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Photos: A fair-weather walk around Atlanta’s feisty, funky Little Five Points

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15 photos from L5P and neighboring streets for no f***king reason at all

By Josh Green
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A photo of The Vortex in L5P. A large skull with spirals for eyes acts as the entrance. Photos: Jonathan Phillips, Curbed Atlanta

Okay, real talk.

In the not-too distant past, we thought we’d read somewhere that Atlanta’s famed, funky Little Five Points district was officially founded in 1918.

This photo essay was supposed to serve as a visual paean to that historic occasion. (The centennial! Hurray!) It turns out, however, that L5P sort of crept up organically in the 1920s, around the streets where trolleys once converged.

So there is no relevant occasion.

But in the true spirit of L5P, we were like f**k it, let’s put the photos out there anyway. Because ... it’s hot outside! In February!

So, perhaps fittingly, this latest installment of Visual Journeys is a celebration of Atlanta’s hippest paradise of street art and novelty shops—home to the world’s wildest Halloween parade—for no specific reason at all.

This mural adorns a post office with, in the spirit of L5P, exceptionally friendly employees.
For those indoctrinated in Little Five lore, this unassuming building is of course The Star Bar. Always a great place to end an evening. Or morning.
Junkman’s Daughter, Atlanta’s one-stop shop for ridiculous accessories and S&M Halloween attire.
Enter the esophagus of this berserk skeleton (The Vortex) for some of Atlanta’s—and, indeed, America’s—most killer burgers.
Take that, Bezos!
Criminal Records and The Porter = neighborhood mainstays.
Venues such as The Variety Playhouse have been around forever, lending the neighborhood a great place to see music and shows.
Ditto for 7 Stages.
What could be described as Little Five Point’s Patio District, set to be joined by Hattie B’s Hot Chicken this spring.

Now it’s time to wander neighboring blocks to see what’s changing—and what isn’t—on the walkable-to-L5P residential front.

Downtown’s skyline is visible behind the Bass Recreation Center, which hasn’t changed much.
This Icon Residential project has sprouted just south of L5P, at Hardee Street and Moreland Avenue, in Reynoldstown.
Townhomes aren’t the only new construction in the Little Five area. Single-family homes are also changing the face of nearby streets.
Station R, home to one of two Mattress Firms within throwing distance of an unopened PBR.
The stately scene near L5P’s big, active green space, Freedom Park.
On McLendon Avenue, cherubs acting as gargoyles is so hipster.
Let’s end with the same photo that began this thing—and pretend it says, “Thanks for Visiting Little Five Points.” Where things change, but not really.

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