Among the nightlife scene for Black professional millennials, it’s a well-known fact that major metropolitan hubs like Atlanta, Houston, and Washington, DC are the places to be. These cities and their bustling young Black crowds keep the happy hours popping, the day parties jumping, and the nightlife turnt on a weekly basis. It’s probably safe to say that going out for drinks is the most popular nighttime move for everyone 21 and up, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for your typical neighborhood bar or club. Here are a few Atlanta nightlife options you’ll be sure to love!
Illuminarium
Atlanta’s newest hot spot, Illuminarium offers WILD After Dark: An Adult Safari Experience, on Thursdays-Saturdays from 9 pm-12 am. Wild After Dark is the perfect fusion of Illuminarium’s daytime WILD Safari and a full bar (including a selection of African-inspired cocktails, South African wine, and Illuminarium’s WILD Safari Lager brewed by New Realm Brewing). This experience is perfect for a date night, girls night out, cocktail hour and more.
Puttshack
The Atlanta, The Interlock, location features four mini-golf courses using Trackball scoring and interactive gaming technology and a bar and restaurant serving cocktails, beer, and wine and pub food.
Georgia Aquarium
Although the Georgia Aquarium’s rare adult cocktail party and sleepover package is currently unavailable, there is still plenty to do at the aquarium after dark. Leave the kids at home and head over to one of the aquarium’s recurring Sips Under the Seas events, and even though you won’t be able to spend the night there, you will be able to sip themed cocktails while exploring the beloved local attraction.
Pro tip: Dish out the extra cash for a VIP ticket because they automatically come with three complimentary drink tickets. Now go drink like a fish with some of the most popular aquatic creatures in Atlanta.
Joystick Gamebar
The original barcade, is finally back to regular service. Joystick not only has Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, TMNT, and other ’90s-era arcade staples ready to play for just $0.25, but the bartenders can sling some seriously crafty drinks and whip up some boozy sodas to-go. So instead of just playing your Playstation or Xbox at home and sipping on a lackluster homemade cocktail, go drink, mingle, and game at Joystick Gamebar. The party doesn’t stop until 2 am Monday through Friday.
Fernbank Museum
When the second Friday of the month rolls around, go ahead and do Fernbank After Dark, where the city’s brightest science-minded geeks like yourself enjoy adult beverages, tapas and legit scientific fun from 7 pm-11 pm. There’ll be hands-on experiences, and for the next couple of FAD events, there will be activities centered around science fiction and Halloween themes. So if you’re interested in alternate realities, action-packed science experiments, potions, and poisons, you should definitely pay a visit to the Fernbank Museum’s spectacularly geeky 21+ experience.
