Here at the Georgia Voice, we love celebrating the BEST that Atlanta has to offer, especially when it comes to servicing our LGBTQ community!
The more than 70 categories below highlight what makes Atlanta the top LGBTQ-friendly city in the country with food, nightlife, services, events, and pet care that cater to our community.
Long have we searched for a city where inclusion is part of everyday life, and no matter where we frequent, we’re given the same respect as our hetero counterparts!
We give a big thank you and congratulations to the winners and runners-up in this year’s awards line-up for emphasizing equality for our Atlanta LGBTQ siblings!
BOOKSTORE: CHARIS BOOKS & MORE
This independently-owned feminist bookstore takes home the award for the fifth consecutive year in a row! It’s not only known for its left-of-center titles, but also its central role within the local progressive community. In addition to hosting special monthly events including book signings and readings, their selection of top-selling LGBTQ literature is out of this world! Check out their new location in the heart of Decatur steps from Agnes Scott College.
Runners-up are Barnes and Noble and Half Price Books
ADULT NOVELTY STORE: BRUSHSTROKES PLEASURES
Who says toy stores are just for kids? Brushstrokes Pleasures wins for the fifth year in a row as Atlanta’s go-to shop for all things sexy! Located in the heart of the Ansley gayborhood, Brushstrokes Pleasure stocks it all: Fetish gear, sexual supplements, vacuum pumps, condoms, lubricants and more.
Runners-up are Tokyo Valentino and Barking Leather
TATTOO PARLOR: ONLY YOU TATTOO
The first win for this ink shop located in the Grant Park neighborhood. With five tattoo artists on staff open seven days a week, the level of tattooing and customer service is written in the ink!
Runners-up are Timeless Tattoo and Kingdom Tattoo
LEATHER GEAR: BARKING LEATHER
In the market for a new harness or something leather? Barking Leather not only has a stand-alone store located off Cheshire Bridge Road but a specialty store in the bottom floor of the Atlanta Eagle! From custom made leather pieces made to order to novelty items like floggers, whips, cock rings, restraints and much more, this is the place to go if you’re looking to let your fantasies take over!
Runners-up are Brushstrokes Pleasures and Bulldog Leather
GAY APPAREL: BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR
It’s the third consecutive win for BND and their merchandise speaks to why Atlanta voted them number one! Whether you want to be seen or do a little peeking yourself, head into this apparel shop for the latest fashions including brands like PUMP, Nasty Pig, and more! Looking for swimwear? There’s a wide selection of speedos, trunk shorts, jockstraps, and thongs!
Runners-up are Brushstrokes Pleasures and ABETTERBUZZ Brand Goods
FLORIST: FOXGLOVES & IVY FLORAL DESIGN STUDIO
Flowers are the way to every person’s heart, and at Foxgloves, their focus is the customer’s smile! For the fourth consecutive year, this Little 5 Points florist serves up a wide variety of floral options for all occasions.
Runners-up are Twelve Boutique & Flowers and Adaptation Floral Design
GIFT SHOP: BRUSHSTROKES PLEASURES
Brushstrokes Pleasures takes another win, this time for gift shop with a huge selection of novelty gives, sexual and non-sexual, for everyone! From socks, shirts, toys, gag gifts, and more, this shop knows how to celebrate all occasions of the year! Their merchandise is always changing, so swing in and see what new items they have to offer!
Runners-up are Barking Leather and The Merchant
FURNITURE STORE: ITAGLIA HOME DESIGN
There’s no room for tacky furniture in this city, and that’s why Intalgia takes home this award for the third year in a row! From couches, chairs, coffee tables, and lamps, the modern yet classic feel of each piece will add a special touch to any room of your home! Located at Ansley Mall, it’s a prime spot for members of the LGBTQ community looking to do a little home decorating in style!
Runners-up are Kaboodle Home and Horizon Home Furniture
THRIFT STORE: LOST-N-FOUND YOUTH
Five years and counting! It’s why LNF is the go-to spot for items donated back to the community, and all for a good cause! The thrift store is set up to help fund Lost-N-Found Youth, and everything they sell goes directly back into the non-profit organization supporting homeless LGBTQ youth.
Runners-up are Out of the Closet and Second Life
JEWELRY STORE: WORTHMORE JEWELERS
Winner of the best jewelry store for the fourth year in a row, it’s where the LGBTQ community goes for those special gifts of love and gratitude! Known as the coolest store in America by InStore Magazine, Worthmore Jewelers arrived on the jewelry scene opening in the early 1990s in Midtown Atlanta. The store is known for its fine jewelry, watches, custom designs, and art.
Runners-up are Tiffany’s and Jonathan Buckhead
LIQUOR & WINE STORE: TOWER BEER, WINE & SPIRITS
The place to go to for the best in alcohol for any party or event! Tower wins the BEST OF award for the second year in a row, but their legacy in the community goes way back! Over the last several decades, so many epic benders began with a simple run to a Tower liquor store for a six-pack and a bag of ice that it boggles the imagination. When you absolutely, positively have to find your favorite obscure stout from Lichtenstein or a good Bordeaux approved by the right French wine-control authorities — but at a reasonable price — you probably have one within a couple of miles of your residence.
Runners-up are Greens and Ansley Wine Merchants
Find the rest of this year’s winners here.