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SOME NAMES REALLY live up to their reputation.

At the Hole in the Wall in Buckhead, don't be alarmed by the sticky floors or the Three Dollar Cafe-style plastic cups with milkshake straws. Don't gasp at that "put me out my misery" sofa or the whole outdated look of the place. It's all part of this nightspot's shtick.

DAVID GRAVES/AJC (ENLARGE)
Mimi Han, who pours a sweet and savory Blue Bombshell shot, tends one of four bars at Hole in the Wall nighclub, which has been a Buckhead fixture for 12 years.
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THE SCENE: The cavernous space feels more like an oversize sports bar with eight flat-screens scattered around. Miller, Coors and Bud Light neon signs dangle everywhere, and black paint doesn't help in the let's-be-cheery department — but honestly, who cares?

The beauty about this watering hole, which has been a Buckhead fixture for 12 years, is that it has never taken itself too seriously. So what if the booth seating has seen better days. What matters for this singles scene is beers are cold and DJ Mike Hendrix is getting the party cranked with his pop, R&B and hip-hop classics.

On this Saturday night, the two pool tables were seeing heavy action and the dance floor stayed hyped.

There's plenty of festive hooting and hollering going on. The cheap novelties, like the gorilla with a cigarette at one of the four bars, the ugly rhino head overlooking the dance floor, and figurines on the restroom doors, look like something straight from the recycle bin — but again, it's part of the shtick.

And strangely it all works.

THE PEOPLE: Expect to see trendsetters, professionals, cowboys and girls, a few couples and average Joes just out living it up. Not trying to be too cute, which was evident when one lady flipped back her hair, then downed three shots before yelping a boisterous "Woooo hooooo!" Another guy downed too many of something and kept falling to the floor.

No one said this place was prim and proper, and it doesn't claim to be. But what it does claim to be is a spot where people can get juiced up for cheap and have a funky good time without putting on any airs.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Some say the Buckhead party scene is diminishing. But honestly, I can't image Atlanta without a spot like Hole in the Wall or its sister bars Peachtree Tavern and Moon Dogs. Grungy typically isn't my thing, but I'll gladly keep plucking cigarette butts from the bottom of my shoes and sipping cocktails with milkshake straws if it means being around a feel-good vibe like this.

• THE 411: Free before 12:30 a.m. $3 after. Wednesday-Saturday 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Wednesdays karaoke, Thursdays college night, Fridays-Saturdays dance party. $5-$10 parking in rear. 3177 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-233-9801.