Best indoor concert venue
Train performing at Star 94's "Not So Silent Night" at Center Stage in December. The venue was your choice for best indoor concert venue in and around Atlanta. Photo: Hyosub Shin, hshin@ajc.com
YOUR PICKS
1. Center Stage
You say, “You can sit or stand depending on your ’style,’ it’s small enough to feel intimate, and the seating areas and extra room around the outer part of the venue are great.”
2. Fox Theatre (tie)
3. The Tabernacle (tie)
4. Smith’s Olde Bar
5. Variety Playhouse
Janelle Monae performing at Variety Playhouse in November. The Variety is our pick for best indoor concert venue in and around Atlanta. Photo: Hyosub Shin, hshin@ajc.com
OUR PICKS
1. Variety Playhouse
Keeper of the Best of the Big A and Live Music Picks writer Shane Harrison says, “It isn’t so much the physical venue that makes this place special. It’s the way it lives up to its name. Windstorm Productions, the Variety’s in-house booking and promotion team, brings in a stunningly diverse array of talent. In April alone the list of performers includes Latin dance music powerhouse the Afro-Cuban All Stars, San Francisco avant-rock pioneers the Residents, country and bluegrass great Ricky Skaggs and British blues legend John Mayall. Now that’s variety.”
2. Fox Theatre
3. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
4. The Tabernacle
5. Eddie’s Attic
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129 comments Add your comment
LS
March 8th, 2011
4:01 pm
Tabernacle
ballsdeep
March 8th, 2011
4:02 pm
tabernacle hands down
verizon 2nd
go bravos
March 8th, 2011
4:22 pm
Any venue that is inside is fine. Outdoor concerts are a joke. I never understand why so many people tolerate outdoor “acoustics.”
SP
March 8th, 2011
6:07 pm
Smith’s Olde Bar
s brig
March 8th, 2011
7:50 pm
That F place is beautiful, but for seeing vital, hungry bands in their prime, up close, its gotta be TABERNACLE or nothing!!!
Philip Covin
March 8th, 2011
7:53 pm
The Tabernacle is the perfect vibe for any show I want to see. It’s gritty, full of character, and intimate. The Buckhead Theater (formerly The Roxy) is too sterile for me. Loved it when it was The Roxy though, pre-sterilization. Someone mentioned The Great Southeastern Music Hall, but that hasn’t been around for decades. The Fox is a beautiful venue, but it’s not too often that there’s a concert there I want to see. Smith’s Olde Bar is the best for an intimate show.
Me
March 8th, 2011
8:19 pm
I’m voting for Smith’s Olde Bar. It always has bands on their way up… smoke-free (as of 3/1/11) and KILLER sound. Easily the best sounding room in the city. Plus, it’s got The Atlanta Room. Saw Butch perform in The Atlanta Room when he was still working there!
TugboatCharlie
March 8th, 2011
8:27 pm
Smithes Olde Bar. best in any town
Amy
March 8th, 2011
8:53 pm
Smiths Olde Bar!
Jen
March 8th, 2011
9:01 pm
Chastain Park
Jen
March 8th, 2011
9:03 pm
oops…just read the rest of the description and noticed it was for indoor venues. disregard above comment!
NB
March 8th, 2011
9:09 pm
Smith’s Olde Bar – no contest.
Clare
March 8th, 2011
10:26 pm
Smith’s Olde Bar, with Eddie’s Attic a close second
rusty
March 8th, 2011
10:44 pm
alex cooleys!!!!!…the old ballroom…..for the old timers.
Russell
March 8th, 2011
11:44 pm
The Fabulous Fox Theatre!
Dirty South TV
March 9th, 2011
2:49 am
#1-The FOX Theater
#2-Five Spot
#3-Smith’s Olde Bar
#4-Eddie’s Attic
#5-Center Stage
and I actually “do” music for a living.
KC
March 9th, 2011
3:52 am
Smith’s Olde Bar
Saucey
March 9th, 2011
11:26 am
Variety Playhouse!
koko
March 9th, 2011
12:04 pm
The Fox.
Former atlantan
March 9th, 2011
12:26 pm
Social Vinnings….with Atlanta Boogie performing
sara
March 9th, 2011
12:48 pm
Tabernacle and Smith’s Olde Bar!
Bored
March 10th, 2011
12:59 am
There’s just something fun about seeing a show at the Variety Playhouse, disappearing into their little “smoker’s alley” between acts, being around fellow PBR drinkers, and just enjoying the music — no pretense. It’s clear that everyone there is there for the MUSIC. I love going to the Fox, but the acoustics aren’t great in the balcony sections. Center Stage is great, too — love the vibe about that building.
locksmith
March 10th, 2011
3:56 am
No contest, The Fabulous Fox!
TJ
March 10th, 2011
10:08 am
Easy – Smith’s Olde Bar.
JustJ
March 10th, 2011
10:12 am
Cobb Energy Center-not a bad seat & classy Good for modern ATL
Mary B
March 10th, 2011
11:41 am
the fox
Brendan
March 10th, 2011
11:53 pm
As a local artist, I love playing Vinyl and Eddie’s Attic is the holy grail of acoustic stages.
Kate
March 13th, 2011
1:44 pm
For classical events: Spivey Hall. No contest.
Kirbang
March 13th, 2011
7:46 pm
Smiths Old Bar