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Unpretentious. Come to dance. Don't overdress. Bring cash.
If the hipster crowd doesn't do it for you, neither will this place. If you want to order a martini in a cute glass and sit at the bar, I'm sure there's someplace in Buckhead that would be happy to have you.
Why the missing star? They really need to have some work done on the toilets.
I still remember the first time I went here. It is literally a hole in the ground. Once you are in the hole though it is quite a great experience.
It is built underneath its own parking lot which in of itself is a cool concept. It is very dark inside which I like. They play a very diverse amount of music, and their dance floor is always exciting. I like the decor on the walls as well.
My only complaint, which seem to be common to many of my favorite places, is that they allow smoking. I hate smelling like crap when I leave a place, especially when it is no fault of my own. They also only take cash which is annoying in this day and age when even McDonalds takes credit. Oh well, it is always a fun time!
So, there are a few things you must know about MJQ.
1. THE BAR IS CASH ONLY. Y'all remember those little green pieces of paper with dead Presidents on them? Yeah, you're gonna need those.
2. TIP YOUR BARTENDER. They WILL remember you and mix your drinks accordingly. Eventually you may earn the perks that are bestowed upon good tippers: e.g. once I asked (and paid) for a single shot of whiskey and was given a giant cup of Jack Daniels. That was a goooood night. And seriously, if you're only paying $2 for a PBR, you can at least leave a decent tip.
3. PEE WHEN YOU GET THERE. Before midnight if possible. As the night progresses, without fail the bathrooms will collect water on the floor, depending on how much it rained that day. Ladies, standing ON the toilet to hover is sometimes your only option. Be warned that the toilet paper is usually sitting on the floor and thus half soaked, so you may be forced to drip dry. Gentlemen, from what I hear the urinals do tend to back up, and you don't want that on your clothes, so pee early.
4. YES, THERE ARE SMOKERS. Go somewhere else or STFU. You shouldn't be at a dive club if you're that concerned about your health anyway.
5. LADIES, THE POLE IS NOT FOR DANCING. Yes, we know you're drunk. Yes, we know you think grinding on the disco pole is sexy. But let me save you the time and tell you now: it's not.
6. THE STAGE IS NOT FOR DANCING EITHER. Well, not anymore. Now the DJ booth is there, and you risk being forcibly removed if you attempt to climb up there and shake your groove thang.
7. DANCE FLOOR IS SLIPPERY WHEN WET. I don't recommend you wear your favorite pair of shoes (or any footwear that you actually like) when you go to MJQ. By the end of the night, the dance floor is coated in an amalgamation of water, beer, and other various fluids (some of them bodily).
8. BEWARE THE RAVE RAIN. In the stifling heat that only Atlanta summers can produce, occasionally the evaporated sweat of grinding MJQ patrons will condense on the ceiling and shower back down upon you in a phenomenon best described as "disgusting".
9. MIND THE RAMP. MJQ is at the bottom of a converted parking garage, so the entrance is a fairly angled descent. Granted, it's funny as hell to see drunk people fall on their asses and go down the ramp like a kid on a slip-n-slide, but really, you might hurt yourself and that makes for a bad evening.
10. YOU MUST BE 21. Duh.
11. MJQ IS A MEAT MARKET. In other words, people get packed in like cattle. If you are creeped out by the idea of a total stranger touching you, breathing your air, piercing your "personal space bubble", or generally being closer than arm's reach from you, then you may want to pick another club.
12. HAVE FUN! (Or else!)
MJQ Concourse is a true underground scene; you don't necessarily have to know someone to get in, but it's literally underground. MJQ has a very eclectic crowd. Truly come to get down with the get down. If you're looking for that place that spins none of that crap on the radio and want real music then this is the place. Perfect if you're a bboy that just wants to rock. It is by far my personal favorite. I highly recommend everyone to at least try it out because those little clubs all over Atlanta are so cliched; here no one gives a crap about anything...just a place to let go and simply enjoying yourself.
Quite the most amazing place I've been to dance at!
It's not fancy AT ALL, but that's fine with me!
I party tons in San Francisco, but I was SO happy when I got to MJQ and saw the crowd was probably even more diverse than those out in SF!
I was visiting a friend in Atlanta, and him taking me here is my favorite part of my trip. Hands down.
If you go to ATL, do yourself a favor and check this place out. Warning: it get's extremely hot in here and the bars get crazy crowded.
I love you, MJQ.
Good little place and the drinks are poured strong. I don't quite understand the allure of people waiting an hour just to get in to this place but its not bad if you're in a pinch for a place to dance in the highlands.
Its worth noting that I went for a disco night and they didn't play much disco at all and if you're not a fan of second hand smoke, you might want to skip this place. It gets pretty gross in there.
The Atlanta Club Scene kind of sucks. I only know the Dallas night club scene, Atlanta doesn't seem near as fun. Normally a night club should be about eclectic, house, electronic or candy trance music, long late nights and people that spent too much on their clothes. But the Atlanta scene is about inaccessible VIP rooms and one to two hour waits. I don't know what they wait for, but the music sucks. Anyway, I digress.
Opera, formerly Eleven 50 has a lot of good acts like PvD, Crystal Method, Sasha and Digweed, blah, blah. These are good DJs but the club is so bad I don't care to visit anymore.
That brings me to MJQ. MJQ/aka the Drunken Unicorn is not a candy Trance club. It is more of an underground Miami? club. The club is adorned in massive amounts of trashy graffiti, sunk down into a lower dungeon. MJQ is the anti-Opera. The flash dance hipsters will even call you out if you get too dressed up. Don't let that happen and just wear your 80s break dancing gear.
Based on everything I have said and everything the other posters have said, you can get a feel for that the club is like. It is more about dancing than anything else. I am sure on Saturday night, you will get to see the dance-offs between some amateur break dance crew. If you aren't into that, you can still go full dork and shake your booty to in the other room that plays 80s hip-hop and other dance music.
The crowd is a mix of every one. MJQ is friendly to all nationalities. Age wise, it tends to favor the younger 21-late twenties crowd but you certainly won't be turned away if you enjoy having a good time.
The service is mixed because of how busy it gets. I wouldn't expect to get too many drinks in on a late Sat night. Go early or pre-party elsewhere for that.
In summary, I like dance/electronic music but will only visit MJQ if I need to visit a club in Atlanta.
It's dirty and trashy, but what else can you expect out of a club that sits literally in a garage beneath a parking lot? The music is deafening and the DJs can be extremely hit or miss (as can the crowd). The men seem to all think they have game - at least more so than in other clubs - so keep your eyes open, ladies. I can't tell you the number of times a guy has moved a girlfriend out of the way just to get near me. Must be those strong drinks they serve...
This place can get PACKED. If you don't like being a sardine and unable to move around to dance, this is not for you. If you know the DJ, the staff is willing to let you dance on stage, which is a big plus. In fact, the staff will protect those who the DJs let up there, so that definitely had me happy on a few occasions.
If you don't smoke or care for smoky spots, you really don't want to be here. My friends and I call it the MJQ stank. You'll definitely pick it up in under five seconds, so if you're asthma prone, stay away. ;)
MJQ boils down to who you know. If you know the DJ or a staff member, you'll be fine and enjoy your night. If you don't, you might find yourself feeling a bit out of place. I've never found myself staying for long when I have no connection to the place, but I could dance for hours with the right DJ parties. Very hit or miss, but everyone loves a game of Russian Roulette now and then... right?
Oh to be home again. I love this place even when the music is bad and all the yuppies flock to the city because the weather is nice. Cheap beers for your poor nights and the good stuff for special occasions. They have the resident DJs and there are guest DJ frequently. The Staff rocks and will help you with getting drunk, getting that drunk person away from you and pouring you into a cab when you are ready to go. The patrons vary from night to night from all walks of life, and places. Lots of foreigners if you like that sort of thing, which I do, frequent the Q. I think they may charge on the weekends, but Wednesday nights are free. If you like to go to a place and do your Elaine dance, go noone cares, you won't be looked at funny but you might find a date.
Things to know when you go:
1. THEY ONLY TAKE CASH!!!!!
2. When it's cold they have a coat check
3. When it rains where closed toe shoes, it's built underground and Lake Q is gross
4. If you act like an ASS they will throw YOU out, RESPECT THE Q!
5. There is a back bar in the smaller room, if the line is long
6. All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy
I've been to MJQ (aka The Drunken Unicorn..lol) twice and both nights were on a Friday. The DJs played the same kind of music both nights and I LOVED it. It was old school rap..mostly from the 90's. It took me back to the good ole days in the 90s. The place doesn't start getting crowded until late night, after 11:30 I guess is when the dance floor gets packed or people are just sitting or standing off to the side just enjoying the music. There is a lot of good dancing. I definitely smelt weed a few times. Also, the bar is CASH ONLY and I do remember paying a cover (no more than $7 i think). The entrance into MJQ is pretty interesting/funny. I don't think it is marked, but just a garage/hut with double doors. As you enter, you walk down a cement incline into the underground of some atl fun! It stays open late, i know past 2am. The art on the walls is cool..I like the walking upright rabbits. I definitely want to go back - for the music and atmosphere.
No need to dress all fancy, just be comfortable. Real people with great music. Most Definitely one of the best places to shake your booty in atlanta.
I have never had a bad time at the Q and last night (Friday/hip-hop night) was no exception. Other folks have already laid it out with their glowing reviews, so if you want a low-key spot w/ great music, cheap drinks, real folks and no pretention, then the Q is your spot.
Atlanta clubs have a certain reputation. MJQ completely defies it, and I have yet to find another place quite like it in the States. If you're looking for a downright cool venue where you can wear whatever you want, listen to non-mainstream jungle/dnb or hip hop, get away from the fake ID crowd and dance your ass off, this is it.
Bar far the best, most understated and underrated club in the city.
No matter what I'll love this place. For as long as I've known about it, MJQ has prided itself on playing classic rap. Things have totally changed with time. MJQ was bumping some of the hits that still frequently bless my ears in my cd player-less car, the latest Jay Z, T.I. some songs I'm sure you'd have to have purchased the cd to really know what it was and I'm still not sure where Nirvana came from but hey everyone has to love a little 'Teen Spirit' and it never fails that the DJ will put on my slow jam "Kissing Game" , I think I've had the pleasure of visiting MJQ about 5 or 6 times and this is one song that I can ALWAYS look forward to hearing.
I always forget that this place has the other room in the back corner because I'm always dazed after hours of being subjected to second hand smoke from cancer sticks and rancid herb, I'm also sucked into watching that ONE GUY who has to show everyone the moves he practiced the night before.
MJQ is the type of place that you just have to accept for what it is, a hole in the wall or ground, with cheap drinks and the best music.
I'm going to limit my review based on that I agree with (for the most part) the other reviews.… Read more »
So I heard about this place from a friend of a friend...and thank God I did.
As a first-year Atlanta resident, I've been checking out the nightlife as much as possible. Clubbing is great, and all...but this place was like no other. And I wasn't expecting it to be. Grungy, dirty, sweaty, and pure bliss. First Thursdays blew my mind...Le Castlevania's mixing had me jumping, dancing, and all flavors of crazy from the time I got there until my feet were numb. Clothes smelled like the dread-locked guy next to me and his sweaty girlfriend's cigarette. Nothing a little detergent can't fix.
Plenty of fun to be had, even for an under-21.
I love MJQ! It's so refreshing to go to a place where you can just be yourself and have a good time. MJQ itself doesn't look so great on the outside but once you go inside its so dark you won't care, you'll soon discover what its all about: music, dancing, drinking, and having a good time. I warn you though, its close quarters down there, so expect to get sweaty.
Girls, don't put on your pretty cocktail dress, and guys no button downs please. You will look like you landed in the wrong club. But regardless, you can show up however you like to MJQ as the crowd is mostly non-judgmental (unlike most ATL clubs) and a mix of black, white, asian, etc... The music is great, its mostly a mix of hip-hop, don't expect to hear top 40 hits all night because the DJ's mix it up a lot.
You may run into some unusual people to say the least. When I was there I was asked if I had some LSD (which I don't), and I saw quite a few older transvestites (just a warning to some of the guys hehe). But if you go there with the intent of having a good time, get a couple of drinks and you will undoubtedly be going back! Plus cover is only usually $5 :)
I had heard about MJQ, but never knew where it was. Well, now I know why. The entrance is obscure - a rolled up metal garage door facing a side street in a parking lot. Upon entering, you walk down the tunnel to reach this underground club. And what a club it is - water dripping from the ceiling on you when you are on the dance floor (it was a rainy night), there was no door to the ladies room, no soap or papertowels and later in the night, no toilet paper, cash only and sometimes challenging to get a drink.
However, they spin great dance music, totally friendly and cool crowd, the break dance room and the overall vibe of this dark club lends to having an awesome time.
I would have given MJQ four stars if I didn't get random drips on my head while dancing and they refilled the toilet paper. It really is a cool club.
Had to go see it for myself, just to have the "Q" experience. I like being around people who just want to have a good time, without the attitude and b.s. I never have understood why some people spend a lot of money on outfits and go out to clubs and stand around and stare at other people just looking mad. I just don't get that. I have been to "nice" clubs in Atlanta and the vibe is just way wrong. You go out to dance and have a good time right? Well I can promise you everybody who comes to this "hole in the ground" come to have fun. And they looked like they were. All types of folks, more colors than a bag of Skittles. I mean where can you go where little white girls who look like they live OTP, thugs, dreads, church girls and hootchies all hang out and dance till the wee hrs of the morning???? And in GA???? A state that went for McCain....Lord have mercy.
You will leave smelling like a smokestack and I should have had the munchies from all the "herbs" that were cooking in there (wink). Oh and they have the nerve to have coat check (smile).
Had a fun night here a couple weekends ago. The bar was a little understaffed so the wait for drinks was long, and the women's restroom took forever to get into. But, the music was good, and the lighting was cool. Good air conditioning, so I didn't overheat for once!
The crowd was definitely having a good time. Don't dress up, it's not that type of club. Not at all pretentious, just a good, underground-feeling club with a fun vibe.
I wish smoking weren't allowed :(
Sadly my drunken haze has made it difficult for me to comment on the full and complete MJQ Experience, But this is what I do know....the DJs (two of them) are off the chain (which is slang for very, very good, The drinks are strong (which is code for YOU WILL GET DRUNK), and the people are cool and friendly (which means no one stole anything out my purse even though I was drunk and would not have miss a dime). I will submit an updated SOBER review when I experience one.
This has always been one of my favorite clubs in Atlanta, but I only give it four stars for a complicated reason.
I have been going to MJQ for about two years now, and it has gone through a lot of changes.
The Good:
The enviornment is really cool. The underground feel and pulsating music make you feel like you have discovered some rare gem in the city. The club isn't marked with any signs and it is easy to miss. Also more importantly Wednesday night is FREE. Yes you heard it from me FREE. So believe me when I say every Wednesday I was there.
Break dancers in the back room make this club feel even cooler. People are always battleing, and often to old school hip hop. Some of the breakers are horrible, but some are unreal. I've busted out a few moves myself, and always strategically plan that on nights when there are not better breakers than me.
The Bad:
Despite very great factors that contribute to me loving this club, there are other things that just get to me.
If you are sensitive to smoke in any way shape or form, stay away from this club. The ventalation is really poor, and as the night goes on and more people pack into the club there will be enough smoke to make your eyes burn. I'm sure it doesn't help that they have the cigarette promoters givin away free packs of cigarettes right as you come in.
The music has also changed a lot. Where they used to play more things similar to Electro-punk, they now play either eighties music or mainstream rock. They still have some great music, but you just have to be aware of what night you go on. The thing that bothers me is that I see more and more of it. I'm sure though that it has to do with the changing crowd of the area. Where once there were rocker kids as far as the eye could see, now they are slowly being replaced with preps and yuppies. So just be aware that this is a club in evolution.
All in all though, great club. I miss it being up here in NYC, and I hope when I visit again it hasn't gone through too many changes again.
I'm not a bar/club kind of girl, but I usually have a blast at MJQ. Like any clubbing experience, it depends a lot on the people I go with, and whether we "click" over the course of the night.
The cover price seems to have doubled from $5 to $10 over the past few years, so that sort of stinks, as I tend to avoid cover prices and search for free Ladies Night opportunities. However, the establishments offering such bargains tend to be lame.
The bar is cash-only, which isn't that big of a deal, since there is a glowing, spaceship-like ATM inside, beckoning drinkers to make withdrawals.
The music always is good, encouraging me to slough off my white girl shell and flail like a piece of seaweed without care. Plus, the crowd is cool and non-judgmental, and truly there to dance, not engage in seedy behavior. Seriously, one of my girlfriends left her purse on a stool at MJQ last weekend, and when she returned a couple hours later to look for it, it was still there.
While the fun factor for all my social outings depends on the group of people I'm with, MJQ makes it easy to have a great time.
Need a place in Atlanta to get your sweaty-funky-grind on? Oh, yes. This is your place.
At least on the Saturday night I was there, pounded into hip hop submission by the DJ from Public Enemy, standing against the walls was not allowed. Hats came off. Suspenders came down. Shoes? Optional. (But watch for broken glass.) No one left until the last song -- which happened to be Metallica... Made me laugh out loud; the DJ definitely knew how to clear a room.
I left so happy that I bought 3am Krispy Kremes for random strangers. It is that good.
Just don't get there before midnight.
When I first moved to Atlanta from my hometown, Toronto, I wasn't impressed with the music that's played in the clubs/bars. Worst of all, there wasn't much diversity at most of these places and the crowd was very clickish. As I met more and more people who shared similar tastes in music I got a better sense of where to go for that right type of groove / vibe that I was searching for. Behold MJQ Concourse, or as my friends and I refer to it as "MJ Queezy." A friend introduced me to this place a few years back, and at first glance this place is a little bit deceiving. It trips me out everytime when I bring a guest to the front door of this "underground" club. Shiiiet, if I could take a snapshot of people's reaction when they first see this joint.
So, as you walk in through the "shack" that shrowds this underground club, you pass by various types of people all of which are there to genuinely just have a good time. While you're at the bar make sure to take a look around and enjoy the graphics painted on the walls. When your bartender gets your drinks, you'll find that they're inexpensive and the bartenders are pretty cool. As you walk around the bar to scope out the scene, there's no need to search for the vip section because at MJQ everyone is an equal. So for those of you who are looking for a place to pop bottles, and floss your ice this ain't the place for you.
Now, to touch on the most important "goodtime" factor for me which is, "music." Coming from Toronto, my taste in music leans more towards the underground / Reggae / jazzy / soul / Dub / Rnb / conscious type. After a long work week, I want to go to a place that plays music that I can enjoy. On Fridays this place gives me that "fix." Their dj line up is on point, and their MC, Dres tha Beatnik, for the evening always gets the crowd hyped up. The women:men ratio could be better, although throughout the years I've seen it improve gradually. One thing to note is that, the women that do go on a Friday night, although not as many as one would hope, are for the most part bangin' and easy to talk to. So, to the women reading this please bring your girlfriends. Us guys that visit this place are genuinely cool dudes w/the intention of just meeting cool girls like you.
Well, to summarize MJQ is a dope place. You can never go wrong with it.
Here's the deal: Wednesday night IS MJQ night and it's wonderful!
highlights: dancing. DJ spinning. two bars. two rooms. dancing. lots of seating. and more dancing
BUT I give four stars and not five due to the logistics of getting there...
if you want close, free parking, get there at 11 and parallel park on the street on St Charles Ave. because it won't be crowded yet at all. The drawback is that it won't be crowded yet at all. In fact, the doors don't open until 11:00pm and the party doesn't get rolling until midnight. If you're with friends, you might like getting there at 11 and watching the crowd buildup and thus bring the dance floor to life. But if you're there JUST to dance or JUST to meet strangers, you'll be bored until midnight.
And gosh, don't dress up. This isn't Buckhead. But it isn't Sunday School either. The style is skanky/emo/posh/grunge. I'd say...
Some of the best clubs are hole in the walls! In this case MJQ is a hole in the ground. Let me just say. I had the time of my life. The people were happy, even if the music wasn't all that. It was alright. But the vibe was tight. People clearly had a good time and didn't give a hoot about who did what and is my name gonna be in the AJC tommorow.
Go.
Love it!!! I never thought I would find a club so laid back, unpretentious, with great music in this great city of Atlanta. I went here for fellow yelper's "recession birthday party", and I really appreciated a place where I could throw back cheap PBR's, not have to worry about what to wear, or ordering overpriced martini's. The crowd was very eclectic and it seems like everyone is just there to have a good time. Ventilation was a problem for some who were sensitive to all the smoke in there, the adjoining bar area had even less ventilation.
I haven't been to a club in awhile that has played some decent house/electronica/techno music. And as a "Lost" geek I can definitely appreciate the homage to Dharma's swan station painted on the wall. Our group was a mix of straight,gay,black,white,Asian and a little of everything in between and I can honestly say that all of us had a blast! No wonder this place has so many reviews!
The first time I went to MJQ I was tickled by the entrance. You walk up to a roll-top garage door with "Sneaker Pimps" painted on the side. Beyond the garage door is a parking lot and strip center. But, then you walk down the entrance and next thing you know you're in a dark literally-undergrond club.
First lesson learned - bring cash! No credit cards accepted here. Second lesson learned - if you order a beer then, order what everyone else is drinking! In this case everyone was drinking Heineken and my friend and I ordered Newcastle and Sapporo. Little did we know they were going to hand us 40s. I don't think I've ever held my beer with two hands before. And drinking and dancing proved to be a challenge.
All in all, this is a great spot especially if you're looking for something unpretentious, casual and, fun. There are a couple of rooms and really good music in both. There really isn't any decor to talk about and yea.. if you see it with the lights on you might be weary of a return visit. It's a place you can easily dance your tail off all night long!!
The only con is that the cover price is a little steep for this spot ($10).
Oh MJQ. How I loved thee back in my "single-dom" days. The best night's were Wednesdays and/or Saturdays.
GREAT music. Not your typical crap that "named" DJ's that advertise on local radio-through-a-promoter-spin (cough cough.. ). Oh yea and "real DJ's" too actually spinning and not using strictly a laptop. What a novel concept.
Cash only-so bring your sugar daddy or hit the ATM before.
Check it out and then head to the Clermont late-night-especially if it's Saturday. Get your "funk" on. You'll thank me later.
Like the stars say WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO! ! !
This is a TRUE underground spot! The DJ's are AMAZING. The beers are cheap! The SCENE unrealistic- which is a cool thing (you can find anybody here).
I've seen some awesome acts here and attended some great parties at this venue. The one that sticks out of my mind this year was the party with Questlove (the drummer from the Roots) he dj'ed the entire night (until the lights came on, heckkkkkk yeahhhhhh)
AMAZING!
MJQ, is definitely the place to have a great time. YOU will surely break a sweat on the dance floor and meet some wonderful people.
MJQ, the place to BE!
For the most part I like MJQ. The fact that it's so hard to find and literally underground makes the crowd diverse and purposeful. They play really good music on Fridays (mostly underground hip hop before midnight-ish (thing mos def, tribe) and crunk and popular hip hop later on. Drinks are cheap. The extra little room usually has soul/house music playing and people usually break dance and stuff which is cool. Definitely a hole-in-the-wall type atmosphere - gritty, dark, and tight - but if you like that sorta thing that's cool.
What I dont like is the cover. The first time I went there like 2 years ago it was $5. A year later they raised it to $10. RIDICULOUS. I'm going to drink, guys, why are you charging a huge cover like there's live music going on in there? I've vowed never to go back for that simple reason. Plus, last time I went it was SUPER crowded and I caught a bug and was sick for days after using the bathroom (yes, im blaming their bathroom. its gross, which i can usually handle, but damn)
If MJQ seems appealing, I'd check out Lenny's Bar certain nights or el bar first...cheaper and a lot of the same feeling!
Get away from the typical scene of Atlanta and check out MJQ. With 2 different vibes of music coming from 2 different tunnels, this is an experience like never before. This is a place you don't have to impress anybody. Get ready to see the people you've never witnessed seeing during the daytime. I like Sloppy Seconds, held on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Different theme everytime too. Who can't forget? CHEAP DRINKS! DJs that come and go to this underground joint plays the greatest music... anything from old school to hip hop, even top 40's from today.
Don't expect someone to give you paper towels in the bathroom either- or for the bathroom to even have paper towels. This place is far beyond "perfect".
Heeeeeeey I know you.
We had a bit of fun together. I was inside you for a friend's bday party. We had a good time. It was a friday night I think.
You weren't as pretty as I thought you'd be. I mean I can't remember where I saw your picture online but I was expecting something a lil'more dolled up..more fancy i guess. There were no seats though which i thought was weird....I dunno, maybe I was in the wrong place but I thought it was you.
Regardless, you were very spacious.
I can't remember what drinks you served which means it wasn't anything to praise or complain about.
I may come back to you at some point in the future but I can't make any promises...we may just have to leave this as what it was: a one night stand.
*Most weekends its Just a Quagmire
*Many Just come to Quaff
*Might Jam and leave feeling Quaggy
*Mellifluous Jaculation of Quality sounds
*Music that Jostles and Quassates
*Midnight Jaunt for the Queer
*Midnight Jaunt for Quaedams
*Midnight Jaunt for Queens
*Midnight Jaunt for the Quidditative
At the end of the day I suppose that MJQ is Mostly Just a Quaestuary. But if you can misplace your judgement before entering this qanat-like space, you are guaranteed to have a great time.
This place isn't for everyone. Let me just get that out of the way. If you're coming to the ATL and want to get all decked out and go to the club with that chic new dress and see all the pretty people, stop reading right here and go check out another club.
That being said, I'm NOT saying there aren't pretty people at MJQ, because there ARE, but MJQ is all about the music and dance.
I really don't come here often, but I have a great time when I do. The first time I went I questioned going into the shack, "Was this some kind of cult? Maybe this was some kind of vampire layer, where I was being lured in only to become supper!!!" I went in to find the club was underground. It's a bit "dungeony", but it has a distinct character. It is very pure in the sense that you can just go there for the soul of the music without worrying about your hair etc. etc. You'll also find some of the best dancers here too.
This non pretentious environment and great music makes for a very fun evening. It's probably why this place has been around so long while many of the other clubs have come and gone.
EURO TRASH at its best!
This underground garage is high, high energy!!! If you can keep up with this crowd, it'll be the best Weds night ever, just be prepared to be seriously hurting in the morning - you'll have to add a few more espresso shots to your coffee come Thursday morning. Seriously though, I haven't been to a better dance club in Atlanta in awhile, especially not on a Wednesday night.
The DJ spins TECHNO remixes till 3am without skipping a beat! Non stop partying.
$2 PBR - buy your friends a round!
No Dress Code - come in sneakers and jeans.
Stress free - everyone is too busy dancing.
No creeps - you won't have to hide out in ladies room
Sweat - lots of sweat, so forget the eyeliner.
Age - 21 - 61 (oh yes, that 5'2 white haired old man on the dance floor is my old physics professor from Tech, and he tears up the dance floor every weds night - so jealous of his 40 years of experience clubbing).
Gay Straight Bi - no one cares, we're all friends!
So next time you want to drink on a Weds night, and your tired of trivia night and the Highlands is empty, make your way over to MJC on Ponce. It's hidden behind the Chipotle (I'm waiting for the night when I will pass out in my car after a night at MJQ to only wake up around 11 am the next day in the parking lot and grabbing a burrito to cure the hangover).
and Warning: you will smell like a soggy cigarette the next morning!
Love this place!
Wednesday nights are definitely the best with no cover (unless you're wearing flip flops) and the dance music being played. Watching the bboys is fun but gets boring after about 3 minutes.
I wish I could come here on wednesday nights more often but I guess I don't have willing friends to go out on wednesday nights haha. The music selection is so fun though, all my favorite hipster hits all dance remixed up...
Ah, MJQ, I knew you when. Back in the olden days, a mere pup in the basement of the Ponce Hotel, you grew up and moved down the street, transitioning from a literal underground upstart to venerable old man of the club scene. I, too, have aged with you, calling you first "MJQ" then "the Q" and now "the MJQ" with nary a trace of irony in my voice. It's been a long 13 years, hasn't it?
Oh, occasionally we still see each other. The faces in the crowd may have changed, but the people are still much the same as back when Bill (both Clinton and Campbell) was in office. They were emo and tat'ed back when it meant something, they'd tell you....well, if they had invented the word emo back then. But I see you've grown more inclusive since the days that the doorman would tell frat boys who wandered in from Buckhead you were a gay club. Now I see you happily taking money from all, image be damned. You've been around for so long now, you've earned that right.
You're the most racially mixed club I've seen in town. That's a good thing. Your Wednesday night still packs them in as my aged, sell-out ghost dances your floors; my physical self slumbering away. (Memories of those Wednesday nights still make me grin and shudder.) Your drinks are still reasonably-priced even as everything else rises out of control. You're still kind of grimy, kind of scummy, but you wear it well. (I've had the unfortunately experience of seeing you with the lights on and I forgive you.)
So stay who you are, MJQ. Continue to welcome the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe cigarette smoke. And on the rare days when both the mind and body are willing, I'll see you there, struggling on the dance floor, trying not to break a hip.
While I'm not the biggest socialite, I have indeed been to many of the clubs in Atlanta. MJQ is great and different because the crowd is as diverse and varied as the music. I like to go on Wednesday nights because the vibe is positive, and everyone seems to be having a genuinely good time. Friday nights are nice too when they play hip hop and reggae--it's just it can get pretty packed and tempers sometimes flare.
Overall, it's a great time, and no pretensions. You can go in t-shirt and sneakers or the latest trends and not feel out of place either way.
EDIT 6.19.2008 - Retro neon sunglasses--mini chinese dragon parade--dancing the night away....I love it here.
ok so ladies dont wear you highest heels, it turns out bad. Try the shoes you hate, they will get caked with goo. I love this bar, great space. Nobody is stuck up, guys arent too creepy. The drinks are strong and the music dancible. What else could a girl want???
Decatur, GA
Category: Bars
Atlanta, GA
Category: Music Venues
Neighborhood: Midtown
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Little Five Points
Category: Music Venues
Neighborhood: Midtown
Category: Lounges
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