Creative places in and around Atlanta for a fun evening out

Johnny’s Hideway always attracts a crowd wanting to cut a rug and dance the night away. Contributed by Johnny’s Hideaway

Johnny’s Hideway always attracts a crowd wanting to cut a rug and dance the night away. Contributed by Johnny’s Hideaway

After a long week with plenty of work and no play, every hardworking woman and man deserves time to relax and just have some fun. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution offers some spots where women can chill with the ladies—and guys can sit back with the fellas. We’ve featured restaurants, night clubs, music spots—and there’s a wildcard, too, for some added fun. Here are some places in and around Atlanta to have a memorable night out on the town.

Girls Night Out

Restaurants

Bazati is located on the east BeltLine, consists of two restaurants, and has a couple of small boutiques that offer a selection of well-curated globally inspired items, such as Colombian leather, artisanal Mexican accessories, Swedish umbrellas, wine and cigars.

Head downstairs and there is a restaurant called Brasserie, a French bistro with a 1920s vibe. Guests can sit on plush couches, sip champagne or hang out at one of the two bars to spend a leisurely afternoon catching up. Staying for dinner is a must. Mouthwatering Provençal-style dishes staple dishes include lobster crêpes, coq au vin, escargot, and coquilles St. Jacques.

Rev up the evening by going upstairs for one of the best views of Atlanta, courtesy of Estrella, a delightful Latin American restaurant that is inspired by the Yucatán. Enjoy the classic style of the 1950s art deco vibes of Miami while sipping margaritas and enjoying tacos, ceviche and burritos. Not only are the food, drinks and atmosphere so continental at both eateries, but the staff offers Old World-style courtly service that folks appreciate.

Brasserie: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Estrella: Closed Mondays; 4-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 550 Somerset Terrace NE, Suite 102, Atlanta. 404-795-8342, bazatiatl.com/brasserie and estrellarooftop.com.

MORE ON AJC.COM: First Look: Find fun ‘fine-casual’ dining, sushi and more at Sukoshi in Midtown

Night Club

Johnny’s Hideaway is the place for those love to dance, and at this iconic nightclub, there is a variety of music from several decades. Dance under the mirror ball to music that ranges from Sinatra to classic rock ‘n’ roll. There’s even a Ladies Night every Wednesday. Located in Buckhead, Johnny’s Highway has been a “nightclub for big kids” since 1979. So put on your dancing shoes, get a dress that swishes as you twist and dance the night away.

Cost varies by time and day. 3771 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta. 404-233-8026, johnnyshideaway.com.

Johnny’s Hideway always attracts a crowd wanting to cut a rug and dance the night away. Contributed by Johnny’s Hideaway

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Music Venue

Gypsy Rose is a Roswell club that offers live music, a menu with variety and a vibe ripe for a good time. Located just off Canton Street, owner Brittany Mullins created an over-21 venue that holds about 180 people and supports local musicians on Wednesday and Thursday nights. On the weekends, expect better-known acts, but all of the bands fall into the categories of American, Southern rock, bluegrass, singer/songwriter, reggae, funk and New Orleans brass. Gypsy Rose has a bar and a sandwich menu that must be pre-ordered. Cover charge varies.

6:30 p.m. until "the music stops" Wednesday-Saturday. Closed Sunday-Tuesday. 964 Alpharetta St., Roswell. 678-226-1178, gypsyrosemusic.com.

Wildcard

Jeju Sauna is a woman’s dream — after all, what woman doesn’t love a spa treatment? But Jeju is different. It is a 35,000 square-foot Korean public bathhouse furnished with hot tubs, showers, Korean traditional kiln saunas, a food court, heated floors for lounging and sleeping, exercise rooms, ice rooms, heated mineral rooms, swimming pool and sleeping quarters.

There are several saunas, depending on your whim. According to those at Jeju Sauna, the Rock & Salt sauna is pure crystal rock salt that helps strengthens your cardiovascular circulation and flushes out impurities while the Gold & Silver sauna is said to help in neurosis and nerve stability; the Jade room is a thermal sauna that aims to increase metabolism and relieves arthritis pain. You can spend the whole day there — actually, go ahead and spend the night. It’s a 24-hour operation.

24 hours. Adults: $30. Seniors: $20. Kids: $25. Additional service, various prices. 3555 Gwinnett Place Dr., Duluth. 678-336-7414, jejusauna.com.

The Steam Jade room at Jeju Sauna is a thermal sauna. Contributed by Jeju Sauna

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Guys Night Out

Restaurant

This suggestion is for the one who enjoys big juicy steaks. Oak Steak House at Avalon delivers great steaks along with an “enlightened” menu of 36-hour pork belly, fresh veggies, oysters, carpaccio of beef tenderloin, smoked rabbit mezzaluna and Maine lobster Cobb salads.

But the steaks are the stars, especially the dry-aged CAB® prime New York strip, prime bone-in ribeye, along with a 12-ounce filet mignon, 17-ounce boneless ribeye and a five-ounce carved tenderloin. For a real bonding moment, maybe sharing a 44-ounce CAP prime tomahawk might be just the thing.

It’s a great spot for a guy’s night out with a special bar menu available Monday-Friday from 5-7 p.m., along with a full selection of beer, wine (heavy on California cabernets or Old World reds) and liquor.

11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-11 p.m. Friday; 5-11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-9 p.m. Sunday. 950 Third St., Alpharetta. 678-722-8333, oaksteakhouseatlanta.com.

Best Nightclub

Sanctuary has been in business for more than 25 years playing Latin beats and encouraging a diverse crowd to know that the "rhythm is gonna get you." This vibrant upscale, yet down-to-earth club, offers some of the most energetic music beats in town including salsa, merengue, Latin pop-rock and bachata. Sure, attendees can sit in the lounges and drink a cocktail, but before long they will be on the dance floor. It is almost impossible not to get up and dance, even if you don't know how to dance. People are just having fun. Reservations are accepted to reserve a table. There are free beginner salsa classes with paid door cover on Friday nights with Sean Christopher of Dancing4fun.

Latin Friday: 9 p.m.- 3 a.m. $10 (ladies free before midnight). LBGT Saturdays: 10 p.m.-3 a.m. $10. 3209 Paces Ferry Place NW, Atlanta. 404-262-1377, sanctuarynightclub.com.

The crowd at Sanctuary dances to the Latin beats. Contributed by Sanctuary

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Best Music Venue

Masquerade is no longer at its iconic location on North Avenue, but the three indoor venues (Heaven, Hell and Purgatory) are now all housed under one roof in its new location in Kenny’s Alley in Underground Atlanta. The Masquerade presents about 700 shows a year — everything from punk, metal, electronic, indie, alternative, rock and hip hop. It’s a general admission venue with standing room only. Various days and prices.

75 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, Atlanta. 404-577-8178, masqueradeatlanta.com.

A guitarist delivers the musical goods at Masquerade. Contributed by Masquerade.

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Wildcard

Look beyond the most popular local sports teams—the Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Atlanta United, Atlanta Dream, and not to mention all the college sports — and instead take a drive to Gwinnett for hockey. The Atlanta Gladiators deliver a fast game with the puck going 90 miles an hour and players skating from zero to 20 miles an hour and stopping on a dime. There are slap shots, pucks flying, incredible skill displayed and young athletes playing for their future. Since the team is a minor league team, you never know if you’re watching the next Sidney Crosby. Another plus is that tickets and concessions are very reasonable.

Tickets start at $17. Infinite Energy Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-497-510, atlantagladiators.com.