DGA 2016-2017

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Gay 2016-2017

Destination

Atlanta

EAT • SHOP • PARTY • STAY

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PO Box 77401 Atlanta, GA 30357 P: 404-815-6941; F: 404-963-6365 BUSINESS Publisher Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com Managing Partner Christina Cash ccash@thegavoice.com PRODUCTION Art Director Rob Boeger rboeger@thegavoice.com SALES Sales Executive Dixon Taylor dtaylor@thegavoice.com Sales Executive Anne Clarke aclarke@thegavoice.com National Advertising: Rivendell Media, 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com EDITORIAL Editor Darian Aaron daaron@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor Patrick Saunders psaunders@thegavoice.com

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WELCOME: Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

10 WELCOME:

Atlanta Convention and

Visitors Bureau

57 FOOD:

Dining options for all

14 HISTORY:

Atlanta thrives after

overcoming anti-LGBT bill

75 NIGHTLIFE:

All the best LGBT nightlife

with map on Page 83

19 EVENTS:

Atlanta’s 16 biggest

LGBT events

85 SHOPPING:

Retail therapy heaven

22 FESTIVALS:

Popular events that

welcome all 24 TRAVEL TIPS:

Getting around Atlanta,

and more 26 NEIGHBORHOODS:

Atlanta’s best gayborhoods

with map on Page 33 37

6 Destination Travel Guide

44 SIGHTSEEING:

12 options for a getaway

for the day

ARTS: From theater, dance and music—Atlanta has it all with map on Page 52

91 LODGING:

Your home away from home 96 FITNESS:

Options to help you keep fit

during your stay in Atlanta 98 ORGANIZATIONS:

Where to get help

and volunteer 102 WORSHIP:

Inclusive congregations 104 SPORTS:

Where to participate in your

favorite sports activity

ATLANTA

Mayor Kasim Reed (Photo by Patrick Saunders)

Greetings from our mayor As Mayor of the City of Atlanta, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to our city.

Atlanta is a culturally rich and diverse city that is committed to fairness and inclusion. This commitment has fostered one of the most vibrant LGBT communities in the country, and our diversity is part of what makes our city great.

During your visit, I encourage you to explore the many attractions Atlanta has to offer: including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center, Centennial Olympic Park, Woodruff Arts Center, At8 Destination Travel Guide

lanta Botanical Garden, Children’s Museum of Atlanta, National Center for Civil and Human Rights and many more.

On behalf of the people of Atlanta, I extend my best wishes for a memorable visit.

Sincerely,

Kasim Reed

LGBT ATLANTA

A top destination for LGBT travelers It is my pleasure to welcome you to Atlanta. Whether this is your first visit or you are returning, Atlanta offers new attractions, award-winning dining, modern shopping and nightlife options. Gogobot recently named Atlanta the number one rising-star destination for LGBT travelers, further establishing the city’s reputation for being the most welcoming city in the world.

Situated around Centennial Olympic Park, visitors will find several top attractions including Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, CNN Studio Tours, Center for the Civil and Human Rights and College Football Hall of Fame. Hop aboard the Atlanta Streetcar for an easy way to traverse downtown and connect to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Atlanta’s art scene generates cultural offerings unmatched in the South. While Downtown is home to many of our top attractions, visitors will find a multitude of award-winning visual arts, music and theatrical venues in Midtown like Fox Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center and Museum of Design Atlanta, among many others.

Atlanta’s also a shopping mecca, offering everything from ultra-luxury brands at Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and The Shops Buckhead Atlanta to trendy home design stores in West Midtown, known by locals simply as “the Westside.”

Looking for a dining recommendation? Just ask the locals. Each neighborhood has its own unique flavor from high-end dining in Buckhead to kitschy 10 Destination Travel Guide

watering holes on Atlanta’s Eastside. More than 80 new restaurants opened in 2015 including the new Ponce City Market, Atlanta’s answer to New York City’s Chelsea Market.

The city’s nightlife is also diverse with various neighborhood vibes. Joe’s on Juniper in Midtown is a favorite and located near popular nightclubs.

Edgewood Avenue offers quirky late-night fun including celebrity magnet Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium and electronic dance music outpost The Sound Table. Mary’s in East Atlanta was voted “Best Gay Bar” by Out Magazine and offers some of the city’s best karaoke.

That’s just a taste of what Atlanta offers. Come see for yourself why Atlanta is a top destination for LGBT travelers. We look forward to welcoming you to our city.

Sincerely,

William Pate President & CEO Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

BILL LOWE

GALLERY

Welcome to Atlanta’s DeKalb!

It’s no secret that Atlanta is the LGBT capital of the South. Atlanta’s DeKalb is rich in diversity and progressive communities, just east of downtown.

Dine and drink at one of Decatur’s award-winning restaurants and cocktail bars and attend some of the best festivals the South has to offer throughout DeKalb.

Whether you are shopping, dining, or looking to enjoy the city nightlife, DeKalb has it all.

Atlanta’s DeKalb is just a short drive away from Midtown Atlanta, Piedmont Park and a host of LGBT nightlife, restaurants and shops.

Discover more at AtlantasDeKalb.com/lgbt

Convention & Visitors Bureau

LGBT ATLANTA Atlanta thrives after overcoming anti-LGBT bill City’s LGBT community stronger than ever The 2016 Georgia legislative session cast a dark cloud over Georgia’s LGBT community as conservative Republican legislators attempted to roll back LGBT progress in a series of so-called “religious freedom” bills, once again undermining the reputation of the state and Atlanta itself as “the city too busy to hate.” Atlanta—home to one of the most diverse and vibrant LGBT communities in the country—became ground zero in the conservative backlash to an increasingly LGBT tolerant society.

It may have been easy to forget that despite all of the cultural and entertainment options gay Atlanta offers that have made the city a top destination for LGBT travelers, at its core, Atlanta’s LGBT community is the product of a long history of organizing and civil rights activism that predates today’s challenges.

So even in a state where conservative lawmakers control both political chambers and pushing through anti-LGBT legislation takes very little effort, Georgia’s LGBT and business communities along with our allies are a political force that when united can defeat what appear to be insurmountable odds.

This is who we are. We can party till dawn (and we do), lead a digital effort online to channel the frustration and anger of a minority found consistently in the crosshairs of legalized bigotry and in the next breath stage a huge protest at Liberty Plaza.

LGBT Atlanta has been doing this since the city’s first Gay Pride Parade in 1971, specifically in 1978 when a massive pro-gay demonstration against anti-gay crusader and orange juice spokesperson Anita Bryant took place during a scheduled speech before the Southern Baptist Convention. And in 1991 when community outrage launched protests and boycotts against Cracker Barrel for its termination of Atlanta area workers who were accused of not adhering to its discriminatory mandate that employees have “normal heterosexual values.”

The policy was changed in 2002.

LGBT Atlanta’s strength and visibility ripples throughout the Gold Dome, the state and the country—leading 14 Destination Travel Guide

the way and teaching even the opposition that fairness and equality for all people is not an abstract idea but an achievable goal that all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have the right to enjoy. And when LGBT Georgians speak, the world and our own state leadership listen.

“This is about the character of our state and the character of its people. Georgia is a welcoming state filled with warm, friendly and loving people.

Our cities and countryside are populated with people who worship God in a myriad of ways and in very diverse settings. Our people work side-by-side without regard to the color of our skin, or the religion we adhere to. We are working to make life better for our families and our communities. That is the character of Georgia,” said Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal in

Atlanta’s LGBT community gathered for a rally at the Georgia State Capitol to celebrate the defeat of the antiLGBT HB757. (File photo) an address vetoing House Bill 757 earlier this year.

Georgia’s reputation is everything you’ve heard about it and more. Some of which we’re working to undo and quite a bit we’re proud of and eager to share with you. There’s a reason why Atlanta has been dubbed the gay mecca of the South—from the Atlanta Pride and Black Gay Pride Festivals, which draw thousands of visitors from across the country and abroad— to nightlife, shopping and top-notch southern cuisine— Atlanta has something to offer everyone.

Visitors to Atlanta can enjoy a walk in gorgeous Piedmont Park; take in the beauty of the city skyline from downtown’s SkyView Atlanta or enjoy the sun

and snow cones on The Roof at Ponce City Market.

And if that’s not enough to wear you out for one day, take a tour of the CNN Center or National Center for Civil and Human Rights or buy gifts for yourself or loved ones at Lenox Mall or Phipps Plaza. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy patio dining at gay Midtown favorites Henry’s, Cowtippers, or Joe’s on Juniper.

As you can see, there’s never a dull moment in Atlanta. Do yourself a favor and try not to squeeze everything into one visit. We want you to come back or even consider making Atlanta your home. There’s always another political rally or fierce party around the corner, so consider this an open invitation.

Destination Travel Guide 15

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ATLANTA

Atlanta Pride Parade (Photo courtesy of Atlanta Pride)

Come out and have fun Atlanta’s 16 biggest LGBT events No city packs a calendar with more LGBT social, philanthropic, sports and political events year-round than Atlanta. Here are 16 of the biggest ones to check out.

Stonewall Month Throughout June atlantapride.org Each year, the Atlanta Pride Committee rolls out a packed month of events in partnership with other organizations to remember the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

In addition to the East Point Possums show, highlights include Evening for Equality (a gala fundraiser for statewide gay political group Georgia Equality), films, community discussions and more.

East Point Possums June 11, 2016 eastpointpossums.com The region’s largest drag show began in a backyard but has blossomed into its current incarnation, taking over the downtown commons in the Atlanta suburb of East Point. Expect free admission to a hilarious night featuring more than 20 diverse drag acts taking the stage and working it to benefit local LGBT charities.

Southern Fried Queer Pride June 26-28, 2016 southernfriedqueerpride.com The queer culture Pride festival is back for a second year bringing a diverse lineup of events and people, including cookouts, dance parties, a field day, workshops, variety shows and more.

Joining Hearts July 16, 2016 joininghearts.org An extra dose of “fun” is added to “fundraising” each summer during the Joining Hearts party, which donates 100 percent of proceeds to providing housing for people with HIV. The annual party held at the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center regularly features freeflowing drinks and plenty of shirtless boys.

Black Gay Pride Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2016 inthelifeatlanta.org What began as informal house parties has grown into the largest Black Gay Pride celebration in the Continues on page 20 Destination Travel Guide 19

ATLANTA Continued from page 19

groups, a children’s program and talent show.

world. The masses of black LGBT individuals who gather in Atlanta each Labor Day weekend is incomparable, as are the mind-blowing parties and community empowerment seminars. This year marks the 20th Atlanta Black Gay Pride weekend!

Toy Party December 2016 forthekid.org One of the most poignant signs of LGBT Atlantans’ commitment to their city and neighbors is the mound of toys on display each December at the annual Toy Party. The event, presented by For the Kid In All of Us, has grown into one of the largest social events of the year.

Peach International Tennis Championships Sept. 2 – Sept. 5, 2016 atta.org Held each year over Labor Day Weekend, the Peach International Tennis Championships is hosted by the Atlanta Team Tennis Association, the city’s LGBT league. It draws players from throughout the region for competition in men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles in as many as four divisions.

Out On Film Sept. 29 – Oct. 6, 2016 outonfilm.org The most entertaining and provocative selections in LGBT cinema are showcased during the Out On Film festival each fall. Out On Film is entering its 29th year in 2016, making it one of the oldest LGBT film festivals in the country.

Atlanta Pride Oct. 8-9, 2016 atlantapride.org There is no more powerful reminder of the progress of LGBT Atlantans than the annual Pride festival, which attracts an estimated 300,000 attendees each year. Atlanta Pride continues to bring in locals and visitors nationwide to its Piedmont Park festival and its parade down Peachtree Street for its 46th year.

AIDS Walk Atlanta Oct. 16, 2016 aidswalkatlanta.com The spirit of community and purpose is always on display at AIDS Walk Atlanta, when thousands gather in Midtown to remember those lost in the epidemic and pledge solidarity against the disease. Now in its third decade, AIDS Walk Atlanta continues to be a major fundraiser.

THEA Peach State Conference Nov. 3-6, 2016 www.thea-plus.com THEA (Transgender Health & Education Alliance) emerged in 2015 after organizers of the annual Southern Comfort Conference moved their event to Fort Lauderdale. THEA’s Peach State Conference fills that void and more with panel discussions, support 20 Destination Travel Guide

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Jan. 16, 2017 No city celebrates Dr. King’s birthday like the legendary civil rights leader’s hometown, and Atlanta’s black gay clubs enjoy their second-busiest weekend of the year during MLK weekend.

Thousands jam into parties and hundreds attend a community brunch honoring LGBT pioneers Audre Lorde and Bayard Rustin.

Dixie Invitational Bowling Tournament Easter Weekend 2017 dixiebowl.org An Easter Weekend tradition, the Dixie Invitational gathers LGBT bowlers for a long weekend of “family, friends and fun.”

Human Rights Campaign Dinner Early May 2017 atlantahrcdinner.org Raising about $400,000 annually for the Human Rights Campaign, the Atlanta HRC dinner is a standard-bearer throughout the nation. The annual blacktie affair, which celebrates its 30th year in 2017, features leading activists and entertainers advancing gay rights, and honors local LGBT leaders and allies.

The Health Initiative’s Garden Party Mid-May 2017 thehealthinitiative.org This annual event at The Phillip Rush Center raises money for The Health Initiative while honoring local LGBT healthcare heroes. Expect an afternoon of drinks, dancing and fun.

Big Peach Softball Tournament Late May 2017 hslbigpeach.com Hosted by the gay Hotlanta Softball League, the Big Peach draws hundreds of players from dozens of teams around the country for a weekend of softball competition in multiple divisions, plus plenty of socializing.

ATLANTA Music Midtown (Courtesy photo)

Fabulous festivals

All are welcome at these annual Atlanta traditions For more events, visit atlanta.net National Black Arts Festival July – September 2016 nbaf.org Zombie Pub Crawl July 30, 2016 zombiecrawlatlanta.com Atlanta Open July 30 – Aug. 7, 2016 bbtatlantaopen.com Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival Aug. 13, 2016 decaturbbqfestival.com

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival Aug. 27-28, 2016 summershadefestival.org Atlanta Greek Festival September 2016 atlantagreekfestival.org House in the Park September 2016 houseinthepark.org Midtown Restaurant Week September 2016 mrwatlanta.com

Piedmont Park Arts Festival Aug. 13-14, 2016 piedmontparkartsfestival.com

Decatur Book Festival Sept. 2-4, 2016 decaturbookfestival.com

Festival Peachtree Latino Aug. 28, 2016 festivalpeachtreelatino.com

Dragon*Con Sept. 2-5, 2016 dragoncon.org

22 Destination Travel Guide

Yellow Daisy Festival Sept. 8-11, 2016 stonemountainpark.com Sandy Springs Festival Sept. 17-18, 2016 sandyspringsfestival.com North Georgia State Fair Sept. 22 – Oct. 2, 2016 northgeorgiastatefair.com East Atlanta Strut Sept. 24, 2016 eastatlantastrut.com Music Midtown Late September 2016 musicmidtown.com Sweet Auburn Music Festival Oct. 1-2, 2016 sweetauburnmusicfest.com

Candler Park Fall Fest Oct. 1-2, 2016 fallfest.candlerpark.org Little Five Points Halloween Festival & Parade Oct. 15, 2016 L5Phalloween.com A3C Hip Hop Festival Oct. 5-9, 2016 a3cfestival.com Atlanta Black Theatre Festival Oct. 6-15, 2016 atlantabtf.org Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade Oct. 15, 2016 l5phalloween.com Decatur Craft Beer Festival Mid-October 2016 decaturbeerfestival.org Festival on Ponce Oct. 15-16, 2016 festivalonponce.com Taste of Atlanta Oct. 21-23, 2016 tasteofatlanta.com The Krog Masquerade Late October 2016 krogmasquerade.com Walker Stalker Con Late October 2016 walkerstalkercon.com Indian Festival and Pow-Wow Nov. 3-6, 2016 stonemountainpark.com Book Festival of the MJCCA Early November 2016 atlantajcc.org Atlanta Veterans Day Parade Nov. 12, 2016 gavetsdayparade.org Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at

Atlanta Botanical Garden Early November 2016 – Early January 2017 atlantabg.org Festival of the SEAson at the Georgia Aquarium Late November – Late December 2016 georgiaaquarium.org Macy’s Great Tree Lighting Show Nov. 24, 2016 atlanta.net/buckhead/ things-to-do/events-holiday Chomp & Stomp November 2016 chompandstomp.com/home Voices of Note Holiday Concert Early December 2016 voicesofnote.org Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker” Mid-December 2016 atlantaballet.com New Year’s Eve Peach Drop Dec. 31, 2016 peachdrop.com King Celebration Jan. 17-29, 2017 morehouse.edu/kingcollection/ celebration.php Cupid’s Undie Run February 2017 cupidsundierun.com/city/atlanta Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mid March 2017 atlantastpats.com BaconFest Late March 2017 dadsgarage.com Atlanta Dogwood Festival Early April 2017 dogwood.org

Dragon*Con

(File photo)

Inman Park Festival Late April 2017 inmanparkfestival.org Atlanta Jazz Festival Memorial Day Weekend May 27-29, 2017 atlantafestivals.com Decatur Arts Festival Late May 2017 decaturartsfestival.com Virginia-Highland Summerfest Early June 2017 vahi.org Atlanta Street Food Festival Mid June, 2016 Piedmont Park atlantastreetfoodfestival.com Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival Late June, 2016 oldfourthwardparkartsfestival.com Atlanta Botanical Garden presents Concerts in the Garden Late June - Early August, 2016 atlantabg.org Peachtree Road Race July 4, 2017 peachtreeroadrace.org Destination Travel Guide 23

ATLANTA

Insider info for LGBT Atlanta What y’all need to know to stay safe and have fun Getting around town Atlanta’s public transportation system, known as MARTA (www.itsmarta.com), can be a convenient way to travel around town. But the bus system is often confusing even to locals, so you may want to stick to the trains, which are easy to navigate and have stops near some of the city’s largest tourist attractions. The MARTA train is also a cheap, easy way to get to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

The Atlanta Streetcar (streetcar.atlantaga.gov) is up and running. Phase One of the project is finished and connects Centennial Olympic Park area to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Cars run about every 15 minutes and there are 12 stops along this 2.7-mile route.

Overall, Atlanta isn’t a very walkable city. However, the Atlanta BeltLine (beltline.org) is working to change that. A planned 22-mile route around the city along abandoned railroad tracks, the Beltline has several paved trails already open where you can jog, ride a bike and, yes, walk amidst many of the city’s landmarks.

Other walkable pockets that can provide for a charming afternoon of shopping and dining include the tourist area around Centennial Olympic Park (including the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coke) where you can happily walk retail and restaurant destinations including Atlantic Station, Decatur, East Atlanta Village, Little Five Points, Virginia Highland, the Midtown epicenter of 10th and Piedmont, and more.

Depending on where you plan to shop, carry cash for parking. If you try to avoid paid parking lots by opting for side streets, look out for parking meters, yellow curbs, driveways and fire hydrants. Our city’s parking enforcement is known for vigilance, especially in Midtown, and you will be ticketed.

Check our Neighborhoods section for more details.

Stay safe As with any big city, Atlanta has its share of car break-ins, robberies and other crimes. If you’re out for a night on the town, think safety first: Don’t leave valuables in your car, park only in well-lit areas, and remember that there is safety in numbers.

If drinking is part of your nightlife plan, consider taking a cab: a DUI is a terrible souvenir and road24 Destination Travel Guide

Atlanta MARTA (Courtesy photo)

blocks are common near popular bars.

Unlike other major metropolitan cities, hailing a cab on the street isn’t easy in Atlanta, so take a cab company phone number with you when you go out or ask the bar to help you call a taxi. And if you can’t hail a cab or are seeking an alternative, Uber and Lyft, private car services, are popular in the city.

If you should be the victim of a crime, the Atlanta Police Department has two dedicated LGBT liaison officers and you can request their help if it makes dealing with police more comfortable.

Style guide Our nightlife is casual, but not sloppy. Shorts, jeans, polos, stylish T-shirts and button-ups are generally appropriate in most bars listed in this guide.

Keep your casual choices classy and comfortable, but look like you give a damn if you want to catch the eye of that hot local girl or guy across the bar.

Welcome to Atlanta, y’all!

It’s cool to sound like the locals, but nothing will give you away faster than misusing the Southern expression “y’all.” A contraction for “you all,” y’all is only used for a plural; use it to refer to one person and you might be met with another Southernism, the sweet but snarky “bless your heart.”

Southerners are also taught to mind our manners, so expect to have locals hold the door for you (whether you are male or female), and be prepared to do the same. And don’t be offended if someone calls you “ma’am” or “sir”—our mamas raised us that way.

Though if you hear “sir” when hanging with the leather guys at the Atlanta Eagle, it might have an entirely different meaning. Sir, yes, sir.

NEIGHBORHOODS Exploring Atlanta’s neighborhoods

Whether you’re a visitor, fresh transplant or longtime resident, there are plenty of areas in Atlanta worth exploring. And while some parts of the metro area have a reputation as LGBT enclaves—we’re looking at you, Midtown and Decatur—in reality the queer heartbeat pulses throughout all parts of the city and some neighboring areas.

Here’s our take on the must-dos, hidden gems and daily life in Atlanta’s best gayborhoods: Ansley Mall/Cheshire Bridge The reigning queen of queer neighborhoods.

One of the most diverse commercial districts in Atlanta, where a strip mall is as likely to have a sex shop as a supermarket—and where even the grocery store is known as Kro-gay.

Atlanta doesn’t get any tastier than Ansley Mall/ Cheshire Bridge—with regards to both cuisine and clubbing. The neighborhood has a gluttonous offering for LGBT diners, whether you’re in the mood for a steak from Cowtippers, enchiladas from Las Margaritas or American fare at Roxx. The nightlife features just as many flavors, from the go-go boys at BJ Roost26 Destination Travel Guide

ers, the hip-hop flow at Mixx, the drag queens and drunken karaoke at spots like Burkhart’s and Felix’s, or the thumping dance floors at Jungle and Heretic.

In case you couldn’t tell, the area is super gay. Many of the apartment complexes are queer rites of passage—shout out to Vaseline Valley, er Ansley Forest. It’s the type of urban gayborhood where you can search for your soulmate at Starbucks or in an adult video arcade.

Buford Highway Atlanta’s global village, this area on the city’s northern border is a melting pot of cultures, cuisine and queer life. The neighborhood’s diversity and proliferation of affordable housing complexes makes it a popular area for LGBT residents to live and party.

If you’re looking for authentic international fare— be it Korean Barbecue (Hae Woon Dae), Mexican seafood (Mariqueria El Veneno), or Bangladeshi dishes (Panahar)—head to Buford Highway, which is home to more than 1,000 immigrant-owned businesses. The area also offers unique shopping destinations such as Plaza Fiesta, the Buford Highway Flea Market and the Buford Highway Farmers Market.

Buford Highway is one of the fastest-expanding areas in Atlanta, and LGBT-friendly establishments are a part of that growth. The busy strip is home to the drag-themed restaurant Lips Atlanta, the hip-hop club Cream, and the EDM-heavy Rush Lounge. Just on the

other side of I-85 is the Lost-N-Found Thrift & Consignment Store, as well as the Barking Leather shop.

Buckhead Home to Atlanta’s old money and over-aged frat boys. Long considered one of the poshest areas in the Deep South, Buckhead is a land of condo towers, sprawling estates and ritzy retail. It has a legacy as one of Atlanta’s wildest party districts, although it has tamed down (and de-gayed) significantly in the past decade. Whereas rowdy nightclubs once proliferated throughout Buckhead, the neighborhood is increasingly known for upscale restaurants such as Czar Ice Bar, Fogo de Ciao and Del Frisco’s Grille, as well as high-end shopping destinations like Phipps Plaza.

While the LGBT offerings in Buckhead have diminished, the neighborhood remains home to Atlanta’s only gay sports bar, Woofs, as well as the ever-cruisey Lenox Mall.

Inman Park/Candler Park A couple of quaint, growing neighborhoods that are filled with young families and hip, locally owned businesses—including the LGBT-friendly Sugar Magnolia B&B in Inman Park, and the lesbian-run My Favorite Mechanic in Candler Park. The latter neighborhood is named for the scenic Candler Park, which bustles with neighborhood festivals such as the

Sweetwater 420 Fest, Fall Fest and the Candler Park Music & Food Fest, while Inman Park recently christened the Krog Street Market, a tasteful collective of trendy restaurants.

The family-oriented Candler Park also has a robust and vital LGBT presence, most notably the Phillip Rush Center on DeKalb Avenue, which is the common ground for Georgia Equality, The Health Initiative, The Counter Narrative Project and about a dozen other LGBT organizations. Candler Park also has an impressive roster of eateries, from the famed Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q, to LGBT-owned favorites like Radial Café.

Castleberry Hill One of the defining traits of many Atlanta neighborhoods is gentrification, as the urban exodus of past decades reverses itself with suburbanites flocking to intown neighborhoods. Castleberry Hill was on the forefront of this transition more than a decade ago, but unlike many other neighborhoods that are almost unrecognizable, Castleberry Hill has found a nice blend between fresh, modern residences and businesses, while retaining its original character.

Located just west of downtown, the strip bills itself as Atlanta’s historic/creative district, and features countless art galleries, popular event venues like Continues on page 28 Destination Travel Guide 27

NEIGHBORHOODS Continued from page 27 the Loft and Coze, and delightful date-night options such as the elegant Wine Bar or Blu Bisque, where patrons sip cocktails while trying to paint like Picasso. There’s also plenty of delicious spots to grab something to eat, such as historic Paschal’s Restaurant, Super 7 Pizza Shop, and No Mas! Cantina, which regularly hosts events for LGBT groups.

Downtown Decatur, Ga. (Photo courtesy of City of Decatur)

Decatur/Oakhurst Village/Avondale Estates Sappho capital of the south, Decatur is a city where the LGBT social scene is more likely to be centered around PTA meetings and soccer games than bar stools and dance floors. Along with neighboring Avondale Estates, Decatur is among the most densely concentrated areas of same-sex couples in the nation, according to U.S. Census data.

The result is queer life blending into Main Street, and a strong LGBT presence whether you’re walking through the downtown Square, or attending services at one of the many LGBT-affirming churches. The city is home field for the Decatur Women’s Sports League and the highly regarded Paws, Whiskers & Wags Pet Crematorium—two bona fides of Decatur’s lesbian cred.

The Decatur Square and Oakhurst Village neighborhoods include two of the metro Atlanta area’s most vibrant business districts, with a charming variety of local merchants and delicious restaurants, including Cakes & Ale, Raging Burrito, Brick Store Pub, Universal Joint and Matador Cantina. Avondale Estates is just as charming with the tudor-style main street featuring creative restaurants like Pallookaville Fine Foods and The Bishop.

Downtown/Old Fourth Ward As you might expect, downtown Atlanta is built for tourists—but do tourists even want to go to Hooters?

If you wade through the kitschy gunk like Hard Rock Cafe or the Atlanta Streetcar, downtown offers plenty of options for a unique outing.

The crown jewel of downtown is the Georgia Aquarium, which hosts the annual Atlanta Pride opening party every October. The aquarium’s popularity has driven a resurgence in the surrounding area, which now includes the LGBT-inclusive National Center for Civil & Human Rights, Centennial Olympic Park, College Football Hall of Fame and World of Coke.

Old Fourth Ward is likewise becoming the poster child for Atlanta’s redevelopment, its turnaround accelerated by the Big-Bang-popularity of the Atlanta BeltLine. The recreational path bustles with straight and LGBT walkers—not to mention shirtless joggers.

The Old Fourth Ward portion of the BeltLine also hosts the bedazzling Lantern Parade every September, and connects with fun joints like Jake’s Ice Cream and ro28 Destination Travel Guide

mantic restaurants like Two Urban Licks.

On the southern tip of Old Fourth Ward, near the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolence, is Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium, an irreverent must-experience for any Atlanta visitor or resident. Along the northern edge of Old Fourth Ward is the freshly christened Ponce City Market, a historic structure that has undergone an extreme makeover, reemerging as a knockout condo-retail complex that sits atop the BeltLine.

Little Five Points/Reynoldstown/East Atlanta Moreland Avenue is the artery that unites these three neighborhoods, all of which share an eastside flavor. Little Five Points is home to the lesbian/feminist Charis Books & More, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The neighborhood is one of the city’s most colorful, with record stores, vintage Continues on page 30

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NEIGHBORHOODS

Midtown

(Photo courtesy of Midtown Atlanta)

Continued from page 28 clothing stores, head shops, pubs and an affinity for all-natural food (Sevananda Market, Arden’s Garden). It’s also one of Atlanta’s hippest theater districts, with Variety Playhouse, Horizon Theater, Dad’s Garage and 7 Stages.

To the south of Little Five Points is Reynoldstown, which has experienced a boom thanks to the Edgewood Retail District. Aside from Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream (an east side treasure), the shopping district has nothing of interest for most tourists (Lowe’s, Best Buy, Staples)—although there’s always LGBT eye candy for locals while shopping at Target and Kroger. Residentially, Reynoldstown remains primarily comprised of refurbished bungalows, reflecting a different type of neighborhood redevelopment than the condo towers and luxury apartments that have driven other parts of Atlanta The east side attitude is, not surprisingly, embodied by the East Atlanta Village, hipster capital of Atlanta, in a totally non-ironic sort of way. The primary strip is home to kick-ass restaurants (Graveyard Tavern, Holy Taco, The Glenwood), a bitchin’ tattoo parlor (13 Roses), and SoPo Bikes, a lesbian-founded bicycle cooperative that teaches folks how to repair their bikes, and pay-what-they-can for parts and equipment.

East Atlanta Village is also home to the almost legendary gay bar Mary’s (if it even cared about that kind of thing). Once recognized as the best gay bar in the country, Mary’s is the kind of speakeasy where facial hair and eyeglasses increase your chances of scoring, and where drunken karaoke is an almost spiritual experience.

30 Destination Travel Guide

Speaking of experiencing nirvana, up the street from Mary’s is Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand, the lesbian-owned drop-in whose food has earned a devout local following.

College Park/East Point College Park is a city that almost everyone has been to, but few have ever visited. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is located in the city just south of Atlanta, but there is more to College Park than terminals and baggage belts. The city’s rejuvenated Main Street (located directly across from the MARTA train station), is dotted with restaurants such as Noodles, The Pecan and PotatoHeadz Cafe.

About four miles north on Main Street, in the direction of downtown Atlanta, is East Point. The city has also enjoyed an upswing in its downtown commercial district, and is home to Greenbriar Mall.

College Park and East Point are both predominately African-American areas, but both have a vibrant LGBT presence comprised of folks of all colors.

Every June, hundreds gather in downtown East Point for the annual East Point Possums Show, the largest drag extravaganza in the Southeast.

Virginia Highland/Poncey-Highland Highland Avenue has emerged as one of the trendiest strips in Atlanta, cutting through several popular neighborhoods.

Centered at the intersection of Virginia and Highland avenues, Virginia Highland is packed with independent restaurants and retail—from clothes shopping at Bill Hallman Original, to steaks and martinis at Highland Tap, brunch at Murphy’s and many more

Oakland Cemetary (Photo courtesy of Oakland Cemetary)

shopping and dining treats. The annual SummerFest, held in June, is also among Atlanta’s most popular neighborhood festivals.

A few blocks south is Poncey-Highland, which is the younger (and slightly less affluent) sibling of VirginiaHighland. The neighborhood has gay popular restaurants like Fellini’s Pizza and El Ponce Cantina, an independent movie theater that shows “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” every Friday night, and the Majesitic Diner, an Atlanta institution that provides life-saving nutrition to clubgoers in the early-morning hours.

Manuel’s Tavern is another iconic restaurant along Highland Avenue, just a few blocks away from the Carter Center and Presidential Library. Continuing south, Highland Avenue has exploded with residential and retail targeting young professionals, buoyed by the nearby BeltLine.

West End Located a few miles south of downtown, the historic West End neighborhood is home to the renowned Atlanta University Center, comprised of Morehouse College, Spelman University and Clark Atlanta University. Each of the historically black schools is known for having sizable gay and lesbian populations, and in recent years LGBT students have increased their organizing and programming.

West End also has a range of unique destinations, from the emerging art and business district known as The Metropolitan, to longtime venues like Busy Bee Cafe. A few blocks from the Atlanta University Center is the Herndon Home Museum, a historic site that chronicles the Herndon Family, chiefly Alonzo Herndon, Atlanta’s first black millionaire, and his son, Norris Herndon, an openly gay man who helped finance the Civil Rights Movement.

Also located in West End is Club Rain, which is one of Atlanta’s hottest Friday night parties for black gay men, while the nearby tennis courts at Perkerson Park are an LGBT hidden gem.

Grant Park/Cabbagetown Just south of Old Fourth Ward is Cabbagetown, an eclectic neighborhood where old factories were converted to hip lofts and businesses and where LGBT residents and merchants are helping the area carve a new identity. The area’s main commercial strip, which it shares with neighboring Grant Park, is Memorial Drive, lined with businesses and restaurants that pay homage to the neighborhood’s industrial roots with their facades.

Among the places to eat on Memorial Drive is Ria’s Bluebird Cafe, a breakfast joint that continues to thrive in honor of its belovedly departed founder, Ria Pell, a badass lesbian who triumphed on the Food Network reality show “Chopped.” Another strip worth checking out is Carroll Street, a tucked away hotspot that features cozy, acclaimed restaurants.

Across from Carroll Street is historic Oakland Cemetery, which offers tours of the final resting places of local notables like Margaret Mitchell, author of “Gone With the Wind,” and Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first black mayor and partial namesake of the city’s airport.

Adjacent to Cabbagetown is Grant Park, one of Atlanta’s oldest intown neighborhoods and the city’s largest historic district. Grant Park is full of older Craftsman and Victorian homes, and also full of gay residents who played a key role in the neighborhood’s rebound from its decline after I-20 split the hood in half back in the ’60s.

The neighborhood is named after the 130+ acre park which houses the Atlanta Zoo and the historic Cyclorama, a mammoth artwork that depicts the Battle of Atlanta from 1864.

Midtown Midtown went from being a dilapidated slum in the 1970s and ’80s to becoming the city’s top gay neighborhood in the ’90s and ’00s. From those roots, today it stands as arguably the premier neighborhood in of all of Atlanta, with sky-rise condos and Continues on page 32 Destination Travel Guide 31

NEIGHBORHOODS Blue Ridge, Ga. (Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Tourism)

Continued from page 31 office towers, miles of chic places to shop and eat, and an unrivaled nightlife scene.

And we haven’t even gotten to Piedmont Park, which hosts every major festival Atlanta offers, including the Atlanta Pride Festival, Music Midtown and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. The park has also recently undergone a breathtaking expansion, with serene trails that course alongside the Atlanta Botanical Garden and connect with the BeltLine.

The intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue is considered the crossroad of gay Atlanta and a starting point for many LGBT visitors to the city. There are popular gay bars like Blake’s on the Park, while restaurants like 10th & Piedmont, TEN and Henry’s are likely to be just as brimming with LGBT folks as any club. For that matter, the nearby laundromat, Caribou Coffee and Subway are likely going to be pretty flaming, too.

Other heavily-LGBT restaurants include Einstein’s and Joe’s on Juniper, both on Juniper Street, as well as FROGS Cantina, Apres Diem and other eateries in the Midtown Promenade shopping center. The gay nightlife that aided the area’s transformation was largely pushed out of the core of Midtown by gentrification, but the bars that remain—Blake’s and Bulldogs—are two of the city’s most reliable good times.

Midtown is also a cultural hub, with the Fox Theatre on the southern border, while to the north is the Woodruff Arts Center, home of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Alliance Theatre and the High Museum of Art. Stone Mountain Neighboring Decatur on the eastern edge of the metro Atlanta area is Stone Mountain, a city named after a massive boulder that bears an etched tribute to rebel soldiers on one side—a Mount Rushmore for the Confederacy. The boulder is located in Stone Mountain Park, which has a golf course, fishing lakes and hiking trails all the way up the gigantic rock, giving everyone 32 Destination Travel Guide

the pleasure of trampling all over the Lost Cause.

Outside of Stone Mountain Park, the city itself is a predominately black area, which includes a vibrant LGBT community that’s got you covered for Saturday night and Sunday morning. Phase One nightclub on Memorial Drive has been bringing LGBT hip-hop fans together for a decade, while Victory Church is a dynamic congregation that has welcomed LGBT Christians for almost twenty years.

Stone Mountain is a diverse city, and white LGBT residents are instrumental in their communities, too.

Half a dozen LGBT-owned or operated businesses are helping revitalize downtown Stone Mountain, including a nonprofit community coffee shop called Cafe JAYA, the New Orleans Snoball Cafe and the ART Station Contemporary Arts Center and Theatre Company.

The ’Burbs LGBT life in metro Atlanta extends far beyond the city limits. In addition to Decatur, Stone Mountain, East Point and College Park, other nearby cities have made accomplishments in gay progress and acceptance.

The metro area grows more conservative as you move out of the intown core, but many LGBT people gladly call places like Sandy Springs, Marietta, Kennesaw and Dunwoody home. It’s certainly worth checking out an act at the Cobb Galleria Centre, or hiking up Kennessaw Mountain.

Blue Ridge, Ga., about a 90-minute drive from Atlanta, is a mountain town of less than 1,500 residents that is so conservative that it only recently legalized beer and wine sales in restaurants, but whose main street is filled with LGBT-owned businesses, and where Lake Cove is a popular summer hangout.

The energy that spurred LGBT advancement and a better quality of everyday life in Midtown has consistently gained momentum and spread in all directions of metro Atlanta, and allows gay culture to thrive in the conservative South.

Midtown North Ave.

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Ansley Mall/ Cheshire Bridge One of the most popular areas for LGBT shoppers and bars Atlantic Station Mixed-use development home to IKEA and other retail and restaurants Buckhead Lenox Mall and upscale Phipps Plaza are key shopping destinations Cabbagetown/ Reynoldstown Eclectic neighborhood of old factories converted to hip lofts and businesses

East Atlanta

Glenwood Rd.

rants and large population of LGBT residents

still the core of LGBT life and home to Piedmont Park

Downtown Epicenter for tourist attractions centered on Centennial Park

Old Fourth Ward Trendy bars, restaurants and boutiques located on Edgewood Avenue

East Atlanta Alternative LGBT crowd with bars including Mary’s and My Sister’s Room

Virginia-Highland Excellent restaurants and eclectic shopping spots

Grant Park Includes Zoo Atlanta and the Cyclorama, along with renovated bungalows Inman Park Historic neighborhood of restored Victorian homes

Candler Park Home to the Phillip Rush Center, which hosts LGBT groups and events

Little Five Points Hippie vibe and home to feminist bookstore Charis and other alternative shops

Decatur Known for shops, restau-

Midtown ATL’s original gayborhood,

West Midtown New residential, retail and restaurant destination includes LGBT patrons NOT PICTURED: East Point Head south on I-85 to this friendly ‘burb home to the popular East Point Possums drag show each June Learn more about Atlanta’s neighborhoods: Visit gay-atlanta.com Destination Travel Guide 33

2016-2017 season

The Wholehearted

The 25th Anniversary Season celebrates Georgia Tech’s thriving arts and culture scene by focusing on the future intersections of art, science, and technology.

Hiromi

Alonzo King LINES Ballet

iLuminate

The Wholehearted by Stein/Holum Projects . . . . . . . September 15-17 DJ Spooky: The Hidden Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 30 DJ Spooky: Peace Symphony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 1 Greg Wohead: Hurtling and The Backseat of My Car . .October 13-15 The Second City: Free Speech (While Supplies Last) . . . October 22 Pilobolus: Shadowland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 27 Hiromi: The Trio Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 4 Joe Gransden: Sounds of the Big Band Era . . . . . . . . . November 11 iLuminate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 17 The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show . . . . . . . . December 9 Alonzo King LINES Ballet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 14 Natasha Tsakos: Billion Billions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .February 11 Vijay Iyer Trio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .February 17 EarFilms: To Sleep to Dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March 2-4 Katherine Helen Fisher: Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 5 Bang on a Can All-Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 11 DRUMLine Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 17 Dance Canvas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March 23-25 SFJAZZ Collective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 15

Call 404-894-9600

arts.gatech.edu

All programs are subject to change; please see arts.gatech.edu for updates.

ARTS Alliance Theatre (Courtesy photo)

Unparalleled: Atlanta’s arts scene From theater, dance and music—Atlanta has it all It’s approximately 863 miles from the Woodruff Arts Center to the start of The Great White Way on 41st Street in New York City. And while the Big Apple is synonymous with world-class theater, Atlanta is hot on its tail. There is no shortage of professional and community theater productions being produced by some of the best theater professionals in Georgia and from across the country.

One visit to The Alliance Theater in the heart of Midtown and you’ll understand why Atlanta’s crème de la crème of theater companies received the 2007 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Regional Theater. Do you recall the Broadway show “AIDA,” which starred Heather Headley and garnered her the Tony award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical?

Where do you think that show did its pre-Broadway run? You guessed it—The Alliance Theatre.

As a matter of fact, The Alliance Theatre has established itself as the go-to place for emerging artists, new works and arts education for people of all ages. You can

also take a stroll to The High Museum of Art, which is also located on The Woodruff Arts Center campus.

But that’s not all Atlanta has to offer in the way of the arts. Actor’s Express is another of Atlanta’s crown jewels and has long been considered one of the most daring, provocative and consistent producing theaters in the Southeast. From humble beginnings in a church basement to the sprawling complex of West Midtown’s King Plow Arts Center, Actor’s Express continues to offer important stories in an inclusive environment.

And of course, your Atlanta theater experience would be incomplete without a visit to the Atlanta Lyric Theatre. “Lyric” is Atlanta’s only local professional musical theater company offering some of the best Broadway musicals each season. “Dreamgirls,” “The Full Monty,” “RENT,” “West Side Story,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” they’ve all been seen onstage here.

Are you a ballet lover? Look no further—we’ve got you covered. Atlanta just happens to be home to The Atlanta Ballet—one of the most respected ballet companies in North America and the official State Ballet of Georgia. The Atlanta Ballet has been Continues on page 40 Destination Travel Guide 37

2016-2017

29 SEASON

$3 OFF TICKETS

WITH CODE DESTATL

JAN 21-FEB 19, 2017

JULY 30-SEPT 4, 2016

OCT 29-NOV 20, 2016

MAR 18-APR 16, 2017

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SMART • SEXY • STIRRING • SCORCHING • STUNNING

ACTORS-EXPRESS.COM | 404.607.7469

JOIN US THIS SEASON!

Nadia Mara, Yoomi Kim, Kelsey Ebersold.

Photo by Charlie McCullers.

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker December 9 – 24, 2016 | The Fox Theatre Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

Carmina Burana February 3 – 11, 2017 | Cobb Energy Centre Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra & the Georgia State University Singers

Gennadi’s Choice March 17 -19, 2017 | Cobb Energy Centre

Firebird April 14 -16, 2017 | Cobb Energy Centre

A Ballet Based on Camino Real

by Tennessee Williams May 12 – 14, 2017| Cobb Energy Centre Live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra

Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

PACKAGES STARTING AS LOW AS $75 FOR SEASON TICKETS call 404.892.3303 or visit atlantaballet.com/subscribe

ARTS Atlanta Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ (Courtesy photo)

Continued from page 37 thrilling audiences for over 85 years. In addition to presenting such classics as “Firebird,” “Nutcracker” and “Snow White,” the company of professional dancers and instructors serve over 150,000 people in metro Atlanta by providing dance training through the Centre for Dance Education.

But that’s not all. You do know you’re visiting one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the country, right?

The Atlanta Symphony also awaits your presence. From Beethoven to Robert Shaw to Broadway and movie showtunes, The Atlanta Symphony experience is created with the entire family in mind and they’ve been delighting audiences for over 70 years! This is no ordinary, stuffy, black-tie symphony experience.

Are you still not sold on Atlanta as a major destination for the arts? You couldn’t possibly be. But just in case, take a short drive to Cobb Energy and Performing Arts Centre and prepare to be blown away. There’s a reason why it’s billed as “Atlanta’s Premier Performance Venue.” The 2,750 seat John A. Williams Theatre is home to some of the best Broadway touring productions, concerts and galas the city has to offer.

But wait—there’s even more! Not to be outdone by any of the venues above, The Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech has mastered merging technology with the art of storytelling through performance. Georgia Tech serves as a home for artists, students, and faculty working at the innovative and 40 Destination Travel Guide

The High Museum of Art (Courtesy photo)

inspiring intersection of art, science, and technology.

But don’t take our word for it, do yourself a favor and experience it for yourself.

The energy of New York City and Broadway may be unparalleled, but the southern charm and thriving arts scene in Atlanta is also. It may be our best-kept secret, that is, until you experience it and start to tell everyone you meet about the magic that is ATL.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUʼRE MISSING? ATLANTAOPERA.ORG 404-881-8885

Atlanta’s national theater, expanding hearts and minds on stage and off.

ACTING CLASSES FOR YOUTH & ADULTS For students of all ages, experience, and abilities—work with professional theater and film educators in one of America’s most renowned regional theaters!

• Youth classes • Stage classes • Film classes • Workshops • Artist to Artist Master classes EDUCATION OFFICE 404.733.4700 alliancetheatre.org/classes

Professional theatrical performances for children ages 0–5 years old and their grown-ups.

Kids 5 and under always free! alliancetheatre.org/tvy

Dinosaur!

NOW–Sept. 3, 2016

Sept. 24–Nov. 6, 2016

BOX OFFICE 404.733.5000

Jan. 10–Feb. 19, 2017

alliancetheatre.org

Mar. 14–Apr. 9, 2017

1280 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309

22 17

23

NOW–JULY 10, 2016

NOV. 5–12, 2016

12 21

AUG. 18–SEPT. 25, 2016

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DEC. 2–24, 2016

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NOV. 25–DEC. 24, 2016

JAN. 18–FEB. 12, 2017

FEB. 4–26, 2017

2016/17 Season Tickets

on sale now.

19

FEB. 22–MAR. 12, 2017

15

MAR. 19–APR. 9, 2017

MAR. 24–APR.15, 2017

SEASON TICKET OFFICE 404.733.4600 alliancetheatre.org/seasontickets Single tickets on sale July 5, 2016 Kathy & Ken Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young tickets on sale now.

13

SIGHTSEEING Hot air balloons at Callaway Gardens (Photo courtesy of Calloway Gardenst)

Sightseeing and getting around While there’s plenty to see within the Atlanta arts venues throughout your stay here, there are also a whole host of delightful other options for a getaway for the day. Here are 12 options to remember.

Babyland General Hospital Children of the ‘80s will get a kick out of this peculiar tourist attraction in Cleveland, Georgia— the hometown of Cabbage Patch Kids creator Xavier Roberts. Babyland is the place where Cabbage Patch Kids are “born” and presents itself as a real hospital, with staffers dressed as doctors and nurses.

Blue Ridge This mountain town 90 miles north of Atlanta is not only known for the lush scenery that surrounds it and the many can’t-miss shops and restaurants in the downtown area. It’s also a surprising haven for a sizable number of LGBT people, so you’ll see plenty of friendly faces.

Booth Western Art Museum A little less than an hour from downtown Atlanta and you’ll land in Cartersville—home to Booth Western Art Museum; one of the greatest museums featuring contemporary Western American Art, Presidential portraits and letters and Western movie 44 Destination Travel Guide

memorabilia. There’s also a café and multimedia theater on the premises.

Callaway Gardens Head southwest of the city for an hour-and-a-half and you won’t regret what you find at this resort complex on Pine Mountain. Gardens of azaleas and magnolias, lakes and even a large enclosed butterfly habitat dot the area.

Center for Civil and Human Rights Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Center for Civil and Human Rights connects the African-American, LGBT and Global Human Rights Movements in an engaging and thought provoking way, which is why this attraction is at the top of many lists and has quickly become a favorite of locals and visitors.

Chattahoochee National Forest Point your car toward North Georgia and take your pick of the 750,000 acres of lush scenery, with rivers, lakes and waterfalls, plus the perfect terrain for hiking, swimming, picnicking, kayaking and more.

Continues on page 49

Amplified

by Passion

Presented by:

Visit the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in the heart of Midtown and enjoy the world’s greatest music! Our 2016/17 Delta Classical Season features programs from Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Gershwin and Copland to modern masters John Adams and Christopher Theofanidis.

The Delta POPS! concert series includes Tony Award–winning Broadway star Sutton Foster, Cirque de la Symphonie acrobats flying over the Orchestra PLUS full length movies Raiders of the Lost Ark and Singin’ in the Rain with the Symphony LIVE. Even more fantastic rock, country and pops acts like Pet Shop Boys, Alan Cumming, Alice Cooper, Air Supply, Loreena McKennitt and much, much more.

® y m m a r Atlanta’s G ning Award-win Orchestra

For complete concert information and to purchase tickets visit us online at aso.org or by calling 404.733.5000. Or visit the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office at 15th and Peachtree Street (Arts Center MARTA station).

SIGHTSEEING

Continued from page 44

marker 21 to find some like-minded friends!

City Winery This popular live-music venue and restaurant has made its mark in multiple major cities across the country and has now found a home in Atlanta at Ponce City Market. LGBT lovers of great wine, food and music will enjoy the ambience at City Winery, which also houses an intimate 300-seat performance space for popular bands.

State Botanical Garden of Georgia Sure the Atlanta Botanical Garden is no slouch at 30 acres of beautiful grounds, but head for Athens, Georgia, to visit its much bigger brother. There’s over 300 acres to roam there, and stop for a meal or afternoon cocktail in the always-fun downtown area.

Helen Think you weren’t going to find a replica of a Bavarian alpine town in the South? Go to Helen! The quirky little North Georgia town is great for a day trip to stroll around the various shops or go river rafting in the Chattahoochee, plus you’re only a 20-minute drive from beautiful Anna Ruby Falls.

Lake Lanier Lanier is the most popular lake for Atlanta residents looking for a day or weekend to water ski, swim, sunbathe or just relax on the water. Plus make sure to visit Gay Cove on the west side of the lake just north of

Stone Mountain Park The city of Stone Mountain is uber-LGBT-friendly, with numerous LGBT-owned businesses dotting the downtown area and a welcoming mayor to boot.

Just make sure to visit the 3,200-acre park and either walk or take a chairlift to the top to get the ultimate Georgia view.

The Roof at Ponce City Market Yes, that’s the name—The Roof. It’s 1.7 acres of sheer entertainment that harkens back to its 19th century amusement park roots featuring a beer garden, snow cones, gourmet hot dogs and more. And if that isn’t enticing, miniature golf and other lowtech rides, including a giant slide simulating a free fall are also available.

Destination Travel Guide 49

Serenbe is nestled in the beautiful countryside of Chattahoochee Hills, an easy, 30-mile drive southwest of Atlanta. Experience our Saturday farmers market and farm tours, boutique shops, art galleries, three farm-to-table restaurants, 29-bedroom Inn and wellness programming. Our event calendar is full of wine dinners and tastings, outdoor theatre, live music, film screenings, artist residencies, cooking classes and more.

Plan your visit at serenbe.com/events.

COME FOR A DAY, A WEEKEND OR STAY FOR A LIFTIME.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

1

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MLK Blvd.

Midtown

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Virginia Ave.

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East Atlanta

Glenwood Rd.

1. Actors Express: 887 West Marietta St. NW

9. Georgia Aquarium: 225 Baker St. NW,

J-107, Atlanta, GA 30318 • 404-607-7469 actors-express.com

Atlanta, GA 30313 • 404-581-4000 georgiaaquarium.org

2. Alliance Theatre: 1280 Peachtree St. NE,

10. High Museum of Art: 1280 Peachtree

Atlanta, GA • 404-733-4650 alliancetheatre.org

3. Atlanta History Center: 130 West Paces

St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 • 404-733-4400 high.org

11. Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University: 349 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332

Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 • 404-814-4000 atlantahistorycenter.com

404-894-2787 • carlos.emory.edu

4. Atlanta Lyric Theatre: 548 South Marietta

12. OnStage Atlanta Theatre Company:

Pkwy. SE, Marietta, GA 30060 • 404-377-9948 atlantalyrictheatre.com

2969 E Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030 404-897-1802 • onstageatlanta.com

5. Center Stage: 1374 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 • 404-885-1365 centerstage-atlanta.com

13. Philips Arena: 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta,

6. Center for Civil and Human Rights:

St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 • 404-413-9849 rialto.gsu.edu

100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 678-999-8990 • civilandhumanrights.org

7. Cobb Energy Centre: 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30339 • 770-916-2800 cobbenergycentre.com

8. Fox Theatre: 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 • 404-881-2100 • foxtheatre.org 52 Destination Travel Guide

GA 30303 • 404-878-3000 • philipsarena.com

14. Rialto Center for the Arts: 80 Forsyth

15. Turner Field: 755 Hank Aaron Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 • 404-522-7630 atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark

16. World of Coca-Cola: 121 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 • 404-676-5151 worldofcoca-cola.com

HERE’S TO

SHOWING OFF YO HOMETOWN PRID

OUR DE.

GREAT GAMES

FREE CONCERTS

GIVEAWAYS & THEME NIGHTS

GREAT FOOD

VIP EXPERIENCES

GUARANTEED FUN

FOOD

4th & Swift features an acclaimed craft bar program, an award winning wine list, a daily seasonal a la carte menu, and a Chef’s Tasting Menu with an option of wine pairings. (Courtesy photo)

Where to eat, drink and have a gay old time Atlanta’s dining scene is one of the best in the country, and within that you’ll find an unbelievable amount of gay-owned and LGBT-friendly spots to tantalize those taste buds, no matter the cuisine or price level.

4th & Swift 621 North Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 678-904-0160 4thandswift.com Located in the trendy Old Fourth Ward in a chic industrial setting, 4th & Swift offers New American comfort food with a farm-to-table menu of seasonal delights. Don’t pass up the sticky toffee pudding.

10th & Piedmont 991 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-602-5510 10thandpiedmont.com Housed in the renovated former

home of Outwrite Bookstore, the LGBT landmark that closed in 2012, 10th and Piedmont has made its own place in gay Atlanta. Owned by the same team as neighboring G’s and led by Executive Chef Brett Ring, 10th & Piedmont features organic ingredients and multicultural flavors still with a Southern flair. Late night bar menu until 2 a.m. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Local Chef.

Across the Street Restaurant 668 Highland Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30312 404-781-0931 acrossthestreetatlanta.com

With a patio on Freedom Park path and a view of downtown Atlanta, this Old 4th Ward favorite features Mexican food, margaritas and more! Owners Lana and Ali also own the ATS Market, a trendy neighborhood grocery next door.

Agave Restaurant 242 Boulevard SE Atlanta, GA 30312 404-588-0006 agaverestaurant.com From stuffed mountain trout tomatillo to Mexican rack of lamb and traditional Posole soup, Agave is known for eclectic Southwestern Continues on page 58 Destination Travel Guide 57

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Clockwise from above left: Agave is known for eclectic Southwestern food plus an extensive tequila bar. Bacchanalia offers a seasonal, organic menu of contemporary American cuisine. Atmosphere French Restaurant offers French food with a modern twist. (Courtesy photos) Continued from page 57 food plus an extensive tequila bar. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Most Romantic.

Apres Diem 931 Monroe Dr. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-872-3333 apresdiem.com For a romantic night out, you can’t beat Apres Diem. Among the bistro’s perks are its candlelit ambience, great wine choices and wait staff that never seem in a hurry to bustle customers out the door. The roasted lamb and Moroccan salmon are great, too. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Most Romantic.

Atmosphere French Restaurant 1620 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 678-702-1620 atmospherebistro.com 58 Destination Travel Guide

Conveniently located on Piedmont Avenue near Ansley Mall, Atmosphere offers French food with a modern twist in a charming remodeled home. Rated No.1 French restaurant in the area by Zagat for 2010-2013.

Bacchanalia 1198 Howell Mill Road Atlanta, GA 30318 404-365-0410 starprovisions.com Long rated as one of Atlanta’s best restaurants, Bacchanalia offers a seasonal, organic menu of contemporary American cuisine from chef/owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison, who source many of the ingredients from their own farm. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Restaurant.

Bantam & Biddy bantamandbiddy.com 1544 Piedmont Road, Suite 301 Atlanta, GA 30324

404-907-3469 3393 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30326 404-841-7559 1050 Crescent Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-835-6450 Now with 3 intown locations, this favorite spot specializes in freerange, pastured chicken and other entrees with sides ranging from duck fat fries to pickled beets and goat cheese. The Espresso Bar is a delight! Breakfast is available until 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Belina Ponce City Market 675 Ponce De Leon Ave., N.E. Ste. 131 Atlanta, GA 30308 404-500-5253 bellina-alimentari.com A gourmet Italian market offering slow-cooked foods and fresh ingredients.

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Café Intermezzo may have a full menu, but the desserts make it a top-flight destination. (Courtesy photo) Continued from page 58 BoccaLupo 753 Edgewood Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30307 404-577-2332 boccalupoatl.com Tucked away in Atlanta’s historic Inman Park neighborhood is BoccaLupo, an Italian-American eatery owned by Atlanta-native chef, Bruce Logue. An intimate restaurant, BoccaLupo focuses on extruded and rolled, hand-cut pastas.

Café Intermezzo 1845 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30309 404-355-0411 cafeintermezzo.com It may have a full menu, but the desserts make it a top-flight destination. Bring your sweet tooth – tarts, tortes and oodles more beckon. Second location in Dunwoody.

Campagnolo 980 Piedmont Ave. 60 Destination Travel Guide

Atlanta, GA 30308 404-343-2446 peasantatl.com Before Maureen Kalmanson opened up Henry’s Midtown Tavern, she opened up this popular Italian and Mediterranean restaurant. Campagnolo offers a casual atmosphere for dinner and weekend brunch. The patio provides a street-level view of Atlanta’s most beautiful, LGBTfriendly neighborhoods. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Italian. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Most Romantic.

Chai Pani 406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 404-378-4030 chaipanidecatur.com A favorite of the gay-friendly ‘burb of downtown Decatur, Chai Pani is drawing a loyal following for its “mindblasting” Indian street food.

* Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Vegetarian. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Cheap Eats.

Colonnade Restaurant 1879 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-874-5692 colonnadeatl.com The gays mingle with the grays at this Atlanta landmark of Southern food served up the way you want it. This place gives tomato aspic a good name.

Cowtippers 1600 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 404-874-3751 cowtippersatlanta.com Bar food with a Southwestern flair done right: steaks, burgers, nachos and margaritas to live for.

The spacious patio practically spills LGBT clientele onto Piedmont Avenue. People watching at its finest.

Continues on page 62

FOOD Continued from page 60 Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand 489 Moreland Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316 404-474-9651 881 Marietta St. NW Atlanta, GA 404-254-0408 thesausagestand.com Delia Champion burst onto the Atlanta food scene in 1993 when she opened the first Flying Biscuit in Candler Park. The lesbian restaurateur returned in 2011 with her Chicken Sausage Stand, which offers “slingers” (link sausage served on a hoagie) and sliders based on her homemade sausage recipe, dished up with a variety of creative toppings. Open 24 hours on weekends.

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Doc Chey’s Noodle House 1424 North Highland Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 404-888-0777 563 Memorial Drive SE Atlanta, GA 404-688-4238 Doc Chey’s Dragon Bowl 1556 N Decatur Road Atlanta, GA 404-378-8188 doccheys.com dragonbowlatl.com Pick up spring rolls, dumplings, curries and stirfries — or on a stay-in evening, to have those goodies brought to you. Three area locations (Midtown, Decatur and Grant Park) make it easily accessible. Peace. Love. Noodles. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Takeout.

* Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Cheap Eats. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Asian. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Vegetarian.

Eats 600 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 404-888-9149 eatsonponce.net Eats is quick, conveniently located and won’t put a dent in your finances. Pasta dishes and good ole jerk chicken, plus the likes of green beans and baked sweet potatoes.

Einstein’s 1077 Juniper St. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-876-7925 einsteinsatlanta.com Continues on page 64

FOOD Continued from page 62 Still going strong at its Midtown spot after oh so many years, Einstein’s is a terrific place for a quick bite to eat while meeting with clients/colleagues, or for a lovely brunch or dinner with friends, with a menu that never seems static.

Flying Biscuit 1655 McLendon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 404-687-8888 1001 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-874-8887 flyingbiscuit.com Founded in Atlanta and now a franchise with multiple locations, the Biscuit is the place for breakfast and brunch. Breakfast is served all day (with lip-smacking omelets) and there are salads, sandwiches, des-

64 Destination Travel Guide

serts and entrees that sate. It’s not unheard of to see weekend lines, but the wait is worth it. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Breakfast.

Folk Art 465 N. Highland Ave., NE Atlanta, GA 30307 404-537-4493 folkartrestaurant.com A feel good restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch in Inman Park. Artful eats for simple folks!

Fontaine’s Oyster House 1026½ N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 404-872-0869 nightcapfoodandspirits.com Belly up to the bar or grab a cozy booth and enjoy some of Atlanta’s freshest oysters and “hap-

py hour” food specials. Great covered patio.

Fox Brothers BBQ 1238 DeKalb Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 404-577-4030 foxbrosbbq.com Featuring meats slow-cooked with hickory chips, Fox Brothers BBQ serves up delicious food with Texas roots and Southern style.

FROGS Cantina 931 Monroe Dr. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-607-9967 frogsmidtown.com Inexpensive Tex-Mex with buildyour-own tacos, burritos and quesadillas located just steps away from Piedmont Park. Huge patio and a crowd of bears and gay Continues on page 66

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FOOD Continued from page 64 sports teams who flock for dinner and community fundraisers.

G’s Midtown 219 10th St. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-872-8012 communitashospitality.com/ gs-midtown The owners of Gilbert’s changed the name and did a total rebranding and renovation in their switch to G’s, but the popularity never waned as people continue to flock to this Midtown gastropub.

Gio’s Chicken Amalfitano 1099 Hemphill Ave. Atlanta, GA 30318 littleitalia.com Gio’s has become a favorite for locals and visiting celebrities alike, serving various chicken incarna-

66 Destination Travel Guide

tions for lunch and dinner that keep them coming back.

Green Ginger 265 Ponce De Leon Place Decatur, GA 30030 404-373-2788 greengingerdecatur.com Featuring Asian fusion cuisine with a focus on Sushi and Thai. Enjoy the creative drinks at the bar or their covered patio in this casual but chic restaurant in downtown Decatur.

Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St. Atlanta, GA 404-537-4477 Maureen Kalmanson, owner of Italian eatery Campagnolo, opened Henry’s in May 2013 with a chef-driven menu of appetizers, tacos, wings, sandwiches, entrée salads and desserts. The huge multi-level deck provides a casual

atmosphere for you and your dog! * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Patio.

Highland Tap Steak Cellar 1026 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 404-875-3673 highlandtapatlanta.com The stone walls and below street-level location give the bar a ’20s speakeasy ambiance perfectly paired with martinis. Atlanta’s premier subterranean hide-away.

HOBNOB 1551 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 404-968-2288 hobnobatlanta.com HOBNOB offers a Southern twist on tavern food. The likes of fried green tomatoes and collard greens go toe-to-toe with hamburg-

From above left: The Iberian Pig is a modern Spanish restaurant that serves up cured meats and cheeses, with exquisite attention to style and flavor. The perfect place for cocktails and a bite to eat before catching a show or for dinner afterwards. (Courtesy photos) ers and other traditional/classic dinner ideas.

Variety of programming including trivia and bingo during the week.

Home grown 968 Memorial Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30316 homegrownga.com This Reynoldstown meat-andthree is well-known for their tasty use of locally grown produce and affordable prices for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

* Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Patio.

Iberian Pig 121 Sycamore St. Decatur, GA 30030 404-371-8800 theiberianpigatl.com This modern Spanish restaurant serves up cured meats and cheeses, with exquisite attention to style and flavor. Sample several “charcuterie” (cured meats) or enjoy one of the delectable main entrees.

Joe’s on Juniper 1049 Juniper St. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-875-6634 joesatlanta.com/juniper Joe’s is a must-stop for travelers looking for a gay dining experience: sassy waiters, popular music and a wide variety beyond bar food. It’s THE patio to see and be seen on good weather days.

La Tavola 992 Virginia Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 404-873-5430 latavolatrattoria.com Located in Virginia-Highland, La Tavola offers elegant simplicity with warm colors, exposed brick and rich dark wood. Perfect for a low-key evening. The menu offers progressive variations on classic Italian dishes and a reasonably priced wine list.

Lips Atlanta 3011 Buford Hwy. NE Atlanta, GA 30329 lipsatl.com Lips bills itself as “the ultimate in drag dining” and they sure seem to live up to it. Nightly drag shows (plus a Sunday brunch show) line the calendar, and the food and full bar round out the appeal of this unique gay Atlanta experience.

Little Bangkok 2225 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324

404-315-1530 littlebangkokatlanta.com This perennially popular Thai and Chinese restaurant has an almost endless array of appetizers and entrees. Don’t miss the lunch specials: affordable, delicious and fast. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Asian.

Livingston Restaurant & Bar 659 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-897-5000 livingstonatlanta.com The perfect place for cocktails and a bite to eat before catching a show or for dinner afterwards. Located in the Georgian Terrace Hotel just across the street from the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Super gay-friendly.

The Local No. 7 2316 Main St. Tucker, GA 30084 770-674-1782 thelocal7.com Owned by the same group as Matador Mexican Cantina, Local No. 7 offers pub favorites with a diverse clientele off the beaten path in Tucker.

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From above left: Ponce City Market boasts several new restaurants in their food court. Minero offers imaginative, locally sourced Mexican fare. While the Mercury is a restaurant and bar capturing the mid-century American cocktail culture. (Courtesy photos) Continued from page 67 Majestic Diner 1031 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 404-875-0276 majesticdiner.com “Food That Pleases Since 1929” and the most colorful clientele one can find, Majestic is open 24/7 with good, Southern food that makes late-night eating an even guiltier pleasure.

Mary Mac’s Tearoom 224 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-876-1800 marymacs.com Established in 1945 and it only gets better. Business folk, celebrities and families of every stripe love the Tea Room. With chicken and dumplings, collard greens with crackling bread and Georgia peach cobbler on the menu, it’s understandable.

Matador Mexican Cantina 350 Mead Road Decatur, GA 30030 404-377-0808 The popular Oakhurst-area Matador Mexican Cantina & Te68 Destination Travel Guide

quila Bar features traditional Mexican food from the Michoacan region, plus plenty of drink specials and tequilas.

Metrofresh 931 Monroe Drive, Suite A-106 Atlanta, GA 30308 404-724-0151 metrofreshatl.com This “world food” restaurant delivers fresh fare fast and gives back to its community. Fundraisers for AID Atlanta and PALS are just a few of its generous gestures.

The Mercury Ponce City Market 675 Ponce De Leon Ave., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-500-5253 themercuryatl.com Capturing the spirit of the classic mid-century American cocktail culture, The Mercury offers a daily cocktail hour, plus lunch and dinner service.

Miller Union 999 Brady Ave. Atlanta, GA 30318 678-733-8550 millerunion.com Rustic Southern fare made with

local organic ingredients. Harvest Dinner is especially lip-smacking and fun.

Minero Ponce City Market 675 Ponce De Leon Ave., N.E. Ste.136 Atlanta, GA 30308 404-532-1580 minerorestaurant.com Imaginative, locally sourced Mexican fare and craft cocktails served in buzzy quarters with a patio inside Ponce City Market.

Nancy’s Pizza 265 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-885-9199 nancyspizza.com Born in Chicago, the “Home of the Original Stuffed Pizza” is a favorite for dining in or take out.

No. 246 129 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 no246.com This Decatur spot serves up locally sourced, farm fresh Italian cuisine courtesy of owner and executive chef Ford Fry, of JCT. Kitchen fame.

No Mas Hacienda & Cantina 180 Walker St. Atlanta, GA 30313 404-574-5678 nomasatlanta.com Classic Mexican favorites and more than 60 tequilas to try. And you can shop at their furnishings gallery after you eat!

A perfect place to spend an evening noshing on fine food. The appetizers (such as parmesan fries), wine and desserts don’t disappoint either.

Noni’s Italian Deli & Bar 357 Edgewood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30312 404-343-1808 nonisdeli.com With a risotto of the day, Noni’s Lasagna Bolognese and Noni’s meatballs, there is plenty to inspire your love at this East Atlanta eatery.

Parish 240 North Highland Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 404-641-4434 parishatl.com Unique people, delicious food and good-for-the-earth goods all come together at The Brasserie and Neighborhood Café at Parish. Expect to find inspired familiar American food, inventive beverages, and warm hospitality. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

One Midtown Kitchen 559 Dutch Valley Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-892-4111 concentricshospitality.com

Papi’s Cuban & Caribbean Grill 216 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-607-1525

Papi’s features an extensive menu; specials include Churrasco steak and Camarones al Ajillo (shrimp scampi). The Midtown location is the most convenient for LGBT tourists, but Papi’s also has restaurants in Stockbridge, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville and Tucker.

Parker’s on Ponce 116 East Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 404-924-2230 parkersonponce.com Located in the heart of historic downtown Decatur, Parker’s calls itself a steakhouse but it is much more. It’s hard to pass on the salmon, sea scallops and calamari here. Two local brothers have created an oasis of wood, warmth and wine, which begs your return over and over again.

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From above left: Poor Calvin’s offers a rare cuisine of Thai fusion with Southern influences. Pure Taqueria’s menu features award winning authentic Mexican food and the city’s best margaritas. (Courtesy photos) Continued from page 69 Poor Calvin’s 510 Piedmont Ave., NE Atlanta, GA 30308 404-254-4051 poorcalvins.com Offering a rare cuisine of Thai fusion with Southern influences, Chef Calvin Phan has brought his perspective of international culinary fusion to this quaint restaurant, acknowledged as one of Atlanta’s best kept secrets, serves up an innovative blending of Eastern flavors and Western techniques and presentations. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Restaurant. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Sunday Brunch.

Pure Taqueria 300 N. Highland Ave. NE (Inman Park) Atlanta, GA 30307 404-522-7873 puretaqueria.com Six locations featuring awardwinning authentic Mexican food and the city’s best margaritas.

Menu highlights include fresh fish tacos, unmatched “street” tosta70 Destination Travel Guide

das, corn-masa cakes and ceviche’ that makes you forget that you live inland.

Radial Café 1530 Dekalb Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 404-659-6594 radial.us This gay owned-and operated 3 star green certified restaurant does it all! From breakfast, lunch, dinner, full bar as well as a catering kitchen. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Breakfast. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Vegetarian.

Ria’s Bluebird 421 Memorial Drive Atlanta, GA 30312 404-521-3737 riasbluebird.com Retro and tiny with an all-day breakfast menu chock full of killer huevos and pancakes. We sadly lost queer chef Ria Pell in 2013, but her legacy continues at this popular spot. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Breakfast.

Roxx 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-892-4541 Best known for its burgers and gay male crowd, Roxx serves up heaping dishes of atmosphere and friendliness. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Cheap Eats. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Sunday Brunch. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Patio.

Sotto Sotto 313 N Highland Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 404-523-6678 sottosottorestaurant.com A cozy authentic Italian place with dishes like Tortelli di Michelangelo and Naked Ravioli. Heavenly.

100 percent Italian wine list, too.

Southern Art 3315 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326 404-946-9070. southernart.com Southern Art is the Atlanta debut of acclaimed chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Art

Smith and combines a hip, urban eatery with classic Southern charm. Southern Art offers Southern-inspired cuisine in a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.

Southern Sweets Bakery 186 Rio Circle Decatur, GA 30030 404-373-8752 southernsweets.com You can find Southern Sweets’ desserts in numerous Atlanta restaurants. Across from the DeKalb Farmers Market, the bakery also offers lunch and breakfast menus along with its award-winning sweets. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Bakery.

Steamhouse Lounge 1051 West Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-233-7980

steamhouselounge.com Award-winning lobster bisque and fresh seafood served in a laidback atmosphere with tables and booths inside the two-level indoor space, plus a wrap-around outdoor deck, patio and outdoor bar.

STK Atlanta 1075 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-793-0144 Not your daddy’s steak house, STK Atlanta is a sleek, chic blend of restaurant and nightlife.

Taqueria del Sol 2165 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-321-1118 1200-B Howell Mill Road Atlanta, GA 30318 404-352-5811

359 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 404-377-7668 taqueriadelsol.com Fast but far better than “fast food,” Taqueria del Sol’s three Atlanta locations serve up tasty tacos, enchiladas and sides. Our faves include the Memphis taco (pulled pork, spicy jalapeno coleslaw and tequila barbecue sauce).

TEN Atlanta 990 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-347-3360 tenatlanta.com Billed as an upscale restaurant by day and bar by night, TEN Atlanta has quickly made its place in the city’s LGBT scene. Brunch and dinner menus include a variety of salads, sandwiches, burgers and Continues on page 72

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From above left: Watershed specializes in Southern seasonal cooking made with local and organic ingredients.

ZinBurger, at Lenox Mall, is a modern chain serving creative gourmet burgers & shakes. (Courtesy photos) Continued from page 71 entrees like hangar steak and fried Southern catfish.

Top Spice 1529-F Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 404-685-9333 topspiceansleypark.com Dine on wonderful Thai and Malaysian dishes across the street from gay-favorite Ansley Mall.

Union Hill Kitchen 5336 Peachtree Road Chamblee, GA 30341 770-458-6252 UnionHillKitchen.com Chef-driven restaurant led

by Food Network regular Alexis Hernandez, who brings a unique approach to American cuisine. Located in historic Chamblee, Union Hill makes for a perfect date night.

The Varsity 61 North Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-881-1706 thevarsity.com First visit to ATL? Like touristy stuff? Get thee to The Varsity for a naked dog, a glorified burger or a PC. Largest drive-in in the country 72 Destination Travel Guide

and for a few dollars you can get wasted on grease and be insulted at the same time if you don’t order quickly enough. Tip: Be wary of game-day traffic. Georgia Tech is across the street and sports fans by the busload are bound to crowd in.

Vickery’s Bar & Grill – Glenwood Park 933 Garrett St. Atlanta, GA 30316 404-627-8818 vickerys.com The perfect place to grab a casual lunch, gather with friends for cocktails, or wine and dine your special someone.

Victory Sandwich Bar 340 Church St. Decatur, GA 30030 404-377-9300 913 Bernina Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30307 404-963-1742 vicsandwich.com Super hip atmosphere and delish homemade sandwiches and Jack & Coke slushies are divine.

Watershed 1820 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30030

watershedrestaurant.com Owned by Indigo Girl Emily Saliers, this icon specializes in Southern seasonal cooking made with local and organic ingredients.

Woody’s 981 Monroe Drive Atlanta, GA 30308 404-876-1939 woodyscheesesteaks.com Delicious cheese steak sandwiches, subs and hot dogs; walking distance from Piedmont Park, gay Atlanta’s backyard.

ZinBurger Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree Rd NE #3065A, Atlanta, GA 30326 404-963-9611 zinburgereast.com Hip, modern chain serving creative gourmet burgers & shakes, plus wine, local beers & cocktails.

Zocalo 187 10th St. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-249-7576 zocalocreativemex.com A favorite at the Midtown epicenter of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue, Zocalo offers “Mexican comfort food,” margaritas and more.

Metrotainment Cafes

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER SINCE 1991.

- since 1997 -

WWW.METROCAFES.COM

NIGHTLIFE

Blake’s on the Park (Courtesy photo)

Discovering Atlanta’s LGBT nightlife From extravagant drag to superstar DJs, Atlanta’s LGBT bars and clubs offer something for everyone.

Amsterdam 502-A Amsterdam Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 404-892-2227 amsterdamatlanta.com Mostly a guys’ spot with a few women mixed in. Sports, music videos and gay TV faves on the many flat screens around the bar. Full menu including $5 lunch specials.

Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-873-2453 atlantaeagle.com The home of Atlanta’s leather community for more than 25 years.

Masters, slaves, daddies, bears and cubs all dancing in the den.

Leather shop on site for all of your naughty needs. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Dance Floor. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Overall Bar. BJ Roosters 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-634-5895 facebook.com/bjroostersatlanta Neighborhood bar that features go-go boys nightly with pool, darts and videos.

Blake’s on the Park 227 10th St. Atlanta, GA 30309

404-892-5786 blakesontheparkatlanta.com Blake’s is a must-do for gay male travelers. There’s not much of a dance floor, but that doesn’t stop the party. Blake’s attracts a beautiful mix of men of all ages, a fair number of women, and boasts some of the city’s most legendary drag queens. Conveniently located just off Piedmont Park.

Bulldogs 893 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309 404-872-3025 facebook.com/bulldogsbaratlanta An ATL institution since 1978.

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Burkhart’s (Courtesy photo)

Continued from page 75 Located in the heart of Midtown.

Great DJs spinning house and hip-hop; heavy-handed bartenders assure you get your money’s worth. Patio. Expect a line out the door on weekends.

Burkhart’s 1492 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-872-4403 burkharts.com Burkhart’s has something for everyone: a wide range of glam and camp drag keeps the energy going in the main area, an upstairs with pool tables and balcony overlooking the performance area and perhaps the best patio in Midtown. Head there after work and you’ll find a dinner crowd gnoshing from Burkhart’s full menu of tavern favorites. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Overall Bar. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Gay Bar. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist 76 Destination Travel Guide

for Best Drag Show. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Bar Food.

Cockpit 465 Boulevard Atlanta, GA 404-343-2450 facebook.com/Cockpit Speakeasy bar in East Atlanta for “men who seek men for scruffy good times.” Smoke-free interior with a large covered patio. Full kitchen. Weekly events include DJs, karaoke, Dirty Boy Bingo and more.

Faces Lounge 138 Powers Ferry Rd., SE Marietta, GA 30067 770-579-3801 A full-service bar with monthly theme parties, trivia on Tuesdays, open mic nights on Thursdays and games of Texas Hold’em everyday.

Felix’s Atlanta 1510-G Piedmont Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-249-7899 felixsatlanta.com

A friendly, small neighborhood bar in the Ansley Square strip mall.

Fun for early evening drinks and hanging out with friends.

Flex 76 4th St. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-815-0456 flexspas.com Flex is a gay bathhouse complete with sauna, steam room, pool, sundeck and private rooms. Membership required; available on daily, six month and annual rates. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Afterhours.

Friends Neighborhood Bar 736 Ponce De Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 404-817-3820 friendsonponce-atl.com A no-attitude bar with inexpensive drinks and pool tables that has become popular for the alt-gay crowd. Quiet, easygoing spot to hang out with friends, and a great Continues on page 79

NIGHTLIFE Continued from page 76

Mary’s

(Courtesy photo)

choice if you’re new in town. Located steps from the BeltLine path.

The Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-325-3061 hereticatlanta.com If you’re looking to dance with a mix of the shirtless and light leather crowds, the Heretic is definitely the place to go. You’ll find a diverse mix on weekends with heavy beats from guest DJs from around the country. It’s a butch bunch, but you’ll find all types scattered about the Heretic’s labyrinth layout. 3-Legged Cowboy dancing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and select Saturdays draw out the ladies, too. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Lesbian Theme Night. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Dance Floor.

The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 404-874-8247 atlantahideaway.com Midtown’s oldest neighborhood gay bar. Free pool and wi-fi. Located behind Cooks Warehouse at Ansley Mall. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Drag Show.

Jungle Atlanta 2115 Faulkner Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-844-8800 jungleclubatlanta.com Huge newly renovated dance club that plays host to a variety of events, most notably Monday’s “Stars of the Century” drag show and Saturday’s dance night with big-name DJs and a younger crowd. One of Atlanta’s few 18 to party, 21 to drink clubs. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist

for Best Drag Show. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Dance Floor.

Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316 404-624-4411 marysatlanta.com Mary’s has been the hip bar of choice for alt-gays and self-proclaimed queers for several years.

Proudly called East Atlanta’s gay dive bar, don’t miss Mary-oke held every Tuesday and Saturday evening and massive theme parties almost every weekend. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Overall Bar. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Gay Bar. Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave. #B Atlanta, GA 30309 404-228-4372 mixxatlanta.com Atlanta’s premier video venue hosts three different lounges for socializing with friends or hosting a party or an event. “Chill’ on weeknights with piano night on Tuesdays and other weekly events, then “Sizzle” with DJs Fridays through Sundays.

Model T 699 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-872-2209 modeltatlanta.com Atlanta’s favorite little neighborhood bar. Come out for weekly events like poker and karaoke.

Enjoy a game of pool or video games, or play a favorite song on the jukebox as the bar sings along. Known for its friendly atmosphere, great drinks and good times. It’s “always a party.”

My Sister’s Room (MSR) Sports Bar & Grill 66 12th Street Atlanta, GA 30309 678-705-4585 mysistersroom.com Now in Midtown, MSR is the longest running lesbian bar in the Atlanta area with nightly events that cross musical genre’s and performances. Non-smoking with a sports themed menu and a fun patio. Open Monday-Friday after 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon. Over 21 after 8 p.m. nightly. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Place to Meet Women.

Continues on page 80 Destination Travel Guide 79

NIGHTLIFE

My Sister’s Room (Courtesy photo)

Continued from page 79 Opus 1 1086 Alco St. Atlanta, GA 30324 404-634-6478 Neighborhood bar with a devoted local following; no pretention here.

Oscar’s Martini Bar 1510 Piedmont Ave, Suite C Atlanta, GA 30324 404-815-8841 oscarsatlanta.com A recent renovation with a new look and feel in the same location at popular Ansley Square. Video on demand; weekly events include show tunes, karaoke and DJs. Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium 586 Edgewood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30312 404-522-8275 sisterlouisaschurch.com While not specifically geared at a gay audience, you’ll find plenty of gay folks partying throughout 80 Destination Travel Guide

the week. Church, as it’s commonly called, is a quirky spot loaded with tongue-in-cheek religious art and a killer Organ Karaoke every Wednesday. Also look for supergay patio parties helmed by lesbian DJ Vicki Powell.

Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Drive Atlanta, GA 30318 404-352-0532 swingingrichards.com Legendary men’s strip club acclaimed for its huge stable of totally nude hunky dancers. A particularly fun adventure for a group of friends looking to celebrate and cut loose.

Atlanta, GA 30324 404-869-9422 woofsatlanta.com Atlanta’s only gay sports bar, Woofs hosts a pretty regular bear crowd with little elbow room on game days. The weekly line-up includes trivia, poker, sports on 21 screens, pool, darts and a popular menu of bar grub. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Bar Food.

Tripps Bar 1931 Piedmont Circle Atlanta, GA 30324 404-724-0067 trippsatlanta.com Cozy unassuming bar with karaoke, darts and free wi-fi. Taco bar on Wednesdays.

Xion 2241 Faulkner Road Atlanta, GA 30324 http://on.fb.me/Me5diq Known for hosting big-name DJs, frequently on major party weekends, Xion is a membersonly after hours social club. Join if you want to party as Saturday night technically becomes Sunday morning at this club, located behind Jungle and only open Sunday morning from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Woofs 2425 Piedmont Road

* Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Afterhours.

NIGHTLIFE 1. Amsterdam 502-A Amsterdam Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30306 amsterdamatlanta.com 2. Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 atlantaeagle.com 3. BJ Roosters 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Atlanta, GA 30324 on.fb.me/LxIScA 4. Blake’s on the Park 227 10th St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309 blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Atlanta, GA 30308 flexbaths.com

Atlanta, GA 30308 modeltatlanta.com

10. Friends Neighborhood Bar 736 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30306 friendsonponce-atl.com

18. My Sister’s Room 66 12th Street Atlanta, GA 30309 mysistersroom.com

11. Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 hereticatlanta.com 12. The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave., Ste. 124 Atlanta, GA 30324 atlantahideaway.com

5. Bulldogs 893 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309

13. Jungle 2115 Faulkner Road Atlanta, GA 30324 jungleclubatlanta.com

6. Burkhart’s Pub 1492 Piedmont Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30309 www.burkharts.com

14. LeBuzz 585 Franklin Road Marietta, GA 30067 thenewlebuzz.com

7. Cockpit 465 Boulevard SE Atlanta, GA 30312 facebook.com/Cockpit

15. Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316 marysatlanta.com

8. Felix’s Atlanta 1510-G Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 facebook.com/FelixsAtlanta

16. Mixx Atlanta 1492 Piedmont Ave., #B Atlanta, GA 30309 mixxatlanta.com

9. Flex 76 4th St.

17. Model T 699 Ponce de Leon Ave.

82 Destination Travel Guide

19. Opus 1 1086 Alco St. Atlanta, GA 30324 20. Oscar’s Martini Bar 1510 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 oscarsatlanta.com 21. Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave., SE Atlanta, GA 30312 sisterlouisaschurch.com 22. Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Drive, NW Atlanta, GA 30318 swingingrichards.com 23. Tripp’s Bar 1931 Piedmont Circle, NE Atlanta, GA 30324 trippsatlanta.com 24. Woofs 2425 Piedmont Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30324 woofsatlanta.com 25. Xion 2241 Faulkner Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30324 on.fb.me/Me5diq

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BONDI BEACHWEAR 404.873.2664

1447 PIEDMONT AVE NE

BOYNEXTDOORMENSWEAR.COM

SHOP Boy Next Door (Photo by Rob Boeger)

Let’s go shopping From massive malls to quirky independent shops, Atlanta has plenty to offer for shoppers with budgets large and small Ansley Wine Merchants 1544 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 404-876-6790 ansleywine.com Last year Ansley Wine Merchants celebrated its 25th year of serving a vast selection of wine to its devoted customers. Located in Ansley Mall, the store also offers spirits and craft beer along with every wine that comes to mind.

Open 7 days a week.

Atlanta Water Gardens 2165 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-235-0739 atlantawatergardens.com Providing “serenity to the city,” Atlanta Water Gardens offers fountains of every size, sculpture, statuary, and garden accessories.

A stroll through the outdoor show-

room alone will relax you for the rest of the day. Great gifts, too.

Atlantic Station 1380 Atlantic Drive Atlanta, GA 30363 404-733-1221 atlanticstation.com Located off 17th Street near Interstate 75/85 in Midtown, Atlantic Station is a mixed-use development on the site of an old steel mill.

Highlights include an excellent mix of shopping and restaurants—Athleta, Ann Taylor, Bill Hallman, Gap, H&M, West Elm and many more— plus the city’s IKEA store.

Barking Leather 805 Lambert Drive NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-900-LTHR (5847) www.BarkingLeather.com Leather products and more, for

the BDSM, fetish, and fashion lifestyle. Want something different? If they don’t have it they will “fetch” it.

Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-873-2664 boynextdoormenswear.com Boy Next Door carries a full line of men’s clothing from swimsuits, underwear and jeans, to dress slacks, dress shirts and designer blazers. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Clothing Store.

Brushstrokes Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 404-876-6567 brushstrokes247.com Continues on page 86 Destination Travel Guide 85

SHOP Continued from page 85

Paris On Ponce (Courtesy photo)

Brushstrokes Pleasures also has a video rental membership with over 13,000 titles available for rental. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Adult Book Store. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Gift Store.

Charis Books & More 1189 Euclid Ave. Atlanta, GA 30307 404-524-0304 charisboooksandmore.com Now 40 years old, Charis is both the oldest and the largest feminist bookstore in the Southeast and carries a wide range of titles from feminist to queer to transgender. The store also offers writing groups, author visits, and signings, book discussions and more. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Book Store.

Domestic Comfort 1512 Piedmont Ave., NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-872-2500 domesticcomfort.com Sizable, light-filled shop offering furniture, rugs and other items plus interior design services. * Best of Atlanta 2015 finalist for Best Furniture/Home Decor.

Eyeworks of Atlanta 800 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30308 678-732-3432 eyeworksatlanta.com Conveniently located in Midtown, Eyeworks offers a large line of designer eyewear at all price points.

Cool specs for your Hotlanta visits.

GCB -Gift Card Boutique (formerly Brushstrokes: Sensory Overload) 1510 Piedmont Ave, Suite A Atlanta Ga 30324 404-876-6567 brushstrokes247.com 86 Destination Travel Guide

Atlanta’s only gay and lesbian variety store. A one-stop shopping experience for every occasion.

Green’s 737 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 404-872-1109 2614 Buford Highway Atlanta, GA 30324 404-321-6232 greenbeverages.com Green’s offers two locations and a huge stock of liquors, beer and wine. Kegs, too. Party responsibly, kids.

Kaboodle Home 485-B Flat Shoals Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316 404-522-3006 tradersatlanta.com Formerly Traders Neighborhood Store, Kaboodle Home in East Atlanta Village offers eclectic home furnishings, décor and gifts, made by Atlanta-based artists and furniture makers.

Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326 404-233-6767 simon.com/mall/lenox-square

Located in Buckhead, Lenox Square Mall offers major department stores including Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, plus plenty of smaller shops like Abercrombie & Fitch, Kenneth Cole, Prada and the Apple Store.

Lost-N-Found Youth Thrift & Consignment 2585 Chantilly Dr. Atlanta, GA 30341 lost-n-found.org 13,000 square-feet filled with thousands of donated items up for sale. Proceeds from the sale help fund the operation of Lost-N-Found Youth, an Atlanta based nonprofit whose mission is to take LGBT youth off the street and transition them into more permanent housing. * Best of Atlanta 2015 winner for Best Clothing Store.

Nandina 245 N Highland Ave., #120 Atlanta, GA 30307 404-521-9303 nandinahome.com Fine home furnishings, accessories, art and gifts. Custom draperies, upholstery and bedding.

Continues on page 88

Destination Travel Guide 87

SHOP Continued from page 86 Paris on Ponce 716 Ponce De Leon Pl NE Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 249-9965 parisonponce.com Sprawling over 46,000 square feet showcasing art, antiques, furnishings and oddities-—room after room of surprise and delight.

Spend an hour or spend a day exploring the endless charms of its endless warehouse of dreams.

Park Pet Supply 479A Flat Shoals Ave. Atlanta, GA 30316 404-588-0140 parkpetsupply.com Much better than a big-box, Park in East Atlanta Village offers only the best and healthiest food and treats.

Toys, beds and grooming, too.

Phipps Plaza

(Courtesy photo)

The Pet Set 976 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-249-6668

outofthecloset.org The world’s most fabulous thrift store. 96¢ of every $1 goes to patient care via non-profit AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

2480 Briarcliff Road Atlanta, GA 30329 404-633-8755 thepetset.com An extensive line of pet toys and accessories. If Fido is traveling with you, take him in for a day spa or grooming.

Rawhide Leather 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-881-0031 Get all your leather needs met here and go show them off upstairs at Atlanta Eagle, the popular Atlanta leather and bear bar.

Phipps Plaza 3500 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326 404-261-7910 simon.com/mall/phipps-plaza Buckhead’s Phipps Plaza is Atlanta’s most upscale mall. Anchors include Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Belk, with many posh smaller retailers like Hugo Boss, Coach, Cole Haan, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Michael Kors, Tiffany, Versace and so much more.

Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits 2161 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324 404-881-0902 towerwinespirits.com Tower is not just a package store. In spite of being No.1 in volume sales for the entire state of Georgia, Tower offers personalized service to each customer to help you find just the right drink for every occasion. Wine consultants are always on hand.

Out of the Closet Thrift Store 1858 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, GA 30324 88 Destination Travel Guide

The Wish List 1390 Lanier Blvd., NE

Atlanta, GA 30306 404-975-3325 thewishlistatl.com The Wish List offers any Metro Atlanta antiques lover the most unique vintage interiors, furnishings, lighting, wall decor and collectibles in the VirginiaHighland, Morningside neighborhoods.

Worthmore Jewelers 500 L-3 Amsterdam Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 404-892-8294 117 E. Court Square Decatur, GA 30030 404-378-1013 worthmorejewelers.com With a slogan like “enlarging your family jewels since 1994,” you know to expect more than just your average jewelry store.

A wide array of wedding rings, watches, necklaces and even custom work at two locations— Midtown and Decatur—in an LGBT-welcoming atmosphere. * Best of Atlanta 2015 Finalist for Best Clothing Store.

PROUD BARITONE CELEBRATING MY 23RD SEASON! with my brothers of

THE ATLANTA GAY MEN’S CHORUS and my 33 years as a REALTOR! As Dorothy so clearly stated...

“There’s no place like home” So, if you’re looking to journey down that yellow brick road towards a new home, why not let 33 years of experience be your guide?

TOM SANDS • 404-626-6579

Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage • 404-844-4977

Destination Travel Guide 89

DISCOVER RENAISSANCE ATLANTA MIDTOWN ALWAYS IN STYLE. Experience a chic, AAA 4-Diamond rated boutique hotel in the heart of Atlanta’s LGBT community at the Renaissance® Atlanta Midtown Hotel. Check into stylish comfort in your uniquely designed guest room featuring gorgeous city views and inspiring works of art. Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Community Smith, a contemporary setting serving responsibly sourced, protein-centric cuisine. Then step out and explore the streets of vibrant Midtown where you’ll find the best shopping, dining and nightlife that Atlanta has to offer. And with our Stay with Pride Package, Midtown’s latest way to stay in style is closer than ever.

From $174 per night, our Stay with Pride Package includes: • One night deluxe accommodations • Breakfast for two at Community Smith • Hotel valet parking Stay with Pride and book this special package today!

Visit renaissanceatlantamidtown.com or call 800.228.9290 and use promotion code YX1.

RENAISSANCE ATLANTA MIDTOWN 866 W. Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30308 t: 678.412.2400 /RenaissanceAtlantaMidtown

@RenATLMidtown

Valid Thursday-Sunday through 12/30/16. Stay must include either Friday or Saturday night. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions apply.

Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations. © 2016 Renaissance Holdings, Inc.

LODGING Artmore Hotel (Courtesy photo)

Relaxation in comfort and style Atlanta is the hub of the South, with hotels to fit every budget and style.

Whether you prefer a boutique property or a chain hotel close to all the attractions, we’ve got the perfect place for your pillow.

Artmore Hotel 1302 West Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309 800-548-5631 / 404-876-6100 artmorehotel.com In the heart of Midtown’s arts district, this independent boutique hotel boasts a lovely renovation of a 1924 architectural landmark building. MARTA and the High Museum of Art are across the street. *Pet friendly The Ellis Hotel 176 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30303 877-702-1085 404-602-0563 ellishotel.com Superb service and an excellent location, the Ellis has been

rated #1 business hotel in Atlanta

by TripAdvisor. *Pet friendly Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta 75 14th St. Atlanta, GA 30309 404-881-9898 fourseasons.com/atlanta The only five-star, five-diamond hotel in the city. Chic urban meets Southern tradition in this neoclassical wonder of polished marble and sweeping staircases. High Museum and Margaret Mitchell House only a short walk away. *Pet friendly Georgian Terrace Hotel 659 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 800-651-2316 thegeorgianterrace.com

Across the street from the Fox Theatre, the Georgian Terrace is more than a century old and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

The Georgian Terrace hosted the premier gala for “Gone With the Wind.” Very LGBT-friendly. Perfect place to hold your wedding!

Glenn Hotel 110 Marietta St. Atlanta, GA 30303 866-40GLENN / 404-521-2250 glennhotel.com 110 rooms of intimacy, comfort and personalized service in downtown Atlanta. Luxurious and organic guest amenities.

Continues on page 94 Destination Travel Guide 91

LODGING Continued from page 91 Grand Hyatt Atlanta 3300 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30305 404-237-1234 grandatlanta.hyatt.com Located in Buckhead with easy access to luxury shopping at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.

Views of Stone Mountain, Downtown and a Japanese Zen Garden. Elegant Southern cuisine. International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association approved.

Hilton Atlanta Airport 1031 Virginia Ave. Atlanta, GA 30344 404-745-5000 hilton.com/atlantaairport Perfect for the busy business traveler with tons of business amenities and a barber shop, beauty salon, laundry and valet, pool and fitness room.

Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Midtown & Homewood Suites 97 10th St. Atlanta, GA 30309 hiltongardeninn.com homewoodsuites.com These modern, connected properties are located just one block from the Midtown MARTA train station. Both offer complimentary wi-fi, fitness center and pool; Homewood Suites is an all-suites hotel with fully equipped kitchens.

Hotel Indigo 683 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 877-270-1392 hotelindigo.com Midtown boutique hotel with free wireless throughout the property. Close to the Fox Theatre and very pet-friendly.

Hyatt Regency Atlanta 265 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30303 404-577-1234 94 Destination Travel Guide

Loews Atlanta Hotel

(Courtesy photo)

atlantaregency.hyatt.com Downtown location with easy access to Georgia World Congress Center, CNN Center and the Georgia Aquarium. The world’s first contemporary atrium hotel, built in 1967, has undergone a recent major renovation.

Inman Park Bed & Breakfast 100 Waverly Way Atlanta, GA 30307 404-688-9498 inmanparkbandb.com Built in 1912 as a residence of Coca-Cola magnate Robert Woodruff, this lovely B&B has been lovingly restored and is on the National Register for Historic Places. All rooms have private baths. Very LGBT-friendly.

Inn at the Peachtrees 330 W. Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 800-242-4642 innatthepeachtrees.com An affordable Best Western stay and modern alternative to big downtown hotels. Complimentary breakfast and buffet; free wireless internet and meet-

ing rooms. Very LGBT-friendly.

Loews Atlanta Hotel 1065 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-745-5000 loewshotels.com/atlanta Luxury in the heart of Midtown.

Close to everything. Gay-friendly, pet-friendly and the incomparable Exhale Spa make Loews a top choice for visitors. *Pet friendly Mandarin Oriental 3376 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326 404-995-7500 mandarinoriental.com/atlanta Over the top luxury and pampering at the exclusive spa at this boutique hotel close to Lenox and Phipps Plaza.

Melia Hotel 590 W. Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-877-9000 meliaatlanta.com Enjoy panoramic views of the city from all rooms in this hotel at the edge of Downtown and Midtown.

Ready to splurge? Four unique Pool Suites have private terrace pools.

Hotel Indigo (Courtesy photo)

Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel 866 West Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 678 412-2400 renaissanceatlantamidtown.com A way gay-friendly boutique hotel in the heart of Midtown. Close to MARTA and all Midtown attractions.

Ritz-Carlton Atlanta 181 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30303 404-659-0400 ritzcarlton.com Luxury, first-rate service and an excellent location for business and downtown tourist fun. *Pet friendly Ritz-Carlton Buckhead 3434 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326 404-237-2700 ritzcarlton.com In upscale Buckhead, this is the perfect getaway for luxury shopping at nearby Phipps Plaza. *Pet friendly Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast 923 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30309

404-881-0722 stonehurstplace.com A very romantic B&B with the comforts of a small inn and the amenities of a large hotel. Very eco-friendly and LGBT-friendly.

Twelve Hotel & Residences Centennial Park 400 West Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 404-418-1212 Atlantic Station 361 17th St. Atlanta, GA 30363 404-961-1212 twelvehotels.com Condo-style lodging with two locations, Atlantic Station in Midtown and Centennial Park Downtown.

W Atlanta Buckhead 3377 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326 678-500-3100 watlantabuckhead.com W Atlanta Downtown 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd.

Atlanta, GA 30308 404-582-5800

watlantadowntown.com W Atlanta Midtown 188 14th St. Atlanta, GA 30361 404-892-6000 watlantamidtown.com Three excellent locations in Atlanta each with its own charm and the W stamp of quality. The W Atlanta Midtown is walking distance to Piedmont Park, where Atlanta Pride is held each October.

Westin Buckhead 3391 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326 866-716-8128 / 404-365-0065 Sweeping skyline views and close to upscale shopping. A 3-minute walk from the Buckhead MARTA train station, this upscale hotel is a 6-mile drive from the High Museum of Art. *Pet friendly Westin Peachtree Plaza 210 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30303 404-659-1400 westin.com A business traveler’s dream location. *Pet friendly Destination Travel Guide 95

FITNESS

Gravity Fitness (Courtesy photo)

Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean you have to hit pause on your fitness routine. Luckily there are numerous gyms across the city where you’re sure to run into fellow members of the LGBT community. Here are some options to help you keep your fit on during your time in Atlanta.

Anytime Fitness – Midtown 1375 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309 404-963-5739 anytimefitness.com Core Body Decatur 533 W. Howard Ave. Ste. H Decatur, GA 30030 404-687-0027 corebody.net Fitness 1440 1197 Peachtree St. NE #513 Atlanta, GA 30361 404-745-9309 fitness1440.com/atlanta Fit Studio 445 Plasamour Drive NE, #2 96 Destination Travel Guide

Atlanta, GA 30324 678-705-5072 fitstudioatlanta.com FitWit 828 Ralph Mcgill Atlanta, GA 30306 888-534-8948 fitwit.com Gravity Fitness 2201 Faulkner Road NE Atlanta, GA 30324 404-486-0506 facebook.com/GravityFitnessATL Iron Tribe Fitness On Ponce 699 Ponce De Leon Ave., NE Atlanta, GA 30308 404-858-9945 irontribefitness.com

LA Fitness lafitness.com Ansley Mall 1544 Piedmont Ave. NE, Ste. 115 Atlanta, GA 30324 404-249-6463 Atlantic Station 261 19th St., Ste. 1140 Atlanta, GA 30363 404-810-9015 Midtown 75 Fifth St. NW, Ste. E Atlanta, GA 30308 404-212-1065 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30306 404-885-1499 urbanbodyfitness.com

LGBT ORGANIZATIONS

Out On Film (Courtesy photo)

There is an organization in Atlanta for just about anyone in the LGBT community. Movie buff?

Political junkie? Business owner?

LGBT youth? Transgender? There’s all that and more as you’ll see on the following pages.

Business

Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce atlantagaychamber.org Metro Atlanta Association of Professionals maapatl.org Out & Equal Atlanta outandequal.org/atlanta

Advocacy/Political Georgia Equality georgiaequality.org Georgia Log Cabin Republicans lcrga.com Georgia Stonewall Democrats georgiastonewall.org Georgia Unites Against Discrimination georgiaunites.org GLAAD Atlanta glaad.org/tags/atlanta Human Rights Campaign Atlanta Steering Committee hrcatlanta.com

Family/Youth

Evolution Center Safe space for young gay, bi and trans men of color, ages 16-28, a project of AID Atlanta evolutionatl.org

Culture/Arts

Georgia Safe Schools Coalition georgiasafeschoolscoalition.org

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus & Atlanta Women’s Chorus voicesofnote.org

JustUsATL Youth-led organization serving young people 13-28 with a safe space and discussion groups justusatl.org

Atlanta Freedom Bands atlantafreedombands.com

Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra atlantaphilharmonic.org Atlanta Pride Committee Plans Stonewall Week in June and annual October festival atlantapride.org Charis Circle Hosts feminist events and education chariscircle.org

Lambda Legal Southern Regional Office lambdalegal.org/sro

In the Life Atlanta Sponsors Black Gay Pride over Labor Day weekend inthelifeatl.org

Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia stonewallbar.org

OurSong Mixed gay and lesbian chorus oursongatlanta.org

98 Destination Travel Guide

Out On Film Plans annual fall LGBT film festival outonfilm.org

Lost-n-Found Youth Provides emergency housing 24/7 for homeless LGBT youth Hotline 678-8-LOST-25 lost-n-found.org PFLAG Atlanta Support for parents, families and friends of LGBT people pflagatl.org Pride School Opening in late 2016 to provide LGBT students, families and educators a safe, fun learning environment prideschoolatlanta.org

Continues on page 100

LGBT ORGANIZATIONS Continued from page 98

SAGE Georgia (File photo)

Real Youth An organization for LGBT young people realyouthatl.org

Health

Alcoholics Anonymous Plus other 12 step groups The Galano Club Inc. galanoatlanta.org AID Atlanta HIV testing with same-day results, education, support, groups targeting gay men and gay men of color aidatlanta.org AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta Free HIV and STD testing; HIV research trials arcatlanta.org Grady Health Ponce de Leon Center One of largest, most comprehensive HIV/AIDS facilities gradyhealthsystem.org/specialty/ ponce-de-leon-center.html The Health Initiative LGBT support groups, Weight Watchers, events, health fund and physician directory thehealthinitiative.org Emory Hope Clinic HIV vaccine trials hopeclinic.emory.edu Feminist Women’s Health Center Supportive and affordable gynecological health services feministcenter.org Jerusalem House Housing for homeless and low-income people with HIV jerusalemhouse.org Living Room Housing placement and financial assistance for low-income people with HIV livingroomatl.org The Names Project/ AIDS Memorial Quilt Atlanta is the headquarters for the AIDS Memorial Quilt aidsquilt.org National AIDS Education & Services for Minorities, Inc. Focuses on HIV in communities of color naesm.org

100 Destination Travel Guide

Open Hand Meals for homebound people with HIV and other critical illnesses projectopenhand.org Pets Are Loving Support Help with pet care for people with HIV palsatlanta.org Positive Impact Health Centers/ MISTER Project HIV and STD testing, primary care, discussion groups, education and mental health services positiveimpact-atl.org

Support/Social/Service

American Veterans for Equal Rights facebook.com/American-Veterans-ForEqual-Rights-Georgia-Chapter765553926860822/ Asians & Friends Atlanta, LYC meetup.com/Asians-and-Friends-Atlanta Atlanta Prime Timers Social, educational and recreational activities for mature gay and bisexual men and their friends primetimersww.com/atlantapt Fourth Tuesday Lesbian networking and social events thehealthinitiative.org/4thTuesday.php Panther L/L Inc. Leather club pantherll.org SAGE Georgia Serves to enrich lives of LGBT senior community facebook.com/sageatl Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence –The Order of the Flaming Sugarbakers Drag nuns who conduct community

outreach and fundraisers atlsisters.org SOJOURN Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity sojourngsd.org Southern Bears atlantabearfest.com Southerners on New Ground (SONG) Focuses on working class, people of color, immigrants and rural LGBTQ people southernersonnewground.org Trikone For LGBTQ South Asians trikoneatlanta.org Zami NOBLA Focuses on black lesbians 40 and older zaminobla.org

Transgender

Atlanta FTM groups.yahoo.com/group/Atlanta_FTM Atlanta Gender Explorations atlantagender.org Juxtaposed Center for Transformation budahgraphics.com/jct-site/the-jct-org Transgender Health & Education Alliance thea-plus.org T.I.L.T.T, Inc. Transgender Individuals Living Their Truth tiltt.org Learn more: Head to thegeorgiavoice.com for more organization listings.

Iberian Pig

LIVING IN COLOR.

DECATUR. Find artful events, curated wares, and creative cuisine all over Atlanta’s Eastside indie hub. decaturga

visitdecaturga.com

Decatur-ga-voice-gay-destination-2016.indd 1

Visitors Center 113 Clairemont Ave.

6/29/16 10:56 AM

Destination Travel Guide 101

LGBT WORSHIP

Think finding an LGBT or LGBT-friendly house of worship in Atlanta is hard? Think again.

The city offers dozens of choices in a variety of faiths and denominations. For an extensive list, visit thegeorgiavoice.com and pull down the “Community” menu, click “Organizations” and choose “Religious.”

All Saints Episcopal Church 634 W Peachtree St. NW Atlanta, GA 30308 404-881-0835 allsaintsatlanta.org Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road NW Atlanta, GA 30305 404-365-1000 stphilipscathedral.org

404-378-5570 firstexistentialist.org The Gathering Place Worship Center 2700 Northeast Expressway NE, Suite B-100 Atlanta, GA 30345 404-815-0007 TGPAinfo.com

Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 48 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW Atlanta, GA 30303 404-521-1866 catholicshrineatlanta.org

Gentle Spirit Christian Church Worships in Candler Park Mailing address: 601 West Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 404-604-8124 gentlespirit.org

Central Congregational United Church of Christ 2676 Clairmont Road NE Atlanta, GA 30329 404-633-4505 central-ucc.org

METRON Community Worships at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema 931 Monroe Dr. NE Atlanta, GA 30308 metroncommunity.blogspot.com

Central Presbyterian Church 201 Washington St. SW Atlanta, GA 30303 404-659-0274 cpcatlanta.org

Oakhurst Baptist Church 222 East Lake Dr. Decatur, GA 30030 404-378-3677 oakhurstbaptist.org

City of Light 1379 Tullie Road Atlanta, GA 30329 404-325-4143 firstmcc.com

Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church 1071 Delaware Ave. SE Atlanta, GA 30316 404-627-2216 pcusa.org/congregations/22086

*2015 Best of Atlanta finalist for Best House of Worship Congregation Bet Haverim Meets at Central Congregational United Church of Christ Mailing address: 1777 Northeast Expressway, Ste. 160 Atlanta, GA 30329 404-315-6446 congregationbethaverim.org Decatur United Church of Christ 2495 Lawrenceville Hwy. Decatur, GA 30033 404-373-2933 decaturucc.org First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta 470 Candler Park Drive NE Atlanta, GA 30307

102 Destination Travel Guide

New Covenant Church of Atlanta 2091 Faulkner Road Atlanta, GA 30324 404-929-1400 newcovenantatlanta.com *2015 Best of Atlanta winner for Best House of Worship Saint Mark United Methodist Church 781 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30308 404-873-2636 stmarkumc.org *2015 Best of Atlanta finalist for Best House of Worship St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church 1790 LaVista Road NE

Atlanta, GA 30329 404-634-3336 stbartsatlanta.org St. John’s Lutheran Church 1410 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30307 404-378-4243 stjohnsatlanta.org St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 435 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30308 404-873-7600 stlukesatlanta.org Tabernacle Baptist Church 1041 Moreland Dr. Atlanta, GA 30315 404-876-3777 tbcatlanta.net Trinity Center for Spiritual Living 1095 Zonolite Road, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30306 404-296-6064 trinitycrs.org Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE Atlanta, GA 30329 404-634-5134 uuca.org Unity Fellowship Church, Greater Atlanta 9 Gammon St. SE Atlanta, GA 30315 404-798-1725 unityfellowshipchurchatl.org Victory for the World Church 1170 N. Hairston Road Stone Mountain, GA 30083 678-476-6000 victoryfortheworld.org Virginia-Highland Church 743 Virginia Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30306 404-348-4830 vhchurch.org Vision Church of Atlanta 704 Ormewood Drive Atlanta, GA 30312 404-622-9470 thevisionchurch.org

SPORTS Whether you throw, swing, run, swim, catch or climb, there’s an LGBT sports team for you to do it for in Atlanta. So whether you just like to watch the teams in action or you want to be in the middle of it all, take a look at the list below and go for it!

Atlanta Bucks Rugby Club atlantabucksrugby.org Atlanta Gay Bowling Leagues Check online for the various local leagues listed atigbo.org/leagues/search Atlanta Rainbow Trout atlantarainbowtrout.com Atlanta Team Tennis Association atta.org * 2015 Best of Atlanta winner for

104 Destination Travel Guide

Best Sports Team/League Decatur Women’s Sports League dwsl.biz Front Runners Atlanta eteamz.com/frontrunnersatlanta Georgia Dyno’Mos Queer rock-climbing dynomos.org

Hotlanta Volleyball hotlantavolleyball.org * 2015 Best of Atlanta finalist for Best Sports Team/League National Flag Football League of Atlanta nffla.com Southern Softpaw League southernsoftpaw.com

Hotlanta Softball League hotlantasoftball.org

Wilderness Network of GA meetup.com/wildnetga

Hotlanta Soccer Association hotlantasoccer.com

Women’s Outdoor Network meetup.com/wonatlanta

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