Clermont Lounge Honored by Esquire magazine

tony404 · 05-11-2007

Grungy Atlanta institution gets to brag
'It's beautifully sleazy'

By BO EMERSON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 05/12/2007

Thursday was a typical subdued midweek night at the Clermont Lounge.

Goth-stripper Jessica Rabbid didn't seem inclined to light any part of her anatomy on fire, and the redoubtable Blondie wasn't on hand to crush beer cans with her bosom. Yet there was a satisfied buzz in the downmarket Ponce de Leon nightspot, where patrons discussed the Clermont's confirmation as one of the best bars in America.

Honored by Esquire magazine in its latest issue, the grungy, windowless basement tavern might seem a perverse nominee for the list, considering that no other bar in Georgia made the cut.

But not if you ask the clientele.

"It's not just a bar, it's an institution," said an earringed, 30-something patron named Bill, who declined to divulge a surname. "I think it should be on the National Register of Historic Places."

Certainly some of the Clermont's dancers are historic, including Blondie, who, in a three-decade career, has branched into spoken-word poetry.

"It's the oldest strip club in Atlanta," said co-owner Kathi Martin, who started as dancer there 28 years ago, became a manager, and then inherited the club when owner Stanley McDonald died. "He wanted to keep it the same," she said, showing off a framed copy of a previous honor: the 2004 Stuff magazine that voted the Clermont among the "Top 40 Dive Bars."

The club, unlike its denizens, has certainly remained untouched by the hand of time, down to the smoke-laquered light fixtures and the flocked velvet wallpaper. Wedged beneath the equally shabby Clermont Motor Hotel, the lounge opened in 1965 as a blue-collar retreat, with no cover charge and cheap beer. It has remained stubbornly unglamorous since.

As the surrounding neighborhood drifted toward hipness, a younger audience adopted the spot. Soon, punk and metal musicians were stopping in for Pabst Blue Ribbons after performing at the nearby Masquerade.

In the 1990s, local bands began staging showcases at the club. These days, Tuesday night karaoke and dance music from DJ Romeo Cologne on Saturdays draw a heterogeneous crowd of men and women more interested in participating than just ogling.

"It's beautifully sleazy," said classical piano instructor Owen Talley, 32, relaxing in a plastic lawn chair outside the metal entrance door. "This is Atlanta."

And among the 56 bars on Esquire's list? "This should be No. 1" said rock journalist Jeff Clark, who stopped in for canned beer and conversation.

Outside, Talley tried to warn off a well-dressed tourist from Manhattan, but she insisted: "I'm not an elitist. I can drink PBR."

"Hey, you don't have to drink PBR," said Talley's bandmate, Fletcher Williams. "They've got Budweiser."

A quartet of Britons, in town to do some work for the Turner empire, arrived by taxi from their rooms at the Four Seasons.

One of their group, a smooth-domed fellow in a Carnaby Street party shirt, claimed that the Clermont's reputation has spread to London.

"It's legend'ry," he said.

Find this article at:
http://www.accessatlanta.com/enterta...vclermont.html

Jace · 05-11-2007

hahahhaa

awesome

bluemoney · 05-11-2007

'It's beautifully sleazy'

I think thats about right

Hell Puppy · 05-13-2007

GonZo still has a thing for Blondie.

Hipchick · 05-13-2007

HA HA..See Gonzo!!! I have been trying to get you to go to the Clermont Lounge with me for a long time..It's the bomb!!

I think all of us should meet up at the Clermont one night sometime in June..Anyone Game??

bluemoney · 05-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hipchick

I think all of us should meet up at the Clermont one night sometime in June..Anyone Game??

I'm Game

Hell Puppy · 05-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hipchick

HA HA..See Gonzo!!! I have been trying to get you to go to the Clermont Lounge with me for a long time..It's the bomb!!

I think all of us should meet up at the Clermont one night sometime in June..Anyone Game??

Clermont might help with my diet.

Blondie tends to turn me off of food for at least a week.

gonzo · 05-14-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hipchick

HA HA..See Gonzo!!! I have been trying to get you to go to the Clermont Lounge with me for a long time..It's the bomb!!

I think all of us should meet up at the Clermont one night sometime in June..Anyone Game??

Are you throwing in a blowjob prior to the visit?

JoesHO · 05-15-2007

How come none of you ever took me to this place when i was in town ?

Hipchick · 05-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo

Are you throwing in a blowjob prior to the visit?

Absolutely I am throwing in a blowjob before the visit Gonzo and Big Jim will tell you all about it when you get there!

Hipchick · 05-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemoney

I'm Game

Ok then, June it is then!!

Hell Puppy · 05-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoesHO

How come none of you ever took me to this place when i was in town ?

We figured it was too tame for you.

I'm figuring a large african american stripper with blonde hair who can pick up a beer can and crush it flat using nothing but her ass cheeks is nothing to a man of your experience.

gonzo · 05-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoesHO

How come none of you ever took me to this place when i was in town ?

It wasnt in buckhead.

Hell Puppy · 05-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo

It wasnt in buckhead.

Buckhead hasn't shown me anything.

05-11-2007	#1
tony404 Members Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 926	Clermont Lounge Honored by Esquire magazine Grungy Atlanta institution gets to brag 'It's beautifully sleazy' By BO EMERSON The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 05/12/2007 Thursday was a typical subdued midweek night at the Clermont Lounge. Goth-stripper Jessica Rabbid didn't seem inclined to light any part of her anatomy on fire, and the redoubtable Blondie wasn't on hand to crush beer cans with her bosom. Yet there was a satisfied buzz in the downmarket Ponce de Leon nightspot, where patrons discussed the Clermont's confirmation as one of the best bars in America. Honored by Esquire magazine in its latest issue, the grungy, windowless basement tavern might seem a perverse nominee for the list, considering that no other bar in Georgia made the cut. But not if you ask the clientele. "It's not just a bar, it's an institution," said an earringed, 30-something patron named Bill, who declined to divulge a surname. "I think it should be on the National Register of Historic Places." Certainly some of the Clermont's dancers are historic, including Blondie, who, in a three-decade career, has branched into spoken-word poetry. "It's the oldest strip club in Atlanta," said co-owner Kathi Martin, who started as dancer there 28 years ago, became a manager, and then inherited the club when owner Stanley McDonald died. "He wanted to keep it the same," she said, showing off a framed copy of a previous honor: the 2004 Stuff magazine that voted the Clermont among the "Top 40 Dive Bars." The club, unlike its denizens, has certainly remained untouched by the hand of time, down to the smoke-laquered light fixtures and the flocked velvet wallpaper. Wedged beneath the equally shabby Clermont Motor Hotel, the lounge opened in 1965 as a blue-collar retreat, with no cover charge and cheap beer. It has remained stubbornly unglamorous since. As the surrounding neighborhood drifted toward hipness, a younger audience adopted the spot. Soon, punk and metal musicians were stopping in for Pabst Blue Ribbons after performing at the nearby Masquerade. In the 1990s, local bands began staging showcases at the club. These days, Tuesday night karaoke and dance music from DJ Romeo Cologne on Saturdays draw a heterogeneous crowd of men and women more interested in participating than just ogling. "It's beautifully sleazy," said classical piano instructor Owen Talley, 32, relaxing in a plastic lawn chair outside the metal entrance door. "This is Atlanta." And among the 56 bars on Esquire's list? "This should be No. 1" said rock journalist Jeff Clark, who stopped in for canned beer and conversation. Outside, Talley tried to warn off a well-dressed tourist from Manhattan, but she insisted: "I'm not an elitist. I can drink PBR." "Hey, you don't have to drink PBR," said Talley's bandmate, Fletcher Williams. "They've got Budweiser." A quartet of Britons, in town to do some work for the Turner empire, arrived by taxi from their rooms at the Four Seasons. One of their group, a smooth-domed fellow in a Carnaby Street party shirt, claimed that the Clermont's reputation has spread to London. "It's legend'ry," he said. Find this article at: http://www.accessatlanta.com/enterta...vclermont.html

05-11-2007	#2
Jace .... $100 for every ImLive sign-up Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,392 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Clermont Lounge Honored by Esquire magazine hahahhaa awesome

05-11-2007	#3
bluemoney Right HERE . . . BITCH! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chronic Town Posts: 1,295	Re: Clermont Lounge Honored by Esquire magazine 'It's beautifully sleazy' I think thats about right __________________ True Beauty Cash For High Quality Erotica \| Certified Hosting Is Da Fucking Bomb "Don't Get None On Ya"

05-13-2007	#4
Hell Puppy Fat Fucking Nobody Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 6,523	Re: Clermont Lounge Honored by Esquire magazine GonZo still has a thing for Blondie.

05-13-2007	#5
Hipchick Approving Gay AVS Sites Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North Ga Posts: 59	Re: Clermont Lounge Honored by Esquire magazine HA HA..See Gonzo!!! I have been trying to get you to go to the Clermont Lounge with me for a long time..It's the bomb!! I think all of us should meet up at the Clermont one night sometime in June..Anyone Game??

05-15-2007	#9
JoesHO Members Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 5,085	Re: Clermont Lounge Honored by Esquire magazine How come none of you ever took me to this place when i was in town ? __________________ AEBN THE GLOBAL LEADER IN ADULT EVOLUTION something FIT this way comes!