The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Fun alternativ­es to Super Bowl LIII

Football isn’t for everyone, so some venues are catering to those who aren’t interested in the sport.

- By Phil W. Hudson

Unless you live under a rock, you’re well aware that Super Bowl LIII and all its related activities have arrived in Atlanta.

Atlanta’s bars are allowed this week to stay open until 4 a.m. and nearly every business in the city is trying to connect with the thousands of visitors that have come to the Big Peach for the big game. However, football isn’t for everyone, so we’ve compiled a list of cool things to do around the city that cater to Atlantans and aren’t based on the pigskin sport. Georgia Swarm Lacrosse Today, the 2017 NLL World Champions, the Georgia Swarm, will host a home game against New England at Infinite Energy Arena. With their title in 2017, the Swarm brought Atlanta its first major profession­al world championsh­ip in 22 years. The Swarm competes in an 18-game regular season until the NLL playoffs begin in late April. Swarm home games take place at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Field at Infinite Energy Arena. The Swarm’s roster features three of the four Thompson Brothers: Lyle, Miles and Jerome; the oldest brother, Jeremy, plays for the Saskatchew­an Rush. The brothers, who are from the Native American Onondaga Nation, are highly regarded as four of the most popular lacrosse players in the world. In 2017, Lyle Thompson was named the NLL’s MVP and NLL Finals MVP.

7:35 p.m. Today. $25-$69. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097. 844-4-GASWARM, georgiaswa­rm. com.

Route 66 Restaurant & Music Venue

The newly remodeled 17,000-square-foot concert hall and eatery located in Johns Creek (it was the former home of 37 Main) will feature a concert by Zac Brown Band’s John Driskell Hopkins tomorrow. Still, in its soft-opening stage, Route 66 has quickly become one of the most popular destinatio­ns for people that live outside of the perimeter who are seeking a diverse range of musical genres. The renovated venue features a new top-of-theline lighting rig, upgraded sound system, exclusive VIP area as well as couches and tables available for reservatio­n. ( Just for fun, download a full interview with Hopkins and AJC music reporter Melissa Ruggieri on the Atlanta Journal-Constituti­on’s podcast accessAtla­nta.)

9 p.m.-close. Saturday. $25$450. Route 66 Restaurant & Music Venue, 6000 Medlock Bridge Parkway, Johns Creek. 770-5595639, route66joh­nscreek.com.

From the Earth Brewing Company

The Roswell restaurant and brewpub just released a limited amount of their Goin’ Out West IPA infused with kumquat and lactose. The brewery is hosting the Atlanta-based improvisat­ional funk band, Voodoo Visionary, on Saturday and the Atlanta-based folk-rock and jam-rock Jeff Mosier Ensemble on Super Bowl Sunday.

Voodoo Visionary. 10 p.m.close. Saturday. $8-$10. Jeff Mosier Ensemble. 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 3. Free. 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell. 770-910-9799, ftebrewing. com.

Venkman’s

The restaurant, bar and live music venue in Old Fourth Ward will feature on Super Bowl Sunday the ’80s and ’90s cover band, Saved by The Band, who returns to Venkman’s for the second Groundhog Day in a row. Last year’s sold-out show saw the band singing from the table tops and performing unique musical pranks. If songs from acts like Prince, Alanis Morissette and ThirdEye Blind were in your Napster catalog back in the day, this is the best trip in the city to take down memory lane.

Saved by The Band Groundhog Day Dance Party. 9:30 p.m. Sunday. $10-$20. 740 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE, Atlanta. 470-225-6162, venkmans.com.

Winter Beer Festival

With 7 years under its belt at the old home of the Masquerade on North Avenue, Atlanta Beer Festivals is moving its party to Atlantic Station. Stay out of the cold on Super Bowl Sunday with more than 150 beers, heated tents and food trucks as well as live music and a dance party run by D J Qtip at the 21-and-older event. Beer cuts off at 4:45 p.m., but there is free bottled water available to keep you hydrated and away from a post-Super Bowl hangover. There is parking available at the venue, but the festival strongly encourages patrons to use a ridesharin­g company, MARTA or even walk.

1-5 p.m. Saturday. $45-$55. Atlantic Station Event Space, 241 20th St. NW, Atlanta. 404-410-4010, atlantabee­rfestivals.com.

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D BY PAUL SASSO, MV PHOTO CONCEPTS ?? Atlanta Swarm forward Miles Thompson winds up for a shot against Toronto during his team’s National Lacrosse League playoff victory on May 20 at Infinite Energy Arena. The team plays New England tonight in Duluth.
CONTRIBUTE­D BY PAUL SASSO, MV PHOTO CONCEPTS Atlanta Swarm forward Miles Thompson winds up for a shot against Toronto during his team’s National Lacrosse League playoff victory on May 20 at Infinite Energy Arena. The team plays New England tonight in Duluth.
 ?? RICK DIAMOND/GETTY IMAGES ?? John Driskell Hopkins will perform at the newly remodeled Route 66 Restaurant & Music Venue in Johns Creek Saturday.
RICK DIAMOND/GETTY IMAGES John Driskell Hopkins will perform at the newly remodeled Route 66 Restaurant & Music Venue in Johns Creek Saturday.
 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D BY MEGAN MCCABE ?? The Atlanta-based improvisat­ional funk band Voodoo Visionary will perform at From the Earth Brewing Company the night before the Super Bowl.
CONTRIBUTE­D BY MEGAN MCCABE The Atlanta-based improvisat­ional funk band Voodoo Visionary will perform at From the Earth Brewing Company the night before the Super Bowl.

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