The Goat Farm

Cool industrial creative space. Brick, steel, glass. Live-​animals!
The venue is fun, the art is —ok (is an overstatement). Definitely a cool date spot, feed the llamas (and the gray donkey) some fresh cut grass, lay on a wooden hammock, peruse through the galleries and studio spaces, enjoy mediocre art with beautiful views to the post-​apocalyptic exterior. Visit the bike-​guy. His handcrafted bikes were a work of art, like cupcakes you can ride, delicately made to order. Free parking on the premises. A coffee shop where you pay what you can. Lots of outdoor photo ops.

Beautiful place, but their website/​fb page never said you had to pay at least $ 75.00 to take pictures on the property… so their one dollar sign on Unilocal is obviously not correct.
I ended up leaving within 5 minutes.

When I first rolled up to the goat farm I kind of thought I might get murdered. I had never been to an event or show, but I love everything on the west side and I had been dying to check this place out.
The coffee shop is kind of tucked away in the back and it took me a second to find but once I did I was so happy!!! It’s my new favorite coffee shop in Atlanta. It has a very rustic feel and is the perfect place to visit in the fall. They don’t take cards, only cash, and you pay what you think is fair.

For a place that takes donations for their coffee/​tea service, offers free wifi, has comfortable seating in the cute rustic/​mishmash way, large open windows and free range chickens running around, this was my heaven for getting some work done while enjoying some outdoor time.
The Warhorse is the actual coffee house. You park and walk towards the middle of the complex. The front of the coffee house faces a small plaza. You’ll see outdoor seating.

I’ve been to The Goat Farm twice now. The first time was to experience the novelty and see what all the fuss was about, and the second time was to bring my sister to this super cool place and show her what I was suddenly so excited about.
I’ve lived in the city, downtown, for two years, and I desperately miss the green woods I grew up in. The Goat Farm is a hidden jewel of the area, welcoming anyone and everyone to come and rest in quiet. (Well, I say «quiet,» and then I remember the railroad tracks right next-​door, but I didn’t hear any trains during either of my visits.) There are actually goats on site, and chickens, and while the area has a strong industrial feel, the factory buildings and machinery lying around have become worn down and overgrown. The whole place feels a lot closer to nature and the way things should be than most other green places I visit in the city. There are large trees, plenty of kudzu, some flower gardens, and a small fenced-​in run, which I think can be used for dogs to get their energy out.
Some of the buildings are used as apartments, and some are used as rented workspace. I’ve heard that it’s not easy to get a spot in either of these places. You kind of have to know someone in the community already to be considered. I do want to emphasize that word, community, as that’s how one of the residents referred to The Goat Farm. He mentioned small bonds forming between the people who live and work there and the way they help each other and encourage each other or collaborate on art together. That sounds like a very nice place to be around, and the guy we talked with mentioned forgetting that The Connector is just a few streets over. I, too, found a bit of sanctuary during my visits.
There is a coffee shop on site, The Warhorse, near the center of the campus. The fees are donations only, the interior is like an interesting antique store, and the visitors are eclectic. There is a great number of books on a large wall shelf, which kept my husband and I occupied for a couple hours along with my Vietnamese coffee.
The Goat Farm is not hosting events in 2015, but I know that they have been and are still very active in the Atlanta arts community. I’m excited to see more of what they will be doing in the future and how they will be using their awesome space.

I loved it! The rustic look makes it a place to admire. So many animals on deck. A few chickens caught my attention. I will most def return!

Unique. Thats the impression I got. I really love the art and i found it intriguing. ⁵⁄₅ no doubt. It was a great place to go.

Not a fan of this place. It’s grungy and just torn Down. I don’t understand what’s the hype

This place is really special. Super cool people who work here. happy to have stumbled upon this place. Great place to sip coffee and ponder

One of the best event venues in the city, it is like now where else. If you have not been to an art show, music event, or one of the many functions held here make a date to see what you are missing.

The Goat Farm is such a trippy place. I go about once a month for Atlanta Food Swap (
) and every single time it’s been shadowy, kinda creepy, with random chickens and thoughtful artists walking around. It’s very post-​apocalyptic looking, but don’t let that scare you away. There’s some great stuff and programs there. Like the Warhorse Coffee Shop, Creative Loafing Best of Atlanta party, and poetry slams. Check out their Facebook page for events!

I was really stoked to check out this space for an event or really just an opportunity to walk the grounds. I visited with some friends to check out the Best Of Atlanta party from Creative Loafing.
The space is awesome. It run down in an artful way with tons of exposed brick, rafters, milky/​broken glass left in lattice work, broken cement on old footpaths. Everything is surrounded by overgrowth and it makes it even more awesome. I can definitely see why so many events are held here as well as movie sets.
Next on my list is to check out The Warhorse Coffee Joint. I’ve heard whispers of this spot like its some sort of coffee speakeasy. Needless to say, it sounds badass. Can’t wait.

Love this place! No restaurants, nothing fancy, just a lovely coffee shop and open spaces of living, farming area. Its a great spot to hide when you want to get away or pretend you’ve left the country. It’s my Neverland! Great space for photos and to film movies.

For what it is — a funky arts and entertainment venue and host of such things as the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, the Goat Farm is top notch. I love old buildings.

The Goat Farm is an interesting place that I think most folks in Atlanta don’t know about. It’s an industrial complex consisting of multiple buildings built in the 1800s. Today, it’s used as an arts and events center.
I’ve been twice, once for a Patron «Secret Dining Society» dinner and the other for the independent Sketchbook Project tour. The Patron event took place at night and the Sketchbook Project took place during the day, so I got to see the Goat Farm from two totally different perspectives.
The Patron event was big. One of the warehouses was set up to look like a giant formal dining room. Another part of the property was used for the makeshift kitchen. Throughout the complex, images were projected on the exteriors of the buildings, making for a visually stunning and almost surrealistic atmosphere.
The Sketchbook Project was small. The tour pulled their mobile library (trailer) of sketchbooks next to the farm’s on-​site coffee house, Warhorse Coffee. We chilled and hung out at the seating areas inside and outside the coffee house. Speaking of the coffee house, it is very cool. Retro and antique, with a varied and diverse selection of books in its own library. Definitely worth checking out.
This is an official historic site. The worn-​down, dilapidated brick buildings look like they’re straight from the set of a movie. An episode of The Walking Dead was filmed here. Live farm animals live on the property.
If you’re not visiting for a specific event, the venue is still neat enough to warrant a casual walk to explore. I recommend going during the day since at night, it’s almost pitch-​dark. There’s plenty of free parking on-​site.
The Goat Farm is located in Westside, behind the shopping center with Bacchanalia, Star Provisions, Taqueria del Sol, JCT Kitchen, etc. On your first visit, you’ll probably wonder how all of it can exist right in the middle of the city.

I remember the first time a girlfriend of mine suggest we check out ‘The Goat Farm’ — I asked if the goats bite, I legitimately thought we were going to a goat petting zoo of sorts, and I was still excited. Having since been to the Goat Farm, I can report that the actual Goat Farm is far superior than any potential goat petting zoo could be.
The Warhorse.
The Warhorse alone, gets 5 stars. Hands down, the most beautiful — nay, most perfect café/​coffeehouse in the history of ever. It’s furnished with gorgeous and fairly interesting antiques, not to mention some pretty comfy couches — the best part though — the huge collection of vintage novels for patrons to flip through at their leisure; the coffee and tea offerings aren’t too shabby either.
The rest of the grounds are no less beautiful, it’s the perfect photography site. and while there are no goats, there are a few chickens running around — literally. I’ve been to a decent amount of events at The Goat Farm these past few years — each event so different from the next: a halloween party, a movie screening, a play, to eat — and no matter the event, The Goat Farm’s versatile backdrop accommodates it all perfectly. Definitely worth a trip.

I’m going to review The Goat Farm as a photographer. The Goat Farm is a private property with a bunch of studios and farm animals. It’s an arts incubator where artists can come to do artsy-​fartsy stuff.
The grounds are great to do outdoor photography. But beware, they are strict about using the grounds for photography. It is private property, and you need to buy a pass from one of the studio owners to shoot outside.
Once you get your pass, you can shoot outside with the goats, the fowls, and run-​down looking buildings. The area has that urban look. So if you want your photos to have that industrial, run down look, this is a good place to do it. I mean, it beats doing your 10 0000^th train track shot for your portraits.
They have several indoor studios as well. Different people own the studios, so you would need to contact them to rent them. I don’t have contacts for every studio owner, but the prices I’ve seen seem similar to other studio rentals.
The buildings are hard to navigate around. You need a map of the place. Their website doesn’t even provide one. They don’t even have a Website. They have a crappy Facebook page with no information.
When you’re looking for studios or buildings, you have no idea if a door is a door. Trust me, it’s a door. It’s not nailed shut or anything. I just wish they have signs that says, «enter here to get to studio AB,» or whatever.
Indoors, everything looks old and run down. It doesn’t look fancy. Once again, that’s cool if you want that look in your photographs. But hey, these buildings are for artists who crave that Bohemian life. How can they look like a starving artist if their studios don’t look starving as well?
Parking is a nightmare. On busy days, I can’t find parking. Their parking lots are small and gravel. You have no idea if the patch of land is a parking space either. I guess if you don’t see a «No Parking» sign around it, it’s a parking space. Once again, I would watch out if you don’t have a permit to be there. They seem to watch people like hawks.
Cool place. And I love those chickens running around.

I agree with Sherry W. that this is one of Atlanta’s most interesting sites. I came here with a few other Unilocalers after a UYE, to check out the touring Sketchbook Project. I believe it was all of our first time and we were shocked when we got to the Arts Center (the area with the big leather sofa, the bookcases, old-​school keyboards, violas, and coffee – talk about an eclectic place!) because of the coziness it oozed and the funkiness it radiated.
We plopped down at the long table by the book cases along the wall at the opposite end of the entrance and browsed the checked-​out sketchbooks from the traveling library that was parked outside. I even got a sketchbook for my creative baby sister, which she’ll have to register and complete/​mail out by Jan. 15 next year. Cool concept, having normal, everyday people engage in art that moves around the country (and maybe to some other countries).
After everyone left, bf and I wandered around the Farm and were fascinated by the architecture, the industrial ruins, the spaces used for theatre/​dance, and the animals that lived in the space (goats, hence the name of the farm, and chickens [and a turkey too, I think!]). We took some cool pictures and I think that weddings done there would look fantastic. My inner-​hippy was really drawn to this artist colony. I will follow this place now on facebook, to learn about other events that will take place here. Can’t wait to come back!

Shocked at the lack of goats at this farm. If you’re looking to hang out with goats, feed them paper bags or eat their delicious cheese look somewhere else.
If you’re looking to pretend you’re on the run from zombies, this is the place to be.
In reality this place should be called The Zombie Farm.

The Goat Farm truly lives in its own world. This former warehouse-​turned-​artisits’ collective is the first I’ve seen of it’s kind ITP.
I came here for the first time last week to attend the Eyedrum Literary Society’s monthly writer’s workshop. I’d been meaning to check out The Goat Farm for awhile and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Upon arriving, I wasn’t sure I’d made it to the right place until I saw this painting on an old wooden board, which I took to be a white goat head. My car drove along a gravel path past huge trucks and lighting equipment. I would learn later this was actually for the filming of «The Hunger Games» sequel! It’s a great spot for a dystopian society with the aging brick structures, hundred-​year-​old trees and starlight skies.
After parking my car enough distance away from the movie crew, I looked around for signs of the coffee shop where the writer’s workshop was taking place. But I saw nothing. Thankfully, about that time, a girl in a long skirt passed by and in true Southern hospitality offered to show me the way. If you’re reading this, thanks again Stephanie!
We walked along a corridor of office spaces (oh gosh I would love to set up shop here!) to a lower level patio sparkling with votive candles in antique glass jars. Behind the dusty windows, a warm light glowed and I could see a gathering of folks. Upon crossing the threshold into the coffee shop, i felt like I’d been transported into Victorian days. Literary elite lounged on leather sofas, cushy ottomans, and old high-​back dining chairs. The walls were coated with hundreds of books, magazines, vases filled with fake flowers, and yes — there was a coffee bar offering hot beverages (and cold beer).
For the next three hours, I pretended I wasn’t in modern Midtown, but back in Antebellum times nestled in the attic of an old mansion listening to glorious poetry and long-​form read by some of the most brilliant writers in Atlanta.
I’m already looking forward to going back to The Goat Farm next month and can’t wait to hear more about future events. Also, if you’re coming bring cash because the coffee shop doesn’t accept credit cards.