Atlanta
After Dark
Atlanta, home to the busiest airport on Earth, Fortune 500 companies, and a foreign-born population that nears 800,000 people, likes to boast that it’s a world-class city. But is it a 24-hour city? Sure, we’re no Las Vegas, where slot machines never sleep, or New York City, where the trains run around the clock. But in the sprawling and diverse region we call home, we have created after-hours places to work and play, release tension, and celebrate with friends and strangers. Gone are the days of hotel ballrooms and big-hair Buckhead bars, so what does today’s nightlife look like? We talked to the people who work while you revel and recall Atlanta’s long history after dark. This entire issue is devoted to Atlanta after hours. The 24-hour city is out there. You just have to know where to look.
Edited by Thomas Wheatley
An Oral History of Magic City
Jermaine Dupri, Big Boi, Ryan Cameron, and more discuss the rise of the legendary strip club
Culture of Nightlife
10 Best Late-Night Restaurants in Atlanta
These aren't midnight snacks. These are midnight meals. The 10 best places to eat—in descending order of lateness.
10 Best Things to Do After Midnight in Atlanta
Karaoke, spas, movies, rollerskating, drag, strip clubs, bowling, gaming—the list goes on.
50 Best Bars in Atlanta
There are something like 4.7 bazillion establishments in metro Atlanta that serve booze. If you think picking the top fifty and then ranking them seems like a fool's errand, you would not be alone.
What really happens inside a swingers club?
You won’t see a massive orgy upon entering—though the front room does have an obligatory stripper pole.
Timeline: The long, risque history of Atlanta's nightlife
From the repeal of prohibition to the unveiling of Ponce City Market, we survey eight decades of change.
For us mere mortals: A glimpse into the world of Himitsu’s VIPs
The ultra-exclusive Buckhead speakeasy allowed us a glimpse into the world of its VIPs
Move over, Instagram: How 10 Atlanta photo booths stack up
Photo booths have become a relic of the past. For those who still appreciate the analog, here’s a snapshot of what to expect at various booths around town.
Working the Night Shift
Fetishes. Mansion parties. Every day (and night) is different for an Atlanta escort.
Marshall Rancifer found recovery after addiction. Now he helps Atlanta’s homeless get off the streets.
Trévon Williams knew Atlanta creatives wanted another way to party. So he created Vain.
While you’re asleep, Kenneth Canada is making sure your FedEx packages arrive on time
Even at 5 a.m., this trauma nurse is saving Atlanta lives at Grady Hospital
