by Tamera Pendon on When it comes to clubs / dance places, I'm usually pretty hard to please, so 4 stars is saying a lot. From the bouncer to the crowd, to the music to the drinks, to the cover to the venue itself, there's a lot that can go wrong and immediately take a potential 5 star experience down to 1 star. That being said, I would probably give 4.5 stars to Bootie / DNA Lounge. Was here this past wknd for the 25th anniversary dealio and missed the open bar but got to see the live aerialist perform above the crowd, which was pretty cool. The mashups were awesome, like seriously awesome. I loooove good mashups and seeing how creative people can be, and there were def some pretty unexpected ones that worked pretty well! Also, maybe it's just b/c I'm from LA, but I really like how you can wear whatever you want, walk in for just $12, and just have a good time. No pretentiousness, no superficial fake girls with pounds of makeup, no shady douche-y guys, just a big crowd, mixed ages / ethnicities, out to have a good time dancing. So yes, I had a great time, but as with all night out experiences, as long as there's good music and great people, you can't go wrong no matter where you go..!
by Josefine Dority on I'm torn, I really am. I wish I could give 2.5 stars, but I really do WANT to love the aquarium. As it is, I enjoy bringing people here because it's one of the better tourist attractions in Atlanta-- especially on a sweltering summer day. But I can't help it if I feel like I'm too old to enjoy it fully. Let me explain: If I was under the age of 12, I would be absolutely enthralled by this aquarium, since it's more or less designed specifically for children. For me, it is depressing to feel like I'm at a theme park, surrounded by advertisements, neon signs, and cartoons-- I'm morbidly amused by the "Deepo" character, who looks rather like an inbred relative of Disney's Nemo, but evidently the resemblance is not enough to incur the wrath of the feared supervillain Copyright Infringement Man. Since I'm pushing 30, I find myself walking through the entire place in less than an hour. I mean, one entire section of the building is clearly intended just for children. And I guess there is only so long I can watch otters swim languidly in circles or listen to someone explain the basic physiology of a Beluga whale (OMG, they breathe air?!). The first time I went, the place was so full of rowdy, screaming mini-me's that I couldn't enjoy myself at all. Good luck petting a sting ray when there are toddlers punching you in the kneecaps. The second time I went was a little better in terms of crowding, but I was hungry and became annoyed by all the overpriced, low-quality food. Since you're already Downtown, you're better off walking three blocks over to Peachtree Center Mall and getting a 5 dollar foot long from Subway than cutting off your arm and a leg for a meal at the aquarium. Besides, they don't even serve fish & chips, which is what I was craving that day, for some odd reason... Oooh, can I pick one of them lobsters outta that tank? (Just kidding! Kinda.) Oh, and I got scolded for smoking a cigarette outside near the ticketing line. "Sorry, the plaza is smoke-free, please go up to the street." Then why are there ash trays IN the plaza? Derp. I will admit, the aquarium is worth at least one trip. And it does make a good first date, because if the situation is awkward, you can always talk about fish.
by .elin f. on This place is only recommended when the good folks at the American Academy of Dermatology rent it out for the evening. Free appetizers + open bar = one happy Elin F. Warning, this dangerous combination undoubtedly results in naughty text messages deployed (even husbands of friends are fair game), booty calls initiated, and cell phone massacred. And, by the way, in case you're wondering ladies, they will kick you out for being in the Men's bathroom. Regardless of whether or not you've got an MD after your name.
