By: Lee Bowden
Ah, summer! The most jubilant season of the year! The sound of laughter seems to ring through the air on an endless loop, the potential for patio cocktail hour(s) is high, and there are enough summer fetes to fill one’s party punch card for the whole year. In the city of Lawrenceville, this blend of summer bliss rings especially true; with plenty of festivals, summer concerts and plays, a booming global food scene and a cocktail bar on each corner, Lawrenceville has a lot to offer. Come on by and party down with us this summer in the DTL, where there’s plenty to do, chew and review!
EATS
As you make your way down Lawrenceville’s Downtown Square, be sure to stop off at one of its longest-standing local restaurants, Local Republic. Grab yourself one of their signature smash burgers and pair it with a refreshing craft cocktail or local draft out on their patio as you enjoy your day out on the town (pro tip: Lawrenceville Square is open-container friendly, so you can stroll and sip all you like)! For the perfect grab-and-go meal, visit Tea Lam’s Corner for freshly made banh mis, absolutely addicting Vietnamese salted coffees, boba tea, macarons and more! And, if you’re as big on brunch as I am, try out my absolute favorite restaurant in the DTL: The Peachtree Cafe. The eggs are fantastic and the service is splendid!
ARTS
The city of Lawrenceville places great significance on art. From the colorful murals lining the town to the sleek and unique sculptures installed by local artists (my favorite being the new “Make a Wish” stainless steel clover forest by David Landis in Bicentennial Park), there is never a shortage of eye-catching sights. However, it is the Aurora Theater that has truly broadened Lawrenceville’s cultural portfolio. World-class performances and professional productions are given by the many talented performers and coordinators each season, with the Aurora Theater drawing a huge crowd into the city, boosting the economy as well as enriching the community.
EVENTS
The goal of the season: to be outside as much as possible, and our City Spotlight this month has you covered! There are plenty of festivals, parades and pop-up vendor markets happening every week. From Beats on the Streets, a weekly summer event where live music meets food, dancing, art stalls and more outside of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, to Lawrenceville’s annual Prelude to the 4th fireworks show, the city is making the most of this wonderful summer weather!