10 Best Places to See Live Music in Atlanta

The Fox Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Midtown Atlanta, at the center of the Fox Theatre Historic District. Originally opened in 1929 as an upscale movie theater, this opulent venue features a variety of architectural styles ranging from Islamic to Egyptian and Arabian.

A range of performances and events held at the Fox Theatre includes live music and concerts, cultural performances, ballets, plays, and films. Notable performers at the Fox Theatre have included Prince, Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, and James Brown.

Eddie’s Attic is an intimate music club located in downtown Decatur, about 15 minutes east of Atlanta. Founded in 1992, the venue also operates as a restaurant and tavern, and hosts nightly live performances for singer-songwriters.

Eddie’s Attic has been a springboard for many well-known musicians in launching their musical careers, including John Mayer, Justin Beiber, The Civil Wars, Sugarland, and Crystal Bowersox. The venue hosts a long-running weekly open mic night, where contest winners advance to a semi-final event to compete for a cash prize. Eddie’s Attic also houses a covered patio and pool room.

Terminal West is a mid-size performance venue within the King Plow Arts Center, located in Atlanta. A former foundry and machinery plant, the venue maintains many original industrial features throughout, including a patio overlooking historic railroad tracks.

Notable past performers at Terminal West have included The Killers, T.I., Imagine Dragons, 2 Chainz, Alessia Cara, and Charlie Puth. The venue’s adjacent restaurant serves snacks and concessions on show nights and includes a full bar. A paid parking lot is available at the King Plow Arts Center, and shows are typically all-ages unless otherwise noted.

Variety Playhouse is an intimate music venue located in Atlanta’s Little 5 Points neighborhood. The historic building has been utilized in the past as a cinema and theater of the arts, before being converted to a live music venue. It maintains original Art Deco elements.

Past performers at the Variety Playhouse have included Adele, the Dresden Dolls, Gnarls Barkley, Modest Mouse, and Ghostface Killah. The venue offers a full bar and has a small paid parking lot behind the building. Shows at Variety Playhouse are typically all-ages unless otherwise noted.

Chastain Park Amphitheater is a spacious outdoor amphitheater located in Atlanta’s Chastain Park, in North Fulton County. Opened in 1944, this is one of the oldest historic music venues in Atlanta. Shows are typically held between April and October.

Live music at Chastain Park Amphitheater has ranged from performances by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to concerts by Frank Sinatra, Janet Jackson, Hootie & The Blowfish, Billie Eilish, and Joan Jett. Ticketed seating within the amphitheater can range from tables and chairs in the lower orchestra section to rows of theater-style seating and general admission lawn seating. Parking is limited at this venue, and performances are typically all-ages.

The Tabernacle is a mid-size performance venue located in downtown Atlanta, near Centennial Olympic Park. The venue is a converted historic church and maintains many original features, including stained glass and unique architectural features.

Live performances and concerts at the Tabernacle have included Guns N’ Roses, Eminem, Adele, Prince, Kendrick Lamar, and Lana del Ray. Shows typically offer a mix of general admission or standing room and balcony seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Multiple paid parking lots are located near the Tabernacle. Live music and performances at this venue are typically ages 18 and up unless otherwise noted.

Buckhead Theatre is an intimate music venue located in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood, on Roswell Road. The historic building was originally built in the 1930s and maintains many original Spanish-baroque style architectural features.

Notable past performers at the Buckhead Theatre have included Indigo Girls, Mumford and Sons, Pat Green, Phish, Harry Styles, and Travis Tritt. Shows and performances typically offer a mix of general admission and standing room and ticketed seating. The venue does not have a dedicated parking lot, though there are paid lots in the area around the theater.

Smith’s Olde Bar is a neighborhood pub and live music venue located on Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta. The bar has been an Atlanta hotspot for live music since 1994, offering 2 different spaces for music and intimate performances.

Smith’s Olde Bar has hosted a diverse collection of shows from major musicians like David Bowie, Bjork, Toby Keith, Train, Collective Soul, and The Wallflowers. The bar keeps a full calendar of events ranging from live music multiple times per week to trivia and karaoke, comedy shows, and DJs. Free parking is available at the Ansley Mall lots.

The Earl is a music club and restaurant located in East Atlanta Village. This local nightclub opened in 1999, known for live music, classic pub fare, and a full bar.

Past performers at The Earl have included Iron & Wine, The Avett Brothers, VNV Nation, Joanna Newsome, and The Reverend Horton Heat. The front room at The Earl houses their restaurant and pub, head down the hallway to the backroom for an intimate performance space and a second full bar. Parking is limited at this venue, and shows are typically 21 and up.

Loca Luna is a tapas restaurant and bar hosting nightly live music just off Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta. This Midtown restaurant hosts various weekly events, from salsa dancing nights to happy hour events and festivals.

Loca Luna maintains a lively atmosphere with live music from salsa bands and plenty of dancing. A mojito bar offers a range of seasonal cocktails, plus a full bar with beer, wine, and spirits. Tapas and dinner menus are offered, as well as Sunday brunch menus. Reservations are available online and by phone.