Friends on Ponce — Restaurant in Atlanta

originally wanted to go to mjq for an after hours spot on a wednesday but there were so many college kids waiting, we decided to go to friends. because we had just left another party, my friend and i decided to go to the bathroom together. mind you, no one was in line. another friend knocks on the door to come in so we let them. we literally did the same at the first event we were at. it saves time. no big deal. less than five minutes, security comes banging on the door saying we have 15 seconds to get out or - i’m assuming he’s gonna bust the door in. me, finished, complies and leaves the bathroom. one of my friends is still peeing. he tells me i need to leave. i tell him i need to tell my other 6/7 friends but he wouldn’t let me. he’s using his body, shielding me from leaving the restroom/front door area. he was super aggressive, while i was being level headed and speaking in a normal tone.

after we got out, he pointed to the door that there’s “one person at a time” on the door. there’s also a million other things on the door. during a night out of drinking, your first inclination is to go to an empty bathroom - not stop to read what’s on the door. i understand rules but that entire interaction was blown out of proportion and really embarrassing. we were using the restroom. and as femme people, that’s a common thing at clubs - for a multitude of reasons. we weren’t even there enough time to sit down before being aggressively removed from the establishment.

anyways, just don’t go into the bathroom with anyone else and maybe you’ll have a...

If I could give this place 0 stars I would in a heartbeat. I went to Friends last night for the first time and the atmosphere was so uncomfortable and felt unsafe for me as a woman. It smelled awful in there, the ventilation is horrendous, and there were roaches. In addition, one bar tender took forever to get to my friend and I and the rest of the bar tenders didn’t even look our way. I only ordered a shot of tequila repasado and a margarita and I watched the bar tender make it. This is an amount of alcohol that I can handle and usually only makes me tipsy. However, someone in that bar spiked my drink. Shortly after being uncomfortable in the establishment my friend and I left and went to another club and 15 minutes later I was knocked out unconscious and had to be rushed to the hospital. I could not remember anything for many hours between making it to the next destination and waking up in the hospital at 7am. I was violently throwing up, in pain, and confused. The nurses told me that my blood alcohol levels were at 257/300 which was almost fatal. I say all of this to say as a woman the environment at friends is NOT safe. A drink and a shot would not put someone out like that which leads me to believe it was spiked by someone at the bar. If you love your life do...

You could very easily have a terrible night here… that is possible…. Although, everything is possible… I walked up and had my bag checked (totally appropriate). Met the bartenders (4 on for a slow night)… it was karaoke and took a moment to get the speakers going (totally happens)… Front patio leads to the main spaces… you have a smoking area sectioned off in the front… back patio and a pool table…. Two restrooms with someone monitoring it (no powder room honey bee)….. this place is AMAZING…. Clientele ranges from local to Sexy to SEXY!! You can feel yourself without feeling on someone else.. Class without sass type of vibe… honestly I had the best experience out of every other bar within the inner city.. across the street from the best food scene in the city…………. As an outsider looking in… leave the ego at the door and enjoy the local vibe… Not a good place for They/Them (not capable to handle your vibe) not a good place for Midtown Millionaires (just why show up)…. It’s a small space with quality people…. Do yourself a favor and let yourself go….. everyone was MEGA friendly….. Although…… Although….. I’m a little biased… lots of sexy men making it work….. had the best time out of every local in the city….. hands down A+…… Will be returning and happy to be a...