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650 North Avenue NE, Ponce City Market, Atlanta, GA
Venue:
City Winery is located in an out-parcel of the Ponce City Market complex, a live/work/play redevelopment of a sizable Sears & Roebuck store and distribution center.
The venue offers exceptional sound and limited stage lighting effects. The environment is more polished than most, with dining tables throughout the most of the main floor, with a few additional tables in an elevated area near the rear.
Tables in a concert venue present problems. Here, the tables spoke out from the stage, guests need to turn their chairs or crane their necks, or both. For those who purchase tables adjacent to the stage, there’s little room to turn chairs, so expect a strained neck after the show. One less table, and it would be workable.
Pro tips: If booking early, choose seats side by side if abutting the stage on the side facing the center or the stage rather than across from each other. Elsewhere, seats closest to the stage at any table are the better choices, as others at your table may block your view otherwise, though the service staff will be a distraction regardless.
Still, a very good venue to see a show, especially for those who prefer remaining seated during a concert, which is typical here.
Parking:
Ponce City has abundant fee parking but most of the spaces are in parking decks. Approaching from North Ave rather than Ponce de Leon Ave may help your sense of direction once parked. To avoid the hassle of the decks (open lot parking may be found but odds are against it), try the Southern Dairies parking lot almost immediately across North Ave. Also, valet parking is available.
To enter the venue, follow the signs. Typically you go upstairs for check-in/will call and then descend to the venue.
Restaurants:
City Winery offers a decent menu, and plan to arrive an hour early. Their service is prompt and efficient for meals or drinks during the show.
Otherwise, there’s a variety of venues within Ponce City Market. Some have seating within their leasable space, otherwise there are tables available in the common areas.
For beer, The Tap on Ponce, within Ponce City Market, has a wide variety of draughts sold by the cup or growler (if sharing) for a pre-show option. Open drinks can be carried on the property. City Winery has a very limited beer selection.