The Hornet Guide to Gay Atlanta
As one of the only metropolises in the southeastern United States, gay Atlanta is the home to a diverse array of queer people who come to the city to socialize, to experience culture and for community support.
Atlanta has one of the highest LGBTQ communities in the country. It’s also the second largest black-majority metro area in the states, according to World Population Review. It’s easy to understand why so many queer people of color are attracted to the Big Peach.
Arts in Gay Atlanta
Atlanta is a city of artists — if you couldn’t already tell from the murals and music filling the downtown streets.
If you’re down for some live music, check out Our Song, the Atlanta gay and lesbian chorus, and Voices of Note, Atlanta’s gay men’s chorus. Both choirs are open to the public and regularly perform in venues throughout the city.
On the other hand, if visual art’s what you’re after, the High Museum of Art is a great place to explore. The High Museum of Art has an extensive and diverse collection of artwork spread across five storeys, including American art, decorative art, modern works, work from self-taught artists and African art. This museum is also dedicated to supporting and collecting works by Southern artists.
The Fox Theater in Atlanta is famous for its beautiful architecture and diverse array of performances. The Fox host plays, comedy shows, concerts and motivational speakers. For a more intimate venue, Atlanteans and tourists alike should check out the Horizon Theatre, located near the Little Five Points district. It may be small, but its talented team of actors manage to make the Horizon Theatre feel like home.
Atlantean Eateries
For foodies, Atlanta has some sickening — in the good sense! — gay restaurants for a unique dining experience.
Joe’s on Juniper offers delicious food and drinks. There’s even even a patio bar with music playing while you dine. Joe’s also hosts different events including multiple trivia nights and “Crazy Bitch Bingo” on Wednesdays to spice up the mood here.
Woofs Atlanta is a gay sports bar on Piedmont Street with an affordable menu. You must try comfort food like the fish tacos or pimento grilled cheese on your next date or outing with friends. Woofs Atlanta also hosts fun events like DILF Night on Saturday to get the boys out and play.
Ten Atlanta, also on Piedmont, has a smaller selection of inexpensive food and boasts a bustling bar scene on nights and weekends. There are also bars inside and outside with a club-style dance floor and a cute patio.
Queer Bars and Nightlife in Gay Atlanta
Mary’s, Atlanta’s favorite dive bar is in East Atlanta. It’s the home to fantastic DJs, karaoke and lots of drag queens for your entertainment.
Heretic is a popping gay bar in Atlanta that regularly features drag shows Wednesday through Saturday. At Heretic, you can expect great drinks and a fun crowd along with well-known DJs like Joe Gauthreaux spinning.
The Atlanta Eagle, another favorite Atlanta gay bar, hosts dance parties with local DJs for the leather crowd. Visitors should expect lots of leather (duh), hypermuscular men and raw sexual energy here.
Gay Atlanta’s Sexy Side
For guys looking for sex in the city (and we don’t mean Samantha), Atlanta Flex spas in Midtown might be of interest. This private all-male gay bathhouse has everything — a pool, jacuzzis, a steam room and a full-service bar, guys can casually cruise and mingle.
The Den Atlanta is a members-only organization for men of color and their admirers. The Den is famous for hosting events like “Butt Ass Naked,” “Nude Night,” “Sexy Underwear Night” and “Thick Thursdays.”
1763 is a BDSM sex dungeon that hosts occasional events. This facility has several rooms for guests to rent. 1763 also features spanking benches, a bondage tower and more. This place even has a space with white and soft pastel coloring for kinksters who want a break from the dark purple and gray dungeon rooms.
LGBT Empowerment In the City
Atlanta is also home to the only feminist bookstore in the entire state of Georgia, Charis Books, which is located in Little Five Points. Little Five Points is an artistic haven in Atlanta, full of alternative and local shops. Charis has reading material on anything your queer heart desires. It regularly hosts community workshops, book clubs and discussions.
Lost and Found is a nonprofit organization in Atlanta dedicating to helping feed, clothe and house homeless LGBT youth. Lost and Found also operates two thrift shops for the public. Buy a gag-worthy pair of heels donated by a local drag queen, and give money to a great cause — everybody wins!
Annual LGBT Events in Gay Atlanta
Atlanta Pride happens every year in October. It’s a fantastic festival you don’t want to miss. All the gay clubs in the city come out to celebrate! Piedmont Park becomes the center of a weekend-long celebration with the Starlight Cabaret, a rowdy drag show held here on Sunday nights.
Every year, Atlanta also has a weekend-long black Pride event which serves as a celebration of the intersection between queer and black identities. Atlanta Black Pride Weekend usually takes place in August or September and features a multitude of events and well-known performers.
Indigenous House Seven is an annual event that happens for only one day in May. It serves to foster a sense of community while celebrating house music and the unique contributions of black people to queer culture.
Every June, Atlanta also hosts the Peach Party. It happens in different bars and clubs throughout the city — it’s another way LGBTQ Atlanteans can celebrate their beautiful identities.
Feature image by Marilyn Nieves via iStockphoto.com
