The world famous blues bar voted top 10 dive bars in the country.  Blues seven nights a week.  Great mix of young and old.  Weekday Music Calendar can be found here.   

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Northside is a must visit for any blues fan.   Be aware it can be smoky, crowded, and the bathrooms aren't great.  Don't wear flip flops, don't touch the band's stuff, be ready with your order at the bar.   Security is good, crowd is friendly, and some truly legandary people have graced this stage.  

Fat Matt's is the spot for blues and bbq 7 nights a week.   Great food, no cover, and fantastic tunes.   Legends like Eddie Tigner, Albert White, and Herman Hitson have graced this stage.  A must visit for out of towners

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The music starts early.  There is often a line out the door for food but don't be scared off.  The place is small but lots of people are getting food to go and you almost always can get a seat.  Seating is communal style so don't be shy, and sitting right in front of the stage and eating ribs is perfectly fine.   There is no bar but they have cold beer.  There is seating outside too.  Once you've ordered and gotten your food you can get additional drinks from the servers.  Everyone is really nice and Matt (who ain't fat btw) runs a tight ship.   You will be taken care of.   And take care of those musicians.  Be ready when the tip bucket gets passed.  

In the heart of the Virginia-Highland​ neighborhood.   Blind Willie's has hosted some of the biggest regional and national blues touring acts in the country over the last 30+ years.    True blues legends have graced the stage and long standing house band the Shadows continue to back up some of the best electric blues performers in the country.

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Blind Willies is non-smoking.  There are lots of tables but they can fill up so get there early.  Excellent wait staff so you don't have to fight the bar.   Good New Orleans style bar food too.  Clean and comfortable club with a great history.  Plenty of other bars and restaurants within walking distance too. 

Smith's Olde Bar is a classic gathering spot for drinking, sports, trivia, pool, darts​ etc. but also has a fantastic and historic upstairs music room.   Many big names have graced the stage here.  It's a great room for music with great sound  

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Smith's is non-smoking.  There is an outside patio on the main level.   Lots of beer on draft.  Usually there are some beer specials.  Music room has very limited seating so be prepared to stand/dance.   

VP is a classic theater upgraded a few years ago and a great place to see a show.  General admission theater style seating but the place to be is up front.  Also a nice balcony for those who don't want to fight the crowd.  Some of the best national touring acts play here.  Paid parking so rideshare is recommended and hit up the Porter beer bar or El Myr before the show.  

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Drink prices are pretty high but fairly easy to get a drink.  There is a bar upstairs and you can get beer at the in club food counter by the entrance.   

Terminal West is on the west side of Atlanta in renovated old factory right on the rail line.  Check out the upstairs back patio at night to take a break and watch the freight trains go by.  No seats but usually plenty of room.  Sound is good and there are two bars so getting a drink is easy.   It's a great place if you like getting up close to the stage.  There is a small balcony if you want to get a birds eye view but the sound is much better up close.  

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Parking is pretty easy in the deck next to the venue but sometimes it costs money.  Pretty close to Northside Tavern if you want to keep the party going after the show.  Also, lots of good restaurants in the area.  

Aisle 5 is a great small club in Little 5 Points just down the street from Variety Playhouse​.  Definitely a great place for an intimate show.  They have a lot of good funk and jam funk bands there.  No seats but there's usually plenty of room to move around.   The shows are usually on the late side so be prepared to stay up and maybe hit some of the many bars and restaurants in L5P.

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There is parking in a pay lot but definitely ride share and don't mess with parking.