After age 30, the dating scene in Atlanta changes drastically. Southern girls – correction: Southern women – don’t walk shoeless down North Highland. Men are (usually) not pounding beers and shots at the Buckhead bars. The game changes when marriage is in sight, and when your partners in crime are themselves in long-term relationships or marriages.
Consequently, this is about when your plan also needs to evolve. Atlanta can be a great city for singles. In general, I suggest picking one neighborhood and plotting three destination-evenings: dinner, drinks, and an after-party. Here are some specific places where you can find singles in Metro Atlanta – but, be forewarned, these places attract big parties (and partiers), so you will always find groups of singles celebrating.
If you are trendy, try out the new venues popping up in West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Inman Park. For delicious food and a fun singles bar scene, check out Gunshow, Beetlecat, or Bocado. After dinner, you may want to make an appearance at a happening bar that features a creative cocktail menu. Some suggestions would be Public School 404, Amer, Ladybird Grove, and Mess Hall. Atlanta is a huge foodie city, so, naturally, singles hungry for more than just a good meal will also be checking these new spots out.
If you are sporty, you can spend a Saturday afternoon on the roof of Ponce City Market. Paying $10 each to go up the elevator makes it less family-friendly by design – to make room singles looking to mingle.
There’s a Beer Garden called 9 Mile Station, where you can choose from their selection of local brews; and creative pub fare and city views from atop Ponce City Market. If you want to watch a soccer game on TV, go to Dantanna’s in Buckhead or Kaleidoscope in Brookhaven. Bowling at The Painted Pin can also be a lot of fun.
The upshot is that, since singles are always looking for activities to do instead of just sitting at a bar somewhere, you can also head over to the bocce courts or to the area with the giant Jenga. Check out who’s around and invite some people over to play a game.
Alternatively, if you are a talented singer, go add your name to the list at a karaoke bar. Try 10 High or Mary’s to find the most attractive crowds. Prefer dancing? Hit up a dance lesson event for some hands-on interaction at Loca Luna (weekly!), Havana Club, and The Sanctuary. If you already have the moves, do your late-night plans at Johnny’s Hideaway or Whiskey Mistress. These venues are notorious for attracting singles of all ages.
Hopefully, these suggestions will help – and, if any of you readers have ones to add, please do so in the Comments!