Insider tips on navigating Atlanta, the bustling Georgian city
In the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Cator Sparks, a native of the city and a renowned writer and editor, recommends an immersive journey into the city's diverse and queer-friendly culture.
Stay:
Your first stop should be the Hotel Clermont Atlanta, located at 789 Ponce De Leon Ave NE. Known for its lively French-American brasserie, Tiny Lou’s, and the iconic Clermont Lounge strip bar, the hotel offers a unique blend of history and modern charm.
See and Do:
Explore Atlanta’s rich tapestry of cultures and engage with its thriving queer community. The east-side cultural hubs and the lively bars and meeting spaces around Hotel Clermont are great starting points. Don't miss the Jackson Street Bridge, a popular spot for romantic sunset pictures and known for its appearance in the pilot episode of The Walking Dead.
Eat:
While specific restaurant recommendations beyond Tiny Lou’s (at Hotel Clermont) are fewer, Cator Sparks appreciates high-energy local dining and tasting experiences. Banshee, an award-winning restaurant known for its farm-to-table menu, craft cocktails, and local beers, is a must-visit.
Shop:
For shopping, boutique shops in diverse neighborhoods around Ponce De Leon and east Atlanta are likely to align with Cator Sparks' interests. Floral Park Market, a family-owned spot offering local home goods, baked goods, chocolates, and flowers, is a great place to start.
Cator Sparks is also a recognised LGBTQ+ life coach and emphasises community spaces and nourishing authentic connections within Atlanta’s queer scene. His focus on diversity and queer spaces suggests that culturally rich neighbourhoods would be the best places to find unique shopping experiences.
Extra:
For music lovers, Stereo, a listening lounge offering good music and a great bar, is worth a visit. And don't forget to try the famous hot dogs, fries, and onion rings at The Varsity, an Atlanta icon since 1928. Lastly, Ponce City Market, a large space incorporating retail, restaurants, a hotel, and office space, is famous for its fantastic food hall and shopping, as well as the Atlanta BeltLine on its rooftop.
In sum, Cator Sparks' Atlanta recommendations centre on embracing the local queer culture and vibrant community hubs, with a spotlight on Hotel Clermont for accommodation and socializing. For more detailed dining and shopping, his emphasis on diversity and queer spaces suggests focusing on culturally rich neighbourhoods around Ponce De Leon and east Atlanta.
- For a taste of Atlanta's vibrant home-and-garden scene, visit Floral Park Market, a family-owned spot offering local home goods, baked goods, chocolates, and flowers.
- To experience the city's rich food-and-drink culture, don't miss Banshee, an award-winning restaurant known for its farm-to-table menu, craft cocktails, and local beers, and the iconic Clermont Lounge strip bar at the Hotel Clermont Atlanta.
