Atlanta is one of the fastest growing cities in the music industry, coming in right behind New York City and Los Angeles. ATL’s local music scene is especially diverse and there is a plethora of venues that showcase every genre imaginable. With venues a plenty, it’s sometimes difficult for music junkies to choose where exactly they should go to get their fix. Below are some of the best venues in the city which can cater to just about anyone’s needs.
The Five Spot is located on Euclid Avenue in Little Five Points. Every Monday night this music venue/bar/restaurant/art gallery showcases local Atlanta artists for an acoustic performance. These acoustic sets range from folk rock to alternative to blues. On Tuesdays the Five has Open Mic Night, which presents a variety of genres including avant-garde, soul, jazz, blues and fusion. Both Acoustic Mondays and Open Mic Tuesdays are free and a great place to blow off some after work steam.
Vinyl can be found on the corner of West Peachtree and 17th Street and is one Midtown’s best outlets for the Atlanta rock scene. This venue offers an abundance of cover bands, from Nirvana to INXS to Pearl Jam to Rage Against the Machine and many more. Local bands such as Red Letter Agent, Collective Efforts and Dead Rabbits are staples in this spot, but it has also been the stage for nationally known acts including Citizen Cope, Crossfade and Jem. The Vinyl is also connected to The Loft and Center Stage, both of which have similar performers and the same cool vibe.
The Earl is a restaurant and lounge located in East Atlanta on Flat Shoals Avenue. This is a great hub to check out an array of local Atlanta bands. Their taste ranges from soft acoustic sets to power rock blowouts. For those who like their music loud, this is a great spot; the volume is generally at a conversation-stopping level. The Earl is also known for its many Indie rock and Blues bands. The majority of their shows are cheap if not free and it is a great place for burgers and late night. Seating is limited though, so go prepared to stand.
The Drunken Unicorn, while somewhat difficult to find at first, is located on Ponce de Leon Place. It is a smaller venue that holds roughly 250 people and has a similar arrangement to the Earl: small stage, laid-back setup and an open floor space. While the Unicorn offers mostly local Atlanta rock performances, MJQ Concourse is connected to this venue and they offer a more DJ dance music vibe. Thus, usually no matter what you’re in the mood for surely you can find it at one of the two. The Unicorn is noted for having a lot of hardcore performances which can turn into crazy head-banging mosh pits with the drop of a hat. Proceed with caution to this venue, but get ready for a great time with local regulars.
– Written By Jessica Pickett
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