recommend that you attend this different and original establishment. Sister Louisa 's Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium is an establishment born out of the need to express religion, politics and sexuality through art.

The venue is inspired by the life of a fictional character, Sister Louisa, a nun who, in 1978, had to renounce her vows after falling in love with Lama Thibideau, the church's janitor. Actually, Sister Louisa is the alter ego of Grant Henry, a local artist and founder of the bar.

With this backstory, Sister Louisa of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium Church is an art gallery where you can nourish your soul while enjoying a few drinks. The bar does away with televisions, internet and smoking to encourage its 'parishioners' (the way visitors are called) to talk to each other and engage in activities.

There are different shows and activities every day. For example, if you go on a Monday you can participate in Monday Night, a ping pong tournament where you can compete with Sister Louisa. On the other hand, on Tuesday nights Madame Butterfly performs a tarot card reading and on Wednesdays there is Church Organ Karaoke, a karaoke accompanied by a church organ and choir robes.

7. Laugh it up at the Laughing Skull Lounge comedy club

Doing Karaoke| ©Himanshu Choudhary
Doing Karaoke| ©Himanshu Choudhary

In this list of recommendations for the best things to do in Atlanta at night, there had to be a place for laughter. The best place to let out a laugh is Laughing Skull Lounge, a comedy club in the city founded in 2010. The shows take place at The Vortex Midtown, one of the city's most famous venues, known for its beer and whiskey menu, burgers and rock 'n' roll style.

The club has a show called 'Best of Atlanta Comedy', where you can watch 8 comedians from the local scene perform for 10 minutes. This show is only available on weekends, however, if you want to go on weekdays, you can attend one of the open mic nights.

During these days, novice to experienced comedians have the opportunity to make the audience laugh - even you can try out one of your jokes! If you want to participate, you'll need to sign up on the organization's email.

8. Enjoy authentic Atlanta beer at Orpheus Bewing

Atlanta Beer| ©Lindsay Appel
Atlanta Beer| ©Lindsay Appel

This is one of the best things to do in Atlanta in the summer, as Orpheus Bewing has a beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the city where you can enjoy your drink.

If you like beer, this plan is made for you. Orpheus Bewing was born from the hand of trumpeter and brewmaster Jason Pellet. It opened its doors in 2014, on Memorial Day, so that its visitors could taste Georgia's famous sour beer.

The place is made up of a community of artists who brew their own beer, which you can buy both in the online store and on site. In addition, the venue hosts shows and comedy nights, so I recommend checking their website to try to time your visit to coincide with one of these nights.

9. Go to a play at Whole World Theater

People in the theater| ©Kyle Head
People in the theater| ©Kyle Head

Who said culture only had a place during the day? This activity I propose is the clear demonstration that the night is not only made for partying. If you want to take advantage of Atlanta's nightlife in a different way, I recommend that you attend the Whole World Theatre.

In this theater, every Saturday night at 10 p.m., the Late Show, a comedy play, is held. Also, on Fridays, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., there is The Classic Improv Show, a show made for adults in which the actors improvise to bring out the purest side of the art.

10. Take a tour of Atlanta's pubs and bars

People dancing in a bar| ©Daniel Rangel
People dancing in a bar| ©Daniel Rangel

If you want to get to know the best pubs and bars in Atlanta, I encourage you to take a night tour of them. During the downtown tour you will be accompanied by a local guide. In addition to tasting the specialties of each of the places you visit, you can learn about the history of these dishes. If you are interested in this option, take a look at the best food tours in Atlanta.

This is a great way to party without fear of making a mistake by choosing venues designed exclusively for tourists. You will discover the real Atlanta nightlife and taste the most famous drinks of the city.