Atlanta’s Best Nightlife

Best Acoustic Music Venue: An intimate venue with a long and well-deserved reputation for excellence, Eddie’s Attic (515-B N. McDonough Rd., Decatur, 404/377-4976, www.eddiesattic.com [1], Mon.–Thurs. 4 p.m.–12:30 a.m., Fri.–Sat. 4 p.m.–2 a.m.) is a Decatur landmark.

Best Be-Seen Dance Club: Housed in a gorgeous former 1920s movie theater, Opera (1150-B Peachtree St., 404/874-0428, www.operaatlanta.com [2], Fri.–Sat. 10 p.m.–3 a.m., cover varies) has the opulent feel of a European concert hall — with killer house DJs and a huge dance floor.

Best Dive Bar: Definitely not for the squeamish, Clermont Lounge (789 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404/874-4783, www.clermontlounge.net [3], Mon.–Sat. 1 p.m.–3 a.m.) is a dingy 1960s-era strip club that’s become a hipster heaven.

Best Salsa Dancing: Spontaneous fits of salsa dancing tend to erupt at Midtown’s Loca Luna (550 Amsterdam Ave., 404/875-4494, www.loca-luna.com [4], Tues.–Thurs. 5 p.m.–late, Fri.–Sat. 12:30 a.m.–2:30 a.m., Sun. 5–10 p.m.), also home to delicious sangria and mojitos.

Best Patio: Perhaps no bar in town has a larger outdoor space than Park Tavern (500 10th St., 404/249-0001, www.parktavern.com [5], Mon.–Fri. 4:30 p.m.–2:30 a.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 a.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m.–midnight), situated on a scenic corner of Piedmont Park.

Best Jazz Club: Located next door to the Fox Theatre, Churchill Grounds (660 Peachtree St., 404/876-3030, www.churchillgrounds.com [6], Mon.–Fri. 6 p.m.–2 a.m., Sat. noon–2 a.m.) is a refined local favorite for hot jazz acts.

Best Lounge: Funky Bazzaar Urban Bar (654 Peachtree St., 404/885-7505, www.bazzaaratlanta.com [7], Tues.–Sat. 6 p.m.–3 a.m.) has atmosphere and attitude.

Best Gay Bar: Open since 1987, Blake’s on the Park (227 10th St., 404/892-5786, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com [8], Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–2:30 a.m., Sun. 12:30 p.m.–midnight) remains one of the city’s most popular gathering spots for gay guys of all ages.