Underground Atlanta: Difference between revisions
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'''Underground Atlanta''' is a [[shopping center|shopping]] and [[entertainment]] complex in the [[Five Points (Atlanta)|Five Points neighborhood]] of [[downtown]] [[Atlanta, Georgia]], [[United States]], near the intersection of the [[MARTA]] rail lines. First opened in [[1969]], it takes advantage of the [[viaduct]]s built over the city's many [[railroad]] [[rail track|track]]s to accommodate [[automobile]] [[traffic]]. Each level has two main halls, still called Upper and Lower Alabama and Pryor Streets. |
'''Underground Atlanta''' is a [[shopping center|shopping]] and [[entertainment]] complex in the [[Five Points (Atlanta)|Five Points neighborhood]] of [[downtown]] [[Atlanta, Georgia]], [[United States]], near the intersection of the [[MARTA]] rail lines. First opened in [[1969]], it takes advantage of the [[viaduct]]s built over the city's many [[railroad]] [[rail track|track]]s to accommodate [[automobile]] [[traffic]]. Each level has two main halls, still called Upper and Lower Alabama and Pryor Streets. |
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Revision as of 03:52, 4 March 2007
Underground Atlanta is a shopping and entertainment complex in the Five Points neighborhood of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States, near the intersection of the MARTA rail lines. First opened in 1969, it takes advantage of the viaducts built over the city's many railroad tracks to accommodate automobile traffic. Each level has two main halls, still called Upper and Lower Alabama and Pryor Streets.
The viaducts were built many years before the district was opened, but the original building fronts remained. When the restoration was completed the old style architecture lent its charm to the district.
One of the first mentions of the area, decades before it was restored, documents its importance as an entertainment area. Bessie Smith's "Atlanta Blues" has the opening lines:
- Down in Atlanta G. A., underneath the viaduct one day
- Drinking corn and hollerin' hoo-ray, piano playing till the break of day
Underground is home to several nightclubs and bars in Kenny's Alley, and enjoys special exemptions including an open container provision allowing patrons to take alcoholic drinks from bar to bar, and a 4:00AM closing time that remains 90 minutes later than the rest of the city now has.
The complex has had a difficult financial history and reputation among residents of Atlanta.[1] Underground Atlanta primarly caters to tourists.[2]
Atlanta's Piano Red, under the name Dr. Feelgood and the Interns, is the best-known performer who played the venue.
Every New Year's Eve, there is a grand Peach Drop celebration that happens in Underground Atlanta, in which a giant foam peach drops from a small tower, followed by fireworks.
References
- ^ Henry, Scott (2006-12-27). "Redefining Underground". creativeloafing.com. Retrieved 2006-01-09.
- ^ "Underground Atlanta". frommers.com. Retrieved 2006-01-09.
External links
- Underground Atlanta official website
- Scans of vintage ads for clubs and restaurants in Underground Atlanta, mostly from the early 1970's
- In 1970, local R&B shouter Piano Red recorded a tribute record called Underground Atlanta It was released on the KING label.
- Doug Monroe's ATLANTA magazine article on Underground Atlanta (Dec 2006)
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