This is an amazing hole in the wall. 9/10 if you're going here it's to watch a show. A variety of artist have played here from more local acts to somewhat bigger names. There's 2 bars and 2 bathroom spaces. The staff are friendly enough. The other time you're here is to just visit the bar and get some drinks before you head home from EAV. Prices are... whatever they are. But I enjoy myself anytime I'm here. read more

It's a great place but one of the bartenders is so rude. She said you guys look miserable and we were literally just standing there normally not looking miserable in any way . I ordered a vodka redbull and an espresso martini shot but I guess she misheard and just gave me the shot and the redbull but i saw on the screen that it was $25 so i think she charged me for the vodka redbull? But then when i corrected it she charged me for another vodka so it was $35?? I was hoping to get an itemized receipt at the end but it wasn't itemized and they were busy and i was trying to get out of there so i was like whatever but i think i got way overcharged.. I also don't think they have air conditioning it must have been 85° in there on a summer night and wasn't even super crowded. read more

Bartender didn't serve me because she thought my real id was fake but didn't scan it when I said she could. Maybe they aren't used to younger people... or Black people lmao. Bouncer was nice though. read more

It's always a hit or miss with 529. they do have good drinks, good prices and good music. but i've just had so many bad interactions with the bartenders at this point. firstly, you cant be inside 529 unless you have a ticket to the show which can rage from $5-$30 so youre left in the cold if you just want a drink. now my real complaint: the bartenders. They are not educated on state liquor laws, nor are they educated on ID/Licenses from other states (the two basic fundamentals of bartending) . no fault of their own that is definitely a management issue. but maybe dont hire people who dont know how to mix drinks with a consistent liquor level or people who cant properly check an ID? dont expect star service or for them to believe any ID other than a GA is valid. expect inconsistent drinks and to be harassed on the patio IF they do let you in. read more

An excellent place to have a good time. Excellent selection of spirits and beer! Good old fashioned bar with some cool vibe!

Looking for a solid dive bar with live music in East Atlanta Village? Then 529 might fit the bill. I saw my homie DJ Alpha Trion spin there a couple months back, and enjoyed drinking a couple of cheap brews at the bar. My bartender served me without any eye-rolling and did so quickly and found the affordable prices a relief (when compared to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead). The tight space makes it hard to navigate, so you'll probably find a new friend. (lol.) I don't like hipsters, but if I were one I would feel at home at 529. read more

Bad Business Bartenders are really awful. They'll serve you when they feel like it Had been hanging out having a few rounds of Jameson slushies with some friends (like we do fairly often) for almost a good 3 hours and we were sitting at their only booth. The staff had just changed over and they proceeded to card all of us AGAIN....ok... And so I think they really wanted the (only) table for their VIP artists or something and instead of asking us they sent wave after wave of staff to harass us to first stop smoking (this was a smoking bar) and than to leave if we didn't pay the $15 cover fee for the nights show...Right after we had just gotten a round, and with no warning at all. I guess the $100+ we spent on drinks wasn't good enough. Or maybe it's because we weren't dressed in all black? Bad business/shitty staff/poor management I will slander their name as long as I live. read more

Has some promise, but probably my least favorite place to see a show in Atlanta right now. The last two shows I saw had muddled sound. The layout is a cluster as you have to walk by the front of the stage to get in the main room. People at the front of the show don't like to give their hard-earned real estate up to passerbys...kind of a problem. Getting to the bathroom is near impossible if people are standing at the bar. Affordable drinks, but super smoky. Finally, haven't been to a show where the headliner went on before midnight. Fine for a weekend, but staying until 2am on a Tuesday? Dude, I know we're in EAV and it's ironic to have a job, but most people still have one. read more

The East Atlanta night scene had left me feeling a little bit depressed about the quality of hipster night venues. Packed, smokey, and dull, most spots just couldn't handle the fun. Then along came 529, and suddenly I'm a believer again. The moment I showed up, I knew this place was love - a walk up bar window? Pinch me and wake me from this dream! Not having to fight drunk girls and steroid guys was a big, big plus from the get-go. There's a few tables outside the window as well so you can give your ears a break from the sound inside and enjoy sitting down with a drink (or two or twenty...). The inside is a very intimate space. Normally I hate cramped and crowded, but for whatever reason, this felt different. Everyone was dancing, enjoying the DJ, taking photos, having fun! Wait, did I just say EVERYONE was dancing? That's right, it's a sometimes night club where people actually dance. Imagine that! Bartenders are very friendly and offer up free water with a smile and a straw. The floor looks clean, or at least clean compared to the likes of Masquerade or MJQ. It's a really great venue, and I imagine it's equally as nice for an intimate setting with a band. It's not too loud either, which is a big welcome bonus. Retaining my hearing after a night out truly is priceless! read more

529 is fastly becoming one of the better venues to see small acts...it has downfalls but good music, beer and a great divey atmosphere can fix anything. The bar is, um, slender. It's a little tight to get around the bar. The stage area is alright and when they open the space next door it really opens up. Only 2 if those single person bathrooms so be prepared to wait in line. And, there's not much space between the bar and the spot in front of the bathrooms so prepared to be cramped. The bartenders rock and are fast! They do a good job considering I can barely hear myself talk and but they can hear my order somehow... They also have an outside area which is good during the warmer months. I couldn't tell exactly, but it looks like you can order drinks and sit in this little patio area. The bar has a 'drive-thru' window so I think that is what it's for. This is a great place to see a band...AND, they have a lot of local shows and national touring acts that don't quite fit into The Earl or the Masquerade. read more

529 might have beat out The Local as the smokiest place in Atlanta. I still don't think I've recovered. Apparently the expansion was temporary, as when I arrived they had placed a bunch of plywood along the side of the performance space. Not exactly high-end up in here. They also had an incredibly annoying bright green light shining through the space, interrupting our ability to get in to the live music mindset. Must have been even more annoying for the performers. I like the little patio outside, I like the $5 strong cocktails, and I like the fact that I accidentally left my debit card there and they held on to it. However, they *never* pick up their phone so don't expect to get in touch with them that way. read more

I went out on a Wednesday night which is unheard of in my old age. I'm 36 you know. anyway, 529 has the vibe that the Earl had in 2003. If i was a spry young thing it would be my "go to" bar. I can't handle smoke these days in my frail geriatric state but I held up fine in this one. sure it was smokey but i didn't hawk up a lung the next day so that's a good sign! The sound is good for live bands and the bartenders are kickass! It is indeed a small space but it packs a good punch! Oh, and on my way home from buying Geritol I drive by and the place is packed on weekends! YAY 529! Warning- you may want to wear a white belt. read more

My positive experience at 529 reinforced something in my mind - sometimes, reading a lot of reviews on Yelp is NOT the most accurate way to judge an establishment before actually going in person. I went to a show/Halloween in April party last Thursday and had a good time. Yeah, it has a weird layout with the bathrooms on the left (and a nuisance if you are standing in between the doors - you can get knocked from both sides if they open at the same time) and the stage on the right, but even though it looks small, you can probably pack 50 people inside for a good show. I thought the sound was good and the energy palpable. The drinks were cheap, there was lots of parking and the smoke was tolerable. Why the fuck are people complaining so much? read more

Oooooooh, you wanted a quiet place for a PBR? 529 is probably not the bar/venue for you. Yeah, it's cool that you and your hip friends can drink outside and order from the walk-up, but it's the musak venue I am after. Go take a look at your suburban walk-in closet, and then add a bunch of amps, and gear. Now? Let's mosh in your closet. 529 is the epitome of what a small, personal venue is meant to be with cheap beer, no-nonsense venue, and the queen of all gay-bars next door. Make my musak loud, my Kilt Drafty, and get sweaty with a bunch of dudes (no, not Mary's). Local music, local beer, and the location are what keep me coming back to this hole. read more

The twisted tea I had here was quite delicious. It also paired well with the Jameson. While I was outside a bird flew up to my table and asked if I had cigarette and we sat there and had a long conversation before he had to fly south for the winter. We swore to meet again in spring. read more

My gf ordered a drink that was NOT good at all; she was allowed to return it in exchange for something different. However, she was charged for it. "Our policy- you order it, you pay for it". It just seemed a little tacky. read more

I've never smelled as rancid as I did after a night at the 529. Despite my clothing's putrid stench, I had a great time at this teeny-tiny dive. First of all, the cover for a three-band line-up (including a Hall & Oates cover band!) was a mere 5 bucks. The sound was good, too, leaving my ears ringing for the next 12 hours. My only two complaints are the single women's restroom (I had to wait about 20 minutes, even though only three people were ahead of me) and the late show start times. My group had to leave in the middle of the last act, since it was 1:30 a.m., and we were exhausted from a week of work. In summary, 529 is a prime spot for cheap, hipster fun. read more

Great little spot to see some music and have a few drinks. Cheap cover. Brand new interior, so the bathroom is CLEAN and the place is pretty spotless (let's see for how long). Nice bar area, super friendly bartenders, and I love the tv screen showing what's going on stage when you go to grab a drink. Bonus: the cute little patio on the side with a drink window straight to the bar! read more

529 is a new bar on Flat Shoals directly across from the Flatiron in East Atlanta. It's a small space, but they make the most of what they have to work with, shoehorning in a few little booths in the corners that many places might leave unused. The highlight is the nice venue area just off the bar. It's not big, but the stage, flooring, and PA are good. Expect DJs and local bands to make it a regular venue. Beer isn't the cheapest ($3.50 for Miller High Life draft?) and the selection isn't great but it's not bad enough to be a turnoff. Overall, it's a comfortable, tastefully-renovated spot that should become pretty popular pretty quickly. read more

While the shows and sound for this place seems pretty rad, the GIANT cloud of smoke sort of hurts the overall feel of the place. Likes: the outdoor area, the bands featured, the crowd, the time shows start (roughly 10-11pm). Dislikes: bar tenders' attitudes and the cloud of cancer in the air. read more

529 has now opened up and expanded on the inside. The venue is a lot larger (about two times the size). Still one of the best places to check out free or cheap shows in Atlanta with some great national and international acts coming through. There are now two sets of bathrooms as well. read more

While the sound of the place is great, there are some things that keep me from giving a stellar 5-star review: 1. The management or sound guy bump shows to later times. I actually played a show here once and we were supposed to go on at 10. We weren't allowed to play until 11:30. Mind you, all the "customers" were outside sitting at the tables. On top of that, when you go to see bands the same thing happens. I went to see a band on a Saturday night, and I don't think it started until 1. 2. There's only one women's bathroom. And it breaks down. A lot. read more

What can I say that hasn't been said actually?? Hmmm? Small bar with a great low key vibe. Great PA system, friendly and quick staff, affordable drinks although someone said not so much (I don't know I occasionally am in the mood for a redbull vodka and at $10 a pop at most places the $5 they charged me for this large and usually pricey bevie was not bad at all I say), djs spinning, clean bathroom (there's only one, but the bar is small so that's really all you need), dance floor, and my fav part about the dance floor is that if you're standing at the bar and don't feel like turning around you can just watch the people dancing on the tv at the bar. lol Not so good for me considering you guys would get a kick out of watching me. Ugggg. Hopefully they don't save those tapes. lol All in all great "little" hang out spot. I dig the vibe, quick friendly service, affordable, and I can't say that anyone in our group of 15 the last time I went would disagree. read more

Diverse line up of live music. Cozy. Solid selection of cheap booze. Another strength of 529 is its proximity to Cook Out, the one place in the world where it's legal to get a hamburger with a SIDE OF CHICKEN NUGGETS. My only gripe about 529 is that the music invariably starts really late, so by the time the headliner comes on, it's time to go to Cook Out. read more

Let me tell you this: I have never gone to 529 when there were no bands playing. So if you are looking to meet up with your OTP friends to catch up on gossip, this is not it. This is where you take your OTP friends who now have two kids in Montessori schools and two labradors that are in doggie daycare when they say, "Hey, i want to re-live my 20's when i used to go to punk/metal/emo/indie shows and wake up the next day with a stranger in my bed." The music is always pretty decent, the sound isn't bad, and the beers are cheap. They have adult slushies and an outside area to catch up with your old friend who is now a 9 to 5er. If you know what you're in for, this is a solid 4 stars. read more

Awful staff and concert policy. Ticket at time of purchase said 18+, only for it to change after purchase date to 21. Been trying to see this band for years and only learned of this once I arrived. read more

I stumbled into this place after ditching a sucky, high-end place. A DJ was just about to go on after a band. It was worth it. Nice vibe, everyone was friendly. The only downside was that hardly anyone showed up. Shame - It was a good time and I was the only one there to enjoy it. read more

Overall this is a great bar but there was one HUGE error. The female bartender reused my pint glass pressing where my lips had been on the tap. If I had strep throat or any other sickness anyone who drank from the tap would get sick. I've worked in bars for twenty years. This is a health violation that is unforgivable. read more

Did I give this shithole a ONE STAR review the last time? Yup. I sure did. I've been to this place 5 times and every time I go I say to myself, "Why the fuck do I come here?" This last time I was there I can honestly say will be the LAST time. The girl behind the bar who looked like she'd rather eat glass than get me an over priced beer and a 10 dollar cover to see three bands? If I'm going to pay that kind of money it's going to be in a good room with good people. This place just needs to go away. read more

Love this place. The vibe, the bartenders, the bands, the sound, the drink prices, the patio--all make for a great little spot in EAV. It would be nice if there was an additional ladies room and there is indeed a lot of smoke, but those would probably be my lone complaints. read more

The shows are cheap (or even free), the place hauls in great bands consistently, he sound's good considering the space, the vibe's laid back, the people are always great (if you like talking rock 'n roll), the patio's a gem, and there's a walk-up window to the bar outside. All good things. A solid haunt. read more

These people explained I did not have enough money. I went and got it. Then it was a different excuse. You don't want me in your place, tell me first instead of making me rack up a $5 fee. A holes. read more

i'm not a complicated man. i appreciate the reliable things in life. when i find something i like, i stick with it. i'm not known to browse in the department store or experiment with the menu at my favorite eatery. i go to the store, i got a list. jack stands, deodorant, cat food, hot dogs. in and out. i go out to eat and drink, i don't ask for the special or peruse the beer catalog. i get my usual. i shine like the sun on the inside if i don't even have to open my mouth to ask for either. i like simplicity and consistency. reading the above, it shouldn't surprise you to learn that i grew up in a factory town in ohio. so i know what a good bar is. there was one on every corner. a good bar is not made of frosted plexiglass with pastel lighting underneath. a good bar's air is not crammed full of throbbing music that reminds you more of a troll's heartbeat than of the first girl you kissed. a good bar's staff isn't wearing matching euro-cut uniforms. a good bar isn't done up with some nitwit theme intended to commodify the younger generation's penchant for nostalgic flim flam. a good bar is made of wood and brick. the stools and bar top are solid and heavy and can take the weight of you and your woes. when you walk in the front door of a good bar, you see someone you know and like, and they shake your hand and ask how you are. your beer is open and waiting before you even get a chance to see who's behind the pumps that night. not that it matters, because they're all solid people, on any night. a good bar has music playing that inspires conversation but isn't cranked so loud that it drowns that discourse out. if there happens to be a good band on stage, all the better. a good bar is a place you go to drink and see your friends. a good bar feels like home. 529 is a good bar. read more

529 is a small, perpetually smoke-filled bar that I first visited a couple weeks ago. I'm generally deterred by carcinogenic clouds and crowds of strangers, but I ended up having a great time. Three bands played, and the cover was only $5. Plus, one of the groups brought glow sticks and a light saber. Be still, my heart. read more

529 is hands down my favorite bar to drink at in Atlanta. The patio is a great place to hang out with friends. The employees have always been friendly and drinks are relatively inexpensive. On any given night, you can catch a show. What else do ya need?? (On many nights, shows are free) Oh ya, Kyle is awesome also!! Cant recommend visiting enough! read more

Didn't give it 1 star because they've booked bands that I actually wanted to see. But I can't go with more than 2 stars because I have gone there to see bands I wanted to see and couldn't actually SEE them. It gets so shoulder-to-shoulder packed in there that you can't move anywhere to get a view even if you wanted to. It's like the only person in there having a good time is the 6'7" guy standing in the middle and the people who don't give a damn about the band to begin with. So herein lies the problem. I went to a show one night and I was waiting in line and got all the way to the door where the door guy was and he stopped the line because the fire marshalls showed up randomly. So the door guy uses a little click counter to keep the head count as he lets people in the door. But he explained to me that he really only uses it for appearances in case the fire marshalls check in on them like that. They just need to see that he's using it. He said that they were already over capacity at that point and was trying to roll his click counter back in case the marshalls came over to check the count. So if they break the law that's their business. But it also ruins the show for those of us that wanted to see the band. You've now let so many people in that you have already ruined the show. You're already over capacity and you have a line down the block and they all got in. The place is already a closet. Why not redesign the stage area? The whole merch area is just wasted space during the actual show. And take a couple minutes to check with tour managers and gauge the attendance numbers from previous tour stops. That will give you a real good idea whether you can handle the capacity. That is if you actually care about your patrons. read more

cheap beer. reasonable cover. great patio with a ice cream store style walk-up window for bar service. (tip: if you don't want to pay the cover charge, but you still want to sit on a patio in EAV n get cheap beers, this is the place for you.) nice bartenders. it can get crowded, so go early if there's a band you wanna see. (it's not a bad wait either since there's a flat screen at the bar showing the action on stage. the bathroom line can get long during breaks, so just time it right, or go into the wo/men's restroom already. the crowd's not as bad either. it was a good night really. tip: if the music is too loud, just ask for a pair of ear buds at the bar for .50 cents n don't whine n complain that you have to leave cuz the band's too loud. its not a good look. read more

529 is a pretty tops bar. It's just the right size to make indie-type rock shows feel at home - unlike, say, Lenny's and the Highland Inn Ballroom, which both look dead empty with 100+ people in 'em. The drinks are on the cheap side, too - my tab the other night was $31 + tip for four mixed drinks and two Yuenglings. There's not much to the place, really - a small bar and an open theatre. The sound is a close second to the EARL for rock, and the best I've heard in town for electronic. Plenty of pantleg-shaking low-end. The decor is nondescript - neither too dive-y nor too coke-palace-y. As mister "Harold A." pointed out in his review, it is 21+ only, so I suppose you would be better served elsewhere if you're hoping to troll for high school sophomores. read more

Atmosphere: Not bad! Service: Pretty good! Selection: Okay! Prices: Great! Layout: Effffff you 529! This place has the worst layout of any establishement I have ever visited. The bathroom is down the hall behind the bar, which forces everyone to push through the crowd of drinkers. Even worse, the stage is placed right next to a connecting door to the bar. This ridiculously stupid setup forces all in attendance (mainly subdued hipsters [I guess all hipsters are "subdude"]) to saunter through the crowd to get a drink and return. This is also the only way to get into the venue. As a result, the best place to watch a concert is also the entrance. What the hell?! There's plenty of room to rearrange, but the owners seem content with extending a firmly apothetic middle finger to their patrons. There's a nice outside area, but there's no way to get back into the venue without going through the front door, so you will see many beers meandering into the night, hoping to get back in without getting arrested. Overall: I will never attend again unless a great musical act is performing. If so, I will be there, begrudgingly, with bruised elbos, too much urine in my bladder, and a $3 Yuengling. read more

Great little bar. Found out about it from a friend who knows a bartender there. 529 brings in solid, interesting bands of different genres. The place draws in a great mixed crowd. (not ubiqutous scenesters or hipster that have been a bit overplayed lately) ...not that there's anything wrong with that. bartenders attentive and very friendly. Cool intimate atmophere in the bar room and nice open stage space in the main room. Cover charge is typically $5 from the last couple times i've been. I havent really gone for the music per se but should soon. I like to stop in for a late night drink after being out somewhere else. I love how there's a flatscreen in the bar area showing a b&w camera view of the stage. You can people watch and spot some of the goofy dancers that are out in front of the stage when the place is dying down. Great spot to stop by if you're out in east atlanta village. read more