Unless you live under a rock, you’re well aware that Super Bowl LIII and all its related activities have arrived in Atlanta.
Atlanta’s bars are allowed this week to stay open until 4 a.m. and nearly every business in the city is trying to connect with the thousands of visitors that have come to the Big Peach for the big game. However, football isn’t for everyone, so we’ve compiled a list of cool things to do around the city that cater to Atlantans and aren’t based on the pigskin sport.
Georgia Swarm Lacrosse
On Feb. 1, the 2017 NLL World Champions, the Georgia Swarm, will host a home game against New England at Infinite Energy Arena. With their title in 2017, the Swarm brought Atlanta its first major professional world championship in 22 years. The Swarm competes in an 18-game regular season until the NLL playoffs begin in late April. Swarm home games take place at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Field at Infinite Energy Arena. The Swarm’s roster features three of the four Thompson Brothers: Lyle, Miles and Jerome; the oldest brother, Jeremy, plays for the Saskatchewan Rush. The brothers, who are from the Native American Onondaga Nation, are highly regarded as four of the most popular lacrosse players in the world. In 2017, Lyle Thompson was named the NLL’s MVP and NLL Finals MVP.
7:35 p.m. Feb. 1. $25-$69. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097. 844-4-GASWARM, georgiaswarm.com.
Route 66 Restaurant & Music Venue
The newly remodeled 17,000-square-foot concert hall and eatery located in Johns Creek (it was the former home of 37 Main) will feature a concert by Zac Brown Band's John Driskell Hopkins tomorrow. Still, in its soft-opening stage, Route 66 has quickly become one of the most popular destinations for people that live outside of the perimeter who are seeking a diverse range of musical genres. The renovated venue features a new top-of-the-line lighting rig, upgraded sound system, exclusive VIP area as well as couches and tables available for reservation. (Just for fun, download a full interview with Hopkins and AJC music reporter Melissa Ruggieri on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's podcast accessAtlanta.)
9 p.m.-close. Feb. 2. $25-$450. Route 66 Restaurant & Music Venue, 6000 Medlock Bridge Parkway, Johns Creek. 770-559-5639, route66johnscreek.com.
LISTEN: accessAtlanta podcast: Super Bowl 53
From the Earth Brewing Company
The Roswell restaurant and brewpub just released a limited amount of their Goin’ Out West IPA infused with kumquat and lactose. The brewery is hosting the Atlanta-based improvisational funk band, Voodoo Visionary, on Feb. 2 and the Atlanta-based folk-rock and jam-rock Jeff Mosier Ensemble on Super Bowl Sunday.
Voodoo Visionary. 10 p.m.-close. Feb. 2. $8-$10. Jeff Mosier Ensemble. 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 3. Free. 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. 770-910-9799, ftebrewing.com.
Venkman’s
The restaurant, bar and live music venue in Old Fourth Ward will feature on Super Bowl Sunday the ’80s and ’90s cover band, Saved by The Band, who returns to Venkman’s for the second Groundhog Day in a row. Last year’s sold-out show saw the band singing from the table tops and performing unique musical pranks. If songs from acts like Prince, Alanis Morissette and Third-Eye Blind were in your Napster catalog back in the day, this is the best trip in the city to take down memory lane.
Saved by The Band Groundhog Day Dance Party. 9:30 p.m. Feb. 3. $10-$20. 740 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE, Atlanta. 470-225-6162, venkmans.com.
Winter Beer Festival
With 7 years under its belt at the old home of the Masquerade on North Avenue, Atlanta Beer Festivals is moving its party to Atlantic Station. Stay out of the cold on Super Bowl Sunday with more than 150 beers, heated tents and food trucks as well as live music and a dance party run by DJ Qtip at the 21-and-older event. Beer cuts off at 4:45 p.m., but there is free bottled water available to keep you hydrated and away from a post-Super Bowl hangover. There is parking available at the venue, but the festival strongly encourages patrons to use a ride sharing company, MARTA or even walk.
1-5 p.m. Feb. 2. $45-$55. Atlantic Station Event Space, 241 20th St. NW, Atlanta. 404-410-4010, atlantabeerfestivals.com.
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