NIGHTLIFE: Our best LGBTQ nightlife hotspots

PARTY LIKE AN atlien

From extravagant drag and fabulous circuit parties to lowkey bars and chill night out, Atlanta’s LGBTQ nightlife offers a little something for everyone.

529 Bar

529 Flat Shoals Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30316 404-228-6769 529Atlanta.com This grungy dive bar-slash-music venue is a favorite among East Atlanta Village’s most alternative crowd. If you’re looking to get into the local Atlanta music scene, 529 is a great place to start.

840ATL

840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd Atlanta. GA 30310 404-669-6721 840Atl.com 840ATL is the West End’s brandnew premier event space, providing Atlanta’s Westside with invigorating cultural experiences. Whether it’s the lights, the food, the drinks, the sound, or the people, there’s something to attract everyone to 840ATL.

The Basement

1245 Glenwood Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30316 404-622-8686 BasementAtl.com If you wanna dance the night away with a more diverse and artsy — but still gay as hell — crowd, the Basement is a great go-to. They regularly host 90s and 00s dance parties — did someone say Lady Gaga and the Spice Girls?!

BJ Roosters

2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd #1 Atlanta, GA 30324 404-634-5895 Facebook.com/BJRoostersAtlanta This friendly neighborhood gay bar features pool, darts, videos, and an eclectic handful of go-go boys on the bar and milling about.

Blake’s on the Park

227 10th St NE Atlanta, GA 30309 404-464-7715 BlakesOnTheParkAtlanta.com Blake’s is a must for gay male travelers. There’s not much of a dance floor, but that doesn’t stop the party. Blake’s attracts a beautiful mix of men of all ages, a fair number of women, and boasts some of the city’s most legendary drag queens. Conveniently located just off Piedmont Park.

Bulldogs

893 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309 404-872-3025 Facebook.com/BulldogsBarAtlanta An ATL institution since 1978 and located in the heart of Midtown, Bulldogs has some of the finest DJs spinning house and hip-hop to go with those heavy-handed bartenders assuring you get your money’s worth. Expect a line out the door on weekends.

District Atlanta

269 Armour Dr NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-464-5924

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DistrictAtlanta.com As the only venue in the U.S. with a unique, 300+ floating orbs kinetic light system, District creates an unparalleled sensory experience, making it the perfect spot to dance the night away.

The EARL

488 Flat Shoals Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30316 404-522-3950 BadEarl.com Live music and hearty bar food are on the menu at this popular club hosting local and national acts.

Felix’s Atlanta

1510 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-249-7899 FelixsAtl.com A friendly, small neighborhood bar in the Ansley Square strip mall. Fun for early evening drinks and hanging out with friends.

Fire Maker Brewing Company

975 Chattahoochee Ave NW Atlanta, GA 30318 678-705-8777 FireMakerBeer.com Ranked #2 best new brewery in America by USA Today, Fire Maker has a rotating list of in-house beers, as well as weekly general and themed trivia on Wednesdays and Thursdays, respectively.

Flex

76 4th St NW Atlanta, GA 30308 404-815-0456 FlexSpas.com/Atlanta Flex is a gay bathhouse complete with sauna, steam room, pool, sun deck, and private rooms. A membership is required and available on daily, six-month, and annual rates.

Friends on Ponce

736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306 404-817-3820 FriendsOnPonce.com A no-attitude bar with inexpensive drinks and pool tables popular among the alt gay crowd, this quiet, easygoing spot was made for hanging out with friends. It’s also a great choice if you’re new in town. Located steps from the BeltLine.

Future Atlanta

50 Upper Alabama St, 180 SW Atlanta, GA 30303 470-225-1955 Future-Atlanta.com Featuring two levels, this 14,000-square-foot cabaret and dance club is a place to unwind, dance, and celebrate.

The Heretic

2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-325-3061 HereticAtlanta.com If you’re looking to dance with a mix of shirtless and light leather crowds, the Heretic is the place to go. You’ll find a diverse mix on weekends with heavy beats from guest DJs from around the country. It’s a butch bunch, but you’ll find all types scattered about the Heretic’s labyrinth layout.

The Hideaway

1544 Piedmont Ave Atlanta, GA 30324 404-874-8247 The Hideaway is Midtown’s oldest neighborhood gay bar. With free pool and Wi-Fi, it’s the perfect spot for a casual afternoon drink. Located behind Cook’s Warehouse at Ansley Mall.

Joystick

427 Edgewood Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30312 404-525-3002 JoystickGameBar.com If you’re a fan of old school arcade games, Joystick is a must-visit. Grab some quarters, get a beer, and play some pinball, Pac-Man, and Mortal Kombat.

Lips Atlanta

3011 Buford Hwy NE Atlanta, GA 30329 404-315-7711 LipsAtl.com Lips is the ultimate in drag dining in Atlanta. Georgia’s top drag queens perform Vegas-style shows five nights a week, from Wednesday to Sunday. Stop by on Sunday afternoons for their Dragalicious Brunch.

Mary’s

1287 Glenwood Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30316 404-624-4411 MarysAtlanta.com Mary’s has been the hip bar of choice for alt gays and selfproclaimed queers for several years. Proudly called East Atlanta’s gay dive bar, don’t miss Mary-oke held every Tuesday and Saturday evening or the massive theme parties almost every weekend.

Mixx Atlanta

1492 Piedmont Ave NE #B Atlanta, GA 30309 404-228-4372 MixxAtlanta.com Atlanta’s premier video venue hosts three different lounges for socializing with friends or hosting a party or event. Chill on weeknights with piano night on Tuesdays and other weekly events, then sizzle with DJs Fridays through Sundays.

My Sister’s Room

1104 Crescent Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30309 678-705-4585 MySistersRoom.com MSR is the longest-running lesbian bar in Atlanta, with nightly events that cross musical genres and performances. Non-smoking with a sports-themed menu and a fun patio, this legendary spot is 21+ after 8pm.

Oscar’s Martini Bar

1510 Piedmont Ave NE #C Atlanta, GA 30309 404-815-8841 OscarsAtlanta.com A recent renovation with a new look and feel in the same location at popular Ansley Square. Video on demand with weekly events that include show tunes, karaoke, and DJs.

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Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium

586 Edgewood Ave SE Atlanta, GA 30312 404-522-8275 SisterLouisasChurch.com Though not specifically geared to a gay audience, you’ll find plenty of gay folks partying throughout the week. Church, as it’s commonly called, is a quirky spot loaded with tongue-in-cheek religious art and a killer Organ Karaoke every Wednesday. Also look out for supergay patio parties helmed by lesbian DJ Vicki Powell.

The S.O.S. Tiki Bar

340 Church St Decatur, GA 30030 404-377-9308 SOSTiki.com This secluded tiki bar with a midcentury-modern & Polynesian vibe serves retro drinks and small bites.

The T

465 Boulevard SE #103A Atlanta, GA 30312 404-343-2450 ModelTAtlanta.com A casual neighborhood gay bar with karaoke, pool, video games, a jukebox, and nightly specials. Known for its friendly atmosphere, great drinks, and good times, it’s “always a party.”

Tripps Bar

1931 Piedmont Cir NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-555-1212 This cozy, unassuming bar offers karaoke, darts, free Wi-Fi, and a taco bar on Wednesdays.

Twain’s Brewpub and Billiards

211 E Trinity Pl Decatur, GA 30030 404-373-0063 Twains.net Gastropub with house-brewed tap beers, shuffleboard, pool & darts, plus trivia on Mondays.

Woofs Sports Bar

494 Plasters Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-869-9422 WoofsAtlanta.com Atlanta’s only gay sports bar, Woofs hosts a pretty regular bear crowd with little elbow room on game days. The weekly line-up includes trivia, poker, sports on 21 screens, pool, darts, and a popular menu of bar grub.