On business in Atlanta

Business travel doesn’t have to be all meetings and presentations. When travelling for work, try to sneak in some pleasurable pursuits. In Atlanta, this means sampling a varied culinary scene – from down home Southern fare to landmark steakhouses, shopping at one-of-a-kind boutiques and taking in the attractions that set this South-eastern metropolis apart. Take a look at our guide to getting the most out of being on business in Atlanta.

Where to eat: There are tons of notable restaurants in Atlanta, but a business trip isn’t a business trip without a steak dinner. Reserve a table at the famous Bone’s, which opened its doors in 1979 and continues to offer top-notch service and award-winning steak and seafood. For another surf-and-turf-heavy eatery, visit Chops Lobster Bar, where the seafood is flown in daily and the USDA prime aged beef is served in a room of dark wood. Other Atlanta restaurants worth a spot on the itinerary include Southern-heritage-inspired Blue Ridge Grill, and JCT. Kitchen, as well as seafood hotspot St. Cecilia. For breakfast, join the business crowd at The White House Restaurant or Corner Café.

Where to go for evening cocktails: For business over beers – or cocktails –settle into a plush chair at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead’s distinguished The Lobby Lounge. Sip on a Buckhead Cosmo and listen to live piano and jazz to take the edge off business negotiations. The St. Regis Bar is home to another swanky drinking spot featuring an original mural of a Phoenix rising from the ashes, or for a more laid back ambiance head to The Southern Gentleman, an eatery that offers an expansive list of 40 bourbons and more than 20 different kinds of rye. Order a barrel aged cocktail and feel the stress melt away.

Top sights: Atlanta is awash with wonderful opportunities for sightseeing. Luckily, many of the best attractions are in the centre of downtown, and easily accessible between business meetings. The College Football Hall of Fame gives sports aficionados an immersive experience through historic college football artefacts and state-of-the-art, interactive multimedia exhibits in a 94,256-square-feet facility. Alternatively, the new National Center for Civil and Human Rights aims to connect the American civil rights movement to today’s global human rights movements.

Great gifts: Don’t forget to bring home a little something for the family when on business in Atlanta. Baby Braithwaite is the perfect place for personalised gifts and toys, and The Children’s Museum of Atlanta store stocks more than 1,000 unique and educational toys for children aged eight and under. A classic wooden toy, cuddly stuffed animal or Georgia “locally grown” T-shirt from the Seed Factory on Atlanta’s west-side are also sure crowd pleasers. Now that you’ve got the little ones covered, stay on the west-side and visit Atlanta MADE, a showroom featuring products, handmade art, jewellery, accessories and more, designed and made in the region. Nearby, Preserving Place sells small-batch jams, pickles, and condiments made in-house that are great gift options.

Going local: When the workday is done, Atlantans hit the Beltline. Join the locals for a run or leisurely stroll on this railroad-corridor-turned-trail. The 2.25-mile Eastside Trail – connecting destinations like Virginia Highland, Poncey Highland, Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward – was the first section to open. Lined with places to stop for coffee or a bite to eat, the walking and biking path travels to Piedmont Park, a vast green space that is Atlanta’s version of Central Park and another popular city attraction.

Where to break curfew: When the meetings have come to a close and it’s time to blow off some steam, head to Ormsby’s. The two-level tavern on Atlanta’s west-side features a basement playroom complete with bocce ball courts, backgammon, darts, pool and shuffleboard. If you want to continue partying after closing time, take a short stroll to the nearby hole-in-the-wall blues bar, Northside Tavern, where the live music continues into the wee hours. Another spot you can show off your dance moves is Buckhead’s infamous Johnny’s Hideaway, dedicated to Elvis. For a chilled evening of beers and live music, start at Decatur’s Brick Store Pub – offering 22 draughts and 75 bottled beers – before heading over to Eddie’s Attic, where the live musical performances are legendary.

Written by Giannina Smith Bedford