9 New Venues in Atlanta for Summer 2024 Meetings and Events

In April, the Gas South District welcomed the first four-star, full-service hotel in Gwinnett County. A 348-room gem, The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett is a full-service meetings and events juggernaut with 27,000 square feet of space, 16 event facilities, a 10 GB fiber network, and state-of-the-art new… well, everything. Developed in partnership with Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau, the hotel is attached to the Gas South Convention Center and has an enormous ballroom that can hold up to 870 guests. All of this positions The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett to compete for regional and national conventions and large-scale events. SweetSong Kitchen & Bar is the signature on-site restaurant, and it’s available for full buyouts. The chef focuses on healthy, locally sourced, and sustainable ingredients—a must these days for sophisticated attendee palates. Upstairs, the hotel's rooftop bar, Overstory, includes fire pits and water displays as well as plenty of room for corporate receptions. Planners can activate custom-colored lighting on the building's exterior in any color combination to signify various branding, event themes, or occasions. But it’s your VIP attendees who will love the presidential suite featuring a private terrace, two hospitality suites with outdoor terraces, and the property’s four executive-level and six standard suites.

The recent $12 million renovation of Sheraton Suites Galleria–Atlanta was completed in April—just in time for the Atlanta Braves season to start next door at Truist Park. Guest suites now boast sophistication and comfort with updated carpeting, beds, bedding, furniture, artwork, and enhanced bathrooms. Guests will find the lobby and restaurant modernized and exuding a refreshed aesthetic with ample seating. Strategically located near The Battery Atlanta, the hotel offers unparalleled access to sporting events and entertainment. Its proximity to Cobb Galleria Centre and Cumberland Mall provides abundant shopping and dining options nearby for attendees. With 5,749 square feet of flexible meeting space, the hotel has five event rooms, four breakout rooms, and a 2,046-square-foot ballroom that can host various corporate events and gatherings. Right now, planners can take advantage of a special promotion offering 10% off rates. The best part? The property’s outdoor event space is located on the second floor overlooking The Battery Atlanta.

Connected to Hilton Atlanta Northeast in Peachtree Corners, Dahlia's Restaurant & Porch debuted in May, offering a fresh dining and event experience. The venue has undergone renovations and features a full-service bar, a private dining area, a lounge, and an outdoor porch with comfortable seating and fireplaces. The private dining room accommodates groups of 15 to 32 people, while the spacious porch provides an additional 2,120 square feet, perfect for private bookings of 50 to 125 guests in an alfresco setting. Customized a la carte menus and unique food stations and buffets are available to enhance any gathering. Adjacent to Hilton Atlanta Northeast—which boasts 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 7,000-square-foot ballroom—Dahlia's Restaurant & Porch complements on-property events seamlessly. The hotel also features 14 breakout rooms, a 24-hour business center, and 271 guest rooms and suites.

Prince, Elton John, and Nicki Minaj all famously changed their names when they hit it big. An iconic downtown Atlanta hotel recently took a page from the same book. Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center has been renamed Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park. Since the hotel has a new moniker, it also underwent a face-lift to match. In May, the property completed a renovation of 600 suites in the North Tower. These new signature suites give a nod to Atlanta’s iconic attractions with unique design elements: nightstands inspired by luggage, carpets as striking as the globe, bold black-and-white linens, and eye-catching wallcoverings. Among these updates, the Presidential Suite, Governors Suite, and Executive Suites have been meticulously redesigned and can be used for meeting spaces as well as the already existing 120,000 square feet of corporate event space spanning 45 meeting rooms. It's also connected to the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, and Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.

In 2023, it wins a Michelin star. Then, in March 2024, it moves to the uber-chic Midtown space formerly occupied by Empire State South. Lazy Betty just keeps leveling up. Unlike its former Candler Park digs, this new Lazy Betty location allows the restaurant to finally offer semiprivate and private event options. The 4,300-square-foot space features a 70-seat main dining room with a cozy prefunction bar lounge, which is available for seated or standing events. But it’s the semiprivate dining room (complete with back entrance for celeb guests!) and a private Chef’s Table dining room that are going to make corporate event planners swoon. The Chef’s Table can fit up to 20 guests and provides a separate room featuring a hand-painted mural by Christina Kwan. Dramatic velvet drapes separate the 30-seat semiprivate room from the main restaurant. For larger groups, the two rooms can be connected to seat 50. But here’s what incentive planners adore: The tasting menu restaurant is available for a full buyout of up to 100 guests. The event team only needs around 45 days to make that happen. Additionally, the high-end resto’s spacious patio and green space are also available for events.

Perfect for any tropical-themed event or ’80s off-site spectacular, Strangers in Paradise opened in May. Run by Electric Hospitality, the team is also behind beloved Atlanta concepts like Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall, Muchacho, Ranger Station, and The Electric Room. This latest cocktail bar and event venue has 28 bar seats and 45 total seats. Buyouts are available for a comfortable 125-attendee list (including outdoor overflow space with the restaurant’s garage doors open). Strangers in Paradise doesn’t currently serve food but will work with outside vendors or its in-house Electric Events catering.

Celeb chef Kevin Gillespie channels his red-bearded Scottish heritage for his latest project, Nadair. Pronounced “nuh-dare,” the word means “way of nature” and allows Gillespie to return to his passion for cooking over an open fire. The restaurant and event space opened in May and is ideal for planners looking for a masculine-leaning vibe—think car, cologne, or liquor launches; men’s association gatherings; or incentive dinners. The new restaurant has a dedicated event space that can seat 40 for dinner, and tables can be removed for a standing room-only event. Planners need 50 guests to add the bar for a partial buyout. A full buyout means for a $20,000 minimum, 70 guests get the chance to enjoy the Top Chef and James Beard finalist’s cuisine, and planners can add on action stations, wine pairings, cocktail pairings, and more. The private dining room seats 18, and guests are required to do the house tasting menu (wine pairing is optional). Future plans include inside and outside event options. Not surprising if you know Gillespie’s MO, the venue is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences, meticulously planning every detail to ensure each celebration is nothing short of spectacular.

Out in Marietta, beloved chef Doug Turbush recently finished renovations to the patio space at Seed Kitchen & Bar. Now, the unique alfresco area is weatherproofed for year-round dining and events with heaters, fans, and a retractable roof. From private seated events for up to 74 people to cocktail parties for 100 standing, these new additions give planners loads of flexibility to choose their preferred style of event adjacent to the main dining room. The popular restaurant already fits 115 seated or 150 standing and has always allowed for total and partial buyouts. A completely private inside dining room seats 24, while a semiprivate dining configuration seats 40. Add this new space, and planners can easily host an event for 250 people with one of the best food programs in metro Atlanta.

Planners looking for a space with ample TVs for a launch, promotion, or viewing event might find the eight TVs at Floridaman ideal. The cheeky lounge opened May 24 above hot seafood spot Breaker Breaker. An awesome off-site for open-air events, Floridaman overlooks the Atlanta BeltLine and seats 55 to 60. The colorful design and tropical accents perfectly complement a themed event. Think fun boozy slushies, canned beers, and tropical drinks with names like "Freak on a Beach," all paired with seafood. The enormous vintage steel canopy provides shade, while vintage parrot light fixtures and navy leather upholstered bar stools bring a quirky ambiance. Three 6-foot-long, custom neon-lit chandeliers light up the night sky for evening events. Watch parties or events surrounding major tournaments and sports couldn’t find a cooler spot in the ATL.