Over the past few years, Atlanta's club scene has seen some drastic changes. While some clubs have shut their doors blaming the city's earlier closing times, others have been displaced because of in-town development.
From upscale hot spots like Vision and Compound to gay-friendly multiplexes like Backstreet and, more recently, WETbar, the disco ball has stopped spinning at some of the most popular venues. Although long-standing nightclubs like Tongue & Groove and the Velvet Room have continued to thrive in new locations, gritty rock dives like 9 Lives Saloon and the Cotton Club have been silenced for a variety of reasons.
But for every club that goes under, it seems that a new venue pops up to take its place (sometimes under the same roof). From music venues to dance floors, here's a look at some places that have emerged to fill the gaps in Atlanta's club scene.
EAST ATLANTA ICEHOUSE
Once a haven for music fans of all genres to see local and touring indie rock acts, the Echo Lounge closed its doors in 2005. After sitting vacant for several years, the building was recently renovated by new owners and reopened in late August as the East Atlanta Icehouse (a reference to the building's pre-Echo Lounge past).
With the nearby EARL remaining a fixture on the live music scene and East Side Lounge continuing to cater to dance music hipsters, the Icehouse joins other newer venues like Graveyard Tavern and Midway Pub in making East Atlanta a nightlife destination. And while each of those venues has its own appeal, the Icehouse picks up where the Echo Lounge left off as a great place to see punk, metal, industrial, rockabilly and various other genres of local and up-and-coming national acts.
Many improvements have been made, with a beefed-up sound system and new lighting for the stage, a granite-looking bar top and additional backstage comforts like a washer and drier for bands who show up still wearing last night's stage sweat.
The main difference between the Echo Lounge and the Icehouse is the addition of a restaurant and pub in what used to be the side lounge. Offering options ranging from typical bar fare like burgers, sandwiches and chicken wings to seared ahi tuna, gyro stuffed mushrooms and ribeye steak, the Icehouse offers above-average culinary treats.
The restaurant is open for lunch each day and food is available until 3 a.m. While bands perform most nights, DJs, trivia and open-mike nights take place on occasion as well.
Upcoming shows:
• Armazilla, Backwoods Payback, Foxfire and Tickle Fight. $6. 8 p.m. Oct. 16.
•"Out All Night" with Mycheal Knight, DJ Klever and Kitty Litter. Free. 8:30 p.m. Oct. 17.
• Nerd Parade, Jones Plan. $6. 8:30 p.m. Oct. 18.
• Fixer. $6. 8 p.m. Oct. 20.
• Tasty Tuesdays Open Mike Night hosted by Ms. Chandra. $3. 8 p.m. Oct. 21.
• Sedalia and Red Ink. $6. 8 p.m. Oct. 22.
The 411: 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-midnight Sundays. 543 Flat Shoals Ave. S.E., East Atlanta. 404-577-2073, www.eastatlantaicehouse.com.
DOOR 44
Aside from Buckhead, Midtown has probably seen the most significant changes when it comes to nightclubs. Many of the aforementioned clubs were in this part of town, and even the dominant Eleven50 underwent a makeover not long ago, reopening as the equally popular Opera.
But when Door 44 opened last April in the same location that has been home to hip venues like Nomenclature Museum, it brought a completely new vibe to the area. Mixing the posh elegance many Midtown clubbers are accustomed to with the tattooed rock 'n' roll attitude of Little Five Points, Door 44 offers a somewhat edgier twist on the typical nightclub experience.
From the gothically ornate décor to the corseted bartendresses, this place offers a Hollywood-like rock 'n' roll party atmosphere where PBR and VIP go hand in hand. Weekly events include Wicked Wednesdays with no cover and free drinks for women from 10 p.m.-11 p.m.; punk rock karaoke on Thursdays; Unleashed Fridays with DJ Ruckus spinning hip-hop and club hits; and Magnum Saturdays with DJ Danny M and go-go dancers. Door 44 also hosts touring DJs and other special events.
The 411: 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. 44 12th St., Midtown. 678-949-9531, www.door44atlanta.com.
THREE BEARS CAFE
Those who live outside the perimeter usually have to venture in town to see their favorite bands play. But when this cozy café on the Marietta Square started hosting live music last February, local and touring bands suddenly had a stage to reach new audiences.
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner during the day and evening, the back room of Three Bears features a full bar, balcony, stage and dance floor. Darkside Entertainment, which once hosted rock and metal shows at the nearby Sidelines on Roswell Road before it closed, brings in top local and regional hard rock bands such as Dear Enemy and Bobaflex while also booking jam bands and acts that appeal to fans of other genres. In addition to full rock lineups every Friday and Saturday, Dixie Duncan performs acoustic sets on Mondays and Unwound Wednesdays offer newer acts with no cover.
Upcoming shows:
• Nigel Dupree Band and Hazmat. $5. 9 p.m. Oct. 16.
• White Collar Crime. $10. 8 p.m. Oct. 17.
• The Sid Vicious Experience and the Loose Skrews. $10. 9 p.m. Oct. 18.
The 411: 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Mondays-Sundays. 105 North Park Square, Marietta. 678-290-0017, www.threebearscafe.com.
STUDIO 72
Formerly known as Nocturnal, this club changed its name in August 2007 after partnering with hip-hop impresario Jermaine Dupri and upgrading its already posh interior with plasma TVs, new lighting and a spacious dance floor. While the intention is for everyone to feel like a VIP here, celebrities and other high rollers get to hang out in areas like the exotically dark Chocolate Room and the PlayPen, which features a Jacuzzi.
Located in a suburban strip mall, the unassuming exterior attracts a crowd that often includes famous rappers and professional athletes, with Dupri himself dropping in on a regular basis. Resident DJs Cowboy, Infamous, Silver Knight and Will spin hip-hop, R&B, reggae and Top 40 every Friday and Saturday night.
Upcoming events: Studio 72 also hosts the BET Hip-Hop Awards afterparty hosted by Dupri and Nelly on Oct. 18 and the 95.5 The Beat Boo Party on Halloween, also hosted by Dupri.
The 411: $15-$20 cover (no cover before midnight on Fridays; no cover before 11 p.m. for men and before midnight for women on Saturdays); $40 VIP admission. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 3965 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker. 770-934-2975, www.studio72atlanta.com • Photos from the '07 opening .
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