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In the midst of conversation, I noticed that the music came to an abrupt halt - time for the performers to take the stage.Īs I am heading out for the evening, I have the pleasure of running into Marco Penna. “I’m really happy that they came back to save it.” “ cater so much to the community with Oscar’s and now this,” he says. I had the chance to speak with Kevin, a former frequenter of Burkhart’s before its closing. The outdoors is where I begin to make friends. And in the opposite back corner, a more sequestered and personal collection of tables rests against the fence. The trim of the seats has subtle fluorescent lights that give off a sense of serenity, complimenting the rest of the ambiance. A gazebo occupies the center of the courtyard, allowing everyone to gather around and seek a bit of tranquility from the indoor festivities.įriends gather on the wooden benches, clearly delighted, exchanging stories and exposing their smiles. A six-foot crescent moon smiles along the back wall. The summer evening beckons the majority of guests out to the well-kempt patio. Upon every corner, there are exchanges of group hugs and copious amounts of kisses, rejoicing in being reunited with their old friends in a renewed fashion. Guests shout for their long lost friends over the celebratory dance music. The second tier provides a convenient view to the ground level.Īround 11pm, a crowd pours in like rainwater on 14th street, welcoming the vibe the space used to represent. Upstairs, a DJ spins, a small bar is tucked in the opposite corner, and two large billiards tables lounge right by the outside entrance. The central bar is accessible from the spacious dancefloor, a sidebar across from it provides a more intimate setting. Entering the venue, I was entranced by the spinning moon that glistened over the epicenter of the dance floor, reflecting an array of strobe lights and textural movements throughout the deceivingly large venue. Arriving, it’s a multi-faceted gala where you’re friends with everyone. I had the pleasure of making a stop at Midtown Moon on a sweltering Saturday evening. The venue resides in the same space that Burkhart’s previously occupied, a cozy two-story nook in Ansley Square off Piedmont Avenue. The neighboring bar Oscar’s operator, Marco Penna, and owner, Chris McDonald, took the initiative to start from scratch by opening Midtown Moon. But with the opening of Midtown Moon, a new one is on the horizon. Burkhart’s attempted to continue, but it was short-lived. Burkhart’s former owner’s offensive racial remarks opposed everything that the LGBTQ community represents. The reasons for its departure made it even more disappointing. The closing of Burkhart’s in February was an abrupt farewell to the establishment of 28 years.