Atlanta’s music scene is most often associated with sold-out arenas, bustling dives, or bumping late-night venues, but hidden in corners of the city, another kind of venue is thriving: one powered by turntables, vintage speakers, and the warm crackle of vinyl. These are Atlanta’s listening rooms, where music isn’t just played… it’s experienced.
They come in a variety of flavors, shapes and styles, and almost all of them have opened within the last year or two. “City Lights” contributing producer Jacob Smulian explored these new relaxed, sound-focused environments.
Listening Rooms are popping up nationwide, and Atlanta has a whole host to call its own. Over the last three decades, Atlanta has lost nearly all of its iconic vinyl bars, as modern venues and clubs now occupy their former social niche within the city’s diverse musical landscape.
Last year, that began to change. Inman Park’s Victory Coffee transformed into Stereo, a vinyl listening bar with high-fidelity equipment and a regular roster of high-powered Atlanta tastemakers. Commune, a listening room and wine bar, recently opened in Avondale Estates.
Across town, right off of Chamblee’s Rail Trail, sits Block and Drum, an indoor-outdoor event space, distillery, listening room, hydroponic farm, coffee shop and community gathering place run by Atlantan Justin Staples.
