For much of 2006 a segment of Atlanta nightlife was a drag &#151; because there wasn&#146;t as much drag. The closing of Charlie Brown&#146;s Cabaret left a temporary void harder to tuck away and ignore than a big, fat &#133; Indeed, there were big shoes to fill. BAZZAAR stepped up and made every Wednesday night a place queens could be kings, but no one of any orientation had to play the fool. With host Princess Charles, music selector Cody Nation, gymnist Sonique, queer dance-offs and roller derbies that spill out onto Peachtree Street &#151; it all adds up to an irreverent variety show for breeders, boys and Marys to get merry. less...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2006
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Readers

Mary's

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2006
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Critics

Jungle Atlanta (Permanently Closed)

When the legendary Backstreet closed its doors, Atlanta&#146;s nightlife scene had already experienced major blows and was losing its big-city club creditability. Fortunately, the spirit, passion and soul of those days still lives at JUNGLE every Saturday. In the space formerly inhabited by the Chamber, owner Brad Williams and the old-school values of Ovah Productions prove Atlanta still knows how to party. Jungle brings in worldwide DJ talent like Tracy Young, which in turn packs the venue with freaky club kids and sweaty, shirtless guys as far as the dilated eye can see. less...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2005
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Readers

Blake's On The Park

227 10th St. 404-892-5786 www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Best Place to Pick Up a Gay Boy BOA Award Winner

Year » 2005
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Readers

Blake's on the Park

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2005
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Critics

Jungle Atlanta (Permanently Closed)

Brad Williams must be a genius. Last year, the owner of Red Chair launched what looked like a risky venture, renovating the former Chamber nightclub into his tropical-themed discotheque called JUNGLE. By the end of the summer, the numbers were undeniable: Atlanta had caught Jungle fever. This year, the space has seen even more cosmetic improvements and has hosted a who&#146;s-who of gay nightlife elite. Not only have live performers like Kristine W. and Deborah Cox graced the stage, but DJs Tony Moran, Kimberly S., and Craig Spy have gotten the dancefloor whipped into a frenzy. No wonder it&#146;s a weekly destination for scores of sweaty party boys out to release the animal within. less...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Jungle

Brad Williams must be a genius. Last year, the owner of Red Chair launched what looked like a risky venture, renovating the former Chamber nightclub into his tropical-themed discotheque called JUNGLE. By the end of the summer, the numbers were undeniable: Atlanta had caught Jungle fever. This year, the space has seen even more cosmetic improvements and has hosted a who's-who of gay nightlife elite. Not only have live performers like Kristine W. and Deborah Cox graced the stage, but DJs Tony Moran, Kimberly S., and Craig Spy have gotten the dancefloor whipped into a frenzy. No wonder it's a weekly destination for scores of sweaty party boys out to release the animal within. less...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Blake's on the Park

Best Gay Bar (That Actually Isn't) BOA Award Winner

Year » 2004
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Critics

Impulse At Compound

Wednesday nights have long been favored by antsy ATL queers, who just can't save their sins for the weekend. This year, the going-out crowd saw its most frou-frou venue change to date, with the arrival of IMPULSE AT COMPOUND. The sprawling west side

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2004
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Critics

Blake's On The Park

We may be premature in handing out accolades, given that the dust hasn't fully settled from its recent renovation, but early signs show that BLAKE'S ON THE PARK has returned to its former glory. Once the must-hit spot on Atlanta's gay scene, Blake's saw a dip in its customer base a couple of years back as trendy new competitors sucked away its clientele. But this spring, a change in ownership led to a sleek facelift for the longstanding 10th Street landmark, along with a revitalized lineup of weekly diversions. Apparently the old stand-and-model format never goes out of style. "227 10th St. 404-892-5786. www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com" less...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2004
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Readers

Blake's On the Park

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2003
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Readers

Backstreet

Best Gay / Lesbian Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2002
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Critics

Red Chair Restaurant And Video Lounge

Who knew that RED CHAIR RESTAURANT AND VIDEO LOUNGE would make such a big splash as a gay destination by banning smoking indoors? The re-fashioned former Fusion location now features a large central bar, Picasso-esque murals and a dining room where people eat ("really") while viewing large screens showing the latest Kylie and Madonna videos. On weekends, when the dinner crowd dwindles, the men begin their slut walks through the tightly clad hordes. But on weeknights, the bar has become a new hot spot for the women, who flock to the weekly drag king shows. And for those who need to smoke, there's a porch - which is often packed. "550-C Amsterdam Ave. 404-870-0532." less...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2002
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Readers

Blake's

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Blake's on the Park

227 10th St. 404-892-5786 Love or loathe it, Blake's is the one gay bar in town almost always guaranteed to be guy central. Wednesday night's Lust & Bust drag show draws an oppressively packed house downstairs, which explains why this Midtown fixture has a reputation for S&M (standing and modeling). Weekends can be even crazier, thanks in part to the Saturday night Body Parts Contest and the abundance of eye candy upstairs. Sure, Blake's has a reputation for attitude. But with a clientele like this, who can argue? less...

Best Place for Men to Pick Up Men BOA Award Winner

Year » 2000
Picked By » Critics
Type of Award » Cityscape

Blake's On The Park (Featured)

Say what you will about the attitude or the cramped downstairs, the boys at Blake's make it worth the effort. Whether you're after across-the-bar eye contact or private conversation on the patio, this Midtown institution is infamous for its flirtation factor. Wednesday nights — if you can circumvent the world's smallest drag show — find masses of men on the make, half of whom seem to live handily nearby. But did we mention the attitude? less...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2000
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Readers

Backstreet

One word why gay men love Backstreet: Raven. The quintessential Glamour Drag Queen pairs Wonder Woman fierceness with Cher showmanship for a performance that's always packed. Decked in a seemingly endless line of headdresses, Raven makes her audience work, stripping the obligatory straight boy down to his boxers or slinging those signature fire batons. Sure, there's the throbbing dance floor and hot guys for days, but it's Raven who keeps the queens coming back. less...

Best Gay Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2000
Type of Award » After Dark
Picked By » Critics

Mary's (Featured)

Mary's in East Atlanta has proven in just a couple of years that gay bars can thrive even outside of Midtown. The kitschy-meets-trendy video bar brings a much-needed neighborhood feel to the scene, disarming even the most jaded queens with its decidedly drama-free atmosphere (and delicious Mary-tinis). Crowded weekend nights are known for impromptu dance parties, while all-request Thursdays give everyone a place to enjoy their Madonna videos in peace. less...

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