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In 1735, two years after James Oglethorpe founded Savannah, he sent a detachment of troops, led by Noble Jones, to create a new settlement as a first line of defense against the Spanish and French. Oglethorpe named the town Augusta, to honor Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, daughter-in-law of King George II, mother of King George III. Augusta was the state capital of Georgia from 1785 until 1795.

The city’s famous golf course, the Augusta National Golf Club, hosts the first major golf tournament each year. The Masters is one of the most prestigious events in the sport, drawing the world's best professional and amateur golfers each April.

This is not Atlanta, and gay people in Augusta are well aware of the generally more conservative social mores of this region. But with the launch of a Pride parade and festival in 2010 people, people - particularly the younger locals, are more open to diversity these days. There are not a lot of bars, or specifically gay cafes, but as in other such smaller cities people of all kinds tend to hang out together more.

 

Getting here, getting around

The Augusta Regional Airport provides frequent daily flight connections to Atlanta and Charlotte NC by way of Delta and US Airways. A taxi into town costs around $20 for 1-2 people. Four local hotels provide free shuttles (see airport website). For info on the city's nine public transportation bus lines, see the website of the Augusta Public Transit Office. 

 

Media

GayAugusta.com has information about the gay community here, and our maps & listings tab lists local businesses.

The Augusta Pride website has info about the parade and festival each June, held at Augusta Commons in downtown Augusta, between 8th & 9th Streets.

The CSRA Leather Bears sponsor socials and special events throughout the year for bears, cubs and friends all around this region.

For "Augusta's Independent Voice" see Metro Spirit, in print around town, or online.

For map locations and website links to local businesses, see our gay Augusta listings pages.

 

Going Out

Le Chat Noir (304 8th St), theater and cabaret cocktail lounge that mixes everyone together. For locals with a yen for brighter lights and a big-city gay scene, Atlanta is under 2-1/2 hours drive away.

The Imperial Theatre (749 Broad St), renovated 1918 vaudeville theater, live music concerts, solo performances, Broadway musicals, Poison Peach Film Festival screenings, Augusta Ballet dance, Budweiser True Music Southern Soul & Song series.

The Metropolis Entertainment Complex combines Parliament House Resort (1250 Gordon Hwy), the 18+ all-male motel with giant swimming pool and sauna, and Executive Inn & Suites (1238 Gordon Hwy) next door. CumUnion and Leather Fetish parties take place at their Pig Pen bar, with maze, and dark room play space. Capri Lounge is their retro-style piano bar. Also part of the complex: an RV Park and the Edge Club (1258 Gordon Hwy), the old Filling Station site, with dancing and theme night events.

Metro A Coffee House (1054 Broad St), relaxed, gay-friendly mixed coffeeshop and pub, WiFi.

See some Augusta restaurant suggestions at our map & listings pages.

CLOSED: Club Argos (1923 Walton Way), gay video bar/ dance club, games, drag shows, male strippers.