Despite a brief time of lockdown during the pandemic, Atlanta’s nightlife is back like it never left.
Over the past year, Atlanta’s nightlife scene has seen some pretty significant changes.
While many of our favorite events and clubs are still open and operating under the strict new health and safety guidelines, this doesn’t mean it’s as good as it was before.
It’s been a tough year for the Castleberry Hill 2nd Friday Art Stroll and The Music Room, which left Edgewood Avenue last fall.
The Bar at the Illuminarium and Puttshack are just a couple of examples of the new late-night spots Atlanta has to offer.
Check out Atlanta’s best nightlife after dark.
Try one of the newest bars in the city
Getting a few drinks is probably everyone’s favorite nighttime activity, but you don’t have to stick to your typical neighborhood bar.
Atlanta’s bar scene has undergone a major upgrade this year alone, including the opening of two stunning new bars, JoJo’s Beloved and The Bar at the Illuminarium.
With a moody and nostalgic decor, JoJo’s Beloved looks like a scene from Bad Times at the El Royale.
We recommend booking a reservation there as soon as possible.
It’s located at Atlanta’s newest tourist attraction, the Illuminarium, but it’s an offshoot only open a few nights a week, only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
Prepare to be blown away by wall-to-wall projections while you enjoy drinks and tapas.
From darkness to light
Since the Midtown Bowl has been around for more than 60 years, you should be very familiar with it, as it lets the balls roll until late every weekend (both Fridays and Saturdays until 2am, and Sundays until midnight).
Apart from staying open late, Midtown Bowl also offers a variety of delicious snacks, including subs, breaded wings, and a weekly changing eggroll special.
In addition to a great beer selection, there is also a rotating selection of ciders and meads from Creature Comforts, New Realm, and Dogfish Head.
Take a trip to the strip club
Strip clubs were a big part of Atlanta’s culture even before the Olympics came, so it is no surprise that the industry has adjusted to the pandemic.
It doesn’t take a genius to identify the major players in this market: Magic City, Clermont Lounge, Cheetah, Tattletale, Oasis, Swinging Richards, and Blue Flame Lounge.
With that same energy you would have for a Las Vegas casino, grab your mask and cash, and go out to support an Atlanta strip club tonight.
Eat late at night to refuel
Sometimes after a late night of socializing, you’ll be starving for food because you didn’t eat before going out with friends, or you’ll have lost all your energy and need something tasty to wrap the night up.
Last year, COVID started causing havoc on our plans, and since then many restaurants have severely curtailed their hours.
Luckily, you can still find delicious food in Atlanta.
The Slutty Vegan on Edgewood and Landmark diners, which are open 24/7, are two of the city’s late-night options. And of course, Waffle House is always nearby.
The Georgia Aquarium offers drinks like a fish
There’s still plenty to do at the aquarium after dark even though it’s currently unavailable for the rare adult cocktail party and sleepover package.
Sip themed cocktails while exploring the aquarium during one of Sips Under the Seas’ recurring events and leave the kids at home.
Even though you won’t be able to stay the night at the aquarium, you can still explore the beloved local attraction.
Don’t be shy about spending a bit more on a VIP ticket, since they automatically come with three free drink tickets.
The best aquatic creatures in Atlanta are waiting for you to drink like a fish.
Performing heavy metal karaoke
Metalsome is the first heavy metal karaoke experience that people can’t fully comprehend until they try it for themselves.
Dark Horse Tavern typically hosts karaoke parties accompanied by live music every Monday through Saturday from 10:30pm to 3am.
Be sure to arrive as early as possible in case you wish to unleash your inner rockstar.
They strictly apply to first-come, first-served.
Before you spray an excessive amount of hairspray, be sure to review the song lists on Facebook first.
Make yourself grow up, sexy, and scientific
Take advantage of Fernbank After Dark every second Friday of the month, where scientists, foodies, and fun-lovers enjoy adult beverages, tapas, and legitimate scientific events from 7 – 11 pm.
You can try out hands-on activities as well as science fiction and Halloween-themed activities at the upcoming FAD events.
It’s definitely worth checking out the Fernbank Museum’s incredible 21+ exhibit if you’re into alternate realities, science experiments, potions, and poisons.
Trap Music Museum – learn something new
In spite of its popularity, T.I. ‘s Trap Music Museum was scheduled to close after Super Bowl LIII, but new exhibitions have been added (as an example, a new Nipsey Hussle-themed area was unveiled late-summer).
You can also visit the “Escape the Trap” room experience on Thursdays from 4-10pm for 30-minute VIP tours and a complimentary glass of champagne when you attend the museum’s “Sip & Trap” event.
The event is free with museum admission.
Playing arcade games and drinking
It is now possible to play games at The Original Joystick Gamebar.
Besides offering classic arcade games like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and TMNT for only $0.25, Joystick also offers a wide choice of craft cocktails and boozy sodas.
Why not enjoy a night of drinking, mingling, and gaming at Joystick Gamebar instead of just playing on your Playstation or Xbox at home? Monday through Friday, the party goes late into the night.
Play analog games, drink, and eat
Atlanta provides a wide variety of non-wall-mounted games, ranging from bocce to basketball shooting to ping pong to shuffleboard to billiards to skeeball, and vice versa.
Playing Puttshack at the Interlock, The Painted Pin, The Painted Duck in Buckhead, Ormsby’s in West Midtown, Skyline Park at Ponce City Market on The Roof, and Punch Bowl Social at The Battery are options.
Movies late at night
Not every city has Starlight Drive-Ins, which have been open for 60+ years and regularly show films after midnight.
While this isn’t news, not every city has a drive-in theater near you.
It’s a priceless piece of Atlanta history that opens all week long and is still going strong at only $10 per person, and you can bring your own food and listen to your movie’s audio through your FM radio.
Do you know where Donald Glover first aired Robbin’ Season? This is where. Get there early for a good parking spot, since you cannot buy tickets in advance.
Take a night to dance
It’s fine that you like clubbing so much.
Since you’re in Atlanta, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from.
If you’re looking for a super-big cosmopolitan nightclub vibe, you can check out Havana Club, Tongue & Groove, Gold Room, Compound, and Suite Lounge.
The best places in East Atlanta to dance are El Bar, MJQ Concourse, and The Basement. There’s no judgement either way.
Feel the drag
There are plenty of great drag shows in Atlanta, a legendary LGBTQ+ capital.
If you’re looking for a drag show and tasty food, stop by Lips Drag Queen Show Palace, Restaurant & Bar on Buford Highway.
The “mistress of seduction” Taejah Thomas performs a wild show every Saturday night called Taboo: The Dirty Show.
There’s also My Sister’s Room and Georgia Beer Garden over on Edgewood Avenue, and Mary’s in East Atlanta is always a good choice.
Skate the hell out of it
Until you realize that there is no alcohol on sale where you’re going, staying out from 9 pm to 1 am on Sunday nights might seem like a bad idea.
Cascade Fun Center goes off with a bang, where Atlanta’s cultural avant garde shows up in skate crews and executes some of the most incredible rolling routines of your life to hip-hop music, wearing some of the coolest fashion styles anywhere in the world. Then roll out.
Live music late at night
There are a few live music venues in a city that need more and that have provided soul-stirring blues, funk, jazz, and more to their local communities for years.
When you’re in Old Fourth Ward, there is Venkman’s, which has everything from funk to yacht rock (literally, the owners are from the Yacht Rock Revue).
You can sample rock, alternative, country, and acoustic music at Smith’s Olde Bar in West Midtown, Blind Willie’s in Virginia Highland, and Northside Tavern in West Midtown.
