Georgia Theatre

The Georgia Theatre on N Lumpkin Street is one of the most important music venues in the South, and its story is as dramatic as any show that has played its stage. The building dates back over 130 years, starting as a YMCA in 1889, then cycling through lives as a Masonic temple, a Methodist church, a furniture store, and finally a movie theater called the Elite Theatre in 1935. It became a music venue in 1978 and went on to host generations of artists. On June 19, 2009, a fire gutted the interior. Only the two foot thick brick exterior walls survived. The rebuilding took two years and $5 million, and when the Georgia Theatre reopened in 2011, it came back better. The new space features a state of the art sound system, a three tiered balcony, and a rooftop bar with views of downtown Athens and the UGA campus that have become iconic on their own. The venue books a diverse lineup of national and regional acts across rock, folk, country, indie, hip hop, and electronic genres. The rooftop restaurant and bar operate independently of the show schedule, making it a destination even when there is no concert on the calendar. R.E.M. filmed the video for "Shiny Happy People" here. John Mayer shot "No Such Thing" here. The walls carry that history, and new memories are being made almost every night. Tickets are available through the Georgia Theatre website. Most shows run $20 to $50, with some larger acts pricing higher. The N Lumpkin Street location is in the heart of downtown Athens, walkable from every bar, restaurant, and hotel in the area.