Blind Willie's

 

0

5

Raine R.

Atlanta, GA

The best place for blues in town.  No contest!  I hadn't been in a long time and stumbled in this past weekend with some friends.  It was great!  The music is incredible.  The atmosphere is the best.  Music, dancing, drinking, people watching....you can do it all through the night.

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3

20

Diane D.

Atlanta, GA

I have been to Blind Willie's a few times over the years and I always have a great time.  The music is fabulous and I always end up dancing my rear-end off.  Love it and would give it five stars if the food was just a teensy bit better.  I know, don't go there to eat, but dancing makes me hungry....

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Elite '08

130

209

Falicia G.

Duluth, GA

This place is a gem in the Highlands.  Walking around outside you may feel like you are in yuppie-ville but once you step into Blind Willie's the crowd changes into a more diverse (age, culture, style) crowd that can appreciate good live music.

I went on a Saturday night date and it was crowded but, we only had to wait 10 minutes before snagging a table.  The drinks were cheap and the live music was good.  The place was clean and everyone was friendly.  The band that was playing hailed from New Orleans and you could feel the soul in their voices.

For a low key, intimate night, check it out.

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Elite '08

53

289

Annie T.

Oakland, CA

Went there on Sunday night. It was... lively. There was a great 3-man band playing. They did a huge variety of music from blues to glam rock. It was great! Bartenders were nice, bathroom was clean. It looks like a great small venue for an intimate affair.

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51

82

Berlin B.

Decatur, GA

Many newcomers will judge your city by the music scene and Atlanta has some good (but not many) live music venues of a variety of different genres, so visitors to the city should certainly checkout Blind Willies.  Genxers like myself may not recognize the sound of a saxophone, bass, horn, trumpet, or acoustic guitar.  Well, I was lucky enough to once again hear the sound of musicians playing actual instruments as opposed to untalented vocals enhanced by superstar producers.

Blind Willies is located on N. Virginia Highlands close to Atkins Park.  It is set in a dimly lit bar with medium assortment of tables.   I have only been to New Orleans a couple of times but it kind of reminds me of a music place that you might stagger into while in New Orleans.  They have jazz and blues bands playing during the week and on the weekend.  "The Shadows" seems to be a popular band there.  Food includes dishes like Willie's wings and Cajun Catfish.  On the weekday, it seems like the cover is $5 and probably $10 on the weekend.

I really wanted to give away that 5 star, but because I haven't frequented many jazz/blues clubs in the city, I am going to hold back until I get a feel for how good Willie's really is; but don't worry, you will enjoy your time here if you want to get away from the uninspired dance clubs.  If you know many of the good Atlanta hot-spots to visit, you may really regret having the inconvenience of something like a day job.

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Elite '08

44

65

Ginny N.

Decatur, GA

A good spot to listen to the Blues.  I've been a few times and there's something about this place that's timeless.  There's typically a $5-10 cover at the door, but it's worth it.  

And oh btw- the guy in red (pictured) actually played the guitar at one point with his teeth!!

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27

401

Susan V.

Decatur, GA

Nobody leaves this place without singing the blues! That's from adventures in babysitting actually- a fabulous movie that I just added to my Netflix Queue.  Long before the days of Netflix however, people gathered to socialize and listen to musical geniuses sing the blues.  This still goes on at a few places in Atlanta. Blind Willie's is the most central in Atlanta for the blues.  Its been around for some time too and has seen many famous bluesmen and women come through.  

I wrote a paper about the place for a musical routes class in college (one of my favorite classes ever).  The place is named after Blind Willie McTell a bluesman who often performed on the streets of Atlanta.  
Inside its dark and intimate, if you love the blues you've gone to the right place.  I recommend eating at Harry and Sons or the Highland Tap and then walking down to Blind Willies for a show, it'll cure your blues.

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20

186

Coley W.

Atlanta, GA

I've only been to Blind Willie's once, but it was a great evening. I went with a small group of friends. We got a table in the back and ordered a round of beers. The performers that night (I can't remember their names) included a large black woman with a voice deep alto voice who performed from the comfort of a wooden stool, and a short energetic black man who looked like Al Sharpton but sounded like James Brown would have if he ever went gospel. People sat at small tables scattered in front of the stage, but before long tables were being pushed aside to make room for dancing.

The cover that night was $10. It was worth every penny.

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