Atlanta Georgia. the largest city in Georgia and often called “Hotlanta.” That nickname came to be in the 90s when the city had such rapid population growth (and a much more diverse population) and resulted in it becoming a center for business, sports, entertainment, casual and high-end restaurants, and of course nightlife. With all of this came a much more progressive environment, unlike many other areas of the state, especially rural. And in a red state, Atlanta, because of its sheer size, tends to dominate state laws, even with a staunchly conservative governor. This, along with federal laws and Supreme Court decisions, has resulted in the LGBTQ+ community enjoying most of the same rights as the straight population. As well, Atlanta has local policies and regulations that provide more protections for the gay community.

LGBTQ+ Rights (and Restrictions) in Georgia

The advent of LGBTQ+ people’s rights has been pretty much a product of 2010 forward. Same-sex activity was removed as a crime in 1998 and is really the only exception. Same-sex marriage has been legal since the Supreme Court decision in 2015. Georgia does have a strong hate crime law which includes sexual orientation.

The rights of adoption by same-sex couples have been codified into law, but there is the provision that agencies may deny adoption (and other services) to non-hetero couples on religious grounds.

Transgenders do not enjoy the same rights that they do in more progressive states. They can change their identities on legal documents only when a court order verifies that they have had gender change surgery. And all sex change procedures for minors are outlawed, other than puberty blockers.

Laws regarding bathroom use and participation in sports are very clear – people must use the bathroom in and only participate in sports based upon their birth gender. This applies to all government-supported public facilities and to all schools that receive any kinds of government funding.

All in all, though, queers in Atlanta enjoy life in a pretty progressive city that is a pretty safe haven for them. And that includes nightlife which is growing and thriving. With that in mind, let’s have a look at some of the best gay and lesbian in Atlanta hotspots for where LGBTQ+ patrons can gather and celebrate who they are together.

Best Gay and Lesbian Hotspots in Atlanta Georgia

While this is not a complete list, here are popular bars and clubs in the Atlanta metro area from Decatur to East Point, to the Old Fourth Ward, to Midtown, West Midtown, and downtown. Each of these neighborhoods has a unique vibe, but all are welcoming to the queer community.

MSR; My Sister’s Room

28 years and still going, MSR is a lesbian bar that is one of only a few left in the U.S. and this Midtown lesbian bar will not disappoint you. Here there are always events listed on the calendar on their website – dance parties, drag shows, comedy shows, and karaoke. Here you can enjoy casual dining items, great cocktails, and let your spirits free on the dance floor. Each night is different:

Mondays – closed

Tuesday – music theme nights with DJs

Wednesday – Pride karaoke

Thursday – more music theme nights

Friday – Femme Fridays

weekends – all sorts of events including comedy and drag shows and dance parties.

Hours are as follows:

Monday, closed; Tuesday, 7 – 10 pm; Wednesdays, 8 pm – 2 am; Thursday – Saturday – 10 pm – 3 am; Sun, 2 pm – midnight.

If you want to go to a laid-back location with a casual party-like feel, then My Sister’s Room is the place to be. More details on their website.

2. Bulldogs Bar

If you want to check out one of the most iconic pieces of Black Gay Atlanta, then Bulldogs is the place for you. Located in midtown, this bar has been in business for the last 40 years, and they know how to keep things fun and casual. Inside you can marvel at the stain glass windows showcasing bulldogs as you listen to R&B, or you can head to the giant back patio and enjoy plenty of space to relax. Drinks are generously offered, and you can also count on the rotating menu of great treats to help you regain your senses when things get a little too crazy (or hazy).

Every day has a different theme – Sunday Funday with drag shows, Best Friend Fridays, Wednesday Open Mic, and watch parties thrown in for good measure, to view Black queers in film.

While it’s primarily for gay Black men, everyone is always welcome.

Hours are: Monday – Friday 2 pm – 3 am; Saturday noon – 3 am; Sun, noon – midnight.

For a full rundown of everything going on at Bulldogs, their Instagram account is updated weekly.

Oscars Atlanta

If you’re one who loves the vibe of the disco, then you’re going to love this groovy midtown location. It sits in a shopping center called Ansley Square and is located right next to two other prime LGBTQ hotspots and Oscars makes a great starting point for an evening of bar hopping for lgbtq visitors to the Atlanta area. Or spend the entire time in one place, where there is plenty of entertainment and audience participation. With a dark interior setting, shimmering disco balls, and loud music, this bar is a great place to sit, indoors or out, drink, and be a part of their daily happenings:

• Karaoke Mondays with Latin night beginning later
• Show Tunes Tuesdays, even including music from the “swing” era.
• Drag trivia Wednesdays
• Temptations Thursdays
• G.A.G. Fridays – showtime at begins at 11 pm featuring new drag talent
• Saturday all day and night party
• Sunday Funday – drag shows

Another daily event? Vintage music videos on the screen.

Keep updated about all happenings and details on the website.

Hours are as follows: Mon – Sat., 2 pm – 3 am; Sun, 3 pm – midnight.

X Midtown

Right in the heart of midtown, which is the largest LGBTQ+ neighborhood in Atlanta, is a bar that is meant to be seen. On the corner of 10th and Piedmont Avenue, X Midtown offers plenty of space for those who want to come in and enjoy some drinks. But that’s not all they have to offer at this bar. Here they also host a wide array of happenings such as political fundraisers, rallies, live music, cabaret performances, open mic and sing-a-longs, and of course Sundays featuring go-go-boys. If you want to enjoy the warm weather and check out some pretty boys, then this is one of the best Midtown bars to visit for gay guys. But it is a welcoming place for all, their pals and allies alike, and the place is filled to overflowing outside, especially during the warm months, when they host block parties. There’s a huge patio with a living plant wall, the only one in Atlanta. More details on the website.

Regular events include:

• Martinis and Musicals Wednesdays, including sing alongs
• Friday Girlz Night – great drag performances
• Sinful Sundays with those go-go boys

Hours and Days of Operations: Closed Mon. and Tues.; Wed – Thurs, 8 pm – 3 am; Fri. and Sat, 5 pm – 3 am; Sun., 4 pm – midnight.

For all current listings of happenings, the details are on the website.

Blake’s on the park

Having been here since 1988, Blake’s on the park is considered to be a flagship in the gay bar scene of gay Midtown Atlanta. With dancefloors, a performance space, and of course affectionately intimate corners you can hide away in, it is almost always packed, especially during their pop up drag shows where the dance floor becomes a stage. But if you find yourself there during one of these shows make sure you bring some bills so you can offer tips to those incredible drag queens.

Blake’s is a 2-story club with a full-service bar on both floors, and and a casual restaurant on the first. Two outdoor patios are off the 2nd floor. There are giant screen TVs for all sorts of uses. Music videos play often, but they are used for many other things, including RuPaul Drag Race series.

There are themes for each night of the week – Sunday Fundays with drink specials, dancing and a DJ, beginning at 2 pm; Latino Tuesdays with Latino music and DJ; drag performances by Blake’s Angels on Thursdays; and Rupaul’s Drag Race on the big screen on Fridays at 8 pm.

During Pride every June, Blake’s has a host of special events, including block parties. For all holidays, Halloween in October; Christmas in December, St Patrick’s Day, and more. The other big happening in October is the annual Atlanta Pride and AIDS Walk, and Blake’s supports and participates in that.

For all of the details on this Midtown fixture, check out Blake’s Instagram.

Woof’s Sports Bar

Woof’s has been a part of the gay bars scene in Atlanta since 2002 and is one of only a few gay sports bars in the entire South and beyond that serves the LGBTQ+ population. It’s the only gay sports bar in Atlanta. Woof’s is in the Armour neighborhood just north of Midtown and also very close to East Point and the old Fourth Ward neighborhoods, a great neighborhood for those it serves.

Every wall at Woof’s holds a big screen to display the entire variety of sports competition going on at any one time. But it has even more attractions and events than sports. It has pool tables, darts, Monday poker, Wednesday wings specials and Family Feud at 7:30 pm, and Thursday burger specials with music bingo at 7:30 pm. Their restaurant focuses on casual, inexpensive foods.

Woof’s is committed to giving back and supports local LGBTQ+ sports teams and other organizations and holds frequent fundraisers and drives to help that community with funds, clothing drives, and more. It is also a strong supporter of June Pride month and the October Pride Festival.

the menu is typical for casual dining but offers up most of the standard appetizers, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and more.

Days and hours area as follows; Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 til 1 am; Sun, 11;39 – midnight.

If you are lGBTQ+ and a sports fan, head to the Midtown area – this will become your favorite spot. More details on the website.

Mary’s

(20+) Mary’s Atlanta | Facebook

Just outside of midtown, in the heart of the edgy East Atlanta village is a place that’s worth visiting for the entire queer community. Mary’s is an all-inclusive LGBTQIA+ hot spot for locals and visitors, all ages, all identities and all orientation. Here, you can always expect to have a good time as you join in for their regular happenings. From Drag shows and Maryoke on Wednesdays, to dancing to DJ music, to watch parties for RuPaul’s Drag Race, the lanterns, colored lights, and and light machines give this bar an almost psychedelic feel. Couple that with great and reasonable drinks and casual dining, and you have a winning combination. Sit out on the front porch or play some pool in a great vibe. If you’re already in Midtown, hop over to this great spot.

Vintage film clips play on the big screen, some taking you back to the days of silent film and the Tin Lizzy.

Mary’s is closed on Sundays. Monday-Tuesday 7 pm-midnight; Wednesday-Thursday, 7 pm – 1 am; Friday, 7 pm – 2 am. Check out the Mary’s Atlanta Facebook group for more details on special happenings, like the annual summerfest (springfest too).

Atlanta Eagle

Although it closed for a while during the pandemic, the Atlanta Eagle has since made a comeback at a new location in midtown and is back and better than ever! This place is legendary for being one of the oldest gay bars (focus on levi and leather) in the area and has since taken over a prime spot in the Ansley square shopping center in Midtown. Here you can stop by one of the most popular destination spots for lgbtq visitors and enjoy a great dance floor, as well as events such as drag shows, and karaoke nights. Here all gays are welcome, whether they are bears, cubs, or leather enthusiasts – all they have to do is stop by while checking out the Midtown Ansley square shopping complex. Lots of special and regular happenings, like underwear nights, to add to the vibe, and you can check these out on their Facebook page or website.

Hours: Mon – Thurs, 3 pm – 2 am; Fri., 3pm-3am; Sat, 1pm – 3am; Sun., 1 pm-midnight.

Friends on Ponce

If you don’t like the feeling of trendier bars, Friends on Ponce is a great place for you to check out. This place is well known for being a welcoming spot to stop by, have a few drinks, and simply relax while playing pool or participating in poker nights. Here you can take the time you need to relax while you enjoy some events such as trivia or playing rounds of “Let’s make a deal” with your buddies. You might also get a chance to check out the amateur drag queens during the competitions they host. It’s fun, it’s casual, and it’s a great place for people who love the lgbtq bar scene but don’t want to worry about making a fool of themselves on the dance floor. Check out their website for happenings details.

Open 7 days a week; Mon – Sat, 2 pm-2am; Sun, 2 pm-midnight.

Nine of the Best, but Not All by a Longshot

There are so many LGBTQ+ nightspots in every neighborhood in Atlanta, it would be impossible to provide details about all of them. If you are a local, you probably are familiar with each neighborhood’s queer-friendly night spots. If you’re not, do a bit of research on the following neighborhoods before you vacation in Atlanta metro area. The city of Atlanta is a queer haven of the South, no hands down.

Decatur

Decatur is a suburb of Atlanta, located about 5 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. There is an active nightlife for the LGBTQ+ community in Decatur. Clubs like Mixx and Tripps, and many others can be found in Decatur.

Midtown

The largest gayborhood in Hotlanta. In addition to the gay nightlife, Midtown has plenty of other things to do as well – shops, historic Atlantic Station, for example. You can’t go wrong finding clubs and bars in this neighborhood. You can’t go wrong in Midtown if you are looking for any type of queer club. Midtown simply has it all – places like BJ Roosters and most of the clubs covered in this article. More gay bars than you could probably get to unless you plan for a week.

East Atlanta Village

Just next door to Midtown and home to My Sisters Room along with plenty of other gay hotspots, East Atlanta also includes charming cafes, shops, and eateries. Plan a vacation in October, during the largest Pride festival and events in the South. Lots of queer-friendly hotels here, and East Atlanta does Pride well. East Atlanta is also just a hop over to West Midtown.

Grant Park

Grant Park is the oldest Atlanta city part and incudes the historic neighborhood that surrounds Grant Park itself. Once you have recovered from a night of gay revelry, Grant Park and the neighborhood is worth a visit – lots of shops, restaurants, and things to see in this park neighborhood.

Westside Provisions District

Here is a trendy city neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and a busy nightlife. If you are into EDM music, you should try Alice Presents – not a gay bar but a welcoming club for all, gay or straight. It’s worth a visit just to see it. You’ll feel comfortable there.

One Special Note on Something Not to Miss

The Indigo Girls, an internationally famous group is coming to Atlanta on September 26. You don’t want to miss this concert –get your tickets now!

Exploring Atlanta Via Taimi!

If you’re ready to have a good time in the city of Hotlanta, then Taimi is ready to help you along the way. Taimi will help you navigate to the best hot spots of the local gayborhoods, find you the best gay bars and other lgbtq hot spots, as well as happenings, lounges, and other hangouts. And you can find groups on the app who call Atlanta home and maybe hook up with a local or two to make the visit that much better. Make sure to download the app and to keep this article bookmarked before you head off on your trip to Atlanta Georgia.