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9:34 a.m. Thursday, November 5, 2009

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Sampling Atlanta's live music venues

No matter the genre, Atlanta has a hot spot.

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By Jon Waterhouse

For the AJC

With digital music at our fingertips and a concert performance just a YouTube click away, some of us may be craving the old-fashioned interactivity of live tunes.

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Londzell Hardy (right), owner of Londzell’s Martini Lounge and Restaurant in Roswell, often performs at his own venue with Cree Barber on drums. The lounge attracts such large crowds on weekends that it outgrew it’s original location a few doors down the street.

Staff 2007 Londzell Hardy (right), owner of Londzell’s Martini Lounge and Restaurant in Roswell, often performs at his own venue with Cree Barber on drums. The lounge attracts such large crowds on weekends that it outgrew it’s original location a few doors down the street.

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Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com Bill Gentry (right), and Mark Dunn often perform at Gentry’s club, Wild Bill’s.

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Rey Fleming, 22, a member of The Sunglasses, rehearses before a show at 529 in East Atlanta. The venue is fairly new but already attracts a crowd.

Elissa Eubanks, eeubanks@ajc.com Rey Fleming, 22, a member of The Sunglasses, rehearses before a show at 529 in East Atlanta. The venue is fairly new but already attracts a crowd.

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Want to put down the ear buds and MP3 player and kick it naturally? Consider the following spots for an Atlanta live music experience.

Smith’s Olde Bar

A modern take on a turn-of-the-century-style restaurant and watering hole, Smith’s offers live tunes both upstairs and down. The downstairs Atlanta Room sports a recently renovated stage.

Music: National, regional and local acts; everything from rock and country to metal and hip-hop.

Food & drink: Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q dishes make guest appearances; $5 well drinks on Wednesdays.

Crowd: Casually dressed mix of rockers, spiffy post-collegians and barhoppers.

Parking: Limited free parking in the rear. More parking in nearby Ansley Mall lot.

Bathrooms: Located upstairs and down.

Smoke factor: Smoking in restaurant and bar only; no smoking in music rooms.

Acoustics: “The quieter the music is, the better the acoustics are,” frequent performer Col. Bruce Hampton said. “It’s one of the best rooms in the country.”

Cover charge: Usually between $10 and $20.

Upcoming acts: Ian McLagan (Nov. 9), Bernard Allison (Nov. 15), Chris Edmonds (Nov. 22).

411: 1578 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com

Londzell’s Martini Lounge and Restaurant

A guitarist himself, owner Londzell Hardy knows music, and it shows. Weekend crowds pack the place, which outgrew its original location just down the street.

Music: Jazz, blues and R&B.

Food & drink: Try the shrimp and grits; speciality martinis.

Crowd: Laid-back suburbanites representing business casual.

Parking: On-site parking.

Bathrooms: Nice and clean.

Smoke factor: Patio only.

Acoustics: “Two thumbs up on the sound,” said North “2unes” Woodall, an Atlanta-based jazz guitarist. “They have a warm room with good sound guys.”

Cover charge: $10.

Upcoming acts: Jagged Edge and Friends on Saturdays.

411: 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 850, Roswell. 678-795-9100, www.londzellsmartinilounge.net .

Apache Cafe

It’s an intimate room without a bad seat in the house. Table seating is choice, but you can even soak up all the sights and sounds from a bar stool. Back patio often offers a DJ retreat.

Music: Hip-hop, jazz, R&B, reggae, spoken word.

Food & drink: Don’t miss the jerk wings; the Long Island iced tea is a staple.

Crowd: Hip, stylish and relaxed, usually spanning ages 21 to 40-something.

Parking: Street parking is free after 6 p.m. $5 lot parking.

Bathrooms: Smallish. Check out sticker collection on men’s room door.

Smoke factor: Patio only.

Acoustics: Solid sound system with powerful push.

Cover charge: Approximately $7.

Upcoming acts: Al Smith’s Midtown Atlanta Jam Session (Wednesdays); Jeru the Damaja (Nov. 6).

411: 64 Third St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-876-5436, www.apachecafe.info .

Wild Bill’s

This massive party palace and dance club began as a haven for touring contemporary country acts. Today you’ll find rappers, classic rockers, tribute bands and pop acts sharing the stage and scantily clad waitresses dancing along.

Music: Country, rock, hip-hop and pop.

Food & drink: It’s easy to just grab a beer from a beer tub girl; expect bar food such as chicken fingers and turkey wraps.

Crowd: Some dress to impress; others simply rock the T-shirt/jeans combo.

Parking: Lot parking.

Bathrooms: Tidy and spacious.

Smoke factor: In smoking area only.

Acoustics: Admirable, booming system. Bring plugs for sensitive ears.

Cover charge: $10-$20.

Upcoming acts: Foreigner (Nov. 6); Jake Owen (Nov. 7); Rehab (Nov. 21).

411: 2075 Market St., Duluth. 678-473-1000, www.wildbillsatlanta.com .

Loca Luna

It’s South Beach in the city. Look for the massive structure with the giant windows and cloud mural. Pulsing lights and dancing add to a celebratory vibe.

Music: High-energy Latin-like samba, rumba and salsa.

Food & drink: Tapas are great, but spring for the paella; the high-octane mojitos and caipirinhas are legendary.

Crowd: International expatriates mingle with Yanks, many with fashion sense that’s sexy and stylishly chill.

Parking: Lot parking.

Bathrooms: Sparkling spots to primp before dancing to the band.

Smoke factor: Patio only.

Acoustics: Killer sound often inspires audience sing-alongs and complaints from neighbors.

Cover charge: Free-$10.

Upcoming acts: One World Fridays features Rua 6. Latin Sol Saturdays features Orquesta MaCuba.

411: 550 Amsterdam Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-4494, www.loca-luna.com .

529

A relatively new East Atlanta nook that typically has a line snaking out the door. It’s home to raucous rock in various forms.

Music: Rock, hip-hop, indie.

Food & drink: $2 Black Label and Stroh’s beer. No food.

Crowd: Mostly young hipster drinkers ready to bounce to the beat.

Parking: Lot parking in rear.

Bathrooms: Clean bathrooms sans graffiti and stickers; purse shelf in ladies’ room.

Smoke factor: Yes.

Acoustics: Loud and proud.

Cover charge: $3-$10.

Upcoming acts: The XX (Nov. 17); Subsonics (Nov. 21)

411: 529 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta. 404-228-6769, www.529atl.com .

Kavarna

This self-proclaimed coffee pub nestles itself in the middle of Oakhurst. The catty-cornered stage doubles as a seating area during the day. Table and bar seating offer good visibility of stage. Get there early for high-traffic gigs.

Music: Singer-songwriter, indie rock, electronica.

Food & drink: Sandwiches and snacks rule (pretzels, chicken and artichoke quesadilla); Schlitz 16-ounce cans $2.75; Twisted cabernet sauvignon $4.95 per glass.

Crowd: Tap into your inner Bohemian.

Parking: Street parking.

Bathrooms: Small, clean unisex with tiny movie posters on the wall.

Smoke factor: Patio only.

Acoustics: Fills the room nicely.

Cover charge: Free-$5.

Upcoming acts: Summer Dare (Nov. 6); the Tenderhooks (Nov. 11).

411: 707 East Lake Drive, Decatur. 404-371-1113, www.instantkavarna.com .

Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge

A hipster hangout located in the basement of a vintage hotel in Poncey-Highland. The retro-minded lounge holds onto many of its original fixtures and flooring. DJs spin, too.

Music: Jazz, bluegrass, soul, R&B and indie.

Food & drink: Buddy up to an Old-Fashioned with orange bitters. No food.

Crowd: In-the-know intowners mostly in their 20s to 50s.

Parking: Beside hotel, street parking.

Bathrooms: Two tidy ones located in lounge itself, so no need to leave the action.

Smoke factor: No smoking. Many light up in hotel courtyard.

Acoustics: Warm.

Cover charge: $5-$8.

Upcoming acts: Soulphonics and Ruby Velle (Nov. 6); 4th Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra (Nov. 21).

411: 644 N. Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-874-5756 Ext. 450, www.thehighlandinn.com .

More music venues

The Masquerade (Rock)