entertainmentneutral

A Wonderland-style hangout spot is coming to Downtown Atlanta

The Center, CNN Atlanta, USAWednesday, June 3, 2026
# 🍽️✨ **Step Into a Wonderland: Atlanta’s New Alice in Wonderland Dining & Playground**

## **A Dreamlike Escape in the Heart of Downtown**

Downtown Atlanta is about to get a touch of magic. Part of the historic **CNN Center**—once a bustling hub—is being reborn as **The Looking Glass**, a whimsical, **Alice in Wonderland**-themed venue that promises an adventure unlike any other. Developed by a team known for blending **food, drinks, and games**, this 28,000-square-foot wonderland is set to open in **early 2027**, with construction kicking off post-**2026 World Cup**.

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## **A Labyrinth of Wonder (and a Little Confusion)**

Prepare to lose yourself—**literally**. The space is designed to immerse guests in a surreal, storybook world where every corner holds a new surprise. Here’s what awaits:

- **🎯 Carnival Games** – Test your skill with classics reimagined.
- **🌀 Optical Illusions** – Bend your mind with mind-bending decor.
- **⏳ Challenge Rooms** – Puzzles and interactive mysteries to unravel.
- **🎳 Bowling Lanes** – With a twist that fits the theme.
- **📚 Board Games** – A curated selection for all ages.
- **🔍 Scavenger Hunt Adventure** – Piece together clues to uncover hidden chapters of the story at your own pace.

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## **A Feast for the Senses (and the Sweet Tooth)**

Food here isn’t just sustenance—it’s part of the experience. The menu leans into playful indulgence with:

### **Savory Small Plates**
- **Spicy Tuna Bites** – A fiery kick to start.
- **Lemon Pepper Shrimp** – Zesty and crisp.

Sweet Delights

  • Beignets – Pillowy, powdered, and impossible to resist.
  • Raspberry Macarons – Delicate, fruity, and dreamy.

Every dish is crafted to feel like a scene straight out of Wonderland—unexpected, delightful, and entirely memorable.

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A Phoenix Rising: The Transformation of The Center

The Looking Glass is just the latest chapter in the revival of The Center, a once-vacant Atlanta landmark being reborn as a vibrant mixed-use destination. Soon, it will house:

  • A food hall buzzing with culinary variety.
  • Luxury apartments for those who want to live inside the magic.
  • A hotel for travelers seeking an unforgettable stay.
  • A temporary World Cup exhibit ahead of the 2026 tournament.

This isn’t just renovation—it’s a renaissance.

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Atlanta’s Dining Scene Gets a Major Upgrade

The Looking Glass joins a wave of new attractions breathing life into downtown:

  • A high-end steakhouse making its home on the ground floor.
  • CTR Food Works, a soon-to-open food hall with over a dozen stalls, offering everything from gourmet bites to artisanal drinks.

The message is clear: Atlanta isn’t just for business anymore. It’s becoming a playground for culture, food, and entertainment.

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Why This Matters

This isn’t just another restaurant or entertainment venue—it’s a movement. Downtown Atlanta is shedding its reputation as a purely corporate landscape and embracing a future where work, play, and wonder coexist.

So, mark your calendars: 2027 is the year Atlanta steps through the looking glass.


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