The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PLAY INDOORS

7 places to escape the weather and have fun

- By Zachary Hansen Zachary.Hansen@ajc.com

Even in Atlanta, the weather is sometimes chilly or unpredicta­ble during the winter months. Whether it be early sunsets, nearfreezi­ng temperatur­es or the threat of ice and light snow, staying indoors is sometimes

the most viable option to have fun until spring comes around. Here are seven places to go to get out of the house and have fun in metro Atlanta this winter.

All Fired Up

On days when its frigid outside, a warm kiln can be your guide. With more than 700 items on offer, All Fired Up’s pottery-baking kilns stay plenty busy.

Regardless of how artsy you are, their staff can help anyone make, decorate and bake items that are full of personalit­y and food safe. With locations in Alpharetta, Druid Hills and Marietta, there’s hours of creativity — and warmth — abound for kids and adults alike.

10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturday; 12-9 p.m. Sundays. 53 South Main Street #1, Alpharetta. 770-740-7800; 1563 North Decatur Road, Atlanta. 404-270-9048; 2960 Shallowfor­d Road #305, Marietta. 770-575-2450. allfiredup.com.

The Cooking School at Irwin Street

Few things warm people up like a good home-cooked meal, but some comfort foods are easier to make than others. The Cooking School at Irwin Street offers a wide variety of classes for different types of cuisine, specific dishes and skill levels.

If Indian food is your craving when it’s cold, why not learn to make it yourself ? If Chinese takeout, rich pasta dishes or brunch food is more your thing, those classes are offered as well.

Hours vary. 660 Irwin Street NE, Atlanta. 404-8896568. irwinstree­tcooks.com.

Caffeine Atlanta

A cozy cafe can sometimes be the best place to catch up with friends, study or get some writing done. A warm cup of Joe won’t hurt either, and Caffeine Atlanta checks all of those boxes.

This Midtown-based coffee shop offers the classics and uncommon drinks in addition to pastries. If winter weather hinders your productivi­ty, make like an espresso and give this spot a shot.

9:30 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-midnight Saturdays-Sundays. 410 14th Street NW, Atlanta. 770-302-6917. caffeineat­l. com.

The Velvet Note

If jazz music warms your soul, The Velvet Note is the place for you. Since 2012, this Alpharetta­based jazz club has kept the tradition of live improvisat­ion, syncopated rhythms and creative expression going.

There’s also a full kitchen and bar inside, with a seafood-focused menu to get people in that New Orleans jazz state of mind. Shows are available from Thursday to Sunday, balancing up-and-coming acts with establishe­d “jazz cats.”

6:30-11:50 p.m. Thursdays; 6:30-11 p.m. Fridays; 6:30-11:30 p.m. Saturdays; 6-11 p.m. Sundays; closed Mondays-Wednesdays. 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. 855-583-5838. thevelvetn­ote.com.

10 High Club

For those who enjoy their music a little heavier and the atmosphere a lot hotter, the 10 High Club at Dark Horse Tavern might be more your speed.

This night club tucked inside Virginia-Highland offers karaoke backed by the band Metalsome, allowing patrons to rock out on stage. Headbangin­g to songs by Blink182, Paramore and Rage Against the Machine will surely light a fire inside you.

9 p.m.-3 a.m. MondaysSat­urdays; closed Sundays. 816 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta. 404873-3607. darkhorsea­tlanta.com/10highclub.

Champion Kids

Some kids just don’t like being cooped up all day. When the weather is keeping them from playing outside, Champion Kids might be the best place for them to let out all their energy.

Located in Marietta, this 25,000-square foot gym offers children a fun way to stay active without leaving a heated space. The weekends are reserved solely for birthday parties, but weekdays offer classes and open play, where any kid can run, tumble and jump around to their heart’s content.

9 a.m.-7 p.m. MondaysFri­days; closed on weekends. 1465 Canton Road, Marietta. 770-874-5200. https://championki­ds.net.

The Whiskey Project

For some, nothing caps off a cold day like a warming glass of whiskey. Since opening in 2018, this Roswell bar and restaurant has served up plenty of meals and even more glasses of the good stuff.

With more than 1,000 spirits and 30 cocktails on offer, it’s safe to say bourbon stewards and scotch sommeliers can find something to sip at The Whiskey Project.

11 a.m.-10 p.m. MondaysThu­rsday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 11 a.m.9:30 p.m. Sundays. 45 Oak Street, Roswell. 678-3731981. twpatl.com.

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D BY CHAMPION KIDS, JASON GETZ, ALL FIRED UP ?? CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Kids can enjoy two in-ground tumble tracks, an extra-large foam pit and rope swing at Champion Kids in Marietta. All Fired Up offers more than 700 items for patrons to paint and has locations in Alpharetta, Marietta and Atlanta. Eileen Howard performs at the Velvet Note in Alpharetta.
CONTRIBUTE­D BY CHAMPION KIDS, JASON GETZ, ALL FIRED UP CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Kids can enjoy two in-ground tumble tracks, an extra-large foam pit and rope swing at Champion Kids in Marietta. All Fired Up offers more than 700 items for patrons to paint and has locations in Alpharetta, Marietta and Atlanta. Eileen Howard performs at the Velvet Note in Alpharetta.
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 ?? JASON GETZ/FILE PHOTO ?? Malcolm O’Hara, center, and his wife, Cindy, left, enjoy a cocktail with their neighbors Bob Moore and his wife, Linda Cabot, at The Whiskey Project last year in Roswell.
JASON GETZ/FILE PHOTO Malcolm O’Hara, center, and his wife, Cindy, left, enjoy a cocktail with their neighbors Bob Moore and his wife, Linda Cabot, at The Whiskey Project last year in Roswell.
 ?? JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL ?? Krista Nelson uses a rolling pin to press her dough during a previous pasta class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta.
JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL Krista Nelson uses a rolling pin to press her dough during a previous pasta class at The Cooking School at Irwin Street in Atlanta.

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