Nightlife

BY JEREMY DILLAHUNT

THE BIG PEACH

Atlanta’s nightlife scene offers flavors for whatever your taste, be it hiphop, house music or the sweet sounds of jazz.

Following the 1996 Olympics, The Big Peach—or Hotlanta, The ATL or A Town depending on your mood— experienced an unprecedented growth of its population, which transformed the city from a somewhat provincial regional player into an international economic powerhouse. The new Atlanta brought with it different tastes, attitudes and possibilities. Bucking the conservative reputation the South is famous for, the city soon became home to tons of nightclubs. Celebrities from Shaq to rappers Nelly and Ludacris found the city’s party scene to their liking, and even Elton John purchased a home in one of the more upscale locales.

Cosmopolitan/Lava Lounge
45 13th St • 404-873-6189
www.cosmolava.com

This two-for-one establishment has been a staple of the Midtown nightlife scene for years. Cosmo is the stark, modern and über-hip side of the club, while Lava Lounge provides a relaxed, plush vibe. The two spaces are connected by the tropical deck, an outdoor space where guests can escape from the dance floor. Music tends toward the Top 40 and house sound with local talent doing most of the heavy lifting and international DJs like Ron Trent and JT Donaldson stopping in for one-off parties.

Compound
• 1008 Brady Ave • 404-872-4621
• www.compoundatl.com

If Hotlanta has a nightlife crown, it surely rests on Compound’s head.

The mega club is fit for decadence on a Roman scale. Broken into eight individual spaces including an Asian-inspired rock garden with reflecting pool and a massive central dance floor that doubles as a fashion catwalk, Compound’s spaces can accommodate any mood, no matter how intimate or extroverted the party gets. The mostly hip-hop vibe enforces a strict dress code with many rules, so it’s best to check the website before stopping by.

The Sun Dial
• 210 Peachtree St • 404-589-7506
• www.sundialrestaurant.com

The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, on the 73rd floor of the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel, isn’t famous for its wild parties. The relaxed space is more of a sit and spin kind of place; it completes a 360-degree rotation every 35 minutes. The skyline views are complimented by a cocktail menu featuring the classics alongside inventions like Georgia Peach. Ambiance comes from the Mose Davis Trio, a live jazz outfit who has moved Atlanta’s toes for more than 30 years.