Unbooze Travels: Athens, Georgia

GUIDE TO ATHENS, GEORGIA

Athens—no, not Athens, Greece, but Athens, Georgia. This city is full of hidden gems and must-see spots you should know about before you visit. If you're a football fan, you're probably familiar with Athens as the home of the Georgia Bulldogs. Athens offers plenty of places to enjoy boozy fun, watch college football games, and even catch some live music. Cocktails and live music? That's a win in our book! We asked our intern, who is currently living in Athens, to provide a travel guide to help you plan your trip.

 

TOP 5 RESTAURANTS IN ATHENS

Last resort

Enjoy dinner in the heart of downtown Athens with the cutest outdoor seating. From fried green tomatoes and kale salads to caramelized sea scallops and hearty plates of pasta, don't miss out on what one of Athens' best restaurants has to offer.

Trapeze

Trapeze is an obvious option for locals when going for a good burger or sandwich. Additionally, it was voted to have the best fries in Athens each year since 2018. If you know any of us at Unbooze, you know we are a big fan of fries!

Cali and Titos

If you are looking for some authentic Mexican cuisine, this is your spot. Located in Five Points, Athens, Cali and Titos is the perfect location for some outdoor seating with a large group of friends. Do you want to know something amazing about this place? You don’t have to pick from a huge menu of cocktails because the restaurant is BYOB!

Pauley’s

Before your night out on the town, make sure to stop by Pauley’s for a refreshing boozy drink.  Also, they happen to make the best crepes you’ve ever indulged in—from southwestern flavors to the Mediterranean coast!

Paloma Park

A fan favorite for sunny evenings in Athens! Known for its Tex-Mex food and hefty marg pitchers, Paloma offers the option of a nice indoor space and an outdoor patio with frequent music performances.

Marker 7 Coastal Grill

Whether it's a Wednesday at 4 pm, a Friday night, or a Sunday brunch, Marker 7 is always bustling! People even come here after running in the Athens Half Marathon for a refreshing cocktail! This is a fan favorite among seafood lovers, but there are also the options of a burger or tacos.

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS, GA

Go to an event in the GA theatre

If you’re a lover of live music—who isn’t?—then Athens is the right place to be. On any given night, you can find tickets to a live music event, often hosted by the Georgia Theatre, an Athens top venue since 1978. Athens is where many well-known musical groups are from, such as the band R.E.M.

Go shopping downtown

There are so many cute boutiques! While the downtown area may be small, it is popping with shops and restaurants. Why not peak in and see what they’ve got to offer? From record stores to hiking gear, and antique shops to boutiques, you won’t run out of things to check out if you enjoy a good shopping spree.

Visit the State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Georgia’s official state botanical garden lies right in Athens, GA! It is a 313-acre spread of the most beautiful flora and fauna. Throughout the year, you will find events hosted in the gardens, such as music performances and workshops.

Go to a Georgia Bulldogs game!

You can’t do Athens without also seeing its energy, pride and enthusiasm on a football game day! Come see what these Georgia fans are all about, and GO DAWGS!

Check out Artini’s Art Lounge

Seeking out something different for your next date night or girls’ night? What date better spent than sipping on a glass of wine or beer while letting your creativity flow painting on canvas or ceramics?

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• El Paso - newly opened in Athens this past year, El Paso is a lively Mexican restaurant located downtown. It serves the cheapest margarita pitcher in Athens! Its interior is decorated beautifully, but it also offers outdoor seating. If you dare to perform a song on the karaoke stage, you’re given a free tequila shot!
• The Junkman’s Daughter’s Brother - need a quirky gift for someone? Poke your head in this shop full of unique trinkets, games, and clothes you haven’t seen before.
• Hybar at the Hyatt Hotel - Enjoy a sunset cocktail at the Hyatt’s rooftop bar overlooking downtown Athens!
• Bar South - in case you didn’t know already, you can find one of our Unbooze Machines at Bar South in Athens! Go check it out!

ARE YOU PLANNING?

If you missed our Unbooze Travels blog last month, be sure to check it out. We asked one of our interns to create the perfect travel guide to Austin, Texas! We hope you're planning trips to explore these amazing cities soon. Don't forget to visit the local Unbooze Machines and pack a box of Unbooze, because we know you'll want to get boozy! Cheers!