First Jungle, now this.
Popular LGBT Atlanta favorite restaurant Cowtippers is closing at the end of January. The announcement was made by the restaurant’s owner, Metrotainment Cafes, in a statement issued Wednesday morning.
“Metrotainment Cafes can confirm that Cowtippers will unfortunately be closing at the end of this month. The restaurant has been a part of our restaurant group for a very long time, and we’re proud of the more than 20 years we have been in business, but with the changing climate of the city, we are going to close the restaurant and turn our attention to our other successful concepts including Hudson Grille, Einstein’s, Joe’s on Juniper, Hudson FC and Guaco Joe’s,” said Metrotainment Cafes CEO Jeff Landau.
The owners of the restaurant near the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive also wanted to make clear that there are no plans (at this time at least) for the space to be turned into apartment complexes.
“Metrotainment Cafes still owns the property and we are weighing several options including selling the restaurant and property,” Landau said. “In the interim, we will use the space for private events handled by our catering company, Epic Events. We are thankful for the many years of patronage from Atlanta and looking forward to continued success with our other concepts as we continue to grow in this city.”
The news of Cowtippers closing is the latest blow to Atlanta LGBT culture following the closing of popular dance club Jungle last November. Owner Richard Cherskov said new development was to blame. Georgia Voice ran a series on nightlife throughout last year, with bar owners worrying about the “sterilization” of Cheshire Bridge Road, talking about Ponce City Market and other development pushing them out, while others have employed different tactics to embrace changes to the city like the ever-growing BeltLine. Meanwhile, the disco ball from Jungle (which used to hang at Backstreet) was later donated to the Atlanta History Center.