Here Are The Best Live Music Venues In Atlanta

Photo credit: Wendy Wei / Pexels

If you’ve ever just wanted a place to chill and listen to music, Atlanta, Georgia has quite a few options. While it’s not quite the live music mecca you’d experience in some other Southern cities like Nashville or New Orleans, Atlanta holds its own.

This article will list some places in Atlanta that offer live bands, vocalists performing across several genres. There are seedy joints, upscale big band-type options as well as restaurants, taverns and banquet halls that offer jazz and R&B standards for you to enjoy in Atlanta on the weekends.

What Are The Best Live Music Venues In Atlanta?

Let’s get into some of the best live music venues in Atlanta and how to get there:

Apache Cafe

393 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 | (404) 594-1170

If you want to enjoy one of the city’s musical gems, Apache Cafe is the place to go. Aside from being the venue where India Irie was discovered, patrons will enjoy the daily happy hour, food and drinks.

With a weekly schedule of events that features Pangea’s Afrosocial, spoken word, karaoke, art, live music and more, this place is a must-visit. See upcoming events.

Blind Willie’s

828 North Highland Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30306 |  (404) 873-2583

The world-renown Blind Willie’s is the premiere spot in Atlanta for some down-home blues music. See upcoming concerts.

Center Stage / The Loft

1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 |  (404) 885-1365

Center Stage is one of the most accessible places in Atlanta to hear some live music. National acts on the pop music and hip-hop scene regularly come through to perform. 

The Loft is a more intimate music venue adjacent to Center Stage. It’s a standing-room only place that allows the venue to transform into a gigantic dance floor. See upcoming shows.

City Winery

650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 | (404) 946-3791

Update: This venue is temporarily closed. City Winery in Midtown Atlanta has some of the biggest acts week in and week out. If you want to see a top-notch live show, City Winery is the place to be. See their schedule.

Coca-Cola Roxy

800 Battery Ave SE #500, Atlanta, GA 30339 | (470) 351-3866

The Coca-Cola Roxy is a spacious venue at the Battery across the street from SunTrust Park, where the Atlanta Braves play. The Roxy plays big-name acts and packs a crowd on the weekends. See Coca-Cola Roxy events.

Kat’s Cafe

970 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 347-2263

If you’re looking for a lively night of creative arts, Kate’s Cafe in Midtown Atlanta may be just the thing. Neatly tucked away amid some residential homes at 970 Piedmont Ave NE, a short distance from 10th Street, Kat’s Cafe live music bar and restaurant is definitely one of those cool things to do in Atlanta on any day of the week.

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre

5239 Floyd Rd SW, Mableton, GA 30126 | (770) 819-7765

The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre draws some major acts to southern Cobb County. If you live out that way, Mable House packs a crowd. See events here.

Northside Tavern

1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 | (404) 874-8745

Northside Tavern in West Midtown is a great place to catch some live music and enjoy some good food at the same time. This is Atlanta’s unofficial “home of the blues” powered by house band Mudcat. Check out their calendar.

The Tabernacle

152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 659-9022

Update: This venue is temporarily closed. The Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta draws some big acts every week. You can see their event schedule to find someone you no doubt know. See event information.

Terminal West

887 West Marietta St NW C, Atlanta, GA 30318 |  (404) 876-5566

In West Midtown, Terminal West is a best-kept secret when it comes to places with live music in Atlanta. See Terminal West events.

The Masquerade

50 Lower Alabama Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 577-8178

The Masquerade is a huge music venue for rockers, metal fans and alternative music. You’ll frequently get the hip-hop groups to perform there as well. See upcoming shows.

Red Light Cafe

553-1 Amsterdam Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 | (404) 874-7828

Red Light Cafe in Midtown Atlanta is your place to go to see local rock acts, reggae and other alternative vibes. Check out the Red Light Cafe events calendar.

State Farm Arena

 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 878-3000

Aside from Mercedes Benz-Stadium, State Farm Arena is the largest concert venue in Georgia. A-List acts have performed there since State Farm Arena was built. See their concert schedule.

Variety Playhouse

1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | (404) 524-7354

This old movie theater acts as a concert hall for local acts as well as visiting musicians. This intimate venue can hold more than 1,000 people and is in a central location. See who’s playing at Variety Playhouse.

Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry

3116 Main St., Duluth, Ga. 30096 | 678-892-6373
 
Here’s what one visitor says about Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Foundry.  “ This music hall is medium sized as they come and they are constantly showing unique musicians! This is a great place to grab a drink and enjoy a good concert. I’ve met the owner here, Eddie Owen and he is one of the most genuine venue owners I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. He also hires kind and happy people as well!”

Final Act

Do you love live music? Atlanta, Georgia has plenty of places to enjoy live musical performances around the city.

Atlanta has so many things to do no matter what you’re into: live music, sports, recreation, shopping, etc.

Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:

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Tee Johnson: Tee Johnson is the co-founder of AtlantaFi.com and as an unofficial ambassador of the city, she's a lover of all things Atlanta. She writes about Travel News, Events, Business, Hair Care (Wigs!) and Money.

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