Wrapped around the corner of East Clayton Street and spilling off the sidewalks onto the street, the line for a typical concert at the Georgia Theatre in downtown Athens is nothing short of impressive. Fans come from all over to come see live music at this celebrated venue, and many arrive early with intentions to enjoy a cocktail on the roof at the Georgia Theatre Rooftop Bar. This is what one can expect in Athens, Georgia throughout the entire year.
Located in the northern region of Georgia, Athens is home to almost 120,000 residents with over 30,000 University of Georgia students. It is a town filled with individuality, home to all types of people from places throughout the country and the world. People often come to Athens to attend UGA, but that is not always the case; many come to Athens for school and never leave, choose to raise their families here and make this city their permanent home. Athens is home to an insanely noteworthy live music scene, a downtown with dozens of bars, pubs, and local breweries, amazing restaurants, and boutiques. This town has so much to offer, and the people of Athens are quick to admit how much they love it here. Whether or not they initially came here to attend school, take a job, many people who call Athens home hope to never leave.
Downtown Athens is like unlike any city in Georgia and proves to be one of the most famed college towns in America found at number 14 out of 20 on Business Insider’s list. With countless bars and restaurants that are literally open all hours of the day, it’s hard to find yourself looking for something to do. After creating an anonymous Google survey that yielded responses from 100 people on what their favorite bars and restaurants are in Athens, the answers were clear. Ten choices were provided and the people taking the survey were told to select their top 5 favorites. Of the 100 people interviewed through the survey 70 percent of people think that Last Resort is included in the top 5, 79 percent believe that 5 bar is top 5 Pauley’s was selected by 72 percent, and Trappeze, Taqueria Tsunami were close behind as well. The Grill and Clocked were mentioned also but lower on the list.
Athens is well known for its abundance of watering holes. Whether it’s the local pub, grungy bar with live music, or more of a dancing scene there are countless options. From the survey, City Bar, Silver Dollar, and Double Barrel were quickly the front-runners. Over 80 percent of the participants picked City Bar as one of the top bars in Athens. After interviewing a downtown Athens bar professional it is safe to say that these places aren’t out seeking more business. The crowds are insane on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights per Landon Ragley, an employee of City Bar from Charlotte, North Carolina. Although he does enjoy his job and says that he makes “good money”, the crowds are always a hassle and one of the most difficult aspects of the job. He has worked at City Bar for about a year and noted that the line often spills down the street onto the next block at peak times.
“Any given Thursday through Saturday you can find my friends and I in City Bar or Silver Dollar downtown, especially during football season,” said Virginia Cole, a 21-year-old University of Georgia Student I interviewed downtown. “We love the Athens downtown scene, and I think that’s one of the most fun parts about being a student here. There is never nothing to do, and you can always find someone to come downtown to eat or drink any day of the week.”
Music lovers all over the country know Athens for its live music scene. Bands from R.E.M, The B-52’s, Widespread Panic, Colt Ford, and so many others got their start and kick started their fame in Athens, Georgia. Georgia Theatre often has big names come and perform for Athens, but it is not the only place to find good live music. Through the survey, although Georgia Theatre was by far the leader for places to see live music, Livewire, Hedges, and 40 Watt Club also were noted as places of interest.
“We always go to Georgia Theatre when certain bands come and play, like Cherub or Moon Taxi,” said Ana Harbin, a 20-year-old UGA student. “Those are two of the most popular bands that usually come every year. When they come to Athens I would say probably 80 percent of our friends buy tickets and we all go. Some of the best memories I have so far in college are from Georgia Theatre concerts.”
Ana Harbin does not stand alone in these beliefs, over 80 percent of the responders to the survey said that the Georgia Theatre was their favorite place in Athens to see live music. As one of the city’s top attractions, there is rarely a show that doesn’t sell out.
Athens, Georgia, is a town unlike any other, and if you are lucky enough to call this place home one day make sure you take advantage of all this amazing city has to offer. If you ever get the chance to stop by Athens and check it out, do it! This city has something to offer everyone no matter what your interests or passions are and how you like to spend your time, find yourself on East Clayton Street in line for the next Georgia Theatre concert and a drink at the rooftop bar.
“I can’t imagine myself at any other school or in any other college atmosphere. Athens truly is the best college town in America,” Virginia Cole was quick to mention that she has fallen in love with Athens and truly enjoys going to school here.
Visit this link to see a Storify I made highlighting some of Athens greatest meals and where you can find them! This Storify features dishes from the above mentioned restaurants, 5 bar, Trappeze, Transmet, Ted’s Most Best, Pauley’s Original Crepe Bar, Clocked Diner and Taqueria Tsunami.