Both gen-X-ers and millennials can agree that the subterranean MJQ is one of Atlanta’s greatest venues for losing yourself in music. This is why – like many of the timeless tunes carefully curated by DJs like Kemit and Karl Injex over the years – it has lasted for more than 20 years (which is much longer than some of the songs you’ll hear in other clubs this summer). While the neighborhood around it has certainly become swankier (it’s hard to be a few steps away from Ponce City Market and not see the changes), MJQ has not simply retained its stains and grungy, sweaty club appeal, it has celebrated them with few changes. Without a doubt, this is the most beloved club in town and still the best option for literal underground hip-hop.
Atlanta is, and will always be, one of the best cities in the US for clubbing and nightlife. After all, entire songs have been dedicated to the city’s top party spots, and, if you play your cards right, you might end up at the kind of in-demand nightclub that brings out the big-name celebs and musicians that call the ATL home. While trends and tastes have changed over the years, the best clubs in Atlanta are pretty much always in-demand.
The nightlife scene in the capital of Georgia is a true beast: from popular hookah bars to bars frequented by mostly locals, the city is varied – but it is the best clubs in Atlanta that provide the clearest picture of what life after dark in this town really looks like.
Maybe you need to blow off some serious steam with your crew at an all-night dance party, or maybe you want to impress that special someone with a venue that’s a little more discreet and sophisticated. Either way, if you’re looking to drink and party the night away, check out one of the lively nightclubs, music venues, dance halls and raucous haunts that populate this list.
So get out there and bust a move, and if you do it right, you can keep the party going by heading straight to one of the best brunch spots in Atlanta.
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