Traveler: Nayun Hong
Destination: Poncey-Highland ~ Atlanta, GA

Nayun pens a heartfelt love letter to Poncey-Highland, the Atlanta neighborhood she’s called home — capturing memories, local gems, and the spirit of a place she’ll soon leave behind for New York City.

Poncey-Highland always struck me as the middle child between two other great neighborhoods: Inman Park and Virginia-Highland. It’s often overlooked in favor of its “sibling” to the south (Inman Park) who lucked out during the razing of neighborhoods by the U.S. Interstate System. Other times, it’s forgotten altogether, lumped in with its northern “sibling” (Virginia-Highland) and generalized as “The Highlands”.

To be honest, I hesitated to write this because I selfishly want to keep Poncey-Highland, Poncey-Highland. When people find a good thing, for some reason, they come and change it. Even during my three-years here new tenants and faces have brought life to once-empty storefronts, and older tenants have adapted to their ever-changing surroundings. What it was even twenty years ago is nowhere close to what it was when the neighborhood was officially established in the 1970s. Today, it’s a little weird – but all heart. The core of this neighborhood might not be the most cohesive in terms of its streetscape, but its scrapbook-like parts come together to create an eclectically interconnected whole. Although maybe “scrapbook” isn’t the most appropriate descriptor for it; Poncey-Highland isn’t a single aesthetic or “clean-cut”. The neighborhood is more like a collage made from magazine clippings, old and new.

The map above features this aforementioned core – the heart – of the neighborhood. Even with three of the city’s busiest and (for that reason) notorious roads bordering or running through it, the heart of Poncey-Highland beats with intimacy. We’ll start our virtual walk from the neighborhood’s iconic anchor at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and North Highland Avenue: the Plaza Theatre.

The Plaza Theatre

The Plaza Theatre is Atlanta’s oldest operating independent cinema. From new releases to earlier Wong Kar Wai films to Drag Queen-hosted Miss Congeniality showings, I didn’t realize I needed a historic Art Deco cinema next door – and now I can’t imagine my life and future neighborhood without one.

Also in the building:

• Southern Belle: Southern-rooted modern restaurant “highlighting the multicultural influences from our great city”.
• The Righteous Room: a true dive bar with true locals. You can order take-out from here to enjoy during your next Plaza showing!

 

The Majestic Diner

The Majestic Diner has been serving “Food That Pleases” since 1929. Like many other establishments, the diner had to adapt during and after COVID, and I’ve only experienced the food during “normal” hours (7:30am to 2:30pm). I hope one day they’ll resume feeding ATLiens after a karaoke night at Dark Horse (and “soaking up Atlanta’s booze 24/7”), but for now I’ll indulge in stories from friends of much-needed 2am diner chicken tenders.

 

Sweet Auburn BBQ

Sweet Auburn BBQ has been introduced to me as an amazing BBQ spot – but for me, it’s one of my favorite Asian fusion restaurants in town. Their Asian-inspired dishes are some of my favorite items on the menu (Pimento Cheese Wontons, Smoked Chicken Curry, Szechuan wings). The restaurant is run by sibling owners, Howard and Anita Hsu, and pays tribute to their Asian roots and Southern upbringing – especially to memories of their parents’ Chinese-American restaurants in 1980s Georgia. Their name originates from their beginnings in the historic Sweet Auburn Market in Downtown Atlanta.

Also in the building:

• Sherman Salon: queer- and female- owned and operated hair salon.
• Soul Vegetarian No. 2: the second location of one of Atlanta’s first vegan restaurants, founded in 1979.

Across the street:

• East Pole Coffee: I still can’t believe I get to live right next to the best coffee in Atlanta.
• Fishmonger: featured on Atlanta’s Michelin Bib Gourmand list, a solid neighborhood seafood market and casual restaurant.
• Tio Lucho’s: “a love letter to Peru and the South” by the James Beard Award semi-finalist, Chef Arnaldo Castillo. We’ve become regulars at their happy hour- $1 oysters, causitas, and the best white sangria!

 

Colette Bread and Bakeshop

I feel like I “grew up” with Colette Bread and Bakeshop because they opened around the same time I moved into the neighborhood. Everyone talks about a neighborhood coffee shop, but now I’m a firm believer that a neighborhood bakery is just as essential. This has become my go-to spot for errand snacks, post-run treats, and studio celebration goodies.

Colette’s is part of the greater Otto’s Apartment Hotel complex, formerly the Highland Inn. The building was built in 1929 as Wynn’s Apartment Hotel, providing workforce housing for young women in Atlanta.

Also in the building:

• Madeira Park: recently opened neighborhood wine bar by the owners of Miller Union. The name pays homage to a former nearby neighborhood razed for an unbuilt freeway, now home to the Carter Center. Conveniently, it’s also the name of the Portuguese region famous for their wine.
• Big Softie: the second location of the beloved Atlanta soft serve.
• Sanctuary ATL Barber Co: local barber shop with a chic atmosphere (and a stone’s throw from warm baked goods and a cold treat).
• The Zero Co: a bottle shop dedicated to non-alcoholic spirits, wine, and beer.
• Secondwind Gear Shop: I first encountered them at Oakhurst Porchfest and wondered when I would see them again. Now they’re my neighbors!
• The Supermarket: a multi-use event venue where “art, culture, and community come together”. I’ve attended all kinds of events here: a figure drawing session, Jazz concert, an art exhibition, and a coffee pop-up in their cozy co-working space.

 

Videodrome

I (along with the rest of the city) don’t know how they stay in business, but I am so happy they continue to stick around. Videodrome is Atlanta’s last-standing video-rental store, founded in 1998. Together with the Plaza Theatre, whom they often collaborate on showings with, they have not only become anchors in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood, but in Atlanta’s film community.

 

Manuel’s Tavern

You know it’s historic when the establishment has a Wikipedia page. Manuel’s Tavern was established in 1956 by Manuel Maloof and has since become a notable meeting place for Democratic Party figures. From the restaurant’s history page: “Manuel eventually served as the CEO of DeKalb [County] and became deeply involved in Democratic politics in Atlanta and Georgia. His political career dovetailed with the Tavern, which he said let him listen to the man on the street… he is fondly referred to as the ‘Godfather’ of Georgia Democratic politics.”

Fun fact: the building’s exterior is clad in granite from Stone Mountain!

Also in the Building:

• Elemental Spirits: the cutest neighborhood package store with weekly tastings – from mezcal flights, sake spritz, and wine from all over, it’s the perfect stop before continuing your Poncey-Highland adventure. 

Midtown Cleaners & Laundry

While I love my quaint 1920s apartment building, my unit unfortunately lacks in-unit laundry. There’s in-building laundry, but the cute 1920s aesthetic unfortunately also comes with spooky 1920s basement. It’s one of the huge silver linings for me though, because I discovered I love going to the laundromat and making a morning out of it. The white noise of the machines is apparently the perfect environment for me to resume book(s) I’ve neglected and reset my brain each week.

 

JavaVino

JavaVino is a seed-to-cup coffee shop. The “vino” is from its pre-COVID life as a coffee and wine shop, although I think they’ve recently begun to test the waters on resuming both services again (check out their Instagram for latest events – I can’t believe I missed Disco Night!!!).

Below JavaVino is Monks Meadery, Georgia’s first Meadery. While JavaVino has paused their day-to-night hours, the building remains vibrant after dark. From weekly Dungeons and Dragons to Trivia and the occasional themed parties (y’all ever heard of Pickle Mead?), this tiny walk-out basement and parking lot patio continues to prove that space is never the limit.

————————————

While I adore all my neighborhood establishments, we end our walking tour at JavaVino because I think it takes the spot as my favorite. I love JavaVino because I know it’s a place for Poncey-Highland regulars. Every time I visit, there’s usually one person holding down the fort at a table, and throughout the day at least four different people stop in to chat with that individual, and with each other. The conversations are both light and heavy, and it’s through people-watching at places like this that I’ve come to understand and appreciate the role, meaning, and value of a neighborhood- of community.

These buildings and businesses aren’t necessarily special on their own. Most fade into the background, especially when its visitors are simply passing through with eyes glued to Google maps en route to Virginia Highland, Ponce City Market, or Inman Park. But there is so much heart and life in this small stretch of the city that’s less than a quarter-mile long. I adore Atlanta for its history and identity as a City of Neighborhoods. Atlanta would be nothing without its unique and distinct neighborhoods, and those neighborhoods would be nothing without their tenacious tenants and not-so-glitzy but enduring buildings that literally anchor its corners and everything in between. Next time you’re in Atlanta, or this area, I hope this serves as a guide to show you more of what this city is beyond the Centennial Park attractions and Beltline crowds.

Love,

Nayun