Virtual Reality Bar, Carbon-Negative Brewery, Soul-Infused Japanese Cuisine! Exciting New BeltLine Attractions
The Atlanta BeltLine is an ever-expanding artery showcasing all things fresh, new and exciting in the city. As the popular walkway continues to be extended and draw more traffic among locals and tourists, there are plenty of intriguing new developments in store. These new BeltLine attractions are bringing a vibrant array of everything from dining and shopping to housing and office space to entertainment and one-of-a-kind experiences. Check out these four exciting, brand-new developments—all located right alongside the bustling BeltLine!
This unique cinematic attraction is the first of its kind, and it’s paving the way for a whole new category of entertainment. Illuminarium Atlanta opened its doors just this past July, welcoming visitors to its immersive 360° virtual reality (VR) experience. It’s like VR (minus the headset) combined with IMAX-level visuals—all projected in 4K resolution onto the walls and floors with high-quality surround sound. Illuminarium is currently showcasing their first feature, WILD, a $10 million film that transports visitors to the savannas, lakes and forests of Tanzania. The VR experience is so realistic that it’s like going on a real-life African safari and “meeting” lions, giraffes, hippos and more face-to-face!
Illuminarium has more features in store, with space-themed and holiday-themed films coming up in the near future. Illuminarium also has a VR bar experience called Illuminarium After Dark: Shibuya Night Market, where guests can enjoy a full-service bar and tapas menu while feeling like they’re in the streets of Tokyo. Illuminarium’s second location is slated to open in Las Vegas later this year, with additional locations in Chicago and Miami coming in 2022.
The Scotland-based craft beer giant that’s already taken Europe and the US by storm is coming soon to the BeltLine! BrewDog will be part of the new Stove Works development in Krog Street District, and it will bring beers and excitement galore to the popular area. Offering 28 different taps, a full-service restaurant and on-site brewing, BrewDog will feel right at home in Atlanta’s thriving craft brewery scene. It will also feature a “beer school” with guided tastings led by their knowledgeable staff.
Local film director Mann Robinson has made a name for himself in the industry, and he’s bringing his own full-service studio to the heart of the BeltLine. The 20,000-square-foot film studio will be a one-stop shop for everything from props to equipment to crew. It’s yet another sign of Georgia’s flourishing film scene—an industry that’s seen a record-breaking year in 2021. Robinson isn’t just expanding his reach and services as a director through the new studio, he’s also focused on uplifting others with interest in breaking out in the industry. At the start of the pandemic, he wrote a book to educate aspiring filmmakers. The new Mann Robinson Studios location will bring even greater opportunities to the Atlanta film industry.
Kuro
This innovative new restaurant will blend Soul food with Japanese cuisine to create a fresh, unique and delicious dining experience. Created by Todd Richards and Josh Lee, owners of local favorite Lake & Oak Neighborhood BBQ, Kuro will be located at the former site of Hazel Jane’s wine bar. The menu will have an emphasis on seafood and feature a makimono sushi experience as well as Soul-inspired Japanese eats and Soul food classics with a Japanese twist. Possible dishes include vadouvan-spiced cauliflower steak and Richards’ collard green ramen. The new restaurant will be Richards and Lee’s second new venture this year; they opened Soul: Food and Culture in Krog Street District this past February.
