In conjunction with their fourth quarterly briefing, The Atlanta Beltline held a World Cup-themed panel on Dec. 11 at The Chandelier Room at Monday Night Garage in West End.

Moderated by local photographer Cam Kirk, the panel featured Beltline President and CEO Clyde Higgins, Grammy award-winning songwriter and producer Dallas Austin, City of Atlanta Director of Initiative and External Relations and interim Director of Showcase Atlanta Lamar Stewart, and Soccer in the Streets founder Kaseem Ladipo. They discussed the Beltline’s role in bolstering small businesses, fostering relationships between locals and World Cup visitors, and maintaining an impact that lasts beyond the sporting event next summer. 

The World Cup is estimated to bring around 300,000 visitors to Atlanta in June and July 2026. As one of 16 host cities, Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including one semifinal. 

By the World Cup, the Beltline will feature 17 miles of continuous trail. Additionally, the Beltline has created 30,000 jobs to date, not including an estimated 40,000 temporary construction jobs. 

“We’ve got to think about what Atlanta’s going to look like in the future,” Higgins said. 

“The World Cup is an economic engine for Atlanta,” explained Kelvin Collins, Vice President of Economic Development for the Atlanta Beltline. The World Cup is one of Atlanta’s largest tourism pushes since the 1996 Olympics, and one that Collins said will “strengthen the city as a global beacon.”

The event at Monday Night Garage maintained an infectious energy that felt genuinely local. Songs by Atlanta-based artists like OutKast and T.I. soundtracked the evening. Attendees were encouraged to wear their favorite soccer team’s jersey, but many took the opportunity to wear sharp, colorful outfits in bold shades. A few younger children slept in their parents’ arms, while others kicked a soccer ball around an alcove adjacent to the bar. 

The event kicked off with a lengthy progress report from a series of Beltline leaders.

For example, the Beltline will launch its Commercial Affordability Consortium and the Beltline Business Facade pARTnership Grant next year. Beltline Vice President Lynette Reed said that affordable housing remains one of the team’s highest priorities as the Beltline approaches completion. Mayor Andre Dickens wants to extend the Beltline’s Tax Allocation Districts through 2030. 

Kim Wilson, Vice President of Design and Construction, announced that 85 percent of the trail is either complete or under construction, and that the Southside trail should be completed by the World Cup next summer. Additionally, two parks on Atlanta’s west side are currently in development. 

Collins unveiled the Beltline Information Hub, a “digital front door” that will help prepare residents and guests for the World Cup matches. Collins also announced the second cohort application of the Small Business Readiness Program, discussed the Beltline Marketplace, and unveiled the Beltline Fest, a free, weeks-long event providing a “connected circuit of celebration.” 

More FIFA 2026 World Cup coverage.

After the updates, Kirk segued into the panel portion of the night. He asked the panelists questions, including what success looks like after the World Cup, how they see Atlanta’s history, music, and culture shaping the city’s identity on a world stage in 2026, citywide prep and planning updates, and how World Cup activations will strengthen the Beltline’s broader mission. 

The brunt of the discussion focused on uplifting small businesses and local creators. Stewart emphasized that plenty of resources are available to small businesses that openly communicate with the city. FIFA Fan Fest, for example, is a state entity, so businesses interested in working the event need to be a supplier within the city, state, and county. Additionally, any business interested in hosting watch parties must obtain a viewing party license through the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. 

“There’s so much out there and we want to help,” Stewart said. 

Kirk and Ladipo also discussed how the Beltline can become a launchpad for youth soccer. Soccer drives economics for local communities, like playing soccer in neighborhood parks and pubs with amateur teams seeking places to regularly host matches.

“We need to show that we don’t need to find a field to play,” Ladipo said. 

Finally, the panel addressed the importance of promoting a variety of communities and actual neighborhoods in Atlanta. The Beltline is intentionally hosting Beltline Fest in the Pittsburgh neighborhood, located in the city’s southwest sector near Castleberry Hill, Adair Park, and Mechanicsville. 

The panel closed with a Q&A. Discussions with audience members ranged from bringing international soccer culture to Atlanta to concrete steps entrepreneurs can take to legally participate in World Cup activations. The panel also addressed how the Beltline’s ongoing projects and World Cup plans are being designed to include the neurodivergent population, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

“The games may happen at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the real magic will happen on the Beltline,” Collins said of the World Cup in Atlanta. 

The post Atlanta Beltline officials discuss preparing the pedestrian trail for the World Cup appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

JavaVino’s closure + holiday bar design magic

Dec. 11 — For today’s Side Dish, we offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on annual holiday pop-ups at five Atlanta restaurants. Plus, we have a story on the opening of Lewis Barbecue at Ansley Mall, and more on the closure of JavaVino in Poncey-Highland – including what the future holds for the space.  

 In other Atlanta dining news, get details on three big restaurant closures, the reopening of Mellow Mushroom in Decatur, and the upcoming opening of a new Irish bar and pub in South Downtown. We also have news on an Atlanta chef’s debut cookbook and the death of the founder behind Sonny’s BBQ. 

 In case you missed it in your inbox on Tuesday evening, here’s a link to the latest edition of “Family Meal“. In it, Beth includes a story on El Azteca and its 45-year legacy on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. She also tells you where to seek out jägerschnitzel in Atlanta. And Sarra shares The Daily’s recipe for oatmeal cream pies.

Cheers!

 Beth and  Sarra

Have You Heard?

 Restaurant Reopening

Five months after closing, the Decatur location of Mellow Mushroom reopened this week – and with a new look. The West Ponce pizzeria received a much-needed exterior and interior refresh, a dedicated to-go entrance and pick-up area, and a revamped patio and bar. Expect a few new items on the menu in Decatur, too, including a couple of salads and cocktails. 

“This location means a lot to Mellow Mushroom, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to return with new energy, [to] reconnect and deliver the best possible guest experience for the neighborhood,” Ahsan Jiva, Executive Vice President of Strategy, said in a prepared statement.

 More Restaurant Openings

Check out this brief roundup of recent restaurant openings and announcements of upcoming restaurants you might have missed in November.

 Airport Restaurant Opening

Celebrity pastry chef and TV personality Duff Goldman opened Duff’s Deli + Market on Concourse C at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Look for egg sandwiches, deli classics like hot pastrami and matzo ball soup, and baked goods such as Duff’s black and white cookies.

 Restaurant Closures

Right on the heels of the announcement that Daddy D’z BBQ would close on Memorial Drive at the end of December, the owners of Agave in neighboring Cabbagetown announced they will close the Southwestern restaurant on Jan. 31, 2026. Daddy D’z and Agave have been part of the Memorial Drive and Boulevard corridors for 35 years and 25 years, respectively. While the owner of Daddy D’z property plans to sell, Agave’s owners cited the “current economic climate and unsustainable conditions” as reasons for their decision to close. Learn more about the history of Agave and the Cabbagetown restaurant’s building from Victoria Lemos of Archive Atlanta. 

Tomorrow’s News Today reports that the Beltline location of One Flew South closed at the end of November. Calls by Rough Draft to the restaurant went unanswered, the location appeared dark on a recent visit, and the Beltline location is no longer listed on One Flew South’s website or social media. The original location remains open on Concourse E at Hartsfield. Backed by Jackmont Hospitality, One Flew South opened in the former Hazel Jane’s wine bar space on the Eastside Trail three years ago. 

 Coming Attractions

A Midtown location of Korean bakery-cafe White Windmill will open at 1331 Spring St. inside the Midtown Union building. White Windmill recently opened its first in-town location at Uptown Atlanta near the Lindbergh MARTA station. 

The owners of New York City bar Dead Rabbit plan to open The Irish Exit next year at Centennial Yards in South Downtown. Expect a drinks menu centered around Irish and local beers, whiskey, and cocktails, along with Irish pub food. The Irish Exit will join Wild Leap Brewery and Distillery, Khao Thai Isan, and Shake Shack at Centennial Yards. Check out Rough Draft for the latest restaurant and development news happening in South Downtown.

 ATL Chef’s First Cookbook

Lazy Betty co-owner and chef Ron Hsu will debut his first cookbook in March. Called Down South + East: A Chinese American Cookbook, Hsu will share recipes for dishes he cooks at home, as well as those inspired by his Chinese-American upbringing in Metro Atlanta. The cookbook will include a forward written by Hsu’s mentor and former Le Bernardin employer, Chef Eric Ripert. 

Hsu and restaurant partner and chef Aaron Phillips first opened Lazy Betty six years ago in Candler Park. The chefs relocated the tasting menu restaurant to the former Empire State South space in Midtown last year. Since opening in 2019, Lazy Betty has racked up numerous accolades, including one star from Michelin in its 2023, 2024, and 2025 dining guides. 

 Merger

STHRN Hospitality Co., the group behind Westside Motor Lounge, partnered with the owners of Atlanta institution Midtown Bowl. STHRN plans to help the 65-year-old bowling alley on Piedmont Circle attract new patrons by giving it a brand makeover – including food, drinks, and events – and upgrades to the kitchen and sound system. 

 RIP

Floyd “Sonny” Tillman, the founder of Sonny’s BBQ, has died. Tillman, who opened Sonny’s BBQ in 1968 in Gainesville, FL, was 96. Georgia features 14 locations of Sonny’s BBQ, including restaurants in Marietta, Buford, Jonesboro, and Lawrenceville. 

 Santa Loves the Dogs

Skiptown Bar & [Dog] Park in Kirkwood will celebrate the holidays with a series of festive events this month. Look for a Howliday Market on Dec. 13 and a photoshoot with Santa and the Grinch on Dec. 20.

 ICYMI

From Atlanta to Alpharetta to Marietta, we’ve compiled a list of more than 30 holiday-themed restaurants and pop-up bars decked in good cheer, serving festive cocktails, dishes, and desserts from now until the New Year.

Georgia Grown Holiday Gifts at Cook’s Warehouse

SPONSORED BY GEORGIA GROWN

 Georgia Grown goodies make the best gifts! Whether you buy them for stocking stuffers or you build your own beautiful gift basket, nothing says you’ve got great taste like a gift from our local craft food makers!

Stop by for chef demonstrations to sample a few bites, and meet the farmers!

 Join us Sat., Dec. 20 from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. at Cook’s Warehouse at Ansley Mall.

Top Stories From the Week

JavaVino closing Dec. 14 and becoming a wholesale coffee business

 This week, the owners of JavaVino announced the Dec. 14 closure of the coffee and wine bar after nearly 20 years on North Highland. But JavaVino won’t go completely dark. Instead, it will shift to a wholesale coffee business, something co-owner Heddy Kuhl sees as a positive development.

Kuhl and co-owner Steve Franklin are also currently finalizing the sale of the space with a new owner who plans to open a similar cafe called At Arbeta. It, too, will serve JavaVino coffee.

 Read more about JavaVino’s closure and plans for the space here.

A behind-the-scenes look at how restaurants make the holiday pop-up magic happen

 Despite being hard hit this year by higher ingredient prices, tariffs, labor challenges, and rent hikes, more Atlanta bars and restaurants than ever before are getting into the holiday makeover spirit in December. 

For many bars and restaurants, operating a holiday pop-up is simply a continuation and an unstoppable acceleration of what’s become an annual tradition. 

 Read more from Rough Draft contributor Su-Jit Lin here.

Lewis Barbecue makes its big debut at Ansley Mall

 Charleston-based Lewis Barbecue opened this week at Ansley Mall in Piedmont Heights. The Texas-style barbecue restaurant flanks the Beltline, with a blue bridge spanning across a gully that provides pedestrians and cyclists on the trail direct access to Ansley Mall.

Owner and founder John Lewis has been scouting venues for an Atlanta location for about six years, finding the perfect spot this year within the sprawling shopping complex bordering Midtown, Piedmont Heights, and Morningside.

 Read more about Lewis Barbecue’s new Atlanta location here. 

At the Market + Two Recipes

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKETS

Each week, Rough Draft Atlanta and Community Farmers Markets are partnering to bring you two recipes that you can make using fresh ingredients from your local farmers market. This week, we’ve got two distinct recipes that are sure to delight – a tasty broccolini risotto and a hearty harvest pancake. Check out both recipes here.

Today’s Side Dish was edited by Julie E. Bloemeke.

The post 😭 JavaVino closing appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Three longtime Atlanta restaurants, Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt, Agave, and JavaVino will close within the next two months. The owners of all there businesses cited industry challenges, such as a reduced customer base and higher ingredient costs, as motivations for the decision to call it quits.

Daddy D’z, located at Memorial Drive and Hill Street, will cease operations after service on Dec. 31. The 35-year-old restaurant is considered an Atlanta classic, and was featured on Food Network’s “Sauced”. Owner Christianah Coker-Jackson told WSB-TV that the landlord is selling the building, but that she hopes to re-open Daddy D’z in another location. 

Less than a week later – and just a few blocks away in Cabbagetown – the owners of Agave announced plans to close the Southwestern restaurant at the end of January. Agave, which opened in 2000 on Boulevard, launched a GoFundMe fundraiser for the restaurant’s affected employees. 

Then, over in Poncey-Highland, the owners of JavaVino announced the Dec. 14 closure of the coffee and wine bar after nearly 22 years on North Highland. Unlike Agave and Daddy D’z, however, JavaVino won’t go completely dark. Instead, it will shift to a wholesale coffee business, something co-owner Heddy Kuhl sees as a positive development.

In addition to serving as a cafe and wine bar, JavaVino roasts coffee for local restaurants, along with “green,” unroasted beans for regional roasters. 

“[This] will actually help us get our family’s coffee and farmer-direct coffee into more hands,” Kuhl said of pivoting to wholesale. “We want to travel to coffee farms and build further relationships with farmers and roast and distribute the coffee.”

“We’re getting older and we want to focus on what’s most important. We decided that this was the best path for our family,” she added. 

The roasting facility in Stone Mountain will remain intact, and JavaVino patrons can still purchase its coffee at the Grant Park Farmers Market and local shops such as Candler Park Market. 

JavaVino loyalty program members will be able to transition the cafe’s physical stars into online credit. Kuhl compiled an FAQ page on JavaVino’s website for customers with further questions. 

Kuhl and co-owner Steve Franklin are currently finalizing the sale of the North Highland space with a new owner who plans to open a similar cafe called At Arbeta. It, too, will serve JavaVino coffee.

“[The new owner] reminds me of us when we were coming up with the idea [for JavaVino] and the enthusiasm behind it,” Kuhl said. “I think there was a lot of good energy between us and the buyer, and it worked out pretty nicely.”

“We’re replacing ourselves in the community with somebody that we trust [and who] is a good fit for the community,” she continued. 

JavaVino will close after service on Dec. 14. Look for a story with more details on the plans for At Arbeta in Poncey-Highland on Rough Draft soon.

The post JavaVino Coffee & Wine House closing Dec. 14, becoming wholesale coffee business appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

This week, we’re sharing The Daily’s recipe for its oatmeal cream pies with an added holiday twist.

“This is my recipe for oatmeal cream pies. I loved Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies as a kid,” said Natalie Howells, The Daily’s pastry chef and bakery manager.

“It was always a treat when we could get them at the store. As I grew up, I thought
that there had to be a way to recreate that great combo without all the extra [preservatives],” she explained of her recipe inspiration.

In addition to an entirely pronounceable ingredient list, Howells’ take on oatmeal cream pies includes cream cheese and ginger in the filling for a taste that’s balanced and sophisticated, yet nostalgic.

It’s especially important that the dairy products in this recipe are mixed in at room temperature. Otherwise, the texture of the cookies will be completely off.

“Butter should be barely soft, not melty. It should not look shiny or oily,” Howells said. “For the eggs, I typically pull them out 20 to 30 minutes prior to mixing. You can also crack them and have them in a bowl to help warm up quicker.”

If the mixed batter or filling are refrigerated or frozen, those will need to come to room temperature before proceeding.

More recipes from the Rough Draft archives

Cookie ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1.5 Tbsp vanilla
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 1/4 cups rolled oats

Filling ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla paste
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup candied ginger pieces (optional)

Note: if your powdered sugar seems lumpy or chunky, sift before adding.

Mix the batter

1. Using the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla, and continue mixing. Scrape the side of the bowl well.
3. Add all dry cookie ingredients except oats.
4. Mix on speed 2 for 3 to 4 minutes, then lower speed to 1, and incorporate oats.
5. Make sure that there are no butter pockets at the bottom of the bowl — if so, mix by hand to get everything incorporated.
6. Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto parchment-lined sheet pans, about 6 to 8 per pan.
7. Chill for at least 20 minutes. (See tips for freezing instructions)

Bake the cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 375 Fahrenheit.
2. Place cookies in the middle of the rack in the middle of the oven. Bake for 4 minutes, then rotate pans, giving them a gentle tap on the counter to help the cookies spread out a little if needed.
3. Bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden brown.
4. Let cool completely before filling.

Make the filling

1. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and cream cheese on high until almost completely white, fluffy, and smooth.
2. Add in vanilla and salt. Turn the mixer down to low and slowly add powdered sugar.
3. Once all sugar is in, and you can’t see individual granules, turn the mixer back up to medium-high and mix until white, light and smooth.
4. If using the candied ginger pieces, they would be folded in at this point.

Note: Keep an eye on the filling while mixing, as it can go from light and fluffy to soupy quite quickly. If that happens, remove filling from mixer and chill in a covered bowl until solid. If you are not using the filling that day, it can be made ahead of time and stored in your refrigerator covered for up to one week, or up to two months in the freezer. Let the filling come up to room temperature before rewhipping prior to piping into cookies.

Fill the cookies

1. Pair up your cookies, then flip one of each over.
2. Using a piping bag with an open tip, pipe a generous amount of filling into the center of the cookies that are flipped over.
3. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing down gently to push the filling to the
   edges of the cookie sandwich.
4. These cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to one day, or covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. If refrigerating, let come up to room temperature before serving.

The post Recipe: The Daily’s oatmeal cream pies appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

On Dec. 5, FIFA held a televised drawing ceremony in Washington, D.C., that determined the 12 groups playing in the upcoming World Cup next year. It took another day, however, for FIFA to finalize the match schedule and determine which cities would host particular games. 

Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches in 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium: five group stage games, two knockout stage games, and a semifinal. Teams in Groups A, C, H, and K were eligible to play in Atlanta during the group stage. While the lineup for Groups A and K has not been finalized due to qualifying match schedules, FIFA did include possible scenarios for the countries that may take those spots. 

Atlanta will start off strong on June 15, with a match between Spain and Cape Verde. Nearly a week later, Spain will grace Mercedes-Benz Stadium once again, facing off against Saudi Arabia. 

Related stories:
• Buckhead Village hosts watch party for 2026 World Cup draw
• More World Cup coverage from Rough Draft

On June 18, South Africa will play either Poland, Wales, or Finland, based on the results of the European Qualifier Playoffs in March. 

Haiti and Morocco will play in Atlanta on June 21. Metro Atlanta’s Haitian population is the second-highest Caribbean community in the state, behind Jamaica. 

On June 27, Uzbekistan will face either Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia based on the results of the Concacaf Qualifier Playoffs in March. 

Atlanta will also host two knockout matches after that stage begins on June 28: a round of 32 match on July 1 and a round of 16 match on July 7. The city’s participation in World Cup gameplay culminates in a semifinal match on July 15.

The post Check out the finalized 2026 World Cup match schedule for Atlanta appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.