The Culture: A Guide to Black-Owned Businesses in Atlanta
You’ve arrived in Georgia, the Southern state that sits at the American epicenter of Black creativity, because you were promised The Culture. Now, where do you go from here? You go to three incredible Georgia cities where the experience is widespread, and you curate that experience to those places preferred by real ones who live The Culture and wouldn’t know how to pretend if it were an option. These aren’t just spots for spectators. These are spaces where The Culture is seen, heard, felt and given life. In these locations, you’ll find Black-owned businesses and Black community among people who identify with an experience that continues to evolve. And they’re waiting for you in Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens.
Eat & Drink
Start the day with Black-owned brunch spot Atlanta Breakfast Club, with Gulf shrimp and grits, covered in smoked jalapeño gravy and chicken sausage. That’s just one of the delicious reasons this weekday-only breakfast restaurant is a favorite. For lunch, head to Castleberry Hill for the original location of Old Lady Gang: Real Housewives (and Xscape!) star Kandi Burruss Tucker’s family-run, Black-women-led Southern food chain. It’s just around the corner from the AUC and now has three locations, including State Farm Arena in case you’re hitting an Atlanta Hawks game later.
As for drinks, starting with a beer is the pro move if you’ve picked today for your turn-up. Hippin' Hops Brewery & Oyster Bar is Georgia’s first Black-owned brick-and-mortar brewery, and also a restaurant with oysters, wings, po’ boys and of course great beer, from the peach cobbler sour ale to seasonal brews like Blacknificent IPA. They’ve even got frozen beer slushes like mango peach margarita and strawberry piña colada.
Then for scenic dinner, visit 9 Mile Station, Ponce City Market’s Black-owned rooftop restaurant and beer garden. It has views for miles and flavor for days in menu items like vegetable curry or pastrami-crusted beef short rib — food that literally takes things above and beyond. Level up from there at The James Room, a Black-owned lounge and bar on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, where great music, fantastic drinks and impeccably well-dressed guests are always present.
And if you’ve still got crunk in your system, take it back to street fashion and hit Our Bar ATL, Edgewood Avenue’s people-powered, purpose-driven neighborhood bar. The music booms, and they’ve got regular live comedy, cheap drinks and big Old Fourth Ward community energy.
Play & Stay
Not everyone knows that Skyline Park, the carnival-inspired playground atop Ponce City Market, has Black ownership, which makes playing mini golf, skee ball and other classic midway games even better. When outdoor recreation is less-advisable due to liquid sunshine or cooler temps, hit Your 3rd Spot, a new 26,000-square-foot indoor playhouse with an arcade, indoor cornhole and hanging floral decoration, and great food and drink options.
If you’ve still got energy after that, get rolling at Cascade Skating, where neighborhood superstars and global celebrities alike all bring it back down to earth, to glide and groove across the floor at Southwest Atlanta’s famous roller rink.
And it’s only right to plan your stay at The Hamilton Howell House, a beautiful and historic Black-owned bed and breakfast, built in 1893 by a famed Black architect, Alexander Hamilton, Jr. It’s within walking distance of Dr. King’s birth home and has cozy bedrooms, a backyard waterfall, a solarium and spa, modernized kitchen, business center, and a relaxing deck with rocking chairs.