Creative Loafing finds essential Downtown haunts

December 8,2015

When Petula Clark sang the words to her forlorn 1965 hit “Downtown,” her vision of city life was much different from the realities of Downtown Atlanta in 2015. For decades, the city’s twisted maze of one-way streets and derelict buildings culminated in a forgotten urban landscape — daunting to anyone unfamiliar with its complex design (or lack thereof). But take a closer look and you’ll find a fertile city scene with foot traffic, density, and businesses catering to all walks of life. Whether you’re looking for world-class art, musical performances, a gritty hub for homegrown avant-garde endeavors, exotic drinks, sneakers, or the best 360-degree view the city offers, the following list details 12 Downtown Atlanta haunts where “you can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares.”