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Atlanta Gay Bars
Atlanta's queer nightlife scene is always diverse and always buzzing with a whole range of venues. The city's longstanding gay institutions offer a home from home for a fun crowd of locals, while newer bars and clubs provide thumping music and lively parties for the younger crowd. Popular lounges let you relax with new friends, frequent drag shows and renowned DJs make for a wilder night, or you can explore the smaller and more divey bars in search of a hidden gem. So dance, mingle, and enjoy yourself in this unique and quirky scene.
Atlanta Eagle
Bear, Fetish, Older Crowd, Outdoor Seating
This low-key gay leather bar is fairly unassuming but hidden inside is a hot dance floor, hotter men, and three fully stocked bars. There's even a leather shop on site so there's no excuses not to have some fun with the guys you just met, and if you need to you can cool off on the deck. Whether you like hot leather men, guys in rubber or gear, bears and cubs, you'll find a guy for you here.
BJ Roosters
Older Crowd, Cocktails, Sports, Dancing
BJ's has been a staple in Atlanta's gay nightlife scene since 1995. It's open seven days a week for all your alcohol and male dancer needs, as in the main area you can find go-go boys dancing on the bar as DJs provide a range of great music. BJ's also serves great food and drinks including creative cocktails, and in the back rooms you can find pool tables, darts, and more hot men on the TV.
Blake's On The Park
Pub Vibes, Drag
Located in the heart of Atlanta's Midtown Gayborhood, Blake's on the Park is your neighbourhood bar with great music, live entertainment, delicious food and drinks. Open seven days a week, Blake's has Atlanta'a best bartenders and is the best place in the city to meet men, but despite its very gay vibe, this bar is still straight friendly and draws a super mixed crowd. Karaoke and drag shows are just some of the lively entertainment hosted here throughout the week.
Bulldogs
Dancing
Since 1978, this popular bar has reliably drawn a mixed age but mostly male and African American crowd. Regulars here love to dance and enjoy the lively hip hop music that's always playing, keeping the party going well into the night. Amazing music coupled with cheap drinks served by great bartenders make Bulldogs a fun place to hang out any night of the week, but the bar is particularly packed at weekends.
Friends on Ponce
Outdoor Seating
Friends Neighbourhood Bar is a great place in Atlanta to party, meet your friends, or make new ones. You can play a game of pool, pinball, or one of several electronic games on offer in the bar, while the Jukebox plays a wide range of songs. The back and front porches offer a view of the Atlanta skyline and a lovely space to relax. There's poker every Monday and Thursday night and plenty of drinks to keep you going.
Henry's Midtown Tavern
Gay Friendly, Food
Henry's Midtown Tavern is a food-centric restaurant featuring a menu of appetizers, pastas, sandwiches, entree salads and fabulous desserts. Located in the heart of Midtown, Henry's welcomes people who are looking for a good atmosphere and even better food. The drinks go great with gastro pub fare, and you can chill with a diverse crowd on the biggest deck in Midtown. Weekends offer brunch with a twist from breakfast tacos to classic eggs Benedict.
Joe's On Juniper
Cocktails, Outdoor Seating
Here you can find Atlanta's best patio, super attractive waitstaff, and amazing bar food all in one place. Joe's On Juniper has been welcoming guests from all over Atlanta for decades, who regularly show up for cocktails in a casual and fun atmosphere. The interior holds a rustic charm and nostalgic character that sets the mood for a unique tavern experience, complete with jukebox and trivia events.
Lips Drag Queen Show Palace
Gay Friendly, Drag, Food
Lips is the ultimate experience in drag dining! Wait staff are in drag and queens perform on stage as you eat, and Lips has been serving up dinner, drinks, and drag across America for almost 25 years in multiple venues. Here in Atlanta, the interior of the restaurant and its resident queens are fabulous, colourful, and provide a great night of entertainment, perfect for celebrations like birthdays and especially popular with bachelorette parties.
Mary's
Dancing, Drag
Mary's in East Atlanta Village is known for its fun vibe and trendy crowd. Weekly and monthly special events include the city's best karaoke, regular drag shows, and a host of skilled DJs with the best music and videos. The minute you walk through the door, you're on the dance floor with a truly mixed crowd, all enjoying cheap drinks served by friendly bartenders, while upstairs the airy loft is perfect for people watching.
Midtown Moon
Cocktails, Drag
Midtown Moon is a fairly new hangout on Atlanta's gay scene, having renovated an empty space to create a place where everyone is welcome. This stylish new restaurant and bar serves delicious cocktails and happy hour food in a colourful and friendly space. The new owners are proud of their creation and make everyone of all identities feel at home, while regular drag entertainment keeps everyone entertained throughout the week.
My Sisters Room
Lesbian, Drag
Atlanta's number-one lesbian bar for more than 24 years, My Sister's Room is the favourite destination for lesbians and queer women, but the whole LGBTQ+ community is welcome. It's renowned across the South and the world for its fun and friendly atmosphere and all round good vibes, creating a safe space for everyone. There are nightly drag and burlesque shows, comedy, karaoke, and plenty of good times, complete with the best wings in Atlanta!
Oscar's Bar
Cocktails
Oscar's Bar is Atlanta's best martini bar that doubles as an art bar with show tunes and videos on demand. Talented local artists are featured every other month, along with great videos that you can choose and play your favourites. Martini Mondays and Show Tune Tuesdays are the most popular nights here at Oscars, along with Retro Videos on Wednesdays and 80's night on Fridays. Karaoke, friendly staff, and a great crowd mean the atmosphere is always lively.
Sequel Atlanta
Cocktails, Drag, Dancing
Sequel calls its self "the newest nightclub that you've loved for years" because it's a modern space with the vibe of a well-loved and welcoming bar. Popular drag shows, karaoke, and a range of great drinks will keep the party going into the early hours any day of the week. The cocktails are exceptional and expertly crafted by friendly bartenders, but drinks are still cheap, and you're guaranteed a fun time.
Swinging Richards
Older Crowd, Cruising
Swinging Richards, now more than 15 years old, has been the destination of choice for gay men seeking the best in entertainment. Their shows offer a one-of-a-kind experience in an upscale, state of the art club that brings men from all over the world. They come here to disrobe and entertain a strictly 21+ audience.
The Heretic Atlanta
Cocktails, Dancing
An old-school landmark amongst gay bars, this Atlanta hot spot is still one of the most beloved places to party in Midtown. The bartenders are sociable, the crowds are attractive, and the DJs are top-notch. The Heretic's special events are particularly popular, including a lively Latino night and a Time Warp night with classic dance tunes. Let go on the dance floor and party till dawn or stop by in the morning for a drink with friends.
The Hideaway
Cosy
The Hideaway is popular neighbourhood pub with great bartenders, good drink prices, and a mixed bag of regulars who welcome everyone in. The casual atmosphere is complete with pool table, darts, pinball and other games so you can have a bit of friendly competition to go with your drinks. Regular drinks specials keep regulars coming back, and a range of themed nights are always entertaining, drawing a mostly male crowd.
The T
Cosy
The T is a friendly community bar located in Atlanta's historic Grant Park neighbourhood. Its casual vibe makes everyone feel at home, and the additional of karaoke and a jukebox mean the space is always buzzing. You can have a friendly game of pool or play one of video games on offer, a great way to socialise and get to know the friendly crowd. Drinks are cheap and there are nightly specials that keep people coming back.
Tripp's Bar
Dancing, Drag
Neighbourhood gay bar in Atlanta where there's always something going on. Tripp's has karaoke on Mondays, Bingo on Wednesdays, and live music and shows throughout the week that attract a loyal crowd of gays who enjoy playing darts and the other games that are on offer. Weekends are especially popular, with events such as the "Skin" party that features shirtless dancers, and there are more parties hosted here than any other bar in Atlanta, from private celebrations to regular events.
Woofs Sports Bar
Bear, Older Crowd, Sports
Atlanta's only gay sports bar has been the nation's leader in the industry for years. It serves Atlanta's sports community along with the LGBTQ+ community and prides itself on giving its customers a friendly environment that welcomes all identities. There are 30 TVs to watch your favourite sporting events, plus a full menu to go with it. Classic pub food and solid drinks coupled with an interior decorated with sports memorabilia and rainbows creates a unique yet traditional vibe.
X Midtown
Outdoor Seating, Dancing
X Midtown is a popular and trendy bar on Atlanta's gay scene, boasting Midtown's hottest bartenders and a huge outdoor patio. In this quirky outdoor space, you can find a tiki bar and a unique living plant wall to add to the atmosphere. The patio is always popular, but inside there's a lively dance floor fuelled by talented DJs and amazing music, plus cheap drinks to keep you going late into the night.
Recommended gay friendly hotels in Atlanta
As an LGBTQ+ traveller, it's important to stay somewhere welcoming, with great value and maybe near to gay venues. Treat yourself to a luxury hotel or stay budget and spend what you save on partying! Check out GayMapper recommendations for gay friendly hotel deals in Atlanta, Georgia. Please support GayMapper by checking out our hotel deals as this helps us to keep the site updated with all this useful information!
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