Insider Guide
W Hotels x them. Atlanta
Southern heat mixed with cool vibes in this diverse and ever-changing city.
Insider Guide W Hotels x them. Atlanta
The Essential Guide to Queer Atlanta
With its symbol being the mythical phoenix, Atlanta is a city with deep roots and a long history of resilience. Literally rising from the ashes of the Civil War, Atlanta rebuilt itself as “The City Too Busy to Hate,” becoming the de facto Capital of the South and the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement in the process.
The city itself is relatively small, with under half a million residents, but the sprawling metro area suburbs and exurbs are home to 6 million (that’s where all the traffic comes from). These 6 Million residents are comprised of a very diverse group—you’ll find the largest Hindu temple in the Western Hemisphere, the largest concentration of refugees, and a road with eateries from every country in the world (Buford Highway is a must-visit). Atlanta is also the epicenter of LGBTQ+ life in the South: Piedmont Park has hosted Pride since 1970 (one of the oldest in the nation), RuPaul got her start in Atlanta’s punk drag clubs, and the city is also known as “Black Gay Mecca.” To top it all off, Atlanta has more trees than any other major urban area in the U.S. Expect to have your expectations blown away.
When in Atlanta, You Must
EAT
South City Kitchen
1144 Crescent Ave
DRINK
Swinging Richards
1400 Northside Dr
SEE
Trees Atlanta Arboretum Walking Tour
240 N. Highland Ave
DO
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Ave NE
Know Before You Go
Tip Life
Carry plenty of $1 bills to tip your drag queens and strippers well. In Atlanta, folks will work everything they got to give you a good performance, and tipping well is very important.
Ride in Style
Walk, Bike, MARTA, and Uber… but don’t drive your own car unless you have to. Lots of areas are pedestrian friendly, and many paved off-street bike trails can transport you across town without having to battle cars.
Bring Your Good Times and Your Laughter Too
Pride happens in the fall, in the lovely month of October. Don’t worry, you can roll out in a speedo and glitter and still won’t be cold. In addition to Atlanta Pride, America’s Black Gay Pride happens every Labor Day in Atlanta.
Neighborhoods to Explore
1. Midtown
High rises contrast historic homes in this wonderful, walkable neighborhood literally in the middle of everything. Much of LGBTQ+ life in Atlanta is centered here.
2. Inman Park / Little Five Points
In the 1800s, this was Atlanta’s first suburb, complete with a trolley line connecting to downtown. Nowadays, it’s in the heart of the city, with some of the grandest old homes and the largest historic trees. Enclave Little Five Points is a crossroads for artists and punks—with multiple theatres, concert venues, bars, restaurants, and clothing stores.
3. East Atlanta Village
This diverse and walkable neighborhood feels like a small town but is actually an underground urban hotspot with restaurants, bars, tattoo parlors, owner-run small businesses, and an international food hall.
Ultimate Access
Einstein's
1077 Juniper St
Eatery offering upscale and creative takes on Southern comfort classics, with a spacious patio and popular weekend brunch.
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People in Atlanta take their patios seriously, and Einstein’s has one of the best in the city. This old bungalow in the middle of Midtown’s high-rises is only two blocks from the W Hotel Midtown, and another two blocks to 10th and Piedmont, the epicenter of gay Atlanta.
Mary's
1287 Glenwood Ave
Relaxed and funky bar caters to a gay and underground crowd with karaoke and DJs spinning alternative tunes.
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Radical queer artists, gay punks, lesbian rockers, and more fringey elements call this bar home. You have been warned.
Piedmont Park
400 Park Dr
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same person who built Central Park in New York City, this is Atlanta’s signature green space.
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Go to the store “Richard's Variety” on Monroe next to Piedmont Park and buy a kite to fly, rent one of the ubiquitous blue Relay bikes, and drop into the Atlanta Botanical Gardens (inside Piedmont Park, but requires a ticket) for a full day of fun in Atlanta's favorite park.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights
100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd
The Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum dedicated to the achievements of both the civil rights movement in the United States and the broader worldwide human rights movement.
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The Civil Rights movement found its core source of power in Atlanta, “The City Too Busy to Hate.” Today, the city remains a bastion for African American culture and history. This museum explores this history in emotionally compelling exhibits, as well as touching on human rights stories worldwide. Plan to spend several hours here.
W Atlanta - Downtown
A hot spot in the heart of the city.
W Atlanta - Midtown
Surround yourself with lush and luxury in buzzing Midtown.
W Atlanta - Buckhead
Take on Buckhead for ultimate relaxation and major shopping perks.
Spotted in ATL
Your LGBT Insider Guide to Atlanta
They best spots to eat, drink, groove and explore during Atlanta's PRIDE weekend, and beyond.
Celebrating Atlanta PRIDE in Full Color
The technicolor PRIDE celebration at W Atlanta brought custom hats, vibrant performances, and artwork by Baron Von Fancy.