The Loft

Modern and intimate. Hip yet cozy. Right in the heart of the midtown Atlanta scene.
A friend and I came in on a Monday night to see Yelle — a fun, French pop performer who we had been dying to see on her stint in the States.
I can’t really comment on the parking situation because we took public transportation (to Art Center) and walked (highly recommend this option!). Ascend the stairs from the entrance on Peachtree, and you’re ushered into a modern, concrete walled musical escape. It’s got an interesting little layout. There’s a little seating area to the left just as you walk in, with benches beneath the window looking out on Peachtree. Right beside that is the main bar (where the cans of PBR are served up by the dozen). There’s another bar along the back wall, but it was not open for the little Monday night performance. The main stage is almost in a corner, to the leftish at the front of the room. I kind of liked this because it gave it a more intimate feel. I’m a sucker for the small venues as opposed to the behemoth arenas, so this was right up my alley.
The sound and light booth is kind of awkwardly in the middle of the room by the wall on the left, but in such a small setting it’s really the only option. The light control guy seemed to be having a grand old time during the opening act (Lemonade). He would press a button, look around. Slide a control, look around. My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed watching him in his experimental glory. I must admit, the bright greens and blues and reds traversed the room with artistic flair, so he really performed well.
I think the main reason I had such a positive experience is because of the show itself. Yelle has an amazing energy that fit well with the space. It felt like a dance party in a friend’s attic.
But overall, the staff was pleasant, the place was clean, and it had a great vibe. I would love to come back for another show soon!

I’m about to sound really high maintenance here but I was wearing heels and my feet hurt. But there was no place to sit and also watch the show. That was a bummer. Everything else was exactly what you’d expect out of a music venue: a big room with bored looking bartenders and fat bald headed guys telling you not to stand in front of the emergency exit. What if I want to be first outta there in case of a fire? Self-​preservation, man.

I came here and had a good time during a WEEKDAY, so I think this spot has a lot of potential. When the speakers are good and the drinks are cheap, count me in! I think it’s a good place for up and coming artists and they surprised me a little when I saw their calendar for upcoming events… good names on the horizon.
It wasn’t exactly a lounge, but not too much of a bar either. Kind of just good space and an opportunity to socialize if the crowd is cool. I say good stuff.

I’m going to have to agree with Heather N. The space is cozy, attractive, and I love being able to sit and lounge. But the acoustics are so-​so at best. And ultimately that is why I go to see live bands perform. If I can’t hear the band, or the vocals are muddy, that is not acceptable to me.
Location, ambiance, seating: 4 stars
Acoustics: 2 stars
Total: 3 stars

You wouldn’t expect it, but this is a nice, well-​laid out venue to see a show. The bar is easy to approach, and the dedicated merchant area is great. Plenty of room backstage for the bands and guests. If you are a band looking to book a show in town, check this place out as a good alternative to east Atlanta and the masquerade. Better parking options and safer neighborhood.

This space is super intimate and great for up close and personal shows.
AWESOME.

I attended a show at the Loft for the first time last night for Stephen Marley. First off, I had a great time. I went with low expectations and I was just blown away. With a large area in front of the stage where most of the people «jammin’» were located to the quieter rear bar area where you could take a breather if you needed one (which is key when you’ve been dancing to great music for many hours), this place has everything you could want in an intimate music venue. The bartenders were accommodating and easy going compared to some of the other venues I have been to.
The sound was ideal too. Not too loud, but definitely loud enough to get everybody moving and having a good time while still hearing every single lyric as best as I could with a Marley progeny on stage. Everyone was having a blast and it was a really energetic atmosphere.
Overall, Stephen Marley put on a great show and I would very much enjoy seeing him again. Hopefully, next time it will be at The Loft again!

My least favorite of the 3 stages at this venue (Vinyl and Center Stage being the other 2) — on the top floor, up narrow stairs that usually becomes a bottleneck with drunk people and stiletto’d girls who can’t navigate stairs. This venue is a long and narrow industrial-​like concrete room with the stage at the end. The concrete floor is uncomfortable to stand on for the hours when I’m trying to keep my place near the front by the stage. I’m short so it was impossible for me to see the stage, (especially behind a 6′ tall gargantuan college girl or 6’5″ bouncer type who you can’t even see around, which inevitably always happens to me). The place gets packed with people and it’s a sketchy club… I’ve been to great concerts here, which is good b/​c if they weren’t, I wouldn’t have even given the 2 stars. (Geesh, I sound old & cranky in this review.)

Saw Fitz & the Tantrums here (well, technically we came for their opening act… Google «April Smith & the Great Picture Show» and then you’ll understand why… pure awesomeness!). This venue is weird. It’s a long, awkward rectangle with mediocre sound and a really low stage. If you’re hovering closer to 5’2 or 5’3, it’s impossible to see much unless you’re standing in front of the stage.
They have some spots to sit and lounge by the picture windows overlooking W Peachtree and multiple bars. And clean bathrooms! As a woman, a fact like this can never be overlooked. Good enough place if a band you really love is playing here, but that low-​rider stage is a big bummer.

I recently saw GoGol Bordello here and it was the best show I had been to in years. I liked the intimate setup not to far to wonder around easy to find people and after the show we went down a level to a bar with awesome music playing late night. It was a awesome night!

Went to The Loft for the first time last night to see Gogol Bordello.
Hey, I like this place! It is very spartan, but very polished. All concrete with really no furnishings, this isn’t really a place to just hang out. All attention goes to the intimate, low stage. We were there very early so we easily found ourselves centered in the third «row» of folks all eagerly awaiting the show.
I’ll save a review of the actual show for another time (it was excellent), but I will comment on the sound. From my place just to the (stage) right of center and very close to the front, the sound was superb. It was loud enough that there was no doubt this was a punk show, but not so loud that my ears were going to explode. The balance for the most part was very good, the sound system had no trouble carrying the load. I was very impressed — poor sound is what made me stop going to shows oh so long ago.
And the bathrooms… clean and decent! I don’t know the last time I’ve been to a venue where the bathroom wasn’t a disgusting, dirty mess! This place gets big bonus points just for that.
The staff was super. Security, bartenders, everyone, was so polite and welcoming — it seems like they are proud to work there. None of that haughtiness that is so common at cool venues.
The only reason I didn’t go five stars for The Loft is the general consensus that if there was a fire, we’d all be screwed. I don’t know if that’s the truth — there may be more exits and accessibility than it appeared, but I overheard several comments echoing my own thoughts that I sure as heck hope there isn’t an emergency and we’d need to get out. Of course, maybe that’s just the emergency worker in me worrying too much about things like that…
All in all, this place was great. I am really looking forward to seeing more shows here, and look forward to getting out of the house more often.

«Hey look, _​_​_​_​_​is coming to town»
‘Oh yeah, where are they playing?”
«The Loft.»
” Well crap! «
The Loft is not a great venue but they do get some great shows.
First — parking. $ 10. Pretty convenient except that Saturday night the underground garage was full. But they don’t put a «lot full» sign out because they want to lure you in, take your money, and give you a little piece of paper entitling you to park in their overflow lot that is a block south on West Peachtree which, incidentally, runs NORTH. This means you are going to have to go all the way through this stupid garage, exit onto West Peachtree and do a big square. Christ! Once out of site of the attendant, we moved some cones and made a spot in the garage.
The sound sucks; but considering the concrete walls and floor, not as bad as it could be. The floor is level so unless you are a six foot three, there is not a good place to stand except in the front.
You are on your feet all night, unless you decide to leave the floor and take a break in a weird little lounge area off to the side.
The smoking bar is a great place to get a drink quickly if the main bar is slammed– that is if you, like me, can tolerate the thickness of the floating death gas in the atmosphere.
You have to wade through the crowd to the front of the house go get to the restroom. That is just one more thing that contributes to the weird awkwardness of this venue.
The staff are great from the guy who checks ID to the bartender, all are courteous and helpful. Kudos to Lyle. When we entered the show, Annie handed him what she thought was two twenties. Lyle ran us down inside the theatre because two bills were stuck together and she had accidentally paid him an extra 20. Kudos, Lyle for incredible honesty and restoring our faith in humanity. An extra star for Lyle.

It’s basically a giant cement rectangle. I like that they have a bit of cozy seating available, but the sound was crappy, so for a concert that you actually came to hear, not so good.
Thank you for not smoking. And 5 dollar bourbon.
Fishbone was intensely insanely wild btw.
Cheers~

I think the person who reviewed before me was either a) too drunk to know where they went b) not very bright or c) just writing review from some show they went to in 2002.
The Loft hasn’t let people smoke in the performance area for quite a while. There is a side room with doors that allows smoking, but you cannot smoke in the main stage area, which I love. Also the main stage has its own pair of bathrooms (there are 2 more in the smoking room as well) so you never have to worry about your poor nostrils being bombarded with smoke.
They have a full bar and IIRC cheap PBR. Tickets are usually pretty cheap and they dont have those ridiculous service charges that ticketmaster has become so infamous for (though tickets are usually only at will call, can be a bit cumbersome when meeting up with a group).

If you smoke, or like to party with people that smoke, or enjoy being coated in smoke all evening, then this is the place to see a show.
I don’t like to do either. And unbeknownst to me, who just bought tickets to see 2 shows here, they let people smoke in here and walk in and out of here regardless of who’s performing (I think that’s rude for the artists)
No matter where you stand, all of sudden here comes some smoker blowing smoke in your face ruining your night. The smoking room is almost non-​existent as nobody stops the folks from moving into the main floor with their cigarettes.

Alize Event!
I went here for an Alize Event to celebrate the Spellmen/​Morehouse homecoming and this place is pretty cute.
When we all arrived it was a smaller area with music playing and folks were just relaxing and enjoying the Alize, which was FREE all night by the way. All favors of Alize which was a nice kick!
As the night got later… The Loft opened up the other side of the place which is kinda like a divider in the middle of the place the divider opens up while you are standing on the other side. This side of the Loft had a DJ spinning records.
Pretty cool…

LIVE MUSIC… That’s all that really needs to be said!
I’m a live music addict and The Loft definitely gives me my fix…
I hate to admit it, ok, maybe not, but I find myself frequenting this place at least once a month. LOL (I know, I’m addicted)
The whole scene is great no matter who is playing.
The staff are all wonderful, especially the bartenders ;) they will ensure that you are «GOOD» ! ! !
The sound is up to par with any large music venue.
In the past couple of months I’ve been attending the free Hip Hop concerts. Bun B with a live band one month and Redman with a Live Band the next.
A totally different experience, BUT STILL, in true «THE LOFT» style…
YEAAAA BABY

This spot is a little larger than Vinyl which is located next door. I went for Soul Fusion, which is always a treat. It’s rare and the talent usually impresses. I checked out The Loft in the middle of the summertime. The interior was dark but spacious. But, its not too large to get a good feel for the bands.
The night I went, the AC must have been broken because sistas were sweating out their perms. And brothers were doing the subtle napkin dab to the forehead. It was SO HOT! I actually had to leave early because, you know chocolate melts!
All in all, its a nice venue. A little smokey, but intimate enough to overlook that minor detail.

I saw my friend’s band play here a few months back and I remember really enjoying myself, and not just because it was cool to watch my buddy rock out in front of a fairly large crowd.
The Loft is a fairly small bar/​music venue; however, the crowds generally do not exceed the maximum capacity considering they are usually there to support their friend’s band, or a friend of a friends band, or a friend of a friend of their aunty’s sister’s cousin’s band.
I noticed that most of the individuals in attendance were dressed far more appropriately than I was the night I happened to be hanging out here. They were all wearing their cool rocker t-​shirts and torn up jeans, while I on the other hand was wearing a polo shirt and baseball hat backwards. As you probably guessed I felt a little out of my element when I initially walked through the front doors.
The bar area looks like it cost the owner a pretty penny, considering the counter tops are made of a polished marble slab material that you usually would only see on shows like MTV cribs.
Also, whoever made the decision to fill a good portion of the interior with couches and coffee tables should get a raise, because I thought that was an excellent touch to the interior landscape.
The acoustics were rather poor here though. I guess you really can’t expect the acoustics to be fantastic when the performance takes place in relatively small area.

I have a hard time not liking this place because I have seen so many amazing shows here that they must be doing something right to attract my favorite bands!
The scene is dark and unattractively empty when you first walk in, but the barrenness works only to your advantage once the place fills up! You’ll thank God there was breathing room by the time the night is over!
On the other end they have a nice, NYC style bar with pendant lights and mod barstools, and a stage low enough for you to tug on your favorite guitarist’s pant leg if you feel so inclined, but I wouldn’t advise it.
I’ve seen Super Furry Animals there and Supergrass as well (some of my favorite bands ever formed) and I can’t say the sound was perfect, but it was pretty darn close.
Parking can be a pain so just do yourself a favor– bring cash and park in a pay lot being supervised by legit folks, preferably those using using flags or light sabers to entice you into their lot. It’s better than circling one-​way West Peachtree over and over again and missing the show!