Underground Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

Underground Atlanta is one of downtown Atlanta’s most talked-about spots – part historic landmark, part entertainment district, part work-in-progress. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting the city, or are just trying to understand what Underground Atlanta is today, it helps to know both its history and its current reality.

This guide walks through what Underground Atlanta is, what it offers now, how to get there, safety and parking tips, and how locals actually use the space.

What Is Underground Atlanta?

Underground Atlanta is a historic commercial and entertainment district located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, roughly around 50 Upper Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.

For most people, the name “Underground Atlanta” refers to:

• A collection of streets and storefronts below ground level, built around the city’s elevated railroad tracks and viaducts.
• A long-running attempt to turn those lower-level streets into a shopping, nightlife, and cultural destination.
• A space that has gone through multiple lives: from bustling commercial hub, to neglected area, to 1960s nightlife hot spot, to 1990s tourist mall, and now a revitalizing arts, events, and residential district.

Today, Underground Atlanta is in transition. You’ll find a mix of:

• Event spaces
• Bars and nightlife
• Murals and street art
• Pop-up markets, festivals, and community events
• Some retail and creative studios
• Ongoing construction and redevelopment

If you’re expecting a fully polished mall or a theme-park-style tourist area, you may be surprised. If you’re looking for a gritty, historic, and evolving downtown space with an arts and nightlife edge, Underground Atlanta can be interesting to explore.

A Quick History of Underground Atlanta

Understanding the history helps make sense of what you’re seeing when you walk through Underground today.

How it started

• Late 1800s–early 1900s: Atlanta built raised viaducts over its railroad tracks downtown, creating “underground” storefronts and streets beneath the new street level.
• Those lower-level streets became a dense commercial zone, especially around Alabama Street and Pryor Street.

Nightlife era and tourist phase

• 1960s–1970s: The area was transformed into a nightlife district with bars, jazz clubs, and restaurants. It became a well-known hangout and entertainment hub.
• 1990s: Underground was redeveloped again as a festival marketplace, with chain retailers, food courts, and souvenir shops focused on tourists.

Decline and current redevelopment

• Over time, many national retailers pulled out and tourist traffic declined.
• Underground changed hands multiple times and gained a reputation for being underused and unevenly maintained, especially outside peak hours.
• In recent years, new owners and local partners have been pushing to reposition Underground Atlanta as:
  • An arts and culture hub
  • A live events and music destination
  • A mixed-use community with residential units, offices, and creative spaces

For Atlanta residents, this means Underground is no longer a traditional shopping mall, but a developing district that’s slowly filling in with new uses.

Where Underground Atlanta Is and How to Get There

Location

General area:
Downtown Atlanta, near the intersection of Alabama Street SW, Wall Street SW, and Upper Alabama Street, a short walk from:

• Five Points MARTA Station
• Fulton County Government Center
• Georgia State University (downtown campus)
• State Capitol and Government District

You’re essentially at the center of the city when you’re in Underground.

Getting there by MARTA

Using MARTA is often the easiest way, especially if you’re coming from Midtown, Buckhead, the airport, or East/West Atlanta.

• Rail stop:Five Points Station on MARTA’s Red/Gold and Blue/Green lines
• Exit to Underground: Follow signs for Alabama Street / Peachtree Street / Underground Atlanta
• Once you exit the station, Underground is just a short walk across Alabama Street and into the lower-level courtyards and walkways.

This is generally the most convenient option for visitors staying near MARTA or locals who don’t want to deal with downtown parking.

Driving and parking

If you’re driving:

• Plug in an address around 50 Upper Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
• You’ll be near Peachtree Street, Wall Street, and Central Avenue.

Common parking options near Underground include:

• Decks and garages around the Five Points and Fairlie-Poplar area
• Surface lots along Forsyth St SW, Central Ave SW, and Martin Luther King Jr. Dr SW
• Privately operated garages attached to nearby office buildings and hotels

🅿️ Tips for parking near Underground Atlanta:

• Check hours and posted rates before you leave your car; prices vary by event and time of day.
• If you’re going to a nighttime concert or event, consider parking in a well-lit garage or arriving by MARTA.
• Street parking is limited and often time-restricted; enforcement is typically active during business hours.

What Underground Atlanta Is Like Today

Underground is not a traditional retail center anymore. What you see on a typical visit can vary depending on:

• Time of day
• Whether there’s a concert, festival, or special event
• Where exactly you walk (some storefronts are occupied, some are vacant, some under renovation)

Current character and atmosphere

You can expect:

• Historic brickwork and old storefronts beneath the modern street level
• A mix of murals, graffiti, and street art
• Event and music venues that draw crowds, especially at night
• Some bars, lounges, and clubs, especially on weekends
• Pop-up markets, cultural festivals, and art events on certain dates
• Areas that may feel quiet or underutilized outside of major events

For many locals, Underground Atlanta is most appealing when there’s a specific event happening, rather than as a place to simply wander for retail shopping.

Things to Do at Underground Atlanta

What you can actually do at Underground evolves as new tenants and events come in. Common categories of activity include:

1. Live music and events

Underground often hosts:

• Concerts and DJ sets
• Themed parties and nightlife events
• Art shows and cultural festivals
• Seasonal or special events (holiday markets, block parties, etc.)

If you’re planning a visit, it’s usually best to:

• Look up current event calendars or social media posts from venues and organizers based at Underground.
• Pick a specific event to attend rather than expecting an all-day attraction.

2. Nightlife and social spots

Depending on the current mix of tenants, you may find:

• Bars and lounges
• Dance and music venues
• Spaces that host spoken word, open mics, or performances

The scene can be lively late at night, particularly on weekends. Atlanta residents often treat Underground as one stop in a broader downtown nightlife plan, combined with nearby spots in Fairlie-Poplar, on Edgewood Avenue, or around Castleberry Hill.

3. Art, culture, and pop-ups

As redevelopment continues, Underground is being positioned as a creative hub, which can include:

• Murals and public art installations
• Studios or creative spaces (when leased)
• Pop-up shops and local vendor markets
• Community or cultural events featuring local artists and makers

If you’re interested in Atlanta’s underground (in the literal and cultural sense) arts scene, keeping an eye on community calendars and local arts organizations can help you find when Underground is most active.

Who Underground Atlanta Is Best For

Underground Atlanta can be interesting if you’re:

• A local looking for:

  • Nightlife or events downtown
  • A new venue or creative space
  • Occasional festivals or pop-up markets

• A visitor who:

  • Enjoys exploring historic and less polished areas
  • Is already downtown for another attraction (State Capitol, Georgia State campus, downtown museums)
  • Wants to attend a specific concert or event being held at Underground

• A history or urbanism enthusiast interested in:

  • Atlanta’s railroad roots and downtown development
  • How older infrastructure is being repurposed for modern use

It may be less ideal for:

• Families expecting a kid-focused attraction with lots of built-in activities
• Shoppers looking for major retail chains or a traditional mall experience
• Visitors who prefer highly polished, heavily touristed areas

Safety, Practical Tips, and What Locals Consider

Like many urban downtown districts, Underground Atlanta and the surrounding area are mixed-use, busy, and sometimes uneven in terms of crowds and activity. Many Atlanta residents approach the area with basic city awareness.

General safety considerations

• Go with a plan: Head there for a specific event, venue, or meetup, especially at night.
• Stick to well-lit, active areas: Use main walkways and entrances, especially around event times.
• Consider arriving by MARTA if you’re comfortable with transit and want to avoid late-night parking lots or long walks back to your car.
• Be aware of your surroundings: As with any downtown, keep valuables secure and avoid isolated areas, particularly late at night or when crowds are thin.

Nearby, you may see:

• Office workers during weekdays
• Students from Georgia State University
• Visitors headed to government buildings or downtown hotels
• People passing through from Five Points Station

Awareness and preparation go a long way toward having a smoother experience.

Nearby Attractions Around Underground Atlanta

If you’re already downtown and at Underground, you’re close to several other Atlanta landmarks and districts. Many locals and visitors combine Underground with nearby stops.

Within walking distance

You can typically walk to:

• Georgia State Capitol and Liberty Plaza
• Georgia State University (downtown campus)
• Fairlie-Poplar Historic District (restaurants, bars, older buildings)
• Woodruff Park
• Five Points and Peachtree Street
• Various city, county, and state government buildings

A slightly longer walk or short ride away:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• Centennial Olympic Park area, including the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola

This makes Underground a potential starting or ending point for a broader downtown day or evening.

Basic Info at a Glance

Here’s a simple overview of Underground Atlanta for quick reference:

How Locals Typically Approach Underground Atlanta

For many people in Atlanta, Underground is:

• A sometimes destination, not an everyday hangout
• A place you visit when:
  • A favorite artist is playing
  • A friend invites you out to a specific venue there
  • There’s a special market, art show, or festival you want to attend

If you live here, it’s worth:

• Keeping an eye on local event listings for what’s happening at Underground.
• Treating it as part of the broader downtown fabric rather than a standalone attraction.

If you’re visiting, it’s usually best to:

• Combine Underground with other downtown activities (Capitol tour, aquarium, stadium events).
• Arrive with a clear idea of what you want to see or do, especially in the evening.

By understanding its history, location, and current role, you can decide how (or whether) to fit Underground Atlanta into your time in the city in a way that matches your interests and comfort level.