Best Local Rock Hangout

THE EARL is integral to the character of East Atlanta Village. An impressive array of musical talent has flowed through the restaurant and venue’s intimate settings since the doors opened in the summer of ’99. Some of Atlanta’s most revered indie rock acts such as Deerhunter and the Black Lips cut their teeth here before graduating to larger stages. In 2016, the smoky club still pairs established and upcoming bands with top-notch sound. Performances by storied acts such as post-punk icons Pylon Reenactment Society to the always raucous garage-punk blowout the Atlanta Mess-Around provide concertgoers with a look at diverse, underserved musical legacies. One standout show of the summer placed acoustic songstress Adron with the tropicalia bliss of beach-pop show-offs Fantasy Guys. For serious listeners or those who love to bum around East Atlanta until last call, the Earl is a place for low-key revelry and cultural uplift. Plus, cheap PBR pitchers. less...