Guide to LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses in Atlanta

By Sarah Johnson

Published September 14, 2023

Whether you are in Atlanta for the 2023 Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade or visiting anytime, here is your guide to LGBTQ+ businesses in Atlanta.

Morning

Start your day in East Atlanta with a visit to Hodgepodge for a house-made Pop-Tart and a craft coffee. Enjoy the eclectic atmosphere of this local café before continuing northeast to Decatur, a neighbor city known for being inclusive. In Decatur, stop at Charis Books and More — the oldest feminist bookstore in the United States. The diverse selection of books here includes LGBTQ literature, feminist texts and social justice works. Spend some time walking around the square and exploring the shops before making your way to the Grant Park community.

Afternoon

In Grant Park, stop at Ria’s Bluebird for brunch and enjoy locally sourced dishes such as fluffy buttermilk pancakes or huevos rancheros. Sit on the patio and enjoy views of historic Oakland Cemetery, a lovely place for a stroll.

Firepit Pizza Tavern on Memorial Drive is owned by Leslie Cohen, a local chef who gained national attention on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen. Popular menu items are the meatball pizza and the signature Unicorn wings.

If you need some afternoon down time, visit Piedmont Park, one of Atlanta’s most popular green spaces. Walk the trails, have a picnic under an old-growth tree. If you have kids, let them have fun at the Noguchi Playscape or the Mayor’s Grove Playground. Nearby, visit the the iconic rainbow crosswalk and grab a selfie. And while you’re there, whether your are a guy or you are shopping for a guy, stop into Boy Next Door Menswear, featuring clothing and accessories for men offered by LGBTQ fashion designer Joseph DeRosa.

Evening

Experience Asian fusion cuisine at JenChan’s. Located in the Cabbagetown neighborhood, this cozy spot offers a menu that combines pizza and Chinese cuisine. Try the sesame street fries or indulge in a glazed miso five-spice doughnut.

Another idea is to combine dinner and nightlife at Noni’s on Edgewood Avenue. Here you’ll find a blend of homestyle Italian cuisine and a lively dance party. On weekends, you can enjoy a live DJ, stand-up comedy performances or drag shows. Don’t miss the serene backyard patio oasis for a relaxing escape.

For sports enthusiasts, Woofs Atlanta is a gay sports bar where you can cheer on your favorite team, grab a cocktail and bar food and stay for events and themed nights like karaoke, trivia competitions and drag shows. Another option is to dance to the latest rap and hip-hop sounds at Bulldogs in Midtown. It is a popular gay club that has been a favorite among Atlanta’s Black gay culture for more than 40 years.

My Sister’s Room is a lesbian-owned nightclub that hosts dance parties, live performances and themed events. For theater enthusiasts, explore the performances at Out Front Theatre Company.

Anytime

If you have a sweet tooth, make your way to yAAAs cookies in East Atlanta for a tasty selection of freshly-baked cookies. The shop offers a variety of options including vegan and gluten-free.

Explore Atlanta’s gay neighborhoods, and support LGBTQ+ businesses throughout Atlanta. From events to bars and nightlife, the LGBTQ Atlanta Guide will give you all the details you need to know to enjoy Atlanta’s vibrant gay communities