Food

Grilling and Able

Five Outdoor Venues for Private Grilling

This weekend: Memorial Day happens. It’s a long weekend. It’s the official gateway to barbecue season. And it’s the perfect time to learn about five incredibly suitable outdoor venues for eating meat with red, delicious sauce all over it. First up, the... zoo.

FOR THE HUNTER-GATHERER

Gorilla Deck at Zoo Atlanta

You Require: Feeling like you’re barbecuing in a friend’s backyard. Who happens to live in an exotic rain forest.
You’ll Receive: A wooden deck in the zoo’s gorilla habitat. A keeper will feed them. Then you’ll turn your attention to the catered Korean BBQ baby back ribs and beef Wellingtons. It’s the circle of life.

FOR THE ’CUE-LOVING THESPIAN

The Amphitheater at Wren’s Nest

You Require: Setting up your own grill and/or complete outdoor kitchen. And possibly an impromptu bluegrass concert.
You’ll Receive: An enormous natural grass amphitheater where you can grill to your heart’s content. Also, an old concrete stage and access to tons of electricity. Karaoke picnic. Do it.

FOR THE HUNGRY HISTORY BUFF

Rhodes Hall at the Georgia Trust

You Require: A giant, 109-year-old stone castle in Midtown. Nothing more. Nothing less.
You’ll Receive: Full grilling rights to the castle’s front and side lawns. You’ll set up shop, grab a basting brush and cook things. Then drink beer from a giant goblet. Because... castle.

FOR ENTERTAINING SOUTHERN BELLES

The Clubhouse at Chastain Horse Park

You Require: The resources to throw a barbecue to end all barbecues. Like a whole hog imported from the farm of your choosing.
You’ll Receive: An outside balcony overlooking the equestrian ring. And a guy behind a table smiling at you while he carves that whole hog. And horses galloping around everywhere.