by Josefa Yokota on I love black music. I really do. When Hip Hop Hooray comes on my Pandora, I instinctively wave my arms to one side and then point to the other side just like Naughty by Nature did in the video in 1994. bOb has been doin' it and doin' it and doin' it for years...always authentic, always real, I feel like I'm the Jewish guy sweating it up in a real life version of that mural they show at the end of Good Times with Jimmy Walker, and yes the music is so kick-ass there's no way you will leave without saying Dy-no-mite. I'm now very thankful that I was that guy who watched countless hours of Yo! MTV Raps and got in the middle of dance circles at bar mitzvahs circa 1992 because when people huddle around me and yell "Go whiteboy", I can still represent. If you can't feel this spot, then I'm sorry, you just got no soul and I don't want to hang out with you.
by Rebecka Miesse on Ive been to Atlanta 3 times and every time I come I somehow make it to Blakes everytime. So if you are a tourist you MUST make 1 trip to Blake's because it's your typical gay bar. I usually go here to start out the night with. It's not the best bar in ATL but it's a tradition worth repeating. The bartenders are hit or miss. If you get a good one stick with him or (drag) her. We had a crappy one when I last went. But I over heard him telling a patron he's having a rough day. I guess he was bummed about Farrah Fawcett passing. (It was still a few hours before Michael's passing) I left my credit card and ID at the bar so it was easy getting drinks for me and my friends w/o all the hassle. Until I left and forgot about it and had to come back! hahahahhahaha There are 2 floors which oddly enough gave 2 different vibes even though the same people traveled up and down. I can't explain it but I guess it's a good thing if you get bored quickly. On the top floor there is a patio where you can go out to smoke. I like going out there for the warm air at night which I don't get back home. But my friends started sweating so we went back in. There are drag shows every now and then, those are hits and misses. Can't say much about them cuz it's always a new host and performance everytime I go there. I did appreciate the Farrah tribute the did the following night. They had the Charlie's Angel logo on the video monitor and played the theme music. Also the last time I was there they played Obama's big speech he gave in Denver at the DNC convention. 1/3 of the upper floor crowd was glued to the television set. It was a moment and I'm glad Blake's was able to help capture that for us. The crowd is pretty mix. Mostly white guys in their 30's and 40's. With a splash of young blood. I liked the fact that there were some black guys like 10-15. Crowd is pretty trendy, employed, guys who just want to go out for a drink type. The last time we had fun cuz we talked to a group of guys. So it's a hit or miss. Being friendly will help you out greatly. Lastly do not park around the corner from Blake's. It's the residential block west of the bar with all the pretty houses. We got a $50 ticket because it was "residential" parking and you need a permit. Tiny signs, we wouldn't have seen it if we tried. You've been warned!!! I didn't know meter maids come out that late!!!
by Nicole P. on I went here for a business dinner in March without any real expectations. If I had to describe it in a single word, I'd go with "pretentious". The patrons seemed as if they were there to see and be seen, and the staff all seemed to think themselves terribly important, which is generally not why I go out to dinner. I work in the cookware industry, and I believe we were treated exceptionally well because of it. The lamb was good, and all sides tried were very good - sweet corn pudding, parmesan truffle fries, and creamed spinach. The atmosphere just kind of killed it for me.
