17 Best Bars in Atlanta, Georgia

You may have heard of the infamous Clermont Lounge, a strip club unlike any other, but the women who rule the roost at this local landmark are older and sassier. On Saturday nights the dance floor opens up and the DJ plays old-school disco, funk, pop, and R&B. The well drinks are strong, and the clientele is cool—all making for a very entertaining night out in Atlanta.

These 74 seats in the back of the Vortex restaurant and bar are Atlanta's most popular destination for local and national touring comedians.

This local landmark and favorite of left-leaning politicos and media gadflies owes its popularity to its spirit and friendly service. Look for photos of vintage Atlanta sports teams and both local and national politicians, including a younger Bill and Hillary Clinton visiting with the spot's namesake. A crowd gathers around the wide-screen TVs when the Atlanta Braves play.

Vortex prides itself on being impolite—a look at the "rules" will show you they take no guff—but really it's a friendly bar with great burgers. Ask for the off-menu fried zucchini. Just look for the huge skull, a landmark of Little Five Points, and you've found the door. The bar-restaurant's Midtown location fronts the popular Laughing Skull Comedy Club.

A cavelike bar that opens up into a live music venue with great sound and a patio, 529 hosts local and national emerging indie bands.

Weekly drag shows, a diverse crowd, and plenty of people-watching all help keep this place near the southwest corner of Piedmont Park popular.

New Orleans and Chicago blues groups are the main thing here, although Cajun and zydeco are also on the calendar from time to time. The name honors Blind Willie McTell, a native of Thomson, Georgia; his original compositions include "Statesboro Blues," made popular by the Georgia-based Allman Brothers.

A fixture on the gay scene since 1978, Bulldogs is the place to hang out with friends or dance to hip-hop, house, or R&B.

One of the best gay bars in Atlanta, the divey and fun Mary's is known for its "Mary-oke" karaoke night.

Billing itself as the city's "most diverse ladies' bar," this lesbian club, called MSR for short, brings the party with hip-hop, DJs, and karaoke.

Folk art meets gay pride meets sangria here at "Church" (as this popular dive bar is known), which has nun mannequins in full habit dangling from the ceiling and choir robes for patrons should the spirit move them. There's also an outdoor patio and a spacious second floor with a Ping-Pong table.

Smith's Olde Bar schedules different kinds of talent, both local and regional, in its acoustically fine performance space. Food is available in the downstairs restaurant. Covers vary depending on the act, but are usually $5 to $15.

Atlanta's first gay sports bar has pool and darts as well as more than 25 TVs. A menu of bar food is also available—perfect for the big game.

You can choose from hundreds of bottled and draft brews—including high-gravity beers—along with some very good burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Upstairs, the popular Belgian beer bar is cavelike and cramped but worth it for the selection.

Close to the Decatur MARTA station, this bar and restaurant is a good spot for catching local and some national rock, folk, and country-music acts. Cover charges typically range from $5 to $20.