Overall Bar
My Sister’s Room
Touted as the longest-running lesbian bar in the South, My Sister’s Room (www.mysistersroom.com) soared past its competition in the polls to reign as Atlanta’s best overall bar. Now settled in a two-story building located in Midtown, the hot-spot bar serves up a satisfying lineup of weekly activities including live drag king shows, dancing, karaoke and Sunday Funday shenanigans.
The nearby Blake’s on the Park (www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com) took second place honors, while Mary’s (www.marysatlanta.com) came in third place.
Bartender
Chad McDaniel – Oscar’s
When Atlanta wants a good cocktail, they overwhelmingly go to Chad McDaniel at Oscar’s (www.oscarsatlanta.com). His style of mixing is almost legendary status around town. Factor in his cute baby face, his love for everything ’80s and his encyclopedic showtune knowledge, and you’re definitely on your way to martini heaven.
Also be sure to raise your glasses to our runner-ups. Kim Bell at BJ Roosters (www.bjroosters.com) came in second place, with Brett Lanning at Blake’s on the Park (www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com) in third place.
Lesbian Theme Night
My Sister’s Room
It’s always “ladies’ night” at the lesbian-operated My Sister’s Room (www.mysistersroom.com), but that doesn’t mean their theme night’s stagger on the shores of the status quo. With MSR’s Wig Out parties, Flirt Fridays, fancy Girls Night Out celebrations and celebrity theme shows, Atlanta lesbians are treated with a slate of nightlife options.
Ladies Country Night and Powder Room, two lesbian themed nights at Heretic (www.hereticatlanta.com), took second and third place honors, while Rolo Entertainment’s 3rd Saturdays at Mixx (www.mixxatlanta.com) came in fourth place.
Gay Bar
Atlanta Eagle
The social dating and hookup apps may be in high-demand, but that hasn’t stopped the towering leather bar on Ponce De Leon Avenue from remaining ground zero for Atlanta gay men. Atlanta Eagle (www.atlantaeagle.com) boasts a kinky roundup of weekly theme nights (Underwear Night, #TMITuesdays! and Blackout Night) that explore the depths of homoeroticism and masculinity.
In second place is Blake’s on the Park (www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com), with Mary’s (www.marysatlanta.com) landing in third place.
Dance Floor
Heretic
When it’s time to dance the night away, readers clamor towards the Heretic (www.hereticatlanta.com). The dancer’s favorite, which won in 2014, returns to reclaim its throne. Along with booking stellar local DJs and national EDM pros, the venue packs in a number of multi-genre options on a regular basis, including a night dedicated to country line-stepping.
Coming in second place was Jungle (www.jungleatl.com). Atlanta Eagle (www.atlantaeagle.com), last year’s winner, landed in the third place slot.
Drag Show
Armorettes
With a whopping majority of this year’s vote, the camp drag of the Armorettes (www.armorettes.com) continues to win Atlanta’s happy gay heart as the city’s best drag show. Part of this drag queen troupe’s public appeal comes with the hours of community work and fundraising they provide for Atlanta’s HIV/AIDS services. So far they’ve raised a whopping $2.1 million for charity. You can catch them regularly at Burkhart’s (www.burkharts.com).
The colorful cast at Lips (www.lipsatl.com) showed up with a second place finish. The highly entertaining The Other Show (www.facebook.com/TheOtherShow), a mainstay at Jungle, arrived with a close third place.
To Meet Women
My Sister’s Room
Now nestled in their bi-level palace in Midtown, My Sister’s Room (www.mysistersroom.com) is continuing the rich tradition for being a popular destination for Atlanta’s lesbians to connect. The smoke-free venue comes with a marble-covered patio, kitchen and an intimate dance floor, all endless portals for the casual girl-to-girl chit-chat or late-night flirting.
Mary’s (www.marysatlanta.com) came in second place and Mixx (www.mixxatlanta.com) landed in third place.
To Meet Men
Atlanta Eagle
After being in business for almost thirty years, men of all kinds and sizes continue to show their gratitude to the Eagle (www.atlantaeagle.com). Whether you’re in the market for bears, cubs, staunch leather gods or mere admirers, the Eagle is where the grown and sexy men have laid their nest.
In second place is Blake’s on The Park (www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com), with The Heretic (www.hereticatlanta.com) finishing in third place.
Afterhours
Flex Atlanta
When the night is done but not quite ready to retire, Flex Atlanta (www.flexspas.com) is where Atlanta ends up. The private gay men’s club located in the heart of Midtown comes with deluxe amenities (Jacuzzi, sauna, lounge, an outdoor pool and a rooftop sundeck) and a world of afterhours adult leisure.
The hip adult store Tokyo Valentino (www.tokyovalentino.com) came in second place, Best of Atlanta 2015 afterhours winner Xion (www.cariocaproductions.com) took third place.