The Clermont Lounge Makes It Clear ‘Nobody From Atlanta Says Hotlanta’

Welcome to Atlanta (ATL or the A,) “where the players play” and locals don’t call it “Hotlanta.” Words to live by from Atlanta native and Hip Hop legend Jermaine Dupri and the city’s oldest and beloved strip club and dive bar, The Clermont Lounge.

As football fans from across the country stream into the city for Sunday’s big game between the Patriots and the Rams at the Benz, the basement-level vice den located beneath the Hotel Clermont on Ponce shared this pro tip: “Nobody from Atlanta says ‘Hotlanta’.”

The Clermont took to Instagram earlier this week with a bit of friendly advice for visitors who might be tempted to use the tired moniker — uttering it automatically identifies the speaker as a tourist.

Now in its fifth decade on Ponce De Leon Avenue, The Clermont includes a colorful cast of ladies and a nightly peep show that sees Atlanta living legend, Blondie, crushing PBR cans between her breasts. The Lounge has hosted everyone over the years from Atlantans celebrating their 21st birthday to celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Robert De Niro, Marilyn Manson, and the late Anthony Bourdain.

If a trip to the Clermont Lounge is on the must-visit list while in Atlanta this week, here’s one more piece of advice from Lounge management: “No Cameras.” In 2013, band members from Mumford and Sons were kicked out for breaking that photography rule during karaoke night. It just goes to show, no one is above the rules at the Clermont Lounge or gets a pass for calling Atlanta “Hotlanta”.

• All Clermont Lounge coverage [EATL]
• Atlanta’s 19 Essential Bars [EATL]
• All of Eater Atlanta’s Super Bowl 2019 Coverage [EATL]