Event Dates
From: Friday, April 25, 2025
To: Sunday, April 27, 2025
Atlanta Bear Pride is 3 days of bear themed events & parties showcasing the diversity of bear culture.
Atlanta Bear Pride is 3 days of bear themed events & parties showcasing the diversity of bear culture and bringing people from around the Southeast to converge on Atlanta for one big weekend.
- The event fills the Atlanta, especially the popular Midtown gay district, so book your hotel in advance.
The Event
- Next Edition: Next Edition: Friday April 25th – Sunday April 27th, 2025.
- The weekend-long celebration of Atlanta Bear Pride includes the Bear Invasion opening night, the Bearracuda party, and a Saturday and Sunday T Dance.
- Several after hour parties at Xion are also planned.
The Schedule
- Friday – Warm Up Party at Woofs from 7 pm to 10 pm , followed by the Atlanta Bear Pride Kick off Party, Bear Invasion from 9 pm at Heretic, ending with the Xion After Hours at Future Atlanta from 3 am to 7 am.
- Saturday – Events kick off from 3 pm to 8 pm with the Randy Outdoor Tea Dance at The Heretic from 3 pm to 8 pm followed Bearracuda from 9 pm to 3am. Events end at Xion from 3 am to 7 am.
- Sunday – Ease into Sunday from 4pm with the Sunday Funday no cover event at Woof from 4 pm to 7 pm. Then head over to the Atlanta Eagle with the Sunday Tea Dance from 7 pm to midnight. Wrap things up at the Atlanta Bear Pride closing party, “Shameless Sunday” at Future Atlanta from midnight until 4am.
Heretic
- Heretic Atlanta is one of the city’s longest running gay clubs and has a huge dance floor, well able to accommodate all the guests visiting for the annual bear pride. This signature event sells out fast, so book your tickets early. If you’re looking for an Atlanta hot spot, at this bar you’re bound to see shirtless bods, leather accessories & [hot] men!
- The Heretic is a favorite destination for leather aficionados (it even has its own leather shop). This bar draws plenty of guys into leather as well as – more generally – a butch & “cruise-y” bunch clad in jeans, leathers and little else. The staff & clientele tend to be quite friendly.
Future Atlanta
- Future Atlanta is located in Underground Atlanta a shopping and entertainment district in the Five Points neighborhood of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States, near the Five Points MARTA station.
- The club is 11 minutes drive from Piedmont Park the LGBT district of Atlanta.
The Eagle
- The Atlanta Eagle – Low-key gay leather bar with pool, dancing, karaoke & frequent theme nights.
- Atlanta Eagle reopened in Ansley Square on Piedmont Avenue, a 4-minute drive from Midtown.
Woofs
- Woofs Atlanta – Atlanta’s only Gay Sports Bar, showing multiple sporting events, plus video games and darts.
- Serves delicious snacks including their meatball trio, shrimp skewers and tasty nachos.
Other Popular Bars in Atlanta
- Oscar’s Bar: A chill spot with a disco theme, central bar, and outdoor patio. Located in Midtown, Ansley Square Shopping Center.
- Felix’s: Offers a cozy atmosphere, weekly events like karaoke and trivia, and a small outdoor patio. Located in the Ansley Square Shopping Center, Midtown.
- Friends on Ponce: A casual neighborhood bar with a diverse decoration, offering games and a spacious patio. Found across from O4W’s BeltLine Kroger.
- Bulldogs: An iconic part of Black gay Atlanta with a casual vibe and heavy-handed drinks. Situated in Midtown.
- The T: Offers a low-key environment with a small room and central bar, great for conversations. Found in Grant Park.
- Mary’s: Provides a mix of all types with regular events and a busy weekend dance floor in the East Atlanta Village.
- BJ Roosters: Adjacent to The Heretic, it varies from dive-bar vibes to lively nights with go-go dancers. Found on Cheshire Bridge.
- X (Ten): Known for its central location at the rainbow crosswalks, theme nights, and all-seasons patio. Situated in Midtown.
Where to stay during Atlanta Bear Pride
- Midtown Atlanta is the epicenter of LGBTQ culture and nightlife in Atlanta. There is no lack of bars and restaurants here. Some standouts include Blake’s on the Park, one of the longest running gay bars in the city.
- Stay at the Bellyard in West Midtown with 161 suites and guestrooms tricked out with the latest in technology and a spacious fitness center. The hotel is just 10 mins drive from Future.
Hotels close to the gay district in Atlanta
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action:
Glenn Hotel, Renaissance Hotel, Stonehurst Place, The Ritz-Carlton.
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Courtyard Midtown has a great location,
spacious rooms and a great gym.
For further information and advice on
Atlanta Bear Pride,visit The Website
The Atlanta gay population lives, works and plays all over the city and even into the suburbs. Midtown has several of the city’s most popular gay bars like Blake’s, Burkhart’s Pub, Bulldogs and Swinging Richards. The Atlanta LBGT populace is also partially responsible for the resurgence of Grant Park in the 1980s. The historic neighborhood was falling into ruins when members of the community started scooping up properties, renovating and restoring them to their original glory. This fever pitch trickled over into the neighborhoods of East Atlanta, Ormewood Park and the Old Fourth Ward. These are all eclectic, funky and tolerant neighborhoods, like most of Atlanta.
181 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
This ideally situated downtown Atlanta hotel offers a fitness centre and restaurant. The Ritz-Carlton is less than one kilometer from MARTA mass transit and the State Farm Arena. It offers guests 55-inch high-definition flat-screen TVs.
The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta’s elegant and spacious rooms feature feather beds, iPod docking stations and WiFi. They also have minibars and 24-hour in-room dining
923 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30309
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this historic bed and breakfast features a daily gourmet breakfast. Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Georgia Aquarium is just 3.5 km away.
A flat-screen cable TV and an iPod docking station are available in each room at Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast Bed and Breakfast. A DVD player is also included. Towels and linen are provided.
866 West Peachtree St NW Atlanta, GA 30308
This Atlanta boutique hotel is adjacent to Georgia Institute of Technology and 2.7 km from the Georgia Aquarium and 1.4 km from Piedmont Park. It features a state-of-the-art fitness centre and spacious rooms with a 37-inch flat-screen TV.
A seasonal
, The Garden at Community Smith, offers evening cocktails, craft beer, light fare, and a . Community Smith, the on-site restaurant, serves dishes with humanely-raised meat and seafood, classic cocktails, wine, and craft beer.110 Marietta Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Located in Atlanta, this luxury hotel is within walking distance of CNN Studio Center, State Farm Arena and Georgia Aquarium. Features include an on-site restaurant and spacious rooms with an iPod docking station.
Glenn Hotel of the Marriott Autograph Collection is host to the Rooftop Sky Lounge, providing spectacular views of the city skyline and a variety of cocktails. Modern American cuisine is served daily at Glenn’s Kitchen.
Atlanta, GA 30308
Cozy Hotel Style air conditioned Condo Located Midtown offering 2 bedrooms, a living room with TV, a fully equipped kitchen, patio and an outdoor pool. Free WiFi, a fitness centre. close to the bars and restaurants
Peachtree St NE & Linden Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Amazing Atlanta Fully Furnished air conditioned Apartments features a living room with cable flat-screen TV a kitchen, fitted with a dishwasher, bathroom with a shower, free toiletries. Free WiFi and fitness centre
849 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Amazing air conditioned Midtown apartment with 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom, with living room and fully fitted Kitchen, located in Atlanta's most popular Midtown neighborhood close to bars and lots of restaurants
900 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
West Home is a one of a Kind 2 bedroom 2 bathroom fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, a microwave, a washing machine loft overlooking Midtown & offers free WiFi and air conditioning
699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30308
Neighborhood gay bar with, pool, a patio, games, a jukebox & nightly specials.
227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
Straight-friendly gay bar & neighborhood hangout with karaoke, live DJs & drag shows since 1988
990 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
Fun gay bar with drag shows, DJs and dance floor
1510 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, United States
Gay bar with regular karaoke shows, performers, DJs, dancing & drink specials.
1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
Gay leather bar with pool, dancing, karaoke & frequent theme nights.
990 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30309
Popular with everyone this gay bar is always busy
893 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
Legendary Bulldogs is the oldest gay bar in Atl!! Predominantly African American clientele. A great spot for men. Food, drinks, and more!!
1510 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30324
Oscar's has always been the best martini, art bar, show tunes and video on demand gay bar
465 Boulevard SE Atlanta, GA 30312
this is a mans bar popular with bears and leather guys with events like Beer Bust, Dirty Boy Bingo, Balls Deep Karaoke & Dude 80's Night you know its going to be a fun night
1287 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, United States
Relaxed gay bar with karaoke & DJs spinning alternative tunes.
736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30306
1544 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30324
The neighborhood gay bar with daily drink specials and entertainment!
1492 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30324
Mixx Atlanta is Atlanta's Premier Nightlife Destination! with regular gay events
2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30324
BJ Roosters gay bar features the hottest Men nightly! Great music, cold drinks, pool, darts, and hot guys.
2425 Piedmont Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30324
Since 2002, Woofs has been the nation’s leader in full service sports bars serving the gay community.
66 12th St NE Atlanta, GA 30309
My Sister's Room has been Atlanta’s number-one lesbian bar for more than 24 years and a favorite destination for the queer community since 1996. The bar is a safe haven and home to everyone who enters featuring nightly drag shows, burlesques shows, comedy, karaoke and more.
2069 Cheshire Bridge Road Atlanta, Georgia 30324
Gay Night Club with regular events
1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
The Atlanta Eagle is Atlanta’s premier levi and leather bar that caters to ALL
227 10th St NE Atlanta, GA 30309
Blake’s On The Park popylar gay dance bar, Never A Cover, Always A Groove
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We have chosen hotels in Atlanta that keep you close to all the Action, shops, restaurants & bars
Bear Invasion April 2015 Atlanta Bear Pride Jungle
Atlanta has a vibrant and inclusive LGBTQ+ community, and it’s often considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in the United States. The city was home to some early LGBTQ+ activist organizations, and it played a significant part in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
This eclectic neighborhood is known for its welcoming atmosphere & diverse community. Home to several gay-friendly bars, restaurants, & shops.
Downtown Atlanta offers a variety of shopping options for both residents & visitors. With upscale boutiques, unique stores and famous attractions.