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Digging Into Atlanta's Socialite Scene
For athletes, musicians, moguls and models alike, Atlanta is where the well-connected come to play. There is no better place to enjoy the excitement of the city than at the W Atlanta - Downtown hotel. With unparalleled access to the Georgia Dome, CNN Center, and celebrity hot spots such as STK Atlanta, it’s the best place to get in on all the action.
As the humble abode of the world’s busiest airport, several professional sports teams, and significant portion of the American entertainment industry, Atlanta is teeming with a thriving social scene. At any given time, the city’s affluent socialites can be found out and about at the many hotspots that have garnered local praise.
As a large, metropolitan city known for its humble roots and Southern hospitality, it is easier than ever to rub shoulders with Hollywood elite in Atlanta. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, more than 140 films and television programs have been filmed in the region since 2008, with over 1.7 billion dollars spent on production in 2015 alone. Georgia is now ranked the 5th most popular filming destination in the world, trailing only behind New York and California in the US. This is due in large part to the 20 percent tax break that Georgia’s state government has allowed entertainment industry entities that spend $500,000 or more during production and post-production. This is all part of the Entertainment Industry Investment Act.
Atlanta in particular has been receptive to this push, with plans of “turning the Civic Center into another movie studio as well. The project plans include film and television studios surrounded by a performing arts center, a hotel, and a mix of residential, office and retail space, which could transform the downtown Civic Center property into a regional tourist destination,” says Project Casting.
Because of this push for the entertainment industry, it is not uncommon to see Hollywood A-listers jogging down the BeltLine or dining among locals at their favorite after-hours joints. If you’re looking to hobnob with the area’s socialites, here are some of the best places to do so:
STK Atlanta is the chic Southern sister to the famed New York steakhouse and consistently features famous patrons such as Kanye West, Selena Gomez and Denzel Washington. Celebs have also been spotted regularly at Chops Lobster Bar, where Larry David, Vin Diesel, Kate Bosworth and Ryan Gosling have all been seen enjoying an exceptional cut of steak before hitting the town. For after dinner dancing and drinks, hit up Compound Nightclub, where Drake, Kanye West, and other hip hop heavy hitters have been seeing partying the night away. If you’re looking for a more quiet evening, Barcelona Wine Bar has become a popular fixture in the social scene—the Guardians of the Galaxy cast was recently spotted here—due to its sprawling outdoor patio and creative cocktails.
The socialite scene, of course, isn’t comprised solely of the Hollywood crowd. Atlanta is the main headquarters for several Fortune 500 companies, including The Home Depot and Delta Airlines. The advent of notable businesses to the area has created a social scene among the city’s corporate elites. Many members of this crowd can be found frequenting charity events such as the JDRF Hope for a Cure Gala, which is one Atlanta’s premiere philanthropic occasions according to Modern Luxury. When the socialites of the business world aren’t working hard, they’re playing hard. Catch locals indulging in the Southern tradition of post-brunch “Sunday Funday” at Gypsy Kitchen. This tapas-style eatery hosts its weekly Sunday Basque in the Sun party on the outdoor patio, complete with traditional Spanish paella and live flamenco music.
When the weather heats up, you can find many of Atlanta’s scenesters heading to Wetbar at W Atlanta – Midtown. The property features the only zero-edge rooftop pool in the city, and gives residents a much-needed break from the infamous Southern humidity. The hotspot is the perfect place to sip on craft cocktails and mingle with locals who regularly frequent the venue.
As the ninth largest metropolitan area in the country, Atlanta’s social scene is growing in congruence with its population. According to Business Insider, the metropolis is one of the fastest growing urban areas in the United States, with an approximately 20 percent increase in population between 2000 and 2006. With a combined influx of elites from both Hollywood and the corporate world, Atlanta is slated to have more socialites in the coming years than ever before.
