Johnny's Hideaway was a place to dance the night away, and the presence of its founder, Johnny Esposito, always livened up the night.
A veteran of the entertainment business, Mr. Esposito was a flamboyant promoter. He opened the Buckhead night spot in 1979, and gave it the same name of a club he'd operated in Cocoa Beach. People called him "Mr. Entertainment." He was an early proponent of industry nights.
"He had a special night for cabdrivers," said Donna Hedrick, for several years a club bartender. "He was a great promoter. ... He was gregarious and people loved to be around him."
Mr. Esposito had a kind, generous heart but could be fiery, said Lillian Spiezio, a friend since 1996 and Sandy Springs resident. She met Mr. Esposito at Johnny's.
"Johnny was a character, but once I got to know him he had great attributes," she said. "He had a little bit of a temper, but if somebody needed something he was always there. He was the most dependable person I have ever met. We talked every day and I am going to miss that."
John Esposito Sr. of Atlanta died Monday from complications of diabetes at Altus House. He was 79. A memorial Mass will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Cathedral of Christ the King, followed by a reception at Johnny's Hideaway, 3771 Roswell Road. Fischer Funeral Care is in charge of arrangements.
A Pennsylvania native, Mr. Esposito moved from Florida to Atlanta in the late 1960s. Before opening Johnny's Hideaway, he had owned, operated, managed or been a partner in Atlanta venues that include the Platinum Club, The Oaks, Left Bank, Quarterdeck and Yesterdays.
While some of those clubs were more popular than others, Johnny's Hideaway still uses its friendly atmosphere and dance music from the 1950s to pop tunes to attract everyday people and celebrities.
In the late 1990s, Mr. Esposito sold his portion of the club because of his health, but in 2002 he returned to briefly run Johnny's Side Door, a 70-seat club at the rear of Buckhead's Landmark Diner.
Through the years, the club owner showed his civic dedication in various ways. He raised money to buy bullet-proof vests for Atlanta police officers and held a benefit during the city's murdered children saga of 1979-81.
"If he said he'd do something for you, he'd do it," said Ms. Hedrick of Sandy Springs.
Survivors include his son, John Esposito Jr. of Atlanta, and a sister, Penny Allen of Philadelphia.
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