From the glittering disco ball above the dance floor to walls lined with Sinatra and Elvis memorabilia, not much has changed at Johnny’s Hideaway since the iconic Buckhead nightclub opened its doors in 1979.
That’s a good thing.
In a neighborhood where some of the city’s most storied bars have shuttered over the years, Johnny’s is still going strong—in large part due to its enduring, multi-generational appeal (yes, Cougars)—and loyal regulars.
“Johnny’s is a rite of passage in Atlanta, kind of like the Clermont Lounge,” says attorney Chelsea Murphy, an Atlanta native who’s been a regular at the bar for more than 20 years.
She continues to return to Johnny’s for the friendly bartenders and the nostalgia-heavy soundtrack ranging from Motown classics and 1970s disco to 1980s pop and more recent hits. The varied soundtrack keeps everyone – from young professionals to octogenarians – grooving on the dance floor long into the night.
But Johnny’s reputation as a “cougar bar” also lends to its multi-generational appeal, helping push the Buckhead nightclub into legendary status over the last 45 years. Johnny’s leans into its cougar bar rep, too, displaying slogans like “Got Cougars” or “Cougar in Training” on hats, water bottles, stickers, and t-shirts.
“I remember feeling the magic from the moment I walked in the door, from the bartenders decked out in their black vests to the range of ages mixing at the bar and on the dance floor,” recalls Erin Beasley, who first visited Johnny’s when she was a senior at the University of Georgia.
“There is a timelessness and charm about it, and the people-watching is spectacular at all hours, whether you arrive at 6 p.m. or 1 a.m.,” the HR professional says, who estimates she’s been to Johnny’s more than 100 times in the last two decades.
Owner Chris D’Auria understands the bar’s timelessness is part of the charm for Johnny’s patrons. It’s why he hasn’t changed much about the bar over the years, save a few updates to the music or replacing timeworn furniture.
“People like [Johnny’s] how it is,” D’Auria says.
Knowing what his customers like includes keeping the food menu affordable and straightforward. D’Auria sticks to serving classic pub food like wings, nachos, and potato skins. But he also credits Johnny’s success to the bar’s attentive and long-tenured servers—many of whom have been with Johnny’s for two decades.
Murphy agrees with D’Auria about the bartenders and servers at Johnny’s.
“The other day, one of the regular older guys didn’t show up, and the bartender called him to make sure he was okay,” she says of how Johnny’s staff looks out for the bar’s regulars.
A couple of years ago, Murphy started visiting Johnny’s in the late afternoons to work remotely at the bar—and occasionally sip on a glass of prosecco. All of Johnny’s bar regulars have designated seats.
“I always know who’s going to be sitting next to me, and it was a way for me to be social after feeling so isolated during the pandemic,” she explains.
For regular Katherine White, Johnny’s has become a place to unwind and enjoy herself. Johnny’s appeal, she says, simply comes down to a “good DJ, good music, good dancing, and good vibes,” no matter the time of day or night.
Johnny’s Hideaway, 3771 Roswell Road, Buckhead. Open Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.