Welcome to my venues page. As you'll recognize if you're a veteran of the Athens jazz scene, my list is as yet incomplete. And I haven't completed the information yet for the venues listed. I'll be working on the page over the next weeks and months. Drop by to check my progress!
Ciné
The Jazz 411
On Mondays, the capital of the Athens jazz nation is our local art theater, Ciné. At around 6:00 p.m. in the Ciné Lab, a cozy events room opposite the Ciné bar, the ensemble Sonny Got Blue sets up as the house band for the regular weekly jam session. The last tune usually comes around 8:30 p.m. You can bring your instrument and sit in. You can buy a drink at the Ciné bar, grab a table, and enjoy the music. It's all very informal. Check out our Flickr set of Bob Brussack's photographs from Ciné sessions.
What To Expect
Ciné is nestled in the northwest corner of the downtown grid on Hancock Avenue. On Mondays, parking has not proved to be a problem. Sometimes you can find a spot along the street near the theater. If you stand at the Ciné entrance and look across the street and a bit to your right, you'll see a parking lot that becomes a $5 flat fee lot for the evening crowd toward the end of the week. But on Mondays, nobody's been there to take my money, and I've parked there frequently without any hassle (so far). After you park, just walk into the Ciné entrance hall. No need to stop at the box office. The jazz is free. Turn right at the bar. Turn right again into the Ciné Lab. If you arrive around 6:00, you can chat with Karl Friday, the SGB leader and drummer, as he unpacks his set.
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On Mondays, the capital of the Athens jazz nation is our local art theater, Ciné. At around 6:00 p.m. in the Ciné Lab, a cozy events room opposite the Ciné bar, the ensemble Sonny Got Blue sets up as the house band for the regular weekly jam session. The last tune usually comes around 8:30 p.m. You can bring your instrument and sit in. You can buy a drink at the Ciné bar, grab a table, and enjoy the music. It's all very informal. Check out our Flickr set of Bob Brussack's photographs from Ciné sessions.
What To Expect
Ciné is nestled in the northwest corner of the downtown grid on Hancock Avenue. On Mondays, parking has not proved to be a problem. Sometimes you can find a spot along the street near the theater. If you stand at the Ciné entrance and look across the street and a bit to your right, you'll see a parking lot that becomes a $5 flat fee lot for the evening crowd toward the end of the week. But on Mondays, nobody's been there to take my money, and I've parked there frequently without any hassle (so far). After you park, just walk into the Ciné entrance hall. No need to stop at the box office. The jazz is free. Turn right at the bar. Turn right again into the Ciné Lab. If you arrive around 6:00, you can chat with Karl Friday, the SGB leader and drummer, as he unpacks his set.
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Farm 255
The Jazz 411
For the moment, at least, we can't say that Tuesday night is jazz night at this popular Athens restaurant. The Carl Lindberg Trio and the Dan Nettles Trio could be found at Farm 255 on Tuesday nights for years, but the sour economy has put the tradition on hold. The good news is that the folks at Farm 255 remain committed to America's music, with jazz ensembles performing there regularly.
What To Expect
Farm 255 is downtown on Washington Street near its intersection with Pulaski, a few doors from the legendary 40 Watt Club. Finding a reasonably close parking space on the street can be tricky, but some nearby $5 flat-fee pay lots operate toward the end of each week, and the College Avenue Parking Deck is not a bad walk if it comes to that. After you park, you'll make your way through a courtyard to Farm 255's patio. Turn right for the entrance to the restaurant. Kristen probably will be just inside the door, ready to help you. You might have a wait. If the weather's nice, the musicians will set up outside on the patio stage, so you'll want a table outside.
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For the moment, at least, we can't say that Tuesday night is jazz night at this popular Athens restaurant. The Carl Lindberg Trio and the Dan Nettles Trio could be found at Farm 255 on Tuesday nights for years, but the sour economy has put the tradition on hold. The good news is that the folks at Farm 255 remain committed to America's music, with jazz ensembles performing there regularly.
What To Expect
Farm 255 is downtown on Washington Street near its intersection with Pulaski, a few doors from the legendary 40 Watt Club. Finding a reasonably close parking space on the street can be tricky, but some nearby $5 flat-fee pay lots operate toward the end of each week, and the College Avenue Parking Deck is not a bad walk if it comes to that. After you park, you'll make your way through a courtyard to Farm 255's patio. Turn right for the entrance to the restaurant. Kristen probably will be just inside the door, ready to help you. You might have a wait. If the weather's nice, the musicians will set up outside on the patio stage, so you'll want a table outside.
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Globe
The Jazz 411
Upstairs at this popular Athens pub you'll find an intimate venue that's been a favorite haunt of the Melvin Mathurin Jazz Quartet. Melvin's alto sax speaks fluent bebop. Melvin's keys master, Mitch Rothstein, puts together some of the coolest solos in town and is among the most accomplished compers we've heard. Look for the quartet many a Friday at the Globe, with the first set around 10 p.m.
What to Expect
Located on historic Lumpkin Street at Clayton Street in the heart of downtown Athens, the Globe's a short walk from UGA's north campus and is the next-door neighbor of the soon-to-rise-again Georgia Theatre. Parking can be a problem, especially on Friday nights, but patience can be rewarded, some $5 flat-fee lots operate in the area, and there's a parking deck just over a block away on College Avenue. The Globe offers a spacious, but cozy downstairs. There's curved brass bar with a wide variety of beverages from around the world. You can eat there, too.
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Upstairs at this popular Athens pub you'll find an intimate venue that's been a favorite haunt of the Melvin Mathurin Jazz Quartet. Melvin's alto sax speaks fluent bebop. Melvin's keys master, Mitch Rothstein, puts together some of the coolest solos in town and is among the most accomplished compers we've heard. Look for the quartet many a Friday at the Globe, with the first set around 10 p.m.
What to Expect
Located on historic Lumpkin Street at Clayton Street in the heart of downtown Athens, the Globe's a short walk from UGA's north campus and is the next-door neighbor of the soon-to-rise-again Georgia Theatre. Parking can be a problem, especially on Friday nights, but patience can be rewarded, some $5 flat-fee lots operate in the area, and there's a parking deck just over a block away on College Avenue. The Globe offers a spacious, but cozy downstairs. There's curved brass bar with a wide variety of beverages from around the world. You can eat there, too.
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Melting Point
The Jazz 411
Porterhouse Grill
The Jazz 411
A favorite not just of jazz fans, but of some of our town's most discriminating gourmets, the Porterhouse Grill hosts the Dean of the Keys in Athens, Jim McKillip, and the other members of his straight-ahead trio, PrimeTime Jazz, Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Chris Enghauser puts together some sweet bass solos, and Seth Hendershot's epigrammatic rhythms contribute an understated zing that's just the right seasoning for this comfortable venue. If you crave the jazz, but can't spring for one of the grill's delicious dinners, just have a seat at the bar and sip some merlot with your "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise." Check out our Flickr set of Bob Brussack's photographs of PrimeTime Jazz at the Porterhouse Grill.
What to Expect
Located on Broad Street near Thomas Street (from the UGA arch, just cross Broad Street, turn right, and walk a couple of blocks), the Porterhouse Grill offers a casually-elegant decor, a steaks-and-more menu that features some of the most delicious sides in town, and a cozy bar. On Wednesday evenings, we've had little trouble finding a parking space near the restaurant. The band sets up near the front of the house, across from the bar, so a table near the front is best for jazz fans. And a seat at the bar is a front-row seat for some terrific music.
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A favorite not just of jazz fans, but of some of our town's most discriminating gourmets, the Porterhouse Grill hosts the Dean of the Keys in Athens, Jim McKillip, and the other members of his straight-ahead trio, PrimeTime Jazz, Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Chris Enghauser puts together some sweet bass solos, and Seth Hendershot's epigrammatic rhythms contribute an understated zing that's just the right seasoning for this comfortable venue. If you crave the jazz, but can't spring for one of the grill's delicious dinners, just have a seat at the bar and sip some merlot with your "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise." Check out our Flickr set of Bob Brussack's photographs of PrimeTime Jazz at the Porterhouse Grill.
What to Expect
Located on Broad Street near Thomas Street (from the UGA arch, just cross Broad Street, turn right, and walk a couple of blocks), the Porterhouse Grill offers a casually-elegant decor, a steaks-and-more menu that features some of the most delicious sides in town, and a cozy bar. On Wednesday evenings, we've had little trouble finding a parking space near the restaurant. The band sets up near the front of the house, across from the bar, so a table near the front is best for jazz fans. And a seat at the bar is a front-row seat for some terrific music.
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Square One Fish Co.
The Jazz 411