The Best Fourth of July Celebrations are in Atlanta

Travel plans won’t be necessary this Independence Day because patriotic parties are taking over ATL. Spirited cocktails, festive foods and rooftop celebrations will make this Fourth of July unforgettable!

Atlanta has everything patrons need to pregame the holiday. At Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia Highland, a live band and bubbling brews will keep everyone entertained the night before the Fourth. Come back the next day for the restaurant’s Sixth Annual Go Whole Hog or Go Home Fourth of July Party, where $15 feeds guests a meat-and-three meal for lunch or dinner. Stick around for Backyard Beer Olympics beginning at 3 p.m. Watch the action or sign up with a partner for some friendly competition that could win the team $500. Woodfire Grill is also starting the party on July 3 with a “BBQ & Beer” party to benefit the “Save the Hooch” campaign. Gobble down on a barbecue feast full of Southern classics like skillet cornbread and peach cobbler for $38.

Speaking of peaches, the Fourth of July is the perfect day to bite into a juicy, organic peach from Watsonia Farms. Add it to homemade cobbler or top with ice-cream for a tasty dessert after grilling up free-range beef and poultry from White Oak Pastures. What’s more American than that? Well, John Wayne charcoals and rubs from Fire & Flavor! The all-natural, gluten-free line adds authentic flavor to any meat.

Looking to spend the holiday dining on good-ole-American grub? Plenty of Atlanta restaurants are serving dishes to keep guests full during the festivities. No. 246 in Decatur is serving an all-day lunch menu with cocktail specials guests can enjoy while playing backyard ping-pong. For the early risers, say “good morning” to America and the Peachtree Road Race runners at Olmsted. They’ll be open at 7 a.m. and are serving up an a la carte menu along with endless mimosas and bloody marys for $14.

If plans are already set in stone, Marlow's Tavern, Gunshow and Bantam + Biddy will make satisfying those food cravings easy. Pick up a family food pack from Bantam+Biddy with options like pork loin or rotisserie chicken. It's served with salad, jalepeno cheddar bread, three sides and sweet tea. This take-out-only package feeds 3 to 5 people and is just $42. Gunshow is also putting together packages for patriotic folks on the go, with Southern classics like pulled pork, coleslaw, Brunswick stew and fresh baked cookies. Order in advance and pick ‘em up on July 4 for $50, it feeds four! If the gang will be out of town for the Fourth, stop by Marlow’s Tavern later in the month. They're celebrating more than a day of America with a “Red, White and Brew” menu from June 18 through July 29. Is the term “grill master” a common phrase in your household? If so, be sure to enter the Fourth Annual Marlow’s Grilling Recipe Contest for a chance to win awesome prizes.

It'll be nothing short of a party when the sun goes down at Ventanas, SkyLounge and Game-X. Ventanas is teaming up with Q100 for a night of music, food and dazzling drinks. A $26 ticket will grant access, food and a $10 play card to use at Game-X. Play away and snack on finger foods at Game-X before heading downtown to enjoy the fireworks from the heights of the Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel. If you love the view from up top, then check out the party at SkyLounge in the Glenn Hotel. The rooftop is the ideal spot to watch the fireworks from Centennial Olympic Park!