Atlanta’s oldest entertainment district is preparing to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors during this summer’s Global Soccer Event. Led by Atlanta-based real estate company Lalani Ventures, Underground Atlanta is unveiling a dramatic refresh of Upper Alabama designed to support the influx of fans heading Downtown. The district is also planning dozens of events having secured approval as an official FIFA Watch Party venue in Atlanta.

The Upper Alabama improvements introduce a mix of immersive, flexible public-space programming, including enhanced lighting, large-format screens for watch parties, updated planters, new furniture with drink rails and bistro seating, outdoor games, artificial turf for a futsal pitch, overhead shade structures, a performance stage, modular stadium seating, food trucks, and local vendor pop-up shops. The activation builds on existing food and beverage offerings on Upper Alabama, including Utopia and the newly opened Underground Diner.

“This refresh of Upper Alabama is about more than temporary activation - it’s reimagining how this space can serve the city at scale,” said Shaneel Lalani, CEO of Lalani Ventures. “We’re layering infrastructure, design and programming to create a flexible public realm that can support everything from global events to local community gatherings, while showcasing Underground Atlanta as the historic entertainment district of Atlanta.”

The Upper Alabama project is coming as part of a partnership with the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. Lalani Ventures began working on the renovation in January and will have it ready in time for the World Cup.

The City of Atlanta will also partner with Underground Atlanta on “5 Points Cup,” a 3v3 Street Futsal Tournament taking place on the new Upper Alabama futsal pitch. Additional programming includes a diverse arts district with George F. Baker III, weekly multisensory art and cultural experiences, family-friendly soccer activations with Inter Atlanta FC, and eclectic Atlanta performers and businesses. More event details will be announced later this week.

“The investment in Underground Atlanta is a strong example of how public-private partnerships can activate key civic spaces,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “The improvements not only position Downtown Atlanta to shine on the global stage this summer, but also contribute to long-term economic vitality and year-round community engagement.”

Among Underground’s entertainment offerings is The Masquerade, a multiroom live music venue that recently expanded with the addition of Altar, its fourth performance space, joining Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. 

Underground Diner also just opened on June 6, providing breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails seven days a week.

Other experiences at Underground Atlanta include Artist Row, a collection of resident art galleries on Lower Alabama; Daiquiriville, an indoor-outdoor concept serving frozen daiquiris, Colombian-inspired tapas, and karaoke; Dolo’s Pizza, a New York-style pizza concept with Caribbean flavors that began as a locally loved pop-up; Designs by Chris, an independent retailer offering a variety of jewlery; Insomnia Night Club, a high-energy DJ and nightlife venue with light shows and VIP experiences; and MJQ Concourse, the new home of the iconic Atlanta nightclub formerly located on Ponce de Leon Avenue, taking over the legendary Dante’s Down the Hatch.

These announcements are part of a broader transformation underway in Downtown Atlanta since Lalani Ventures acquired Underground in 2020. In the past year, Underground Atlanta welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors and has emerged as one of the city’s premier day-to-night entertainment destinations.