Hotel Clermont
Host your good times and your next best memory at Hotel Clermont located in the heart of Atlanta.
Featured Gay Friendly Hotel in Atlanta
Gay Travel Atlanta
Dubbed the unofficial gay capital of the South, Atlanta draws LGBT travelers looking for world-class museums, shopping, and nightlife, as well as other celebrated trappings of urban life. But gay travelers also revel the chance to unapologetically be themselves in a region of America that hasn’t always been accepting and welcoming.
These days, Atlanta is a melting pot of cultures, with new transplants from around the country and the world arriving every day. The result is a diverse city that’s bursting at the seams — in fact, Atlanta has one of the nation’s fastest-growing metro areas. All this change makes for an urban retreat that’s transforming by the minute. Even if you’ve visited Atlanta in the last decade, you might not recognize it when you come back.
In terms of weather, Atlanta’s elevation at 1,000 feet above sea level makes it more temperate than other cities in the South, where sweltering temperatures can be overwhelming in the summer. When the weather is cool, gay travelers love a stroll through Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s largest, where it is not uncommon to see gay and lesbian couples holding hands. But there are plenty of other parks and nature spots to check out, including the Morningside Nature Preserve, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and the BeltLine, a 22-mile public use trail on a former rail corridor.
For an excellent introduction to the major tourist sites, the Atlanta CityPASS program gives you access to attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium (the world’s largest indoor aquarium) the World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, and CNN Studio Tours, all for a mere $76. Other must-see’s in town are the Fox Theater, the Tabernacle, and the Variety Playhouse.
Atlanta Gay Scene
Stand Hotlanta’s gay and lesbian scene up to any big, metropolitan city and it will hold its own for sure — with a dose of good ol’ Southern hospitality to boot.
Atlanta’s gay community is concentrated in Midtown, but there are other pockets that attract gays and lesbians as well, such as Decatur, East Atlanta Village, Grant Park and Cabbagetown, Buckhead, and Ansley Mall/Cheshire Bridge.
Highlighting the city’s diversity, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution called the city a hub for African-American gays, and you will find as many lesbians as gay men here, with plenty of nightlife and dining options for everyone. Many of Atlanta’s LGBT residents are transplants from other parts of the South, where being out isn’t quite as accepted.
Gay-Friendly Dining
The Nook is one of the best places in town to grab a bite and whet your palate. Located directly across from Atlanta's Piedmont Park, the restaurant offers both indoor and patio seating. Offering a mix of American and Southern cuisine, The Nook's specialty is loaded tater tots, a choice to bring out the inner child in everyone. Soak your teeth into a prime ranch cut steak or bourbon marinated salmon and you'll love us for recommending this gem.
Everything about The Colonnade is a culture clash. Gays of a certain age love this old-fashioned Southern restaurant for its down-home fried chicken and black-eyed peas. Amid the gay gossip in the air, you’ll see tables of blue-haired Southern ladies and men with walkers. The restaurant is on Atlanta’s sordid Cheshire Bridge Rd. with nearby gay nightclubs, a weekly gay strip club, bathhouses and sex toy stores. Grandma better watch out!
The most delicious martinis, the best lunch specials, and another amazing menu reboot make ROXX rock! The staff is super fun (and cute!) and the patio is perfect for outdoor dining, making this spot a cornerstone of the gay restaurant community
Taste Mexican-Korean fusion at this gay friendly restaurant that won’t break your bank. Savor amazing flavors (think Korean BBQ tacos) and fabulous martinis.
Gay-Friendly Nightlife
Among gay bars in Atlanta, this one is a must-visit. There are two guarantees: Everyone is accepted and you're bound to have a good time. Make friends on the huge dance floor, play some billiards, speak with a classic psychic, or enjoy a poker game with famous Atlanta drag queens.
Lips Drag Queen Show Palace, Restaurant & Bar
Glammed-up drag queens rule the roost at this fabulous dinner theater spot located on the northeast side of town. Witness a dazzling a show while you dine from the brunch menu, the PrimeTime menu, or the VIP Menu. The best dinner deals are offered on Wednesdays for Twisted Broadway.
Swinging Richards
Calling itself America’s No. 1 gay male strip club, Swinging Richards has held a special place in gay traveler’s hearts for the last 20 years. Recent rumors of a shutdown haven’t slowed this hangout’s stride, and ownership encourages LGBT travelers to swing by and see for themselves that nothing has changed. Come see what all the fuss it about at this gay Atlanta institution!
Boasting incredible views, two stories of fun, and a focus on locally brewed beers, My Sister’s Room is the premier lesbian bar in Atlanta. Come for the nightly drag shows, burlesque shows, karaoke, and other events. Or just stop by to support a local lesbian-owned business.
As the city’s only gay sports bar, Woofs is the natural meeting point for jocks, sports lovers, and active types. This hole-in-the-wall bar offers 27 TVs, a full menu, and a friendly environment. Come here not only to make friends, but to applaud the bar’s efforts to support the local sports community and local non-profit programs.
A sizzling dance floor and epic jams are all the rage at Mixx Atlanta, as are friendly bartenders. This is a top spot for getting a taste of the local crowd and dancing late into the night.
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