10 Things to Do in Atlanta at Night

If you want to make the most of Atlanta at night, you'll 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'll find everything from theatre plays to ghost tours, art galleries to Southern-style dining.

1. Take a nighttime 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'll find out what I'm talking about with this night tour to see the lights of Atlanta. The experience lasts approximately two hours and you'll be guided by a professional tour guide at all times. The tour takes place in an air-conditioned vehicle, which makes it one of the best things to do in Atlanta in winter, as you'll be protected from the cold.

This tour is a different way of sightseeing in the city, as you'll get to see some of the main tourist attractions in the capital of Georgia, such as The Varsity, Martin Luther King Jr, Ponce City Market, Millennium Gate, the Mercedes-Benz estate or Centennial Park.

Besides contemplating the lights, the guide will tell you the history of all the places you visit. And if that wasn't enough, the absence of tourists means you can enjoy these sites in a much quieter way and take some spectacular photos of the city lit up at night. The tour is conducted in small groups, which makes the experience almost personalised. As the groups are about 14 people, you will be able to ask all your questions and curiosities.

This experience starts at approximately 7.30pm and includes the return by vehicle to the original starting point. The ticket includes the journey in an air-conditioned vehicle with a tour guide, bottled water and stops at places of interest.

Book a Night Tour to see the lights of Atlanta

2. Dinner menu at Atlanta's Hard Rock Café

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

It's not all about sightseeing, there's got to be room for everything on this list of recommendations. Another of the best things to do in Atlanta at night is to enjoy an exquisite American-style dinner at the Hard Rock Café in Atlanta. With a reservation, you can enjoy a 2 or 3-course menu, depending on which option you choose.

You can choose from the **chain'**s famous burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads, grilled meat and many other dishes. Drinks are included in the menu, with a choice of 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 queues to enjoy your meal. As soon as you enter the restaurant, your table will be waiting for you.

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

Book a menu at the Hard Rock Café

3. Have a spooky night out 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'll discover the spookiest and scariest stories that the capital of Georgia has to offer. The guide is a professional who has been trained and documented on the paranormal events that have occurred, both 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 about them. Among the stops on this ghost tour, you will go to the Sivas Hookah Lounge, known to be the most haunted restaurant in Atlanta. Many tragedies and accidents have occurred, most of them inexplicably, behind its doors.

You can also walk along Piedmont Avenue, a street where you'll still see citizens jogging or drinking coffee. However, believe it or not, multiple murders and suicides have occurred at these coordinates, which science cannot explain. Of course, you'll visit the Fox Theatre, 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 American Civil War. The entire tour is done on foot in the dim moonlight. The tour starts around 20:00 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 number one show, where magic and comedy come together to make you laugh and be amazed in equal parts. The Atlanta Magic Theater show is available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. On Thursdays and Fridays, the show starts at 20:30. On Saturdays, the show starts at 21:30.

The show takes place in an intimate 40-seat theatre located in Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, next to some of the city's most popular tourist attractions, such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.

The experience lasts one hour and 15 minutes and involves audience participation, making 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 a special 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 theatre an hour and a half before the show.

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

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

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

Juke joints were African-American-run establishments that emerged during this era to provide a space for the black community, who were barred from entering white-owned establishments. In these safe spaces, music and food went hand in hand to provide a unique experience. Many great artists, such as BB King, Ray Charles and James Brown, performed in these places in their early days.

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

After your delicious dinner, enjoy a cocktail and hit the dance floor for your best moves. This is not only a fun experience, but one that will immerse you in the culture and history of the South and introduce you to the African-American culture that has long been isolated from the rest of the world.

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, you'll want to check out this unique 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 caretaker. In reality, 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' (as 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 take part in Monday Night, a ping pong tournament where you can compete with Sister Louisa. On Tuesday evenings, Madame Butterfly performs a tarot card reading and on Wednesdays there is Church Organ Karaoke, a karaoke show 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 my 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 'Best of Atlanta Comedy' show , where you can watch 8 local comedians 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, newcomers to experienced comedians have the opportunity to make the audience laugh - even you can try your hand at one of your jokes! If you want to take part, you'll need to sign up by emailing the organisers.

8. Enjoy Atlanta's authentic 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 is the place for you. Orpheus Bewing is the brainchild of trumpeter and brewmaster Jason Pellet. It opened its doors in 2014, on Memorial Day, so that visitors could sample 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 online and on-site. The venue also hosts shows and comedy nights, so check out their website to try and coincide your visit with one of these nights.

9. See a play at Whole World Theater

People in theatre| ©Kyle Head
People in theatre| ©Kyle Head

Who said culture was only available during the day? This activity is a clear demonstration that the night is not just for partying. If you want to enjoy Atlanta's nightlife in a different way, I recommend you go to the Whole World Theatre.

Every Saturday night at 10 p.m., the theatre hosts the Late Show, a comedy show. Also, on Fridays, from 8pm to 9.30pm, 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 pub crawl through 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 **Atlanta'**s best pubs and bars, I encourage you to take a nightly pub crawl. You will be accompanied by a local guide during the tour through the city centre. In addition to tasting the specialities of each of the places you visit, you will learn about the history of these dishes. If you're interested in this option, check out 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'll discover the real Atlanta nightlife and sample some of the city's most famous drinks.