#19 - Five Spot

Monday's are my new fav nights to hit up Five Spot in the heart of L5P. I'm sure I will be blogging about this band later, but Mudcat plays some Monday's and are one of the most entertaining and talented blues bands I've seen yet. Please download his music immediately! (One of my fav's are playing on the blog for this entry).

So thanks to my buds Adriatic Sea, Freshmaker and gf Ana Banana (mostly local Inman Park/L5P residents), we had a few glasses of wine and walked to the local venue to see Danny Mudcat strum on his six string while we consumed a few beverages.

It's no secret that Little Five Points is one of the most eclectic parts of Atlanta, and it attracts lots of locals with similar music tastes. Monday's call for cheap sweetwater specials and a mostly empty crowd, but I think that's what I like the most about it. Don't let this night fool you, this dive bar gets PACKED on the weekends. The same crew visited for the Bob Marley tribute band a few weeks back and it was insane in the membrane.

My favorite part of this bar would have to be the ambience...it's kind of a hole-in-the-wall art show if you will. Lots of local art is displayed and is changed out monthly, so it feels as though you're walking into a new venue throughout the year.

 

The night was a perfect blend of bonding time and listening to fabu tunes. Thanks Danny Mudcat - you rock my face off. Bucket list worthy? You bet!

#18 - MJQ

Saturday night I made the executive decision that I was no longer going to let the fear of my car sliding across the highway made of ice keep me from bucket listing. I changed into a stupidly cold outfit and skedaddled my way to MJQ with the Ninster and Willow. Don’t let the exterior of this place fool you…... It.is.amazing.

MJQ is a one-of-a-kind underground bar off of Ponce. And when I say underground, I mean it literally. No windows, no doors, just you. In the dark. With all the hipsters in the tri-state area. I mean, it’s like their Mecca.

I love love love MJQ. A very unpretentious group of people who are there for some of the most talented DJing you will ever hear. I can’t even explain everything this hole-in-the-ground hot spot has to offer, you just have to experience it yourself.

Mosey your way inside and down the ramp and you will experience several rooms with different music themes. You’ve got up-and-coming/established DJ artists spinning their sickest beats by the bar. You may or may not see more fist pumping than an episode of Jersey Shore…or maybe it was just us, oops. Then you’ve got a few rooms with some rock music for those who aren’t feeling like break dancing with the best of them.

Fist pump, fist pump, fist pump...

fist pump, first pump, jagaaaa baaaambs, fist pump

Don’t feel apprehensive about the crowd if you do not identify with the hipsters…there are all walks of life down here. I say that in almost every blog entry I have, but I find it’s the best way to put it people. There is usually a photographer running around taking fun photo’s too, so you get the celeb feel while you rock out to nonmainstream tunes.

There is always a $10-$20 cover which is the only complaint I have about MJQ. The bar is also unique by its cash only regulation, but don’t worry, they’ve got ATMs all over the place. Booze is pretty inexpensive if you ask me, although I’m pretty sure PBR’s are cheap everywhere, ha. If you’re looking for a dance party but don’t want to fight for your life or be pushed around by 19 year olds, you must make an appearance here immediately. Seriously guys – go! One of the most bucket list worthy bars yet – CHECK CHECK annnnnnnnnnnd CHECK!

 

#17 - Peach Drop

After an emotional and somewhat endless 2009, I pondered who and what to end/begin the year with....how about the people who have picked me up from the lowest of lows, and been there for the highest of highs? Decision made. I've made my decision. With little convincing, I got the sibs plus Julia Gulia and hubby Kristoph from good ol' Nashville, Tennessee to bundle up like Randy from "A Christmas Story" to watch the Peach Drop downtown for New Years Eve!

Sis, bro and me :)

The night started off picturesque. We combined our efforts to cook a steak dinner (and by "we", clearly I mean Julie) after downing two bottles of champagne as an appetizer. I mean, what? It was sparkling cider, mom :). After taking our ipods for a spin, we bundled up in our most comfortable NYE outfits yet and got on MARTA for our final destination.....Underground Atlanta baby.

The NYE group...sans ktbug

Julia Gulia and myself

Gangsta. Isn't my brother so handsome???

Ok, here it goes. I have to do this, guys and gals. If you take anything away from this post, it should be this:

Do not ever, EVER, under any circumstances what so ever, go watch the Peach Drop downtown. EVER. Seriously. Ever.

I mean, thank the Lord above I was with fun people, because this was the most horrifying experience ever. EVEEEEEEER! Taking MARTA down was a breeze, but after we hit land it was a disaster. I felt like I was in The Running of the Bulls or something. Everyone was pushing and shoving like it was a friggin' Rage Against the Machine concert. No one was happy in underground Atlanta. NO. ONE. Let's put it this way, the Tennessee fans were the happiest people there. Yeah, you catch my drift? Good.

This doesn't show how insane in the membrane crowded it was...

...neither does this...

...or even this.

No one was smiling, or laughing, or hugging, or excited. They were all miserable. Just like we ended up being. Oh, and don't bring your kids to this, they will get trampled...or contract swine flu.

And let me just take a moment to tell you that I'm not a wuss at this stuff. I'm the one pushing for front row spots at concerts. I've sat in hours of traffic for a good show, or Christmas shopping, or drinks with the ladies, whatever. I can handle this stuff. But this was too much, even for me.

We finally found a spot where we could stand away from the crowd (so we thought) but still get a good pic of the event. Little did we know seconds later we would be pushed over.........and over...........and over...........and over again. Oh my gosh, it stresses me out just thinking about it ya'll. We all thought we were going to pull a Jerry Springer on the crowd, but the peach finally dropped. Yaaaaaaaay!

We're faking happy..the girl behind Julie mid-tears says it all

10...9....8....

7...6...5...

4...3...2...

1...

Happy New Year!!!!

No. Get us the heck out of here, we want to go back to a warm home with an endless supply of food, booze and Wii sports!

Oh yeah I just remembered, it gets worse. Of course we get separated seconds after ringing in the new year. And on our way to MARTA in the Godzilla crowd, we get the ultimate downtown ATL experience. "BANG, BANG BANG!!!" "AHHHHHHHHHH!" Um, am I going to get shot tonight? Because that would really be the icing on top of a ridiculously gross cake. I QUIT UNDERGROUND ATLANTA TONIGHT!!

See the blood dripping down from this guys face? Yeah, it was intense folks.

Fortunately we all reunited at the Five Points MARTA station and began 2010 the perfect way - hugs all around thankful that we all didn't die that night. The ride back was a breeze and we all agreed that the night was so terribly awful that it was actually fun...weird how that happens? I guess what they say is true....it's not where you're at it's who you're with.

Upon our arrival back to the mothership, we quickly cracked open a beer, changed into our PJ's and played Wii sports until 3:00 a.m. Mission accomplished for a fantastic start to 2010 :). A big thank you to all participants in my ridiculous idea to go to Underground Atlanta for the Peach Drop. You were all amazing troupers and I love you!!

Now we are at the point in my mission where I tell you if this is bucket list worthy, right? Um, no. Just....no. You have been warned.

You Fail. But....

Yay for the sibs in the same state since 1999!!!! Success!

#16 - The Tabernacle

After battling through 30 degree weather and sleet, Swirv and I put on an extra layer and drove down to the Tabernacle  on New Years Eve-Eve to see one of our favorite bands perform, Band of Horses baby!

Thank goodness we were early birds and arrived right when the doors opened, because this venue packed out quickly with BOH groupies quicker than you can say.....well....anything actually. The Tabernacle gets my vote for best musical venue in Atlanta, hands down. The interior is filled with quirky art inviting to all walks of life. It's big enough to hold a good crowd for fist pumping, lighter swaying or crowd surfing, whichever is relevant to the show you've bought tickets for, but not so big you can't meet up with friends or get a quick brewskie and walk the 20 feet back to your spot. I suggest everyone sign up to get emails when shows play here. Do it. 

We quickly stationed ourselves three rows from the stage, and vowed never to leave until the show was over. This proved to be difficult as I unexpectedly played "bladder burst" after consuming too much water before hand and a 16 oz bud light. Oops.

To kill time before the opening band started, we bonded with the people we were sharing zero personal space with, and met three very entertaining and charming young men. Here's your shout out Gus, James & Bob...if those are in fact your real names. All three rando's were such avid BOH followers they actually came solo, and befriended each other and us by chance. I must admit it made the show even better sharing the experience with people who were above the age of 16, below the age of 50 (aka their drivers) and actually new the lyrics to the songs. Plus it didn't hurt that they were down for some kriss kross jumping when the mood struck us right.

Onto the show....the opening band was.....FANTASTIC. If you've been following my path through Atlanta you now know my crush with soul music, and this satisfied that feeling over and over again. I cannot for the life of me find the band name, so someone educate a sista if you find it! They had the sound of Black Lewis and The Honeybears to give you an idea. SO much fun to groove to.

The urge to go pee-pee for coco puffs subsided as the BOH band members made their cameo on stage while Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight" blasted above us. It was an AWESOME entrance. Kudos to the genius who came up with that one.  

I fell in love with the band all over again as they played song after song from their new album, and some oldie favs from back in the day. They were even better live then they are on the track, which kept me engaged even through the songs I had never experienced before.

The night completed with a "We Are the World" cover in honor of Michael Jackson - well done, boys. So, if you haven't noticed it was pretty much the most fun and fulfilling musical night in 2009. Buckhead list worthy for ever and ever until death do us part.

#15 - Star Bar

Post Cassini wedding, my plus one Swirv and I met up with the Ninster and company and headed down to Star Bar to see DJ Patrick Scott spin some sick beats. If you haven't had a chance to hear this guy, then consider this my Christmas present to you. He's kind of a big deal.

Weekend nights always bring an $8-$10 cover charge, but don't you worry it is worth every penny. Especially with a free parking lot just steps away.

This particular night all proceeds went to Toys for Tots....and therefore I consumed a few PBR's, you know, for the kids. We were serenaded by a few musical artists, one of which was "Elvised" out, and kept the crowd entertained with his girating hip and hand movements. Enough said.

The spectators were very Little 5 Points - all walks of life. Hipster, Hippy, white, black, purple, yellow, you name it. Just one reason I make it out to this area as much as possible - nothing cookie cutter about it. Perfection. Liquid courage seemed to be priced appropriately, but then again I didn't actually purchase any myself thanks to my pose who kept me with a drink in hand.

This is an excellent hole in the wall bar/music venue with great local music and room to dance to the DJ like it's 1999. Word on the street has it that Tuesday nights are nothing short of amazing  - free entry and DJ Disco Party??? You know I'll be there soon. Checking this off the bucket list and adding it to your favorites is encouraged. Success!