#7 - Midtown Bowl

I'm a slacker. I realized I marked off a bucket list item on day #1 the blog went live and I did not share it with you! No need to take me off your favorites, I am still dedicated people!

A few weeks ago the company I work for did a charity event at Midtown Bowl. It was a blast, and I'm pretty sure my average score was an 88 despite my theory that I am a better bowler with a few beverages in me.

If it's a bumpin' night and the parking lot is full they've got free parking courtesy of (insert inappropriate store here) right across the street. The drinks are reasonably priced (for a bowling ally) and they've got amazing music. Hearing Janet Jackson's Control album on a Thursday night? Exquisite. Dancing with the best team in the world, aka "This is How We Roll?" Even better.

Bucket list worthy? I'd say so. I mean, bowling is bowling, but this place has a very fun atmosphere that a lot of 20-somethings explore, so it gets my vote.

#6 - Tin Roof

After consuming what felt like an endless can of PBR, we proceeded to Tin Roof which is about 19 hours away from East Atlanta. OK, it wasn't that long thanks to Natalie's ultimate wingman sacrifice of DD that night. Her wide variety of CD mixes didn't hurt either. Which may or may not have included B Spears.

Pros? Late night bar whose last call is 3:00 a.m., Lots of bands play here, 99X cool kids are frequenters so you're bound to run into someone who can provide a freeloader card if nothing else. Cons? No bands play when you arrive at 2:00 a.m., and you may or may not end up leaving with a dart board. I mean, what? That didn't happen.

So what's the consensus you ask? Bucket list worthy? I'm not convinced, guys. Invite me back when a band plays and maybe I'll reconsider, but from the looks of it it's just another one of Atlanta's many generic "hole in the wall" bars.

#5 - Eastside Lounge

After we successfully met every person who ever had contact with "The Ninster," we walked right up the street to Eastside Lounge, also referred to as ESL, but I feel like I need to go there more to be able to pull of the use of this acronym. On the way we past a sign advertising apple kisses. What is that? Seriously, what is it. Yeah, I don't know what it means either. But I want one. It's East Atlanta, you just go with it.

Here I bought my very first Pabst Blue Ribbon, or PBR (I'm defending the use of this acronym because every body's doing it. It feels right). The bartender was so gitty handing it off that you would think he just watched his baby girl ride a bike for the first time. He was delighted to humor me in thinking it was the very first PBR he had ever sold. Very much appreciated I might add.

You would never know what an amazing ambiance this bar had from the outside, but as you walk in you are overwhelmed with graffiti art, which as you know, I am a huge fan of these days.

You can't take a wrong turn in this place. One way you've got old school arcade games, the next you're upstairs grooving to DJ whats-his-name that happens to play an awesome mix of either old school rap, techno or newly released music that everyone gets on the dance floor for.

Anyone want to guess what else I found inside this new hot spot? Yup, a giant movie screen. They seem to be all over East Atlanta, and I LOVE IT. One of these days I'll recognize a movie they are playing, and I hope it's Harold & Maude. Bucket list worthy? HANDS DOWN.

#4 - The Graveyard

Saturday came sooner rather than later, thanks to some much needed sleeping after what I am now deeming as "Fantabulous Friday." Thanks to Nina being born and living next to Naniels, the three of us were off to meet up with friends and celebrate the bday Hipster style. We started off at Graveyard.

Despite the hearse parked out front at all times, this East Atlanta hot spot was anything but scary. I LOVE EAST ATLANTA. Dusk lighting throughout, pool tables with Mohawks, scarfs and black nail polish galore (including yours truly).

My favorite part would have to be the people watching. There are no two people alike over here, and there is very little, what I like to call "Judgey McJudgersons". If you want somewhere that has an edge without feeling like you need to "play the part" by dressing or acting a certain way, this is a must see for you.

At one end of the bar you will have a polo-shirt wearing frat guy complaining about the Georgia Bulldogs loss with his buddies. Next to him is a Katy Perry look-a-like with Mohawk eye candy boyfriend. And next to them a Buckhead Betty with a Louis Vuitton purse and Gucci shoes. DJ continuously played old school rap music during our hour and a half staycation. Perfect sized dance floor, old movies playing on a giant movie screen. Check, check annnnnd check. Bucket list worthy? Fo sho'!

And it Begins...

Well you should all be impressed, because I knocked off SIX, count em' SIX bucket list items in a mere 48 hours this past weekend. I will pause for your amazement. Don't act like you're not impressed. A girls gotta eat, so I'll share 3 with you today and 3 tomorrow. The suspense will only make you stronger!

#1 - Righteous Room

Friday night my bestie Natalie and I hit up Righteous Room on Ponce De Leon. This cozy bar quickly packed out with midtown/five points locals, and is tastefully decorated in exposed brick, local art, tattooed bartenders, the works.

And guys, seriously the best jukebox music I've ever experienced. Ever. I recognized about 2% of the music played, but every song I heard I wanted to download on itunes immediately, if not sooner. All genres, from old school acoustic Nirvana to new age electronica. It.was.awesome. I guess for me there is something that puts your mind at ease when you're surrounded by the unfamiliar.

We ordered their infamous "Fat Juicy Burger" and it lived up to its name! The food and beer is very reasonably priced and not typical "bar food" if you ask me. Burger on a whole wheat bun and Asian slaw as a side for under $10? Yes please.

Oh, it gets better. After beer numero dos it was time to hit the loo...and there it is. Customer graffiti baby. E-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. I might have had an extra beer or two just to keep going back. Overall, this place rocks - definitely bucket list worthy!

#2 - The Highland Inn

After consuming a few beverages we made our way to The Highland Inn, conveniently walking distance from Righteous. The $7 cover was a bummer, but little did we know it would be well worth it! We quickly made our way to the "showroom." Couches of all design, tiny tables, and about 8 stacked TVs with old movies playing attracted quite the diverse crowd, which of course means we fit right in!

Following only a few sips of our Yuenglings The Peachtree Soul Club shows us what they're workin' wit' and introduces me to some of the greatest live music to move to....SOUL music baby! These guys were fully equipped with electric guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, trumpet, and organ players. Before long we were grooving to Salt-N-Pepa's "Whatta Man" with 50 of our closest friends. I am going here as often as possible now, you just watch me. Bucket list worthy? Absolutely!

#3 - Smith's Olde Bar

Yes, we're still on Friday night, try and keep up. The night concludes with a quick cameo at Smith's Olde Bar before getting some shut eye for round two tomorrow....or to wind things down if nothing else.

I've been here several times before and it is a great music venue, and equally as pleasurable for some classic dart playing after midnight I have found! A little too smokey for my taste, but you've got plenty of space to have a beer with a few friends and still meet some rando's. Bucket list worthy? Debatable. But definitely a place to tag along to from time to time.