Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 01 > Entry
Club legend out of hiding for birthday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fittingly, the invitation was delivered to Buzz Central with a Frank Sinatra commemorative stamp. After all, for Atlanta nightclub insiders, the announcement is something akin to the Chairman of the Board’s 1976 surprise visit to the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon — with Dean Martin in tow.
On July 10, venerable nightspot Johnny’s Hideaway is hosting “The Annual 39th” birthday bash for the club’s namesake and former owner Johnny Esposito. In 1999, Esposito’s business partners bought him out when he decided to retire. During the transition, some not-so-nice words were exchanged. Mothers may have been maligned. Some witnesses claim hexes were uttered.
As a result, Esposito didn’t set foot in the Sinatra sanctuary for nearly a decade. Until Esposito turned up unexpectedly a few months back for a former customer’s party at the Roswell Road club.
During the visit, some of the iciness between Esposito and current co-owner Mike Dana melted. In recent years, diabetes has taken its toll on Esposito’s circulation and he quit drinking.
“I’m a Catholic, and we were taught forgiveness,” Esposito told us. “Also, they probably know I might be running short on birthdays these days and that I’ll be out of their hair soon! Seriously, it was very nice of them to do this for me.”
“What the hell,” reasoned Dana when we called Monday. “Let bygones be bygones. With a lot of style, we’re going to pay tribute to a nightclub legend.”
Former Atlanta mayor Sam Massell is one of Esposito’s old pallies who’s been invited to speak at the soiree/ceasefire.
“I was surprised for several reasons,” Massell told us. “Yes, I was surprised that the Hideaway is hosting it. It’s a very nice gesture. I was also surprised to learn from the invitation that I’m one of the ‘special guests.’ And I’m surprised that Johnny Esposito is celebrating yet another birthday. You know that he’s older than all of us put together, don’t you?”
So which birthday is this for Esposito?
Says the lifelong nightclub huckster: “People will just have to show up to find that out!”
Complimentary drinks and a free birthday buffet are scheduled from 7 to
8 p.m.
Molotov cocktails are not on the menu.
Comments
By the posse
July 1, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
We used to call it the old folks disco. Lots of single women and divorcees looking for love. Them were the good ol’ days.
By why not
July 1, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
why go slummin, when you can go cougar huntin?
By Dave
July 1, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Went there for my birthday recently. Menu is horrible. Some of the most greasy bar food I have ever had. And the dancing with the stars wanna bees overwhelmed the dance floor so my gal and I couldn’t dance. They were flinging each other all over the place. Did see some GMILFs. Bartenders were pretty good, but cocky. Food was a suprising awful. Got the feeling if you are not a regular then p** on you. Not a very friendly place for visitors or newbys
By Candice
July 1, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
My friend Pat and I use to go there all the time until she passed away. She loved doctors and motolodges.
By Candice
July 1, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
My friend Pat and I use to go there all the time until she passed away. She loved doctors and motolodges.
By Bill
July 1, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Dave, you don’t know what you are talking about. The food is excellent and I try to eat lunch there as often as I can. To call it bar food shows ignorance on your part. It may be food served in a bar but bar food it is not. Now Dave, give us the real reason? Did they ask you are some one in your party to leave because they were acting a fool?
By Dee Shew
July 1, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Me and boy Ben Butler dominate the sport of cougar hunting.
By Chip
July 1, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Was taken away at the age of 18 by a “cougar” (not knownby the term in the late 80’s), at the Hideaway. Nice to know some things don’t change.
By Johnnys The Man
July 1, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Dave, the women there are fine and in their prime. The food is hit or miss, but I’ve never been disappointed with the beef curtains.
By Claire
July 1, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
I worked at the Hideaway back in early 80’s and was proud to be one of Johnny’s “Tomatoes”. I’ve always loved him and wish I could be there to help him celebrate (live in Denver now).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY!
Claire
By Don KeBallz
July 1, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
Johnnys The Man said it all!!! hahaha,Not a bad place if you are looking for a slump buster.
By dancer
July 1, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Take penicillin before you set foot in the place.
By Tom
July 1, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
I was wondering if Waxie was still around?
By Beautiful Inside
July 2, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Very hostile, unfriendly place if one happens to be a female who is not lucky enough to have a “pretty” face.
By DJ
July 2, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Johnny’s was never meant to be for the young crowd (the Sinatra music is a tip off). I liked it for what it is. Too bad I can’t be there for the party (in NYC now). Happy Birthday Johnny.
By Sam C.
July 2, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Johnny’s Hideaway was a great time during the 1980s and especially on Wed. and Sun. nights, and man oh man, the ladies were great! I can still hear the music in my mind’s eye.
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