Bar Review - Something about Mary's

It's hard to imagine East Atlanta Village without Mary's. In less than four years, the cluttered den of all things campy has emerged as a destination not just for newcomers to the neighborhood; it also draws an eclectic crowd of intowners looking for something a little quirky. The bar's mostly gay but often mixed clientele helps explain its dime-store discotheque decor. From the beaming portrait of Mary Tyler Moore to the mod-inspired upstairs lounge, Mary's hosts an equally funky display of works from local artists, giving it the feel of a surreal retro yard sale in progress.

The bartenders at Mary's also pour a little kitsch in with their cocktails. The cheeky menu of Marytinis sports the Virgin Mary and the Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (among others), concoctions of SKYY vodka and various fruity mixers. The most popular, we're told, is the Something About Mary ($5), a potent shot of SKYY, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and sour mix.

Have one of these on a Tuesday night and you just might find yourself in the spotlight crooning Olivia Newton-John. The immensely popular karaoke night reveals Mary's at its best. The ethnically diverse crowd ranges from aloof alterna-kids to giggling Emory girls to cocky Kirkwood pioneers. Fortunately, karaoke is the great equalizer, and all eyes turn as CJ the DJ dusts off another Supremes classic. And with multiple TV screens scrolling the lyrics throughout the video bar, it's not uncommon for some songs to become huge all-bar productions.

When the weather warms, more folks tend to congregate on the bar's rustic back patio, a welcome respite from the cramped bar corridor inside. The upstairs cruising deck is also another popular position, a catbird seat for checking out the hotties walking below.

Mary's, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Mon.-Thurs. 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Fri.-Sat. 4 p.m.-3 a.m. 404-624-4411.??