Brian Nagele
Atlanta is the cultural hub of the south.
I love checking out gallery openings, new plays, and concerts.
Even better is when I get to enjoy a meal while I soak in some music.
The best thing about Atlanta is that I will never run out of restaurants that feature stellar live music.
I love coming to these spots; I can enjoy a great meal while also learning about and listening to some local bands.
If you’re interested in a high-quality meal where you can enjoy a live performance, I’ve got you covered.
Check out my list of the best live music restaurants in Atlanta!
Northside Tavern
1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 404-874-8745
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This list wouldn’t be complete without a blues tavern. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of blues in Atlanta.
The Northside Tavern is open Monday through Sunday and features a live performance every night.
Even though Northside Tavern might come in an unassuming package, don’t underestimate this restaurant.
It’s an award-winning tavern that prioritizes bringing the best blues of the South to its customers.
Insight Magazine even named it one of the Best Blues Clubs from 2006 to 2019.
You can find Northside on the Northwest side of Atlanta.
Nestled between Atlantic Station and Bankhead, this is the best restaurant if you’re looking for a low-key evening soundtracked by the best of Atlanta Blues.
Park Tavern
500 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404-249-0001
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There’s something for everyone at Park Tavern.
This restaurant features live events that you can bring your grandparents to and events where you and your friends can let loose.
Dog-friendly and conveniently located in Piedmont Park, Park Tavern is an event-filled hub.
You can come for the live music and stay for the food; Park Tavern has an extensive and delicious menu.
My favorite was the crowd-pleasing Impossible Street Tacos, which features the Impossible meat with fire-roasted salsa in soft flour taco shells.
Park Tavern is a trendy place to go with a big group of friends.
Sit outside on the patio and enjoy the weather and a live band, or head inside for a late-night 80s-themed dance party; there’s no shortage of options at Park Tavern!
Smith’s Olde Bar
1578 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: 404-875-1522
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Smith’s Olde Bar is one of the more venue-like places of the restaurants on this list.
The food menu is small, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a fantastic place to get a bite to eat and listen to an amazing live show.
Smith’s has been an Atlanta staple since the mid-1990s.
With a broad performer list that includes David Bowie, Janelle Monae, John Mayer, and Bjork, Smith’s is the brainchild of founder Dan Nolan, who loved good music and delicious drinks.
Smith’s is at the edge of Piedmont Park, on Piedmont Ave.
Visit their website to grab tickets for the next upcoming show, and then grab a bar snack or a heftier meal before the music starts.
Venkman’s
740 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
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There’s no shortage of musical styles featured at Venkman’s.
You can just as easily see a blues performance as you can an emerging rap artist, a live salsa band, or some heavy metal.
The eclectic nature of Venkman’s is thanks to its curators, Peter Olsen and Nicholas Niespodziani. Venkman’s will also satiate your appetite!
I went during brunch hour. The doors open to hungry and thirsty brunchers at 11:00 am, and the live music begins at 12:30 pm.
My group ordered a carafe of mimosas, and by the time the music started, we were warm enough to get up and get dancing.
Venkman’s is in the Old Fourth Ward, which, if you know Atlanta, you know adds to their funky, diverse vibe.
Visit Venkman’s just to the east of Old Fourth Ward Park, off of John Lewis Freedom Parkway.
Blind Willie’s
828 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306
Phone: 404-873-2583
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Blind Willie’s is the perfect stop on a long night of bar-hopping.
You can find the venue in the densely crowded bar district of Atlanta’s Virginia Highland neighborhood.
Blind Willie’s is an authentic watering hole with southern comfort food to complement down-home blues music.
Open Wednesday through Sunday and featuring live music every day they’re open, Blind Willie’s is a blues haven.
They prioritize bringing older and classic blues musicians to a younger, contemporary audience to keep the tradition alive.
For decades, Blind Willie’s has won awards for their music performances and general atmosphere. If you’re new to Atlanta, don’t miss this place!
TWO urban licks
820 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Phone: 404-522-4622
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If you’re looking for a live music restaurant in Atlanta whose food stands out, TWO urban licks is for you.
TWO urban licks has the master-chef quality food that you’ve been hankering for.
I recommend their Tuna Tare Tare. Even though I don’t always reach for fish, on a whim I decided to take a chance and was blown away.
TWO urban licks has a great menu that serves hearty, full meals, or delectable sharable plates for big groups.
You can find TWO urban licks close to Venkman’s (make it a double stop night!) in the Old Fourth Ward, just off the John Lewis Freedom Parkway.
Swing through with a big group and dance and eat the night away!
Buteco
1039 Grant St SE Suite C-10, Atlanta, GA 30315
Phone: 404-963-2929
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Buteco is one of the best live music restaurants in Atlanta. The restaurant is a sweet Brazilian-inspired coffee house and bar that features live performances.
I tried the Caipirinha, which is the national cocktail of Brazil. Mixed with Cahaça (a cane sugar alcohol), lime, sugar, and passion fruit, I enjoyed a fantastically-tropical night while kicking back to a live local band.
Check out Buteco’s socials to find out about upcoming events and performances. Note that only their Grant Park location features live events.
529 Bar
529 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Phone: 404-228-6769
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529 Bar is an incredible place to see local, emerging music in Atlanta.
Grab a strong cocktail and find a seat before the show starts. You won’t want to miss 529’s lineups!
529 shows range from a small cover to free, which also makes it one of the more accessible and cost-effective venues on this list.
They also have some “Pay What You Can” shows where the audience can contribute whatever they want or can afford to at the moment.
529 Bar sits squarely between East Atlanta and North Ormewood Park.
You can find them just off Glenwood Avenue.
Ray’s In the City
240 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-524-9224
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Ray’s in the City is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for an upscale night with classy live music. Ray’s features fresh seafood flown into Atlanta daily.
But it’s also a great place to get a steak. Pair your meal with a delicious wine; the servers at Ray’s are all well-equipped to help you make your selection.
While I visited Ray’s, an incredible solo singer was crooning at the restaurant. It shaped into a romantic and classy evening.
I tried the Horseradish Crusted Black Grouper dish and was raving about it for weeks. The Ray’s Family Restaurant group has multiple locations around Atlanta.
But it’s Ray’s in the City that features the live music (other locations include Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek).
Close to Peachtree Center in the heart of downtown Atlanta, you can enjoy a refined, musical date night at Ray’s in the City.
If you love live music, learning about local bands, and pairing the experience with delectable food and drinks, the restaurants on this list won’t disappoint.
You may be looking for a divey bar with comfort food and authentic Southern blues or a trendier place with a DJ where you can go and dance with your friends.
No matter your style, there’s no shortage of fantastic live music restaurants in Atlanta.
Don’t forget to grab some soul food while you’re here in Atlanta at these incredible spots!
Did we leave a great place off of our list? Leave us a comment down below and let us know so we can check it out!
