Located in Atlanta, City Winery Atlanta is a unique entertainment venue that combines a working winery, live music venue, restaurant, and event space all under one roof. Known for its intimate concert experiences, the venue regularly hosts performances from local and nationally recognized artists alongside wine tastings, themed dinners, comedy shows, and community-centered social events. Its warm, upscale atmosphere has made it a popular gathering place for music lovers, food enthusiasts, and Atlanta’s social scene alike.

One of the venue’s recurring highlights is its monthly brunch events, which blend live entertainment, curated menus, and stylish social experiences into a lively daytime celebration. These brunch gatherings often feature themed dress codes, DJs or live performances, cocktails, and opportunities for guests to connect in a fun, energetic setting. From seasonal celebrations to fashion-inspired themes like today’s Sundresses and Fedoras Brunch presented by Kristina Webb and Saundae Rowe, the events are designed to create a vibrant atmosphere that feels equal parts brunch, social mixer, and cultural experience.

Today’s event was no different.

I was first invited to this event by a friend and colleague who wanted to celebrate another colleague of ours who was moving on to a new job opportunity. We were celebrating her, and my friend invited me. Immediately, I wanted to say, “Hell to the naw, naw!” Not because I didn’t think it would be fun, but because I didn’t think I had a sundress or a fedora? I had to stop and think, have I ever even owned a sundress?

So naturally, I immediately Googled sundresses and fedoras and saw an array of sexy, sultry women sporting flowing sundresses with matching fedoras, looking like certified “it girls.” I thought, “Oh, that’s cute.” Now, I can do cute, but did I already have something in my closet, or was I about to hit up my pockets for a whole new fit?

My second thought was, do I have the knees for this? Lol!

Recently, I discovered that I’m apparently a semi-flat-footed girl with inward pronation, so I’ve been navigating the shoe world very carefully these days. I immediately needed to know if this outing required Keds or Chucks because I did not want to be out there busting my buns in somebody’s brunch heels. But I digress.

Fast forward through the week, I pulled out the only sundress I owned, one I bought three years ago, Amazoned a matching fedora, and informed my knees and feet that we had an outing on Saturday and they needed to have themselves together by then.

Now, when I arrived at Ponce City Market later than I wanted to, I immediately began hoping and praying to the parking gods for a spot close to the entrance so these feet wouldn’t have to walk too far and these knees wouldn’t have to knock too hard trying to get to the doors of City Winery Atlanta.

After two swings around the parking deck and missing one good parking spot, I made an unscheduled turn toward the entrance of City Winery, not expecting a spot, and lo and behold, someone walked out of Sweetgreen next door, jumped into their black Lexus, and when I saw those brake lights come on, I came to a grateful, gentle stop. I looked up at the Creator and said, “Damn! You just be coming through for me always!”

I excitedly parked my car, paid through the QR code scan process, and, as gracefully as I could, hobbled into the winery where I could already hear the bustling of people talking and laughing, with smooth R&B playing in the background. I was greeted by the wine bar bartender with one of the friendliest welcomes, and instantly I was glad I made it because everything felt effortless from there.

I got my ticket scanned and entered the room where my eyes were immediately inundated with beautiful, sexy, happy, celebratory people, but mostly I noticed the style and fashion, as we say in the Caribbean! The women showed UP in their sundresses and fedoras! Baby, they were fly as F***, and behold, I fit right on in.

I sat down and chatted it up with my friends while the DJ kept the vibes flowing. The phenom host, Pep Talk Tae, introduced the first musical act, Harmony Sings, who began serenading the room with smooth, sultry R&B classics that instantly transported everybody back to the golden era of ’90s love songs and grown-folk slow jams. People were singing before they even realized they were singing.

At that point, I quickly headed over to the brunch area, which had a myriad of brunch delights: eggs, sausage, grits, greens, biscuits, fried chicken, sweet potato soufflé, shrimp, a waffle station, plus fruit and dessert stations. Needless to say, my waffle became my dessert because I absolutely could not eat another thing. You definitely get a bang for your brunch bucks.

By the time I returned to the table, Harmony Sings had the whole room singing and swooning to some of our favorite R&B songs from the ’90s and beyond.

The next act to hit the stage was Adrienne J. Woods, who was an absolute powerhouse of a songstress. Honestly, her voice entered the room before she did, that’s the kind of power she carries. Her soulful ballads had the entire room singing at the top of our lungs. We couldn’t keep up with her vocally, but it sure was fun trying! Lol!

Keeping the energy high and the crowd fully engaged, Woods then invited all of the Tauruses celebrating birthdays to come up to the stage, and baby, they did not disappoint! What started as a birthday shoutout quickly turned into a full-on dance celebration with laughter, singing, dancing, and pure joy taking over the room. Friends cheered each other on, strangers became dance partners, and for a moment the entire brunch felt like one big family get together. It was one of those fun, interactive moments that made the whole experience feel personal, celebratory, and full of good energy.

We ate good food, drank good wine, mimosas, cocktails, and yes, coffee too. We had great service, sang great songs, and many people danced their assets off. A good time was truly had by all in attendance.

The band was off the chain, and the MC and DJ team of Kristina Webb, Pep Talk Tae, and Saundae Service kept us hyped, entertained, and fully engaged the entire afternoon.

Overall, I would absolutely do it again. It was a one-stop shop for food, fun, fashion, and fellowship as we strutted in and out of downtown Atlanta popping, snapping, laughing, and still singing while stepping back into the Saturday afternoon sun.

Thanks, Ms. G.