Inside: Mary's

One visit to Mary's and it’s little wonder why Logo’s "Trip Out Gay Travel Guide" named it the best gay bar in America, not just Atlanta or Georgia. Mary's has got vibe for days. Very funky, it’s like one of those places you only see in the movies but don’t believe is real. Vintage '70s, early '80s look. “Our theme is kind of like your grandparents basement,” says Mary's co-owner Ben Cheaves. “It’s all that thrift stuff. We always have kind of old, retro things. It’s really campy. It’s always been kind of an eclectic thrift store mix.”

It’s definitely the hotspot for society’s castaways, you know, those people we secretly cheer because they are so free just being themselves. Owners Ben Cheaves and Mike Dover go way back with Mary's. Ben used to hang and work at Mary's while Mike used to just hang but, even though they’ve upgraded to owners, some things never change; they still hang out at Mary's.

The bar itself is ten years old but Ben and Mike have been in charge since 2005. Because it’s in East Atlanta, it’s really laid back and diverse. “It’s like a very eclectic neighborhood,” explains Ben, “so we’ve always had a mixed crowd, straight, gay, lesbian, male, female." That’s because the music and sound is so incredible. Would we expect anything less?

There is no food at Mary's, so it’s only open six days a week. The fun jumps off at 5 p.m. and usually lasts until last call, 2:30 a.m. Mary's does have a signature drink to add to its well drinks and premium liquors like Grey Goose that range from $4.50 to $10. "Pound My B-Hole" is definitely uniquely Mary's but it’s a secret recipe that Ben’s not spilling. What he will say is “there’s a procedure to it that you just have to be here to see.” Hint: It involves pounding the bar and sticking your butt in the air.

Fun, fun, fun for everyone is a major theme. “We’re always coming up with some stupid reason to have a party and get people to dress up and be stupid.”  Cheaves says, "One man’s stupid is another person’s fun." Sometimes, there are impromptu events like "Golden Girls" trivia night or a Madonna party. Halloween is really a blast here and so is Bastille Day which requires partygoers to dress up in French costumes and get funky to all sounds French, from disco to pop. "Fag Bash" is a big Pride week tradition. Think "Animal House" frat party, with a twist of course, and you got it.

There’s no need to wait for special occasions because Mary's rocks all the time. Mondays is "Get Up on Deez Nutz!" night with sounds courtesy of DJ Va Jay Jay. Tuesdays and Saturdays are real big nights because "Mary-oke rules." CJ, a guy who sounds like Diana Ross, hosts Saturday’s sessions of performing show tunes and '80s songs, often times badly. "Ball Out Thursdays" revels in various themes. Melloween or soft rock anyone? Maybe "Big Primpin'" is more your style. Sometimes Mike, a.k.a. MC 5 Hour Boner, also spins on Friday nights.

It’s a big party with great music that welcomes all. Now, what isn’t the bestest and gayest about that?