Clermont Lounge in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

Atlanta has plenty of sleek, chef-driven restaurants and fine dining destinations—but Clermont Lounge is something entirely different. It’s one of the city’s most famous late-night institutions, and while it’s not a restaurant in the traditional sense, it’s a must-know spot for Atlanta nightlife and local culture.

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and you keep hearing about Clermont Lounge, this guide explains what it is, where it is, what to expect, and how it fits into Atlanta’s dining and nightlife scene.

What Is Clermont Lounge?

Clermont Lounge is a legendary adult entertainment lounge and dive bar located in the basement of the historic Hotel Clermont on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta.

It’s known for:

• Its old-school strip-club-meets-dive-bar vibe
• Iconic performers who’ve been part of Atlanta’s underground culture for years
• A crowd that’s a mix of locals, service industry workers, tourists, and night owls
• A no-frills atmosphere that stands in clear contrast to polished fine-dining spots

While it frequently shows up on lists of “places celebrities visit in Atlanta,” it’s not a fine dining restaurant and does not operate like a typical celebrity-chef establishment. Instead, it’s a nightlife landmark that often ends up on the same “must-experience” lists as high-end restaurants and chef-driven concepts.

Location, Hours, and Basic Info

Address:
Clermont Lounge
789 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

You’ll find it in the basement level of Hotel Clermont, on the east side of Ponce, just a short drive from:

• Virginia-Highland
• Ponce City Market
• Midtown

Because hours can shift, especially around holidays or special events, most Atlanta locals check the lounge’s posted hours on-site or by phone before heading over, especially if they’re driving in from farther out in the metro area.

General tips about operations:

• Expect evening and late-night hours rather than daytime service.
• The lounge is typically 21+ only.
• Cover charges may apply on certain nights or after certain times.

Clermont Lounge vs. Fine Dining in Atlanta

Even though you’ll sometimes see Clermont Lounge mentioned in the same breath as high-profile restaurants, it’s important to understand the differences if you’re planning a night out.

How It Compares to Atlanta’s Chef-Driven Restaurants

Atlanta is home to many fine dining and celebrity-chef restaurants, especially in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, Inman Park, and West Midtown. These often feature:

• Seasonal, chef-designed menus
• Formal or semi-formal dress expectations
• Reservations, tasting menus, or chef’s counters
• Wine pairings and craft cocktail programs

Clermont Lounge is not that.

Instead, Clermont Lounge offers:

• Dive bar drinks (simple cocktails, beer, basic mixed drinks)
• No chef-driven food menu like you’d find at fine dining restaurants
• A casual, sometimes crowded, often loud environment
• Seating that feels more like a bar or club than a restaurant

For many Atlantan residents, the ideal night is actually a combination of both worlds:

1. Dinner at a nearby restaurant along Ponce de Leon, in Midtown, or at Ponce City Market
2. A late-night visit to Clermont Lounge as an after-dinner stop

What to Expect Inside Clermont Lounge

If you’re going for the first time, it helps to know what you’re walking into. This is not a polished, upscale club. It’s intentionally old-school and unpolished, and that’s a big part of its appeal.

Atmosphere

• Dim lighting, neon, and retro details
• A crowd that can range from laid-back weekday regulars to packed weekend groups
• Music that tends to lean toward classic tracks, rock, or older club staples rather than the latest mainstream club hits

Atlanta locals often describe it as a mix of:

• Historic Atlanta counterculture
• Dive bar energy
• Adult entertainment with a strongly local personality

Dress Code

• Generally casual
• You’ll see everything from jeans and sneakers to more dressed-up outfits from people coming from dinner or a show
• Extremely formal wear (tuxes, gowns) is uncommon and may feel out of place, but there’s no need to overdress

If you’re coming from a fine dining restaurant or a special event in Midtown or Buckhead, your outfit will usually be acceptable—just understand you’re stepping into a much more relaxed environment.

Food and Drinks

Clermont Lounge is primarily about drinks and entertainment, not dining.

• Expect basic bar drinks: beers, simple mixed drinks, standard spirits
• Do not count on a full kitchen or fine dining menu
• If you want a full meal, it’s best to eat beforehand at a nearby restaurant

Nearby, Atlantans commonly plan meals at:

• Ponce City Market food hall and restaurants
• Spots along Ponce de Leon Ave NE or in Virginia-Highland and Inman Park

Planning a Night That Includes Clermont Lounge

If you’re visiting Atlanta or planning a special night out, Clermont Lounge can fit well into a multi-stop evening.

Example Night Out Near Clermont Lounge

Here’s a simple way Atlantans often build a night around the area:

1. Pre-dinner drink

   • At a bar or rooftop in Midtown or Ponce City Market

2. Dinner at a restaurant

   • Choose a fine dining, chef-driven, or upscale casual spot in the Poncey-Highland, Midtown, or Old Fourth Ward areas

3. Late-night at Clermont Lounge

   • Head to the Clermont Lounge after dinner
   • Expect louder music, more energy, and a more casual feel than your dinner spot

Quick Reference: Clermont Lounge at a Glance

Tips for Locals and Visitors

A few practical points that Atlantans often keep in mind:

• Timing your visit:

  • If you want it less crowded, aim for earlier in the evening or weekdays.
  • For a more intense, “classic Clermont” experience, expect late-night and weekends to be busier.

• Getting there:

  • Rideshares are common, especially if you plan to drink.
  • Parking in the Ponce corridor can be tight at peak times, so many locals prefer not to drive.

• Cash vs. card:

  • Policies can change, but many long-time visitors recommend having some cash on hand for tipping and quicker transactions.

• Group expectations:

  • Bachelorette parties, birthday groups, and after-service-crew hangouts are common.
  • If you’re bringing a group, understand it’s a small, intimate, dive-style space, not a huge club.

How Clermont Lounge Fits Into Atlanta’s Restaurant & Nightlife Scene

From a local perspective, Clermont Lounge is less about food and more about cultural context and nightlife history.

Within Atlanta’s restaurant and fine-dining landscape:

• It’s a contrast to polished celebrity-chef restaurants in areas like Buckhead or Midtown.
• It’s often part of a “classic Atlanta night” that starts with a serious meal and ends with something gritty, memorable, and unique.
• It appeals to people who want to see more than just high-end dining rooms—they want to see the offbeat, long-standing side of the city.

So if you’re building an Atlanta experience around impressive restaurants and chef-driven meals, Clermont Lounge is best treated as a nightlife add-on, not your dining centerpiece.

When Clermont Lounge Might Not Be What You’re Looking For

You may want to choose a different spot if:

• You’re specifically seeking a formal fine dining restaurant with a full menu and wine program.
• You need a quiet, conversation-focused setting.
• You’re planning an event that requires a full-service, sit-down meal.

In those cases, look to Atlanta’s well-known restaurant neighborhoods—Buckhead, Midtown, Inman Park, West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward—for chef-driven options, and consider Clermont Lounge only if you want a late-night cultural stop afterward.

In Atlanta, Clermont Lounge isn’t where you go for a multi-course meal or celebrity-chef tasting menu. It’s where you go afterwards—for a raw, unmistakably local experience that sits right alongside the city’s polished dining scene as part of what makes Atlanta nightlife unique.