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2014 Best Of Atlanta Header


2014 Index of Winners

Best Bakery BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Alon's Bakery and Market - Dunwoody (Featured)

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Barking Hound Village Inn
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
Barking Hound Village Buckhead
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Doggie Day Care BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
And other metro Atlanta locations.

BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Army Surplus Sales
Army Surplus Sales has called Downtown its home for more than 50 years. Although it looks small from the outside, this store is massive in both size and scope. Whether you're looking for WWII binoculars, camping equipment, the scariest knives you've ever seen, or just browsing for oddities, Army Surplusmore...
Army Surplus Sales has called Downtown its home for more than 50 years. Although it looks small from the outside, this store is massive in both size and scope. Whether you're looking for WWII binoculars, camping equipment, the scariest knives you've ever seen, or just browsing for oddities, Army Surplus Sales probably has it. The shop caters to every walk of Atlanta life, from local and international law enforcement, community and sports organizations and churches, to generally curious consumers. With low prices and a staff as friendly as Ned Flanders, it's obvious why this place has become an Atlanta institution. less...

Best Public Art Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Living Walls
Atlanta was many things before Living Walls began painting the city anew: Civil War remnant, civil rights bastion, Southern rap capital. But like the proverbial phoenix symbolized by the city's continual rise from ashes, an organization co-founded by a Peruvian transplant has helped spark the latestmore...
Atlanta was many things before Living Walls began painting the city anew: Civil War remnant, civil rights bastion, Southern rap capital. But like the proverbial phoenix symbolized by the city's continual rise from ashes, an organization co-founded by a Peruvian transplant has helped spark the latest rebirth. In the past five years, the volunteer-run public art nonprofit Living Walls, the City Speaks has hosted more than 100 street artists from all over the globe to paint murals throughout the heart of Atlanta. In many neighborhoods, they've turned decay into beauty. The street cred hasn't come without criticism. Yet even that has sparked at LW conferences the kind of public conversation — surrounding issues of urban decline and gentrification, class privilege and the role of public art — that usually only happens in private. Led by feisty visionary Monica Campana, Living Walls is transforming the look of the inner city, and knocking down some long-standing walls in the process. (Go backstage with Living Walls Communications Director Jasmine Amussen.) less...

Best Convention BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
Dragon Con
Atlanta. 1987. A small group of sci-fi fans joined forces to create what has become arguably the supreme gathering of geeks and nerds in the world. All kneel before Dragon Con. Every Labor Day weekend, Jedis, Dr. Whos, and Klingons descend upon Downtown and, after taking over the city's most iconic streetmore...
Atlanta. 1987. A small group of sci-fi fans joined forces to create what has become arguably the supreme gathering of geeks and nerds in the world. All kneel before Dragon Con. Every Labor Day weekend, Jedis, Dr. Whos, and Klingons descend upon Downtown and, after taking over the city's most iconic street with a parade rivaled only by Pride, party in hotels. When not showing off costumes, attendees sit in panel discussions about filking, participate in live-action role-playing, and pack Q&As with the cast of"Mystery Science Theater 3000" and other popular series. If you're able to squeeze yourself into one of the host hotels to party alongside them, you have a wonderful night ahead of you. Thank you for being a geeky friend that enlivens our city and pumps millions of dollars into our local economy, Dragon Con. less...

BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
OutKast
The Atlanta we know today would not exist without Antwan"Big Boi" Patton and Andre"Andre 3000" Benjamin of OutKast. With a career spanning 20 years back to the duo's 1994 debut, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, OutKast has become one of the greatest musical groups of all time, as well as one of Atlanta'smore...
The Atlanta we know today would not exist without Antwan"Big Boi" Patton and Andre"Andre 3000" Benjamin of OutKast. With a career spanning 20 years back to the duo's 1994 debut, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, OutKast has become one of the greatest musical groups of all time, as well as one of Atlanta's most enthusiastic ambassadors. They coined the term ATLien, after all. From the Dungeon to Stankonia to the Grammys and major motion pictures, the"Two Dope Boyz" have always remained true to ATL. You'd be hard-pressed to find a musical act in any other city able to sell out three consecutive homecoming shows. less...

Best Desserts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
King of Pops
It started as a mysterious painted wall with a colorful logo for the King of Pops, and then it turned into a popsicle empire built on flavorful frozen treats made with seasonal ingredients sold by smiling skater/surfer girls and boys. The King of Pops made fresh fruit popsicles hip again. Kids and adultsmore...
It started as a mysterious painted wall with a colorful logo for the King of Pops, and then it turned into a popsicle empire built on flavorful frozen treats made with seasonal ingredients sold by smiling skater/surfer girls and boys. The King of Pops made fresh fruit popsicles hip again. Kids and adults line up for pops at farmers markets, weddings, festivals, or at the King's original location at the corner of North and North Highland avenues. Whether the puckery and spicy pineapple habanero or the now legendary chocolate sea salt is your favorite, the King of Pops has in fact become the king of pops as far as Atlanta frozen treats are concerned. less...

BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Restaurant Eugene (Permanently Closed)
With an ever-changing selection of vegetables prepared using myriad cooking techniques such as ash roasting and skillet searing, Restaurant Eugene's vegetable tasting is the city's ultimate celebration of the seasons, local agriculture, and culinary skill."If I had any signature it would probably bemore...
With an ever-changing selection of vegetables prepared using myriad cooking techniques such as ash roasting and skillet searing, Restaurant Eugene's vegetable tasting is the city's ultimate celebration of the seasons, local agriculture, and culinary skill."If I had any signature it would probably be that vegetable plate, even more than the Holeman & Finch cheeseburger, just because I still continue to learn from it," says chef Linton Hopkins, executive chef and owner of Restaurant Eugene and Holeman & Finch. A recent tasting included ash-roasted baby carrots, confit potatoes, stewed black-eyed peas, roasted shiitake mushrooms, luscious creamed corn, pepper jelly-glazed eggplant, skillet pole beans, blistered sweet peppers, tempura-fried squash blossoms, and zucchini ribbons. (Get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into Eugene's legendary veg dish.) less...

Best Antique Store BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
Scott Antique Markets, Atlanta (Featured)
For more than two decades, Scott Antique Markets has built a reputation as one of the region's best places to go treasure hunting. Every second weekend of the month, the popular market opens with more than 3,300 booths in two huge warehouses. It's paradise for antique lovers and vintage thrifters. Youmore...
For more than two decades, Scott Antique Markets has built a reputation as one of the region's best places to go treasure hunting. Every second weekend of the month, the popular market opens with more than 3,300 booths in two huge warehouses. It's paradise for antique lovers and vintage thrifters. You can find almost anything in this place, from a centuries-old clock to copper cookware to Persian rugs. For the best selection, get to the market at the crack of dawn to beat out other shoppers. Going early on Thursday can often lead to snagging awesome deals from vendors before they've met with anyone else. Thanks to generations of Scotts and their dedication, we have one of the biggest monthly indoor antique shows in our own backyard. less...

Best Local DJ/Personality BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Jay Envy
www.twitter.com/JayEnvy

Best Dance Music Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
IRIS aka Rush Lounge (Permanently Closed)

Best Acoustic Music Club/Venue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Eddie's Attic (Featured)

Best After Hours Spot BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
IRIS aka Rush Lounge (Permanently Closed)
Abd88 Music Issue Faun And A Pan Flute 009

Best Local Albums BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Faun and a Pan Flute

Best Local Albums Best of Atlanta Award

The best local albums produced by Atlantans. | more...
No album better embodies young Atlanta’s passion for drawing out the undeniable beauty tucked away in the city’s forgotten corners than FAUN AND A PAN FLUTE’s self-titled LP (Mission Trips). The album is a masterpiece of experimental composition, an impenetrable enigma that takes serious risksmore...
No album better embodies young Atlanta’s passion for drawing out the undeniable beauty tucked away in the city’s forgotten corners than FAUN AND A PAN FLUTE’s self-titled LP (Mission Trips). The album is a masterpiece of experimental composition, an impenetrable enigma that takes serious risks in the name of furthering a regional musical accent. Elements of jazz, modern classical composition, rock, and improvisation meld into a singular sound that challenges listeners to reconsider the possibilities of each genre. As a metaphor, Faun and a Pan Flute mirrors the city’s tangled structural maze of logic while chipping away at Atlanta’s perpetual identity crisis. When it comes to shared chemistry, song composition, pure musical ability, and personality Faun and a Pan Flute tops anything else Atlanta has seen in 2014. It’s an absolute pleasure on the ears. www.faunandapanflute.bandcamp.com. less...

Best Atlanta Legacy Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Black Lips
Few groups can claim to have not only left a profound mark on the local music scene that spawned them, but also to have altered the DNA of indie culture at large. BLACK LIPS is one of those rare bands. On the heels of 2005’s Let It Bloom (In the Red), and later signing with Vice Records to releasemore...
Few groups can claim to have not only left a profound mark on the local music scene that spawned them, but also to have altered the DNA of indie culture at large. BLACK LIPS is one of those rare bands. On the heels of 2005’s Let It Bloom (In the Red), and later signing with Vice Records to release 2007’s Good Bad Not Evil, the group provided a soundtrack to Vice’s late-aughts stranglehold on hipster culture. The group never seems to stop touring, spreading Southern garage rock riffage like rock ’n’ roll missionaries. Black Lips is one of the few bands that has toured through Iraq and been chased out of India, all while turning out albums that push the group’s sound forward. With the arrival of 2014’s critically acclaimed album Underneath the Rainbow and concurrent world tour, the group continues to further its garage rock legacy. As the scene at Atlanta’s ground level has continued evolving, Let It Bloom has become an American underground classic. And whenever a Black Lips show happens on the band’s home turf, it’s still a night to remember. www.black-lips.com. less...

Best Bands in ATL BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Mastodon

Best Bands in ATL Best of Atlanta Award

The Best Bands in Atlanta. | more...
In June, MASTODON released its sixth album, Once More ’Round the Sun. It arrived as a slab of hooky hard rock and immediately became the band’s highest charting record yet, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. True metal heads are quick to eat their own. It’s been a delicate balancing act formore...
In June, MASTODON released its sixth album, Once More ’Round the Sun. It arrived as a slab of hooky hard rock and immediately became the band’s highest charting record yet, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. True metal heads are quick to eat their own. It’s been a delicate balancing act for the band to craft those tangled and monstrous riffs that keep longtime fans headbanging, while pushing the group further toward commercial success. The 11 songs on Once More ’Round the Sun hit the sweet spot. Credibility on both fronts comes thundering in on such sleek, stately, but still brutally skull-crushing songs such as “Tread Lightly,” “High Road,” and “Diamond in the Witch House.” Mastodon’s fusion of the prog/sludge perfection of such past victories as Leviathan (2004) and Blood Mountain (2006) constrict around tempered pop-metal the group brought with Crack the Skye (2009) and The Hunter (2011). The group’s endless touring schedule has left a deep impact. Once More ’Round the Sun resonates with the same almighty roar that catapulted these mammoth rockers far out into the cosmos. www.mastodonrocks.com. less...

Best Band Name BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Stokeswood
www.stokeswoodmusic.com

Best Band that Can't Find Enough Hours in the Day BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Small Reactions'
SMALL REACTIONS’ normal routine would be enough to give most dedicated musicians their fill of local scene participation. The group plays around town enough and reached a creative high with this summer’s Hung From Wire EP. Songs such as “Shark Week” and the title track roll with spontaneity,more...
SMALL REACTIONS’ normal routine would be enough to give most dedicated musicians their fill of local scene participation. The group plays around town enough and reached a creative high with this summer’s Hung From Wire EP. Songs such as “Shark Week” and the title track roll with spontaneity, heart-pounding grooves, and lyrics that ruminate on everything from sleepless nights to silverfish creeping around the bedroom. While prepping for the October release of Small Reactions’ proper debut, Similar Phantoms, the group’s members have pulled double-duty backing indie pop singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jeremy Underwood, aka Gold-Bears. Holding down Dalliances, Gold-Bears’ greatest album so far, while strengthening its own foundation, solidifies Small Reactions’ place as the most active band to emerge from Atlanta’s post-punk scene of 2014. www.smallreactions.bandcamp.com. less...
A9a64 Wolfpack Dustin Chambers Magnum

Best Band to Blow the Roof Off of the Joint BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
The Wolfpack
When determining how badass a band truly is, its live show can’t just be good. The sheer physicality of its performance must force patrons to shut up and listen. No Atlanta band pulls off this feat with as much originality and force as THE WOLFPACK. Helmed by Grammy-winning saxophonist Kebbi Williams,more...
When determining how badass a band truly is, its live show can’t just be good. The sheer physicality of its performance must force patrons to shut up and listen. No Atlanta band pulls off this feat with as much originality and force as THE WOLFPACK. Helmed by Grammy-winning saxophonist Kebbi Williams, the Wolfpack is a backing band composed of sousaphone players that fuse musical prowess with a seamless ability to switch genres. The group has performed Star Wars’ “Emperor’s Theme” and rearranged Flying Lotus tunes. The portability of sousaphones, also known as marching tubas, allows the pack to roam around the crowd and blare its bass-heavy lines from every corner. www.facebook.com/wolfpackatl14. less...

Best Band to Sharpen Post-Punk's Teeth and Claws BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Dasher
DASHER is still a bit of a homegrown secret, but that shouldn’t last long. Dasher made its vinyl debut in May to rave reviews with the Die Slaughterhaus 7-inch “Go Rambo” b/w “Time Flys.” Shortly after, the band joined local lady punks the Coathangers on Suicide Squeeze Records’ roster. Themore...
DASHER is still a bit of a homegrown secret, but that shouldn’t last long. Dasher made its vinyl debut in May to rave reviews with the Die Slaughterhaus 7-inch “Go Rambo” b/w “Time Flys.” Shortly after, the band joined local lady punks the Coathangers on Suicide Squeeze Records’ roster. The group’s dark and driving sound is a hybrid of post-punk and hardcore. Singer, principal songwriter, and drummer Kylee Kimbrough enabled the band’s ascent when she set a permanent lineup for the group with guitarist Kelly Stroup (Manic) and bassist David Michaud (Uniform). The band adapts to any noisy, gnarly show by laying waste to everything in earshot. dasher2.bandcamp.com. less...

Best Bartender/Mixologist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Crystal Nickles at Sweetwater Bar and Grill
www.sweetwaterbarandgrill.com

Best Bar to Hook Up BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Graveyard Tavern (Permanently Closed)

Best Blues Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Blind Willie's (Featured)

Best Bouncer BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Greg Meah

Best Bowling Alley BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Midtown Bowl (Featured)

Best Burlesque Troupe BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Blast-Off Burlesque
www.blastoffburlesque.com

Best Cocktails BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
the Sound Table (Permanently Closed)

Best College Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Dive Bar Buckhead

Best Concert of the Past Year BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
OutKast
www.outkast.com

Best Concert Venue BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Terminal West

Best Bar to Hook Up BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Johnny's Hideaway

Best Country Music Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Electric Cowboy (Permanently Closed)

Best Cover Band BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Men in Blues

Best Cover Band Best of Atlanta Award

The best cover bands in Atlanta. | more...
www.reverbnation.com/meninblues

Best Dance Music Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
IRIS aka Rush Lounge (Permanently Closed)

Best Dive Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
El Bar @ El Ponce (Permanently Closed)

Best Local Electronic Act BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
10th Letter

Best Drag Queen BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Violet Chachki
www.facebook.com/violet.chachki

Best experimental music motivator BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Mission Trips

Best experimental music motivator Best of Atlanta Award

Creative Loafing has been presenting Atlanta’s Best People, Places and Events since 1972. These are some of the past winners for this category: | more...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mary's (Featured)
A9a49 Fort Knox Joeff Davis Magnum

Best Club Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
David "Fort Knox" Freeman

Best Hookah Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Anatolia Cafe & Hookah Lounge

Best Hotel Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Wetbar - W Atlanta

Best Local Instrumentalist BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Critics Pick
Chris Childs

Best Jazz Night BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Kevin Scott's Jam Session
www.facebook.com/KevinScottsTuesdayNightMusiciansJamSession

Best Jukebox BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
The Righteous Room (Featured)

Best Karaoke BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Mr. Smokey's Karaoke @ Sweetwarer Bar and Grill
www.facebook.com/mrsmokeys

Best Latin Club BOA Award Winner

Year » 2014
Section » Archives » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » After Dark » Readers Pick
Loca Luna (Permanently Closed)

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