Hey Fightin’ Tigers!  Get ready to have a good time and cheer LSU on to a big win over the North Carolina Tarheels! Here are recommended events, tips and links to official activities from the Atlanta alumni chapter.  Download a printable copy HERE.

 

This is our top pick event of the weekend!  Party with the most rabid Tiger fans featuring a great lineup of Louisiana music in an amazing place within view of CNN Center. Tabernacle is a former church converted into a House of Blues for the Olympics and continues to be a favorite music venue.  The concert will feature New Orleans’ premier party band Bag of Donuts, LSU fan favorite Travis Matte & The Kingpins (“Tiger Tailgate Party”) and fiddlin’ phenom Amanda Shaw will kick it off right.  JUST ANNOUNCED - LSU Tiger Band will send a pep band to perform onstage too!  There is also a downstairs showroom with music by Zydefunk and Zydeco T.  All ages are allowed. Floor admission is $25, and there is balcony padded seating for a $45 ticket. A portion of proceeds will benefit LSU Atlanta and the LSU Tiger Marching Band.  
Show Info and Online Ticketing Link:  www.2010kickoffparty.com

 

Buckhead Kickoff Party – Buckhead Saloon has a reunion of the Baton Rouge variety band Questionable At Best (two former members/LSU alums now live in ATL) as an option for Tiger fans staying and partying in Buckhead. QAB kicks off at 7:30 on a double bill with local favorite Scott Munns Band. No cover until 10 pm.  3227 Roswell Road in the heart of Buckhead.  www.buckheadsaloonatlanta.com

Atlanta Kickoff Street Fest–  A street party in the Midtown bar district hosted by one of our local sponsors (Front Page News).  Featured bands Yacht Rock Schooner, Hot Sauce & Justin. FPN offers New Orleans food. A short cab ride from downtown walking distance from Midtown hotels and MARTA.  $10 advance, $15 gate.  $1 of every ticket sold goes to Gulf Aid.  Use promo code "lsualum" by 8/15 and save $5 - www.AtlantaKickoffStreetFest.com

Georgia Aquarium Jazz Journey Fan Night – Admission to all areas, cash bar, food court and live jazz 5–10 pm. $15. See Official Events below for link.

DOWNTOWN

Sidebar (79 Poplar St. at Spring St.- very close to CNN Center and downtown hotels) is LSU Atlanta’s Official Tailgate Bar.  It’s a neighborhood bar and grill that reminds us of a French Quarter hangout. 10 beers on tap and a full bar plus a great kitchen (they have a killer Cuban sandwich.)  Sidebar opens at 11:30 am and stays open late – last call at 2:30 am.  For those going to the Friday Tabernacle show this is the perfect before and after party place just one block up and one block over. Info at www.sidebaratlanta.com.  A portion of the bar sales from all day Friday and Saturday will be donated to the LSU Atlanta scholarship endowment fund!

 

Pittypat’s Porch says “Why eat hotel food? Come join us at Pittypat’s Porch for some old Southern charm and new Southern flavors!”  Pittypat’s is conveniently located at 25 Andrew Young International Blvd. within short walking distance from over 20 hotels, the Georgia Dome and the Tabernacle.  LSU ATLANTA SPECIAL: Show your game ticket and get a free appetizer with purchase for your table. Normally open for dinner at 5 pm, Pittypat’s will have special hours on Game Day with a great menu and lots of special drinks for Tiger fans. Meet friends and pass a good time in the Rocking Chair Lounge- which literally has rocking chairs along one side of the bar and all around the atrium overlooking the dining room below. You will be pampered and charmed. www.pittypatsrestaurant.com.  

 

Ted’s Montana Grill (133 Luckie St. – right across the street from the Tabernacle) is Ted Turner’s flagship restaurant for a chain featuring eclectic comfort food including bison selections. The proprietor/manager is also a Louisiana native and LSU fan. 

www.tedsmontanagrill.com/GAAtlanta2.html

 

LITTLE FIVE POINTS 

Front Page News – If you venture to the Bohemian environs of Little Five Points, you will be pleased to find a place that smacks of the French Quarter with its outdoor patio and décor – they display LSU colors year round. The varied menu has some bayou treats as selections. FPNalso has a Midtown location as mentioned above.

 

BUCKHEAD

Copeland’s Famous New Orleans Restaurant – Piedmont Ave. one block west of Peachtree near the Hyatt. Great food, drink and Copeland’s hospitality. Parking validated.  Also locations at Cumberland and Kennesaw. www.copelandsatlanta.com.

 

Cheyenne Grille – Peachtree Road in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center in lower Buckhead. Nice sports bar, both homey and upscale at the same time. Our official Buckhead football viewing location with a chef-run kitchen and great atmosphere. www.cheyennegrille.com

 

Buckhead Saloon –Near the Buckhead intersection. See Friday event above for link/info.

 

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS

Atkins Park Tavern – Virginia Highlands is a longtime favorite nightlife and dining destination near Midtown and our recommended hotspot is Atkins Park, partly owned by Louisiana folks. Great kitchen. It’s Atlanta’s longest running continuously licensed bar and there’s always a good vibe there, which is why locals call it “Action Park.” There’s also an Atkins Park location in Smyrna if you end up in Cobb County. www.atkinspark.com.

 

OTHER METRO AREAS:

We have several great partners that support LSU Atlanta year round. Please visit www.LSUatlanta/sponsors  for ideas if you are staying outside the main action.

BEST GAS STOPS BETWEEN BR/NO AND ATL: There are a few cheaper and quicker gas exits along I- 65 and I-85 (the most traveled route for Tiger fans from La.) While we can't guarantee it, the following have proven to usually be the cheapest in our experience. On I-65, the Pilot north of Mobile at Exit 19 Satsuma (decent price and easy on/off); Exit 69 (West side is usually cheap); Exit 130 Greenville (West side, there's a Murphy at Wal Mart and a discount stop one block west of the crossover); best stops around Montgomery are on I-85 Exit 6 (Sam's Club on north side, Race Way on south side) and Exit 11 (Liberty on south side).  Next best is Exit 58 US 280 near Opelika. Entering Ga. look around La Grange or up towards Newnan, prices are usually about the same.  Gas stations are costly and harder to find as you get closer to downtown. Coming in from I-85 you might top off around Newnan.  Be careful from that point on, there is a stretch of road construction approaching town.  You will never be so happy to see six lanes open up for you.  

PARKING AND TRAFFIC: Two of our favorite words in Atlanta. Not. Take your time, you’ll get there. To navigate ATL, do your homework. Mapquest/Google is your friend. Serenity now. For parking downtown, there are surface lots and parking decks all over. Street parking is at a premium and meters/hours are strictly enforced Mon.-Sat. Illegal parking will almost always get you booted/towed in this area. Best advice: Park at the hotel and hoof it or take a cab or MARTA if traveling between downtown, Midtown, Buckhead etc.  Cab rides can be just a few bucks for short hops but like all big cities getting from one zone to another (like downtown to Buckhead) can run you $30 or more. MARTA is your friend for longer runs.

MARTA: Budget cuts have reduced MARTA service but it’s still a good option even with the recent fare adjustment. Trains do not run as often as in the past (every 12 to 20 minutes depending on day part) and service ends at 1 am.  Plan on taking a cab if you stay out late. They usually add additional trains and/or extend hours for big events so check www.itsmarta.com for complete information and service hours. We’ll update this guide if/when any new info is provided.

 

SAFETY IN NUMBERS: Most of the downtown area is safe, especially if you stay on the beaten path. We have our share of crime and homelessness, but the authorities keep a good eye on the area around hotels and attractions, especially when special events are going on. Still, travel in a group if possible and avoid straying from traffic areas.

 

We know many Tiger fans do their own tailgate thing in the parking lots, but we also offer Sidebar as LSU Atlanta’s Official Kickoff Bar and our partners Pittypat's Porch and Ted's Montana Grill are also just steps from the park with great food and hospitality.  For all official Chick Fil A Kickoff Game events, parking/tailgating and special offers: Visit http://www.cfack.com/.  Here’s some of their Game Day highlights you will find more information about there:

 

ESPN Game Day - Special 3 hour season kickoff ESPN program will take place at Centennial Olympic Park beginning at 9 a.m. 
Fan Zone – Indoor activities Noon- 6 pm at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) with TV lounges, interactive games, giveaways, autographs and pep rallies with bands and cheerleaders. $5 admission, good value for families.

Tailgate Cook Off – Noon – 5 pm in the Green Lot next to GWCC, FREE for game ticket holders. Chef demos, head to head fan cookoff, exhibits and prize giveaways including 2 tickets to LSU-West Virginia game

LSU Tailgate – Also in the GWCC from 4 – 7 pm. A premium gathering including boosters and traveling clubs for TAF and LSU Alumni Association but anyone can attend. $65 per person.  Buffet, drink coupon, pep band appearance, Joe Alleva talk, ticket to Fan Zone. 

 

Centennial Olympic Park – Great place for a late evening stroll as the city lights come on. www.centennialpark.com/events/ice.html

The Georgia Aquarium – North end of Centennial Park. Largest aquarium in the world.  Note there will be a “Chick-fil-A Bowl Fan Night” special event there Tuesday 12/30 from 6:00 – 10:00 pm with admission only $15.  Info and reserved time entry tickets at 

www.georgiaaquarium.org.

World of Coca-Cola – Has moved from Underground Atlanta – now next door to the Georgia Aquarium. Also the exhibit itself has been completely redone.  Info at www.woccatlanta.com.

High Museum – World class exhibitions and a diverse permanent collection in Midtown.  Featured special exhibition is “Dali: The Late Work.”  Get reserved time entry tickets at www.high.org

Atlanta Children’s Museum – Spring St. across from World of Coca-Cola.

Martin Luther King Jr. Center – Impressive exhibit. Free admission and parking.  Info at www.nps.gov/malu

CNN Studio Tour – Information at www.cnn.com/tour/atlanta/

 

For information about all metro Atlanta attractions, shopping, recreation, accommodations and services, visit the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site at www.atlanta.net.

680 The Fan (680 am) is the official local radio partner so there will be a lot of game talk on the station. Tune them in as you drive into town for the local take on the goings on. They will also be carrying the national ESPN Radio game locally. 

FYI: LSU fans will be sharing the streets with more than just Tarheels. You may also see Romulans, Wookies and other creatures in your elevator or in line for a beer. Be aware that DragonCon, one of the largest sci-fi conventions in the country with as many as 30,000 

attendees, is scheduled for the same weekend at the GWCC.  If you venture into Midtown you may also discover a Black Gay Pride celebration is scheduled. Oh yes, there's a NASCAR race going on too.  There’s always something interesting and diverse going on in Atlanta!

Our official view-in partners are: Front Page News – Little Five Points, Cheyenne Grille in Buckhead, Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna and Buffalo Wild Wings in Alpharetta. Our official hosted view ins begin Sept. 11, but we want you to know that Atkins Park in Smyrna has a special College Football Kickoff Tailgate starting at noon Saturday with tents, games and big screen TV outside to get everyone in the mood.  Come for all the action this season with giveaways, music and fun with your fellow Tiger fans. Visit our Web site for more info.