2018 Taste Of Atlanta: Everything You Need To Know

ATLANTA, GA -- More than 100 of the city's best restaurants and bars will be part of the 2018 annual Taste of Atlanta set for this weekend in Historic Old Fourth Ward Park. Taste of Atlanta will take place for three
days from Friday, October 19 to Sunday, October 21. The festival is now in its 17th year.

The event welcomes attendees of all ages. Local chefs and hospitality pros will lead on-stage cooking demos and hands-on cooking classes, while guests sample food from restaurants plus craft beer, wine and cocktails. The annual event also marks the culmination of the 10th annual barcraft celebration where one mixologist is crowned the winner.

Prior to the event, ticket holders receive wristbands equipped with radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, making Taste of Atlanta a cashless festival. The wristbands are pre-loaded with Taste Points which can be used for drink and merchandise purchases as well as food samples ranging from one to three points each.

Find a full list of Taste of Atlanta restaurants and chefs here.

General admission ticket holders will receive 10 Taste Points, and additional points can be purchased for $1 each online or at Taste Point tents located throughout the festival.

Wristbands track tastes sampled and provide attendees with a post-event tasting list, serving as a customized roundup of restaurant recommendations for future dining out. The VIP Grand Tasting Experience provides access to an exclusive lounge area with tastings from 10 select restaurants and pours from craft beer, wine and cocktail makers. VIP ticket holders will receive 20 taste points and a commemorative drinking glass.

The Barcraft Celebration takes place on Saturday, October 20 in the VIP Experience area of the festival, where Atlanta bartenders and past winners of the Barcraft Competition will serve specialty Bulleit Bourbon cocktails.

On Sunday, October 21, the celebration culminates at a panel discussion – “Master’s Round Table: Atlanta Cocktail Culture - Where We’ve Come From and Where We’re Going” – led by renowned cocktail connoisseur Greg Best at 1:45pm on The Home Plate Stage. Panelists Paul Calvert, Kellie Thorn, Miles MacQuarrie and previous Taste of Atlanta Barcraft Competition winners will discuss the successes and strides that Atlanta bartenders have made in the past several years.

HOURS

Friday, October 19th 6:30-11pm
Saturday, October 20th 12-6pm
Sunday, October 21st 12-6pm
VIP Entry hours 12:30-5pm Saturday & Sunday

VIP GUESTS: No infants, strollers or children under the age of 21 allowed in the VIP area.
IDs will be checked at the VIP gate.
Taste of Atlanta is a rain or shine event. No refunds or exchanges.

VIP ticket holders can enter the festival at 12pm.

ENTRY GATES

General Admission entrances are:

Gate 1: Rankin Street near Garden Park Dr
Gate 2: Dallas St and N Angier Ave (Enter from Beltline)
Gate 3: On North Avenue, between Dallas St. and N Angier Ave.
The VIP entrance is at Garden Park Drive and Ralph McGill. This entrance is only for VIP ticket holders.

Take MARTA to the Civic Center Station, and ride the complimentary Taste of Atlanta shuttle to the festival site. The shuttle buses will run continuously from the Civic Center station to the festival site beginning at 9:00am. Pick up the shuttle outside of the station on W. Peachtree Street. One-way Fare $2.50.

DRIVING

Historic Fourth Ward Park is at 680 Dallas St.

FROM I-75/I-85 HEADING SOUTH
Take exit 249D, North Avenue Turn left on North Avenue and continue straight 1.5 miles to the park
FROM I-75 / I-85 HEADING NORTH
Take exit 248C toward GA-10E/Freedom Pkwy NE In two miles, turn left on North Avenue NE and continue .5 miles to the park

PARKING

Street parking is limited around the festival.
Atlanta Medical Center Parking Deck B
315 Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
$6 daily parking
From I-75 / I-85: exit 248C toward GA-10E/Freedom Pkwy NE Turn left onto Boulevard NE Turn right on East Ave. Entrance to the deck is on the right.
Walking directions to the festival from the parking deck: Walk east down East Ave NE to Glen Iris Drive. Turn left on Glen Iris and proceed to Rankin Street Turn right on Rankin Street to the festival gates.
Walking directions to the VIP from the parking deck: Walk east down East Ave NE to Glen Iris Drive. Turn left on Glen Iris and proceed one block to Ralph McGill Blvd. Turn right on Ralph Mcgill.
Atlanta Beer Bus will have shuttles from the Atlanta Medical Center deck to the Taste of Atlanta site Saturday, October 20th and Sunday, October 21st 9am-7pm.

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All images Taste of Atlanta