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Where to Watch Election Returns with Like-Minded ATL Democratic Voters

If, like me, you are looking forward to going out tonight to watch election returns roll in, in the company of like-minded fellow citizens, I thought I’d round a up a list of election return parties in the metro Atlanta area.  Here are some of your options:

Democratic Organizations and local bars/restaurants are hosting a number of election night events across town, most of which will get underway between 7 and 8 pm.  The more “official” and LGBT-specific events are listed first, followed by others in alphabetical order. If a different time is announced, it will be noted in the listing here:

Democratic Party Election Coverage, Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Avenue, Atlanta, GA The Democratic Party Website says that Amsterdam Atlanta has hosted six hugely successful watch events, including a Super Tuesday watch party and Convention Acceptance Speech watch party, each attended by approximately 500 supporters. Those events were covered on the Obama Website, in the AJC and on WSB-TV. Amsterdam has 6700 square feet of elbow room with a 1400 SF outdoor patio. There are 21 flat screen TVs, four large screen projectors and a state-of-the-art sound system.  The Democratic Party will officially be there to take in multichannel viewing of national as well as local results. I’m betting none of those screens will be tuned to Fox News.  The TVs will be tuned in at 7 pm and continue until 3 am.  There’s also a full service restaurant serving until midnight.  It’s going to be crowded.

The Barack Obama Official “Yes We Did” Celebration has been expanded to two Atlanta locations to include all supporters who want to celebrate together (until capacity prohibits further admission).  Both locations are on 19th Street (at Atlantic Station):  Fox Sports Grill and Ten Pin Alley. 6:29 pm - approx. 2 am EDT. A DJ will begin at 9 pm at Dolce Ten Pin. This is a free event (as are most others). There will be an Obama Celebrity Backdrop Wall, a red carpet, and a life-size Barack Obama.  Event Host Preston L. Harden, an Obama Delegate and member of the Georgia Young Professionals for Change, isexpecting news coverage.  He asks that you wear your OBAMA gear and bring your Obama signs.   Parking is available at Atlantic Station or take MARTA to the Arts Center Station and take the free shuttle to Atlantic Station. Kids are okay.

And still there’s more…

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Dems to Get Peppy at Mary’s

If, like me, you’ve had just about enough of John McCain and his attack dog, you might want to head over to Mary’s bar in East Atlanta tonight.

Mary’s is hosting a Democratic Pep Rally to encourage voter registration and raise money for the Barack Obama campaign.  In true Mary’s style, the pep rally will feature a costume contest for the best First Lady or Head of State doppleganger.  The winner gets $100 donated to the Obama Campaign in their name. There will be boys on the bar dancing to the tunes of DJ Hawg-Tied.  MC 5 Hour Boner will officiate.

Life in this red state has me blue in the face.  It’s time to do something, and what better place than at Mary’s.

Mary’s Bar is the Best

The national queers at Logo Online have discovered what Atlanta queers already know. Mary’s Bar in East Atlanta is the best. I love hanging out at Mary’s. It’s my choice if I want to just stop in somewhere for a drink to unwind. Or if I want to karaoke (although it’s known there as Mary-oke). Or if I want to meet (gay or straight) friends for a laid-back evening. Pretty much any occasion, you can count on a good time and a friendly crowd at this East Atlanta gay (and lesbian, and transgender, and bi, and straight) bar. I’m glad Logo named Mary’s Bar the Best Gay Bar in the country. I’m pleased that Mary’s is also rated number one by AOL’s City’s Best List. It proves you don’t have to be trendy, or in New York, San Francisco or L.A., to operate an entertaining, welcoming and popular gay bar.

Unlike most of the gay or lesbian bars in Atlanta (and in many other parts of the country), Mary’s is busy pretty much every night of the week. One thing that always strikes me is how happy everyone seems at Mary’s. One Saturday night earlier this summer, I tapped a friend on the shoulder and told him to take a look around. Everyone was laughing, smiling and/or singing. The bartenders are friendly and attentive. The only thing that would make Mary’s a better bar would be a little more room. It’s long, narrow bar area is a tight squeeze most nights of the week. And the “stage” area in front of the DJ booth can be awkward during Mary-oke, and results in completely closing down the front entrance and routing patrons to the back door on the deck. But somehow the tight squeeze only works to Mary’s advantage. Everyone cooperates to work around the limited space. Even thought it’s usually quite crowded, it never seems to get too crowded. In other words, this little LGBT bar could only get better if it doubled in size.

Only one other Georgia gay bar made the list.  It’s Swinging Richards, the all-male gay strip club on Northside Drive.