South - Atlanta - downtown vs Buckhead, eating and drinking

Going to Atlanta in two weeks, first time visitor, 2 night stay.

Looking to take multiple advantage of Hyatt's (still to be announced) promo and/or tidy up on Hilton's Q1 promo, so am looking at HP/HR downtown or HP/ES Buckhead, and would switch.

Location is not a factor for work purposes, will be on todd - where's best for some 'casual' dining and drinking ? Looking for beer and burger type places rather than fine dining. Have looked at a couple (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south/829854-atlanta-questions.html) of old threads (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south/744399-atlanta-staying-downtown-dining-options.html) but they're neither very up-to-date or very applicable.

Thoughts ?

Buckhead.

True downtown Atlanta is mostly business during the week and not much during the weekend. Midtown is much better though. Buckhead has tons of shopping, countless restaurants of all kinds. Fine dining and laid back.

We frequently eat at a few pizza places in Buckhead and, though it's a chain, we love Gordon Biersch for a beer and burger. I live about 3 miles from the center of Buckhead and there really isn't much you can't find in the general area.

Another thumbs up for Gordon Biersch. Not a fancy place by any means, but the ambiance is good, and there are a good number of other places near it.

I haven't been to Buckhead in a while, has it cleaned up its violence problems it has had?

HTSC

What kind of violence? The bar area has been closed for years so it's a pretty calm, mostly shopping, dining and tourism area now. There are just a handful of bars left and it's nothing like it used to be.

Another vote here for Buckhead. Plenty of restaurants within walking distance, plus there's a free transit system throughout Buckhead: BucRide (http://www.bucride.com/).

I think downtown is improving a little, but I personally prefer neighborhoods a few miles away unless you're wanting to eat at Hard Rock every day.

Looking to take multiple advantage of Hyatt's (still to be announced) promo ...

Ohh, I haven't been on the Hyatt boards enough lately! What promo is that?

My answer to your question is Buckhead.

I get asked this alot, as I ride the commuter rail. (Don't confuse the public transit with that BucRide thing.)
Metro Atlanta is an automobile city; so rent a car with a GPS, or hire a taxi. Those people wandering the streets of Buckhead are usually either homeless or tourists:D.

Buckhead it is - now just need to wait for the details of the Q2 promos to decide how to split the hotel stays.