Magellan Thompson was 22 years old when he arrived in Atlanta from Chicago during Black Pride weekend in 2012 and found himself at Bulldogs on his first day in town. “I’ve had people who would come here from Paris tell me they knew this was where you had to go.” “It’s not just a landmark in Atlanta it’s a landmark globally,” says Brent Cochran, operations manager at Bulldogs, which has been located in the heart of Midtown for 42 years. Anyone that finds themselves in this city at any time, will want to visit at least one of these gay bars to see if they truly continue to live up to their name.Just one story tall and tucked between 7th and 8th streets on Peachtree, a tiny gay bar has built a reputation that towers over many of the skyscrapers that surround it. Although, once people arrive at BJ Roosters, they normally do not want to leave, as the lap dances are a sight to see.Įveryone will be able to find the bar that meets their needs in the city of Atlanta, which is why it is such a popular destination for people to live and visit. Their new location is on Cheshire Bridge Road, which is in close proximity to a few other gay bars in the city, and that makes it perfect for a night of bar hopping. This go-go gay bar used to have a smaller location inside a shopping mall, but as its popularity grew, they needed more space. While everyone can have the drink of their choice, those who are visiting for the first time must try one of the infamous mixed martinis. This is not a gay person’s typical bar, as a fire burns in the fireplace, while soft music plays in the background.
The seats are full of regulars who have been going there for years and it is those people who always notice the newbies and get them acclimated to the bar. The Hideout opened back in the 1970s, which could be why everyone feels welcome and relaxed as soon as they arrive. It also doesn’t hurt that the bartenders are nice, the drinks are cheap, and the atmosphere welcomes everyone who walks through the doors to dance to the beat on the dance floor. Mary’s can be found over in East Atlanta and its welcoming atmosphere and phenomenal DJs make this the top choice amongst gays. Of course, there are still quite a few pretty girls and boys, who are only there to show the world how special they are, but everyone can find the few rare gems amongst the crowd if they are patient. Here are the 4 best gay bars to visit in Atlanta:īlake’s has been around for quite some time, and while it used to have a stuck-up vibe, things have toned down on the inside in recent years. That means that no one needs to sit at home bored or feel out of place the next time that they want to venture out to meet new friends while having fun.
The number of gay bars varies from city to city, but Atlanta has been extremely blessed with several of them that have turned into long-time favorites.