Music Venues A thriving network of venues supports Athens’ world-class music scene. Most of these venues are centered around the downtown core within walking distance of each other. They host nightly showcases of everything from classical to hip hop to punk rock to Americana and beyond. There are literally tens of thousands of shows each year, and it can be overwhelming trying to keep track of it all. Thankfully, Flagpoleis here to help. To see who’s playing where on any given date, pick up a copy of the weekly print edition or visit flagpole. Boar’s Head Lounge 260 E. Washington St. • 706-369-3040 This is a party bar that caters to the college crowd. Cover bands seem to get the party going, but local rock, funk and jam bands offer up original material, too. Thursday nights are your best bet for catching live music on the patio. If you want in on the action, try out the long-running open-mic night on Wednesdays. 21+ Bootleggers Country & Western Bar 1700 Commerce Rd. • 706-540-7803 • bootleggersathens Make sure to wear your cowboy boots when you head to Bootleggers, Athens’ only country bar, every Saturday night. Located outside the Loop towards Commerce, it may be a trek to get there, but once you do, it’s hard not to get caught up in the good-times vibe. 21+ Buffalo’s Cafe 196 Alps Rd. #49 • 706-354-6655 • buffaloscafe/athens This local restaurant, in the Beechwood shopping center off Alps Road, hosts live music occasionally, from blues to soul to singer-songwriter stuff. The family-friendly concerts are always a blast. All Ages Butt Hutt Barbecue 480 Macon Hwy. • 706-850-8511 • butthuttbarbecue Aside from boasting some of the best ‘cue in town, Butt Hutt features a steady stream of live music for the outdoor evening crowd during the warmer months. Enjoy performances from local blues, country and cover bands while you chow down on some delicious grub. All Ages Caledonia Lounge 256 W. Clayton St. • 706-549-5577 • caledonialounge Laid-back, intimate and unassuming, this jewel of a club is where the cool kids come to hear exciting, under-the-radar talent. This is a great spot to catch Athens bands on the verge as well as national touring acts. It’s not rare to see a lineup that veers from avant-garde to rustic country in one night. The crowd loves to socialize outside on the patio which, on rare occasions, doubles as an outdoor stage. 18+ Ciné 234 W. Hancock Ave. • 706-353-7377 • athenscine Athens’ only arthouse movie theater, Ciné occasionally hosts music performances in its cavernous adjoining room, dubbed Cinélab. Shows range from experimental drone to hip hop to rock and beyond, and usually feature some sort of artistic component. Enjoy a microbrew from the bar—or some popcorn—and zone out. All Ages The Classic Center 300 N. Thomas St. • 706-357-4444 • classiccenter The 2,000-seat theatre in this convention center hosts a wide range of special events and performing arts including plays, symphonies and concerts. The elegant interior is well suited for the world-class artists who grace the stage, a list that has recently included Willie Nelson, Amos Lee and Louis C.K. All Ages Creature Comforts Brewing Co. 271 W. Hancock Ave. • 706-410-1043 • creaturecomfortsbeer Athens newest craft brewery took over the building previously occupied by a tire shop and transformed it into a stunning tasting room where you can also occasionally hear live music, usually in conjunction with a local festival or holiday happening. The side lot also hosts the downtown farmers market on Wednesday afternoons, when acoustic acts set up and play for shoppers. All Ages Flicker Theatre & Bar 263 W. Washington St. • 706-546-0039 • flickertheatreandbar As close as you can get to a house show downtown, Flicker Theatre has an intimate, living room feel, complete with a rickety, out-of-tune piano. It’s the ideal space to hear singer-songwriters and folk acts, but even punk bands rattle the windows of this hip venue. Flicker also hosts comedy, karaoke, trivia and film screenings, and displays rotating local art exhibits. Plus: free popcorn! 21+ The Flight Deck 120 E. Washington St. • 706-347-6986 As you can tell by the name, this new spot on Washington Street downtown is aeronautic in theme, an homage to Athens’ history as an early hotspot of flight thanks to pioneer Ben Epps. It also offers bar discounts for servicemen and women and first responders. Musically, you can expect to catch heavy rock and metal bands, as well as a variety of other genres. 21+ 40 Watt Club 285 W. Washington St. • 706-549-7871 • 40watt While this venue has existed in various locations over the past few decades, the 40 Watt Club has become synonymous with Athens’ music scene. Its hallowed stage continues to welcome acclaimed indie acts and mainstream hit-makers, and it also serves as a launching pad for local bands. The space is a large room decorated with string lights above and funky art on the walls. The bar staff is friendly and quick with the 24-ounce PBRs. 18+ Front Porch Book Store 102 Marigold Ln., Winterville • 706-372-1236 • Find us on Facebook This quaint nonprofit shop in Winterville, set up to help support the Winterville Library, has a little outside stage that hosts bands during its family-friendly Summer Concert Series, the yearly Marigold Festival and on other occasions, too. You can expect mostly acoustic acts in the folk and country veins. All Ages Georgia Bar 159 W. Clayton St. • Find us on Facebook This longtime townie favorite is your classic, dimly lit, no-frills bar, and it regularly hosts local rock, funk and jam bands, as well as eclectic touring acts. Expect equal helpings of grit and drawl from Georgia Bar’s rowdy but always friendly atmosphere. 21+ Georgia Theatre 215 N. Lumpkin St. • 706-850-7670 • georgiatheatre Back with a vengeance after being ransacked by fire in 2009, the Georgia Theatre has staked a new claim as one the Southeast’s premier venues. The rooftop—complete with bar and restaurant—hosts DJs and bands when the weather is right. Inside, country, jam and electronic artists remain a constant, but the club has become the spot to catch globally acclaimed touring acts. In 2014, the Theatre has welcomed bands like The xx, The Zombies and Television. 18+ The Globe 199 N. Lumpkin St. • 706-353-4721 • facebook/globe.athens This worldly bar and restaurant has long been a haven for townies and professor-types who want to bear witness to the debauchery of downtown while still maintaining a respectable psychological distance (oh, sure). The upstairs space is a spot for bands to do their thing, albeit only occasionally. From punk and indie rock to traditional Irish jigs, you can hear a wide variety of tunes here. 21+ Go Bar 195 Prince Ave. • 706-546-5609 • facebook/go.bar.35 Compact hipster institution Go Bar keeps things fresh by offering a wide range of music. You might catch a crusty punk band, a glittery electro act or a buzzworthy touring band playing for a young, ecstatic crowd. Lately, the club has become the go-to spot for experimental pop and noise. A revolving crew of DJs host post-show dance parties, while Thursday is home to the long-running indie rock karaoke with Dr. Fred. 21+ Green Room 175 N. Lumpkin St. • 706-353-2439 • greenroomathens Green Room was started by the owners of the nearby Georgia Theatre and features a cozy “backstage” theme. It’s the spot to catch stripped-down shows from touring bands headlining sold-out Theatre shows, as well as nightly concerts from mid-level rock, jam and indie acts. Enjoy a fancy cocktail and good fellowship while you rock the night away. 21+ Hendershot’s Coffee Bar 237 Prince Ave. • 706-353-3050 • hendershotscoffee Carrying the name of local drummer and owner Seth Hendershot, jazz and folk are the main attractions at this cozy coffee and beer bar, located in the Bottleworks on Prince Avenue near downtown. But a wide variety of bands play here most nights, from funk to soul to rock and beyond. The recent Experimental Night series has brought in an eclectic new crowd. Readings and other events, too. All Ages Hi-Lo Lounge 1354 Prince Ave. • 706-850-8561 • hiloathens A key player in the emerging Normaltown resurgence, neighborhood watering hole Hi-Lo serves up delicious pub grub and is a great spot to catch a show, especially on Sundays, when most everything else on the block is closed. Music typically ranges from punk to folk to garage-rock. The vibe is cool and casual.21+ Highwire Lounge 269 N. Hull St. • 706-543-8997 • highwirelounge This refined bar offers fancy cocktails and food from the adjoining Trappeze Pub kitchen, as well as music to accompany it all. This has been an especially popular place for local jazz acts to set up a residency, fine-tuning their craft with weekly appearances. 21+ Iron Factory 255 W. Washington St. • 706-395-6877 • Find us on Facebook An authentic Korean BBQ experience isnt the only thing youll get at this new downtown spot; most Thursday–Saturday nights, it hosts live music on its outdoor patio. Expect crowd-pleasing rock and folk acts serenading the late-night dinner and bar crowd. Plus, all signs point toward the restaurant, which is owned by the same folks behind nearby sushi emporium Shokitini, becoming another karaoke hotspot. All Ages Little Kings Shuffle Club 223 W. Hancock Ave. • 706-369-3144 • facebook/lkshuffleclub Besides boasting one of the most cherished outdoor patios in town, Little Kings hosts a ridiculously wide swath of live music on the cheap (or free), from local indie acts and touring punk bands to experimental, hip hop and more. Competitive types revel in the club’s Rock and Roll Trivia Night, every Monday. 21+ Max 243 W. Washington St. • 706-254-3392 • facebook/themaxcanada Also known as the Patio Bar for its enormous outdoor area, Max hosts punk and metal performances in its narrow adjacent venue space. In warmer weather, the party moves outside, where DJ-assisted dancing often erupts and continues into the wee hours. For cheap drinks, cross-cultural downtown friendliness and late-night people-watching indoors or outdoors, Max can’t be beat. 21+ The Melting Point 295 E. Dougherty St. • 706-254-6909 • meltingpointathens The Foundry Park Inn’s music venue offers an escape from the booze-soaked hustle and bustle of downtown’s club scene, with great acoustics, a full-scale restaurant and plentiful seating. Of course, there’s booze here, too; the weekly Terrapin Tuesday series pairs live folk and bluegrass music with $2 pints of the local craft suds. The calendar fills up with established acts from Athens and beyond, including various folk, rock and soul heavyweights, and there’s not a bad seat in the house. 18+ Morton Theatre 195 W. Washington St. • 706-613-3771 • mortontheatre One of Athens’ most historically significant venues, the Morton Theatre was built in 1910 and owned and operated by African American community leader Monroe “Pink” Morton as a vaudeville hotspot. Now owned by the ACC government, the Morton hosts an array of theater productions and special events, as well as the rare concert, and is the home of the annual Flagpole Athens Music Awards show each June. All Ages New Earth Athens 227 W. Dougherty St. • 706-543-8283 • newearthmusichall The focus at the newly renovated, eco-friendly New Earth is on cutting-edge electronic artists, DJs and producers. The club books national and international EDM acts, and the killer lighting rig sets the mood perfectly for a night of raving. But both the indoor and outdoor stages are open to other genres, too. You can often find indie, folk, jam and funk acts populating the venue’s calendar. 18+ Normaltown Hall 399 Meigs St. •706-548-3913 • facebook/NormaltownHall Named for the Athens wing of New West Records, which uses the building as its local headquarters, Normaltown Hall is one of the best-kept listening-room secrets in town. Though the intimate, BYOB venue hosts performances only intermittently, each one is sure to be a treat. The past year has seen performances from desert-folk legend Howe Gelb and Chicago chanteuse Angel Olsen. All Ages Nowhere Bar 240 N. Lumpkin St. • 706-546-4742 • facebook/nowherebarathens This hangout is the sort of unpretentious place that doesn’t mind being called a dive bar, as long as it’s said with respect. Folks come here to hang out in a laid-back environment while listening to blues, rock and country bands from around the region. Tuesdays are home to the Tuesday Night Confessional showcase, which highlights singer-songwriters from the region. 21+ Nuçi’s Space 396 Oconee St. • 706-227-1515 • nuci.org Perched on the far eastern edge of downtown Athens, community anchor Nuçi’s Space offers numerous resources to local musicians—affordable hourly rehearsal space, access to mental and physical health care and the Camp Amped program for kids are but a few of the local nonprofit’s ongoing programs. It’s also a terrific spot to watch live performances; though shows are infrequent, proceeds always benefit the center’s mission. All Ages The Office Lounge 2455 Jefferson Rd. • 706-546-0840 • facebook/OfficeAthens The Office Lounge sits in a corner of the Homewood Hills Shopping Center and offers live music Thursday–Saturday. Regulars love to socialize while local rock and blues acts take the stage. Of course, there’s also plenty of room to dance when the mood strikes. Enjoy karaoke every Wednesday night. 21+ Omega Bar 3155 Atlanta Hwy. • 706-338-1832 • theomegabar From smooth jazz to live Latin music, there’s always something different happening at this Atlanta Highway hotspot. It’s also the place to go to see artists on the vanguard of Athens’ tight-knit hip hop scene, which has blossomed of late. 18+ The Rialto Room 500 College Ave. • 706-363-8616 • therialtoroom Named after the legendary Rialto Ballroom in Liverpool, England, the Rialto Room is used mostly for private events, but the rare public concerts are a special treat. The club’s plush interior and romantic lighting paired with pristine acoustics give shows an exclusive feel. Age Restrictions Vary Seney-Stovall Chapel 210 N. Milledge Ave. • 706-542-5041 • cviog.uga.edu/chapel Originally built in 1882 as part of the Lucy Cobb Institute, the Seney-Stovall Chapel is one of Athens’ most beautiful and unusual buildings. An octagonal Victorian gem, the Chapel, with its 240-seat Spalding Theater, is now owned by UGA and hosts both university and community-oriented cultural events such as concerts, plays and lectures. All Ages Terrapin Beer Co. 265 Newton Bridge Rd. • 706-549-3377 • terrapinbeer One of the few spots in town to enjoy live music outdoors, the Terrapin brewery opens up its lawn to the public Wednesday through Saturday. Bands usually start around 5:30 p.m. Bring your own chair or blanket. Leashed dogs are welcome, too. You can tour the brewery itself for $10, which also gets you a generous sampling of the homemade brew. All Ages UGA Performing Arts Center 230 River Rd. • 706-542-4400 • uga.edu/pac The PAC is Athens’ premier location to experience classical and jazz performances from internationally renowned musicians like Wynton Marsalis and Yo-Yo Ma, as well as talented student groups. Comprised of the 360-seat Ramsey Concert Hall and the 1100-seat Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall, the beautifully appointed center routinely books major orchestras, ballet troupes, acclaimed individual artists, off-Broadway productions, dance companies and youth symphonies. All Ages The World Famous 351 N. Hull St. • 706-543-4002 • theworldfamousathens This venue became a quick favorite after it opened in the former Wilson’s Soul Food storefront downtown in 2013. Owners made it their mission to reuse as much from the previous tenant as possible; the result is a clean, modern-feeling space with a lot of lived-in charm. Performers take the stage in a small room next to the bar area. The kitchen turns out some pretty awesome pub grub, too. All Ages Hi-Lo Lounge hiloathens Price: $ Locations 1354 Prince Ave. Athens, GA 30606. 706-850-8561 File Under: American, Bars. Features: Full Bar, Vegetarian Friendly, Live Music, Trivia. Hours: Lunch, Dinner & Late Night, Tues.–Sun. The Look: A beautifully recycled interior in an old red brick building right on the sidewalk. Menu: Hot dogs served six different ways. Sandwiches like the Czechwich (breaded eggplant or muenster cheese with roasted red pepper puree) and Toona Melt (vegetarian tuna fish salad made with jackfruit and white beans), Cincinnati-style chili and the Ano Prosim, (Czech for yes, please): two breaded and fried triangles of muenster cheese. Kids menu, too! Drinks: Full bar with interesting cocktails like the Clementine (Svedka Clementine vodka, elderflower liqueur, Blenheims spicy ginger ale) and the N.O. Way (Templeton Rye whisky, Herbsaint, Peychauds bitters, lemon juice, sugar).
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 13:00:01 +0000
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