I\u2019m sure you are reading and wondering, \u201chow could this writer have possibly jumped to such a conclusion\u2013a leap in logic about as large as The Big Apple itself?\u201d However, a couple weeks ago, I ventured out to New York City and I couldn\u2019t help but pick up on the parallels between the city that never sleeps, New York City, and the bustling college town where ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 finer, Athens.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t long before I began to ask myself, \u201cIs Athens, Georgia the new New York City?\u201d<\/p>\n
As someone with a Spotify subscription, I feel that I have the requisite listening experience to say that the Athens music scene basically rivals that of New York City. Who needs Radio City Music Hall or Carnegie Hall when Georgia Theatre and 40 Watt Club are a short walk from the center of downtown Athens?<\/p>\n
Like New York City, Athens is chock full of musicians<\/a>, live music<\/a> and a rich history of music woven into the city\u2019s culture. Famous bands such as R.E.M., Widespread Panic and the B-52s that came out of our city are honored by the Music Walk of Fame\u2019s metal plaques sprinkled along the sidewalk of downtown Athens \u2013 an iconic celebration of history that bares similarity to 7th Avenue\u2019s Fashion Walk of Fame<\/a> in Manhattan.<\/p>\n Strolling Manhattan, I couldn\u2019t help but think about how Athen’s culinary scene also mirrors that of New York City. Much like the concrete jungle, in Athens, you can\u2019t swing a dead cat without hitting a restaurant or coffee shop. Athens\u2019 restaurants<\/a> are celebrated for a reason. They offer a variety of cuisines, price points and environments. The Classic City hosts many favorites whose praises are sung far beyond city limits, maybe even up to New York City.<\/p>\n Although Athenian pizza is not all New York style, the variety of pizza places<\/a> in Athens makes deciding where to dine almost as difficult as finding a bathroom in New York City. One thing you\u2019ll never have trouble finding in the heart of, what should be called, Athens\u2019 northern counterpart are the iconic hot-dog<\/a> stands and street food establishments. Walking through Manhattan and spotting multiple per block reminded me of the Athens hot dog cart<\/a>, a popular favorite among Athenians and visitors engaging with the Athens nightlife scene.<\/p>\n When I went to Times Square, I was unmistakably reminded of College Square, though it is ten times larger. While College Square lacks Times Squares billboards and the thousands of daily visitors, the bustling atmosphere, flush of people and heart-of-the-city vibe made the two places feel similar. Ignoring the lower human density and slightly better scent, if you have a vivid imagination, the fluorescent glow emitted by The Grill\u2019s light up signs may even invoke the same energy as the flashing lights of Times Squares\u2019 building-sized displays.<\/p>\n Although our Statue of Liberty is a series of decorated bulldog statues<\/a>, and the Oconee River is slighter smaller than the Hudson, if you squint \u2013 almost to the point of blinking \u2013 Athens may really be the new New York City.<\/p>\n