Here Are Butter.ATL’s Qualifications For a Potential Atlanta “Night Mayor”

Y’all done had one too many street races, and pissed somebody off one too many times, because the City of Atlanta might appoint a “night mayor” next year. 

If “night mayor” makes you think of Future in a Batman suit patrolling Auburn Avenue at night, well… we can see the vision, but unfortunately that’s not it. 

Last month the Atlanta City Council approved a study to look into the formation of an “Office of Nighttime Economy and Safety,” similar to positions in cities like New York City, DC, Detroit, and Amsterdam, whose nightlife industries bring in millions in revenue. Basically, whoever’s appointed to lead this department would act as a point of contact for the city’s nightlife, from hotels and restaurants to nightclubs and music venues. 

If approved by the mayor’s office, this position would also be a policy advisor, covering issues like public transportation for nighttime workers, liquor licenses for restaurants, and an overall nighttime troubleshooter. 

While it’s not official yet, we wanted to throw out a few key issues we’d like to see a night mayor take on…

We need more late night eats.

Don’t get us wrong, we love Waffle House. But WaHo alone ain’t cutting it. 

The few truly late night spots we have are either overcrowded because they’re the only thing open, or they’re actually strip clubs. 

Who do we need to speak with to get Busy Bee Cafe to stay open late, even if it’s only on the weekends? 

They need to be able to meet their constituents where they’re at…

At the strip club. The night mayor needs to know which club has the best wings (Magic City, of course), and which is the best for date night (them spicy blackened lobster tails and cheesy grits at The Cheetah, lord have mercy).

While they’re worrying about noise ordinances and liquor licenses, they have to also hear out the sector of Atlanta nightlife that helps run the culture. Do dancers feel safe taking public transportation at night? Is public transportation even open that late? 

Can they figure out the street racing problem?

LIsten, we know it’s fun and a part of our culture that goes way back in our history, but the night mayor will need to figure out how to keep it safe and less obstructive.

Folks seem determined to turn Atlanta into a real life Fast and Furious franchise, and city officials have considered blocking off special zones for street racing. Maybe since the city is so keen on building stadiums lately, they can invest in a new city dragway so racers can have a place to rev their engines legally and fans can watch safely?

Fully legalize marijuana… at night?

Okay, we know we’re reaching here with this one, but with the growing popularity of CBD and Delta-8 products, it’s worth a shot. Not to mention cannabis possession is decriminalized in the city up to one ounce, so why not go ahead and follow other places like D.C. and Virginia, where drug-related arrests sharply fell following full legalization. 

Un-gentrify nightlife, please.

Do we really need another small-batch, locally sourced, artisanal, hipster craft brewery popping up in Atlanta? While the dog park breweries and niche speciality sandwich bars are fun, we’re at capacity. 

If the night mayor can bring back clubs where people actually dance, along with wing joints that double as afterparty hotspots, and the old Buckhead Village, then they have my vote.

Deal with the shootings…

…without turning the city into a police state.

The local news is getting more and more depressing, with Atlanta shootings always making headlines. And while all the recent Atlanta mayoral candidates had plenty to say about crime and safety, we’d like to see someone address the root causes of all the crime, instead of just asking for more officers on the streets. 

We’re not saying the shootings aren’t a problem — they certainly are — but we need someone who’s willing to come to the table with residents, activists and other city officials, and find a solution that doesn’t just mean throwing more people in jail. 

And if Atlanta does end up getting a night mayor, which we’re all for, then this falls right down his/her/their alley. It should be someone with an ability to listen to the community, and who can find creative, compassionate solutions that benefit everyone. 

… and give good strip club recommendations.