So you want to enjoy some of the local music scene? Luckily there are both major concert arenas and intimate music venues within walking distance of MARTA. Get started by viewing the list below, and don't forget you can also use Google maps for MARTA directions if you need more specific information from your starting point.
W1 Philips Arena/Dome
Appropriately named for the venues above, the W1 station provides very easy access to shows at the Georgia Dome and Philips Arena. Signs within the station point you to each venue, which are directly above the station. You can also walk to the Tabernacle (see Tabernacle directions), another concert venue in an historic building near Centennial Park.
N1 Peachtree Center
The Rialto Center for the Performing Arts is a short stroll from the Peachtree Center station (from the southernmost exit marked "To Public Library". Keep walking straight ahead once you've exited the station.) The venue often features international shows and Georgia State University music ensembles also perform there. The Sun Dial restaurant and bar in the Westin Hotel has live jazz as well, and Thursday nights at Trader Vics in the Hilton Hotel you can enjoy live tropical music and mai tais.
N2 Civic Center
The Atlanta Civic Center hosts concerts and Broadway shows periodically. Make sure you head south on West Peachtree Street upon exiting the station and turn left on Ivan Allen Jr. to get there. Taking Pine Street puts you by the homeless shelter.
N3 North Avenue
Here you will find Churchill Grounds, a classy jazz bar next to the Fox Theatre. The Fox also offers musicals and sometimes mainstream concerts (see walking directions to the Fox Theatre). A couple blocks away is Apache Cafe', which is a local venue for spoken word and music, including hip hop and reggae. Exit the station onto West Peachtree Street and turn right. At 3rd Street turn left.
N4 Midtown
Kat's Cafe is another jazz spot tucked away in a lower level of a bungalow in Midtown. Turn right onto 10th Street from the station and walk three blocks to Piedmont Road and turn right. The venue is a few doors down on the right. In the summer Piedmont Park hosts festivals with musicians, and if you are willing to walk 15 minutes down 10th Street, Park Tavern has free Sunday concerts in the warmer months.
N5 Arts Center
If you like classical music, you can attend a concert by the Atlanta Symphony at the Woodruff Arts Center, which is right next to the MARTA Station (see directions to the Arts Center). The neighboring High Museum features Friday Jazz on the third Friday of each month, plus you can view the artwork as well. For more rock and popular music, Vinyl and Center Stage have regular concerts and events. Take the West Peachtree Street exit out of the station and turn right and walk about two blocks.
N7 Buckhead
Dante's Down the Hatch is another jazz spot in the form of a restaurant shaped like a boat. After exiting the fare gate, take the first set of stairs out of the station and turn left onto Peachtree Road. Walk about a block and look for the signs to Dante's on the left.
E6 Decatur
Eddie's Attic sits on top of the station and is a famous acoustic music venue with a listening room separate from the bar. Twain's pub down the street has some live music on the weekends as well.
For more information, see Atlanta Music Guide's list of live music venues in Atlanta and contact me for additional MARTA directions to these locations. Virginia Highlands also has several music venues, but you must take a bus to get there.
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