Uncovering the Mystery Behind the Mass Appeal of Johnny's Hideaway

Johnny’s Hideaway has been guaranteeing good times since 1979 and attracts the over-40 crowd for drinks and serious dancing as the evening begins and then offers a late-night destination for the 20- and 30-somethings about town. Johnny’s recently surveyed some of its regulars, from age 25 to 75, to get an insider’s perspective on what makes Johnny’s irresistible for all ages and how the experience differs for each generation. This is what they found:

Although Johnny’s is beloved by all ages, a typical night for the 75-year-old patrons looks slightly different than an evening for the 25-year-olds. Guests above the age of 50 enjoy Tuesday and Wednesday nights and arrive by 9 p.m., while younger guests in their 20s and 30s prefer a later start at 10 or 11 p.m. on Friday nights and usually stay until 2 a.m. Both age groups love Ladies Night on Wednesdays when $8 Ketel One cocktails reign supreme.

According to one patron surveyed whose mom brought her to Johnny’s for the first time when she was 23, “It is awesome! The music is great and the drinks are fantastic. The people working there are great, too.”

Once they arrive, younger patrons are often focused on their friends while at the nightclub, but older guests admit to having met a special someone or two during their time at Johnny’s. When asked about meeting a someone special, one survey respondent said, “my ex-wife!”

As for the best spot to sit while there, all ages agree that the bar is the place to see and be seen. Another perk of sitting at the bar is being “blown away by the awesome bartenders.” All regulars know the drinks are always on point and the customer service is unmatched.

While older patrons stick to scotch and beer, younger patrons prefer vodka soda or other mixed vodka drinks as their standard beverage order. Vodka is the most popular drink at Johnny’s; the club goes through 15 cases per week.

On what keeps patrons coming back time and time again, the votes are unanimous: the drinks, the music and the incredible staff. Another quality that all ages can agree on—the only thing that has changed over the years is that smoking inside Johnny’s is now prohibited, and guests are very grateful for this one small update. The consistency that Johnny’s offers is a major part of the club’s longtime success.

This consistency extends to the bar’s distinguishable retro design, red décor and dim lighting, all of which contribute to its unique atmosphere. Regulars enjoy “stepping back in time,” so Johnny’s owner Chris D’Auria works hard to preserve his nightclub’s rich history and now has to special order the chairs and carpet. As one longtime patron confirms, “There is nothing else like it.”

The praise for Johnny’s is just as reliable as the service and the unchanging décor, but with age comes an appreciation for different aspects of the famed nightclub. An older guest admits to feeling safer at Johnny’s than at other bars and nightclubs, while a younger guest values the variety of people that Johnny’s attracts.

It’s difficult to describe what Johnny’s is like to those who have never been, so regulars young and old simply suggest, “You have to go there!”

Johnny’s Hideaway is located at 3771 Roswell Road, NE in Atlanta. For updates on the restaurant and upcoming events, follow Johnny’s Hideaway on Instagram and Facebook. For additional information, call 404-233-8026 or visit johnnyshideaway.com.