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695 North Ave NE (Just east of Boulevard)
Atlanta, GA 30308 33.77112 -84.36458

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Neighborhoods: U-Rescue Villa, Northeast, Northeast

MASQ.COM

Last updated 8.31.11

Category:

Nightclubs, Bars & Pubs, Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Celeb Hangout

Bar & Club Special Features:

DJ, Live Music, Late-Night Scene

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Masquerade

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Formed from the rustic wood and roughly hewn rock of the turn-of-the-century Excelsior Mill, the Masquerade opened in 1989 and quickly carved, whipped and clothespinned a niche for itself in Atlanta nightlife. Heaven, the mid-level 1,000-capacity concert hall, features an ever-changing schedule of local and national bands. In the downstairs dance club Hell, DJs spin everything from old wave to NuNRG three days a week. Those looking for a breather can hang out in pub-like Purgatory, or catch a breeze at one of the seasonal shows held in the outdoor Masquerade Music Park.…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Hell is always open to ages 18 and up. Concerts vary between all ages and 18 and up.
When to Go:
Every Thursday, it's Old Wave/Retro '80s in Hell. These nights are famous in Atlanta, and it can get crowded down there.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Masquerade isn't in the best neighborhood, and it can feel unsafe just walking from the pay parking lot down the street to the box office.”
  2. “If want to have fun and meet interesting people get out and about.”
  3. “will probably never go back, but It is a fun place, for people much younger just not a good place for a concert.”
  4. “didn't eat anything there, but the food looked good, and, when we had had enough of the loud music, we could go downstairs to Pergatory, where it was cool, quiet, and there were comfortable seats to sit in.”
  5. “This place has great music, a great atmosphere.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “haven't been to any fetish events here, but from what I've seen in passing the dance club and regular-bar area look pretty decent and inviting enough.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “didn't eat anything there, but the food looked good, and, when we had had enough of the loud music, we could go downstairs to Pergatory, where it was cool, quiet, and there were comfortable seats to sit in.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The Masquerade club has appeal because of it's variety and also appeals to the open creative grouping that frequent it to this day because of its dark lure.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “will probably never go back, but It is a fun place, for people much younger just not a good place for a concert.”
  2. “Call me crazy, but I wanted to see the band, there was no good places to stand in the whole place.”
  3. “The Masqyerade is a great place to go to party.”
  4. “My point is that, generally it is a great place to see a concert-sort of hot, definitely crowded, but generally very exciting!”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “will probably never go back, but It is a fun place, for people much younger just not a good place for a concert.”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “The staff are generally friendly and helpful.”
  2. “will probably never go back, but It is a fun place, for people much younger just not a good place for a concert.”
  3. “The acoustics were ok, the staff, was marginal, some good service, some, quite crappy service.”
  4. “If want to have fun and meet interesting people get out and about.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “What a great experience for her and me-There was a huge presence of very large bouncers, who could not have been nicer to me and the other parent, but they definitely could control the crowd.”
  2. “If you have never been, try it out, but I wouldn't suggest spending your money on a big concert there unless you don't care to see the band.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “The "Heaven" area does attract good touring bands, and its wide, accommodating space and elevated stage make the almost-certain crowds quite bearable, as long as you don't fight your way to the front row.”
3 Star Rating: Average

11/18/11

A Pleasant Surprise

by Unfiltered

I came in for a show, expecting the worst based on the firetrap appearance of the place from North Ave., but it's really a decent place to see a show. The main stage is large, and the acoustics are pretty good considering the hard surface surroundings. And the stone wall and old wood floors give the place a good feel.

Not too many acts I like play there, but I will definitely return if a band I like plays there. The beer prices were decent, and overall it's a decent place for a live show.

1 Star Rating: Poor

09/18/11

painful experience

by BMT13

Went to Buckethead show 9/17/11. 41/2 hours of standing to watch a total of 2 hours of performance. If that is your idea of a good time...have at it. The management doesn't announce anything so you haven't a clue why no one is performing. You just stand there like cattle in a box car. We were in the Heaven part of the club...the upstairs. Smoky, hot, super loud...what a ball. Buckethead is amazing but we have no idea why we had to stand in one place for so long and because management took our money and apparently are too anti-establishment to be so uncool as to let the crowd know what's up... I blame them. Will not return.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/23/10

great place to chill :-)

by lashun2222

I like the music selection and your choices.. Masquerade is where my friends and I usually hang out and we just love it every minute we are there :-) I also like the bar and the selection of drinks , they have the best selections in town ..

  • Pros: place
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/15/08

Night at the Masquerade not at all worth $20.

by sexynshades

The people (of both genders) you will meet there are rude, over 30, morbidly obese, or all the above. If want to have fun and meet interesting people get out and about. Don't be like the pale losers who never see the light of day and pay to dance at this dump thinking that its the place with the best chance to score with chicks! Why? Cause the fat chicks just go out in packs with there friends to boost there self-esteem. Don't tell me you think they would actually want to dance with you or find a boyfriend.

  • Pros: They only charge $20 for this ripoff
  • Cons: Too much to list.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/14/08

Amazing!

by xxalexxxx13

The masquearde is about 30 minutes from duluth. They have the latest bands playing there! They play a large assortment of songs and you even get to say hi, get autographs, pictures, and they have tshirts, and cds, and posters for sale there for you to buy. They do have a bar, I don't know about the prices though. If you arrive early you get to stand in the front, right up close with the bands.However, if you just want to enjoy the show for that particular band. That band won't start playing till probably about 2 hours before the scheduled show. They do have introduction bands to play before though. Bring a extra couple bucks for your tickets, sometimes the price is a little different. If the band is really popular i suggest you do 'will call' and get your tickets ahead of time, because the 'buying at the door' line is long, but it moves pretty fast. As far as I know they don't charge tax on band merchandise (tshirts, posters, cds, etc) and/or the tickets. I have no clue about the drinks. They do allow smoking inside, it's only a couple people though, but doors are always open. The band I wanted to see was starting at 7 and we didn't leave till 11. I highly suggest you having a full tank of gas because it's kind of creepy on that side of town at night. Don't be surprised if you have folks coming up asking you for money, or a ride. The masquerade is kind of a hole in the wall but it's amazing inside! It's open to all ages, but if you want to let your kid/pre-teen go, I suggest you be there or sitting in the car if you don't wanna watch. To sum it up, The Masquerade is a really good spot for music. If you find a show that you like I HIGHLY think you should go.

  • Pros: great service, really nice people.
  • Cons: nothing.

The Details on Masquerade

Place Categories:

  • good place
  • loved dance music
  • love venue
  • great touring bands
  • favorite most shows
  • helpful staff
  • like gothic style clubs
  • good service
  • comfortable seats
  • full tank
  • especialy enjoyed oldschool breaks
  • pretty decent dance club
  • really good spot
  • accommodating space
  • great atmosphere
  • good last thurs
  • creative grouping
  • best neighborhood
  • good sized crowd
  • great masquerade
  • huge presence
  • great hangout
  • like punk rock music
  • love multi level approach
  • interesting people