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Places to people-watch in Midtown

See and be seen at spots on and around 14th Street

By Ronda Racha Penrice

Special to Metromix
June 30, 2009

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The patio at Steamhouse Lounge is a great spot for people-watching.

Just because it’s scorching hot outside doesn’t mean there’s no fun in the shade. People-watching is still a great summer pastime and Midtown, especially around 14th Street, is one of the best places to get in. Now, the freaks certainly come out at night, but there are a few that show up during the day too. OK, we’re half-kidding. These five spots are among the best to, um, admire other members of the human race, while enjoying some great drinks and food.

Einstein's

1077 Juniper Street - Atlanta

404-876-7925

An Atlanta staple since 1991, Einstein’s people-watching status on what might be the area’s hugest patio is legendary. Einstein’s is friendly to all, so there’s a lot of same sex people-watching. Plus, the place is yuppie friendly, meaning folks here have careers, not jobs. Juniper car traffic sometimes hit a thrill, but the patio is the main deal. Smirnoff martinis like the Sex and the City, made with Smirnoff cranberry-flavored vodka, are just $6. The potato-crusted grouper with parmesan grits and the banana cream pie for dessert is so it, but please wipe the cream from your lips when sneaking a peek at the other patrons.

Steamhouse Lounge

1051 W. Peachtree Street - Atlanta

404-233-7980

A one-time Buckhead must, the Steamhouse Lounge now calls Midtown home. There’s an upstairs deck but the downstairs patio, Oasis, is more beach-like. The people to watch are young and fun and directly around you, especially as people play billiards or try to get that puck in. Careful because the Goombay Smash, a signature drink full of rum, might make you the people-watching target. The Key lime martini with graham crackers is oh so yummy. Oysters are a specialty, so go for the broiled oyster sampler, which includes the Rockefeller (creamed spinach, Swiss and parmesan cheese), Monterey (made with jalapenos, bacon and Monterey jack) and garlic parmesan. And the lobster bisque? Pure heaven at any temperature.

Tap

1180 Peachtree St - Atlanta

404-347-2220

Talk about prime real estate. Located at the corner of 14th and Peachtree, Tap is people-watching platinum. Foot traffic, car traffic, in-your-face traffic, whatever you like. The medium-sized patio gets very packed on the weekends, so reserve your spot. Drinks are varied. In addition to the Dragon Berry, made with rum, strawberry and lime, and the oh-so-delicious Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka made with the house lemonade, try refreshing Whynatte coffee drinks like The Cunningham, which also includes vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur and Coca-Cola, and the Nutty Latte, with Frangelico hazelnut liqueur and raspberry vodka. New food items include the Mediterranean flatbread, but the buffalo fried calamari and the Cowgirl Creamery grilled cheese are still palate pleasers.

The Nook on Piedmont Park

1144 Piedmont Avenue NE - Atlanta

404-745-9221

The new kid on the block, The Nook, is across from Piedmont Park at Piedmont so there’s people-watching here on all levels. There are tourists, people trying to get in shape, families, grandmas even. From the cozy patio, sip on the watermelon martini, made with Square One’s cucumber organic vodka, or try the Crack’arita if you have a designated driver. Forget nachos—totchos are the new king. That’s tasty goodness over tater tots, y’all. Try the Creole Totchos with shrimp, andouille sausage and cheese. Salads like the Blackened Mahi Mahi, with corn salsa and corn strips, are also wrap-able. It’s a nook, for sure, but few places are better at feeding the stomach and the eye at the same time.

W Living Room

188 14th St. NE - Atlanta

Just steps away from valet is the ultra-fab patio to the Living Room at the W Midtown. Let’s just say, “people-watching, the beautiful edition?” Green shrubbery on the side wall and the space-age looking white chairs make the patio an impressive sight, even without the beautiful people. Snacks, like the Sexy Fries, sweet potato fries with cinnamon sea salt, are good, but there’s no food after 11 p.m. Drinking is the real indulgence and some dangerously good selections are the Guava Sin, made with Herradura tequila and guava puree, the Barbados Rum Punch, packed with Mount Gay Rum, and the self-explanatory Acai-Blueberry Martini. Staring? No problem—blame it on the alcohol.