Photo credit: Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta.

Credit: Carolyn Desalu

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Credit: Carolyn Desalu

From garden parties to intimate settings, these restaurants offer several reasons to eat, drink and enjoy live music. A desire for delectable dishes is required; fancy footwork is optional.

Reservations required. The Mandarin Oriental in Buckhead will host two special garden parties called The Garden Q from 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 24 and Friday, Aug. 21. Each event will feature barbecue bites, cool cocktails and beer tastings by Monday Night Brewing plus a variety of DJs and bluegrass music. Admittance is complimentary; tickets for specially priced cocktails and food menu may be purchased. To attend, RSVP via email at moatl-rsvp@mohg.com.

Dining downtown: Thursday night is now complemented by entertainment. Fandangles, the restaurant with a 50-foot bar at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, is serving up menu must-haves such as lobster bisque, house made pasta and sweet tea free-range chicken (there's also extensive gluten-free and vegetarian options for the health-conscious) while The Eric Thomas Trio delivers sweet sounds of jazz from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Need to park? The restaurant will provide complimentary valet during the event.

Perfect pairings: Known as the acoustic living room, The Velvet Note in Alpharetta offers a savory menu with southern classics such as shrimp and grits and crab cakes plus a notable wine and craft beer list. On select nights, the stage becomes home to soulful singers, guitarists, quintets and an open mic jam, making this the perfect place for a meal and music.

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Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools