Smiths Olde Bar

Established rock club doubles as a cool neighborhood joint.

by Jonathan Baker at Citysearch

In Short
One of Atlanta’s most iconic rock ‘n’ roll clubs, Smith’s Olde Bar conveniently doubles as a neighborhood nosh that boasts pool tables, sports-happy flat screens and an acoustic room dubbed the “Atlanta Room.” With a menu of better-than-average bar eats (including the city’s best chicken fingers) and a hopping nightlife, it’s a place where you could go a dozen times without ever realizing the main venue is upstairs. But in the attic is a shining spot, a cozy 200-seat music hall that is utilized as both, a launching pad for on-the-rise local bands and an imitate spot for national headliners looking to take a night off from the theatre circuit. The circular stage and multi-level perimeter make for better viewing and the sound system is easily the best in Atlanta. However, expect everything from the domestic beer to the price of admission to be higher than most.

09/24/08

Fantastic music venue (and awesome tater tots!!)

by hockeycougar at Citysearch

The upstairs music room is the perfect size -- small enough to be intimate and close to the stage, yet big enough for dancing and having a great time. The bartenders are super nice, and the no-smoking policy annoyed my friends but was just fine with me. It's nice to go somewhere to unwind to great music and not feel like I have tuberculosis when I get home. :) Also, downstairs is great, with the big bar and pool tables.

• Pros: wicked good tater tots

07/01/08

Decent sound... over-priced beer

by disturbo at Citysearch

So, I went to Smith's Olde Bar a while back to see my buddies in Doomsayer and Zoroaster with no small amount of trepidation, having always done a pretty good job of avoiding those crowds of Buckhead yuppie 5cum and the fat drunk frat boy mobs that are found throughout the Highlands and parts of Midtown, and here I was entering enemy territory. Thankfully, the music venue is located upstairs, so I didn't even have to see any of the above mentioned 2 groups of people. The overblown $11 or $12 cover charge discouraged them from hanging with the big boys upstairs. I have to admit the door guy was fairly cool as he took most of my money, although I took an immediate dislike to the pretentious bartender who took my last $5 for a PBR.

The sound was killer, so I was assuming the fed the gear a giant bowl of Wheaties that morning so it could handle the bone crushing sounds of Zoroaster and Doomsayer.

• Pros: Good sound
• Cons: $4 PBR

06/23/08

Watch your bank account

by WranglerGuy at Citysearch

We went here to meet up with some friends and watch a guy play music Saturday night the 21st. Food was good, service was slow but that was expected because they seemed a little crowded. We ate, and the bill was $26. I paid with my Debit card and left a tip on the table. Went to watch the band and ordered a $4 beer and gave a $20 and got back $14 in change... My friend ordered a $4 beer, gave a $5, got no change back.. Both waitress claimed that was standard bar procedure for tips. Got home and checked my bank account and they are charging me for my $26 meal ticket plus another $46.15 and now I am in a dispute to get the $46 back charged.

Bottom line, don't go unless you plan to pay cash and like to watch your money magically disappear.

• Pros: Food was good
• Cons: They take your money

11/08/07

Great Laid-back bar.

by atlanta08 at Citysearch

You can play pool, eat, and see a good show here. I have never had a bad time at Smith's Olde Bar. The staff is great. The music is awesome.

• Pros: music, single scene, location, dive bar
• Cons: bathrooms need refresher

09/27/07

Best sound for a live show

by guitarhero at Citysearch

I love to see a show at Smith's. They somehow manage to make a badband sound like a good band.

Drinks are a little more than other clubs, but a good show makes it worth your dollar

• Pros: hot spot
• Cons: trying to get a drink upstairs

12/28/06

Friendly Midtown locale offers a laid-back bar scene and one of the city's most intimate live music venues.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Preppy Virginia-Highland types, local rock scenesters and regular Joes all call this neighborhood bar their favorite hangout. The downstairs bar area and dining rooms offer an airy, yet smoky, environment for guzzling pitchers or devouring one of the kitchen's creations. The best room for relaxing is in the building's south wing; you'll find pool tables, dart boards, video games, pinball machines, a foosball table and an excellent jukebox.

The Draw
Smith's attic vies for the honor of Atlanta's best small music venue. The semicircular, red velvet-curtained stage plays host to a wide variety of local and national acts, with an emphasis on Americana, folk and singer-songwriter types; the room's acoustics are an audiophile's dream. The music, games, decent bar food, unpretentious vibe and reasonable drink prices are all feathers in this bar's cap.

11/20/06

Atlanta's version of Cheers

by noldham79 at Citysearch

One of my favorite neighborhood bars in Atlanta! Always a friendly staff and great beers on tap - and one of the best live music venues in the city. I've never had a bad meal here either.

• Pros: Live Music, Food, Great place to end a night out!
• Cons: Smoking

02/28/06

watched a show

by the_dude7 at Citysearch

i've seen a few shows here over the years, and generally its a pretty good place to watch a band upstairs. if you get upstairs early enough, there is seating around the perimeter of the room, otherwise you get to stand. i've never seen this place overly packed (which is a good thing imo) maybe i've just gotten lucky. there is one main bar and a window bar to get beers, so waiting on a drink is kept to a minimum. sound quality is at least average. drink prices $6 for a 24 oz coors, $5 for a newcastle, $6.25 for a mixed drink.afterwards you can always hang out at the bar downstairs.

08/13/05

User review by mld365

by mld365 at Citysearch

This bar is great...You can enjoy great live music upstairs, play pool or darts in the game room or just chill with friends in the bar and dining room. The Atlanta room is cool for acoustic shows or to rent for a private party.