The Resy Guide to Atlanta’s Record Bars and Restaurants with Live Music

Every Thursday and Sunday, this cozy new wine bar on the (also new) BeltLine extension in Boulevard Heights becomes one of Atlanta’s most charming jazz venues. With an expansive patio setup and bands playing outside, Side Saddle is perfect to cap off a breezy evening bike ride with a glass of something chilled. Their Mediterranean-inspired menu (from chef Carla Fears, who cooks out of the Finca to Filter kitchen next door) includes snacks like tomato and olive salad and sweet potato fries with multiple dipping sauces. Pro tip: The wine bar also serves cocktails and great non-alcoholic options, making it one of the best neighborhood hangs in the city.

Spanish and Latin cuisine take center stage at this charming downtown Alpharetta favorite, where live music brings the energy to the space on weekends. Think tapas, sangria, margaritas, and a festive, date-night-ready vibe set to the sounds of salsa music. Worth the drive if you’re craving a night that’s fun, energetic, welcoming, and warm. Make sure to try the hot starters like shrimp al ajillo, Spanish mussels, tortilla española and croquetas. Save room for paella and something sweet like their tres leches.

One of the coolest, hippest bars in Atlanta in our opinion, Stereo switches from a coffee shop — they even serve Cuban coffee — during the day to a vinyl bar at night. Expect Japanese highball cocktails, well priced wines by the glass, snacks, and an open-air vibe. Next to Lloyd’s on Dekalb, it feels like one of the neighborhood’s best kept secrets, and there’s a whole free parking lot if you plan on driving, too.

Walk-ins only.

A vinyl lover’s dream tucked away in Avondale Estates, Commune is both a listening lounge and a sleek restaurant and bar serving a snackable menu alongside one of the best wine lists in the city. The space is intimate, with rich wood, great acoustics, and a commitment to analog sound. Come to unwind, stay for the impeccable music programming. The food menu changes weekly, but past offerings have included salami and olives, snapper crudo, eggplant pasta, and Georgian flatbread. At Commune, food is taken as seriously as the music; all breads, pastas and pastries are made in house.

Stylish and scene-y in the West Midtown area, the rooftop at Palo Santo brings together DJ sets, stunning city views, and a dynamic and flavorful Mexican-Japanese fusion menu. It’s the kind of place where mezcal flows, the beats are strong, and the crowd is dialed in — filling in a much-needed void in the neighborhood for a fun (and often wild, the later it gets) party scene. While the rooftop food menu differs from the main dining room’s offering downstairs, there’s plenty of noteworthy fare to snack on like shishito peppers, spicy tuna crispy rice, nori tacos, and nigiri.

A beloved Poncey-Highland neighborhood gem that keeps things interesting with regular events, El Ponce is known to host weekly drag brunches, vinyl hours (sometimes spun by the owner’s own daughter), and whatever else feels fun that week. You’ll be drawn in for the frozen margaritas, tacos, and enchiladas, but return for the low-key party atmosphere, good conversation, and a place that feels like home no matter the occasion.

Live music Fridays, Caribbean flavors, and an eclectic drink list make Miss Conduck a no-brainer for your end-of-week plans. Every Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. (following happy hour), this bar turns into a music venue. It’s lively without being overwhelming, with that unmistakable Edgewood cool and food that brings the heat — think jerk chicken egg rolls, curry goat, brown stew oxtail, and cheeky cocktails like the “Lemondrop it Like it’s Hot” made with vodka, fresh lemon juice, and a little sugar.

Located in Smyrna above Zucca Bar Pizza, this throwback bar mixes retro energy with a no-fuss approach to live music and cocktails. Think neon lights, lo-fi vibes, and a rotating calendar of live acts and themed nights (like jazz night, vinyl night, and apres-ski disco during the holidays) inside this 1970’s style speakeasy. It’s definitely worth a detour if you’re looking to get off the beaten path. Drinks with names like Earth Day, Inflation, Anti-War, and Uncle Sam feel particularly relevant in 2025.

A hybrid record bar and event space right outside town in Chamblee, Block and Drum is where you’ll find salsa classes, holiday parties, and vinyl DJ nights all under one roof. It’s spacious, community-minded, and one of the best spots OTP (outside the perimeter) for music lovers. Besides great cocktails, food vendors change week to week so expect to be surprised with different, tasty bites every time.

Walk-ins only.

Part concert hall, part wine bar, and part restaurant at Ponce City Market, City Winery is a go-to for touring acts, comedy shows, and more. Love brunch? City Winery hosts jazz brunches, R&B brunches, and drag brunches on select days, and not just Sundays. Book a table for dinner and a performance, and enjoy the rare mix of full-scale live entertainment in a setting that’s both low-key and polished.

This retro cocktail bar tucked inside Colony Square in Midtown gives Studio 54 energy in the best way — dim lights, disco balls, and themed nights that may or may not include music, dancing, and deliciously cheeky drinks. The “disco lounge” hosts weekly karaoke, vinyl hour, DJs and more. Worth keeping on your radar for a night of drinking and dancing.

Tuesdays are for jazz at this plant-filled hideaway near Ponce City Market and the Historic Fourth Ward Park, with outdoor music and one of the cutest bar setups in town. Grab a Paper Plane, a classic Negroni or Daiquiri, settle into a sunset view, and enjoy the laid-back luxury of a well-curated jazz night under the stars.

Walk-ins only.