51 Best Nightlife in Georgia, USA

In a beautifully renovated space with pressed-tin ceilings and a gorgeous antique bar, this is the place to come for a bottle of wine or champagne by the glass. Recordings of jazz legends like Billie Holiday or Django Reinhardt are usually the soundtrack, and the bar area is filled with tucked-away nooks for couples on a date. The gastropub next door offers a full menu of French fare that can also be ordered late into the night. The gourmet burgers and the mussels are highly recommended.

This laid-back spot invites you to indulge your sweet tooth. Walking through the door, you're immediately greeted by a dessert case full of freshly baked specialties—try some of the homemade truffles. The menu also includes a spectacular list of specialty drinks, including champagne cocktails, chocolate martinis, and a modest selection of beer and wines. Warm up with an Irish coffee or the truly divine "drinkable chocolate," an especially fulfilling twist on hot chocolate.

Lighted by flickering candles, this tavern in the basement of The Olde Pink House is one of Savannah's most romantic late-night spots. There's a talented piano player setting the mood, two stone fireplaces, and an array of fox-hunt memorabilia. The upstairs menu is available, with the same quality of service but a slightly less formal approach.

The handful of tables fill up fast, but the staff will serve you wherever you find a spot.

Vortex prides itself on being impolite—a look at the "rules" will show you they take no guff—but really it's a friendly bar with great burgers. Ask for the off-menu fried zucchini. Just look for the huge skull, a landmark of Little Five Points, and you've found the door. The bar-restaurant's Midtown location fronts the popular Laughing Skull Comedy Club.

This famed indie-rock club is known for helping to launch the careers of R.E.M., the B-52s, and other local bands that grew out of the college scene. Nirvana, the Flaming Lips, and Sonic Youth all played here back in the day. Today, you'll find a mix of local and national acts gracing the stage—from country to punk and pop.

A cavelike bar that opens up into a live music venue with great sound and a patio, 529 hosts local and national emerging indie bands.

Weekly drag shows, a diverse crowd, and plenty of people-watching all help keep this place near the southwest corner of Piedmont Park popular.

New Orleans and Chicago blues groups are the main thing here, although Cajun and zydeco are also on the calendar from time to time. The name honors Blind Willie McTell, a native of Thomson, Georgia; his original compositions include "Statesboro Blues," made popular by the Georgia-based Allman Brothers.

A fixture on the gay scene since 1978, Bulldogs is the place to hang out with friends or dance to hip-hop, house, or R&B.

This sleek nightspot regularly features live jazz, blues, and acoustic stylings. The decor is luxe, perhaps even a bit over-the-top. There's a great balcony on the side where you can have a drink while enjoying a view of lovely Forsyth Park.

You may have heard of the infamous Clermont Lounge, a strip club unlike any other, but the women who rule the roost at this local landmark are older and sassier. On Saturday nights the dance floor opens up and the DJ plays old-school disco, funk, pop, and R&B. The well drinks are strong, and the clientele is cool—all making for a very entertaining night out in Atlanta.

Savannah's mainstay gay bar offers three levels of fun: drag shows and occasional burlesque and theater productions upstairs; dance parties on the main floor; and a relaxing spot for conversation or karaoke in the basement bar. Although the decor is a little tacky, the scene is wildly fun when the lights go down and the music starts.

This is the place to be if you're trying to catch the big game. Although it's a few miles east of downtown, Coach's Corner serves burgers and other traditional pub grub and is known for some of the best wings in all of Savannah. Check their Facebook page for the occasional live music offerings.

Part sports bar, part music venue, the Congress Street Social Club is always jam-packed on weekend nights. Enjoy drinks and street eats right off the grill on the patio, dance to live music or a DJ inside, or play a round of pool in Social's basement. For a more laid-back experience, stop by on a weekend afternoon for nibbles, beer, and dogspotting on the patio.

Besides being home to its own recording studio, this 1940s-era factory building hosts fashion, art, and live music events. Run by a young couple hailing from New York City, the place attracts up-and-coming and known national touring artists alike, including some big names like Art Garfunkel. The vibe is offbeat and indie, a mirrored stage and hipster patrons, all in an expansive old warehouse with impressive high ceilings and exposed brick walls. It's open only when there's a show, so check the calendar.

A legendary Athens live music venue, Georgia Theatre continues to host many well-known national and local acts. The historic building once served as a movie theater and Masonic lodge. Catch a show in the theater or head up to the rooftop bar for drinks and snacks.

This place was once a strip club, and the original stripper pole still hangs horizontally above the bar. The owner gave the space a warm, homey feel, creating the bar out of metal shavings from a machine shop. On weekends this is a big hangout for young hipsters who like cheap beer and live rock music. The staff is friendly, and the jukebox is awesome.

These 73 seats in the back of the Vortex restaurant and bar are Atlanta's most popular destination for local and national touring comedians.

This local landmark and favorite of left-leaning politicos and media gadflies owes its popularity to its spirit and friendly service. Look for photos of vintage Atlanta sports teams and both local and national politicians, including a younger Bill and Hillary Clinton visiting with the spot's namesake. A crowd gathers around the wide-screen TVs when the Atlanta Braves play.

One of the best gay bars in Atlanta, the divey and fun Mary's is known for its "Mary-oke" karaoke night.