Parking is a pain, but once you get that out of the way - the playground inside is very nice and accommodating, great bar atmosphere, strong drinks and every now and then bands play in the upstairs room and rock the house... During football season its an awesome place to go to catch the Steelers game with likewise friends... read more

I'm confounded by the parking situation is here. I arrived at Smith's Olde Bar around 8:00 PM, the building was packed, but nary was a parking lot nor any street parking. Ergo, I parked in a nearby residential area and hoofed a block or two. En route to Smith's Olde Bar, I walked past a couple of restaurants with outdoor seating and felt strangely out of place, which is odd considering that I've lived in the metro Atlanta area for nigh my entire life and considering that outdoor dining is not a foreign concept to me. I felt even more out of place upon entering Smith's Olde Bar, but when I strolled into The Music Room and heard live music, I was at home. Suddenly, I fit in. Regarding that timeless existential motif of finding oneself and finding one's place in the world, I suddenly felt enlightened. No matter where I am, what my circumstances are, nor whom else in the crowd, when I'm exposed to live music, I'm home. A few years ago, live comedy would've been the impetus that brought me to Smith's Olde Bar. More recently, I found myself drawn in by the music of Lily Rose, a young songwriter from Athens whom plays alongside her younger brother and best friend, which makes their chemistry and stage presence significantly better. Unbeknownst to me, there would be 3 opening acts, which led to a whopping 4 hours of live music! Even more remarkable, I paid less than $10 for my ticket! My time at Smith's Olde Bar was spent upstairs in The Music Room, whereas the restaurant is on the ground floor, so I have nothing to report of the menu. The Music Room's atmosphere is equal parts: intimate, dive bar, party. It features a bar, a few tables, approximately 3 dozen chairs, and its capacity seems to be 200 (though the website claims 300). When I initially stepped into The Music Room, I was astounded by the age diversity; Smith's Olde Bar doesn't seem like a hangout spot for those in retirement range. However, I soon realized that said individuals were the bands' parents, uncles, and aunts. With the passage of time, the venue became inundated with skinny jeans and sandals. Stickers/decals are strewn about everywhere upstairs. In fact, the interior is so densely adorned with stickers/decals that finding restrooms and subsequently discerning the men's versus the women's is a challenge. After "draining the snake," I found a chair to settle on. As more individuals funneled in, my vantage point became less and less desirable. I then elected to sit atop the steps leading to the few tables, which was an unobstructed view at the time. Then more humanity filled The Music Room, which prompted me to take my rightful place, front row and center. Now that I'm thinking about it, I should've immediately procured a spot directly in front of the stage because I'm accustomed to being front row and because I deserve nothing less. Interestingly, this experience is an example of the ambivalence I harbor for strangers; I don't really care about what strangers think, but I'm so considerate of others that I decided to sit on the floor because I didn't want to block the view of those whom I moved ahead of. As much as I enjoyed Lily Rose's performance, I value what happened after the curtain call even more. When all of Lily Rose's friends and family were ostensibly done congratulating her and making small talk, I approached to share my thoughts regarding her band, her music, and one of life's disappointments. I love love LOVE engaging entertainers after their shows because that means they care enough to devote time to fans and because that satisfies my need to be heard and to feel important. I get the impression that musician-fan interaction is common at Smith's Olde Bar, especially considering that the concert ended at 12:15 AM and that the restaurant/bar are open until 3:00 AM, which also meant that the staff weren't eager to expedite the crowd away. Lily Rose implied that she had difficulty sleeping the night before her concert due to her level of excitement. Conversely, I had some difficulty falling asleep after the concert, as I usually do. But I gladly accept some degree of sleeplessness for the spring in my step, the exhilaration, and the special feeling of validation that follows from when entertainers indulge me. Being made to feel important by someone whom is important, being made to feel special by someone whom is special, that's the secret sauce that keeps me up at night. read more

I love this place and me and my boyfriend always come play pool here but after last night I don't even want to drive past the place the parking sucks I was blocked in and couldn't get home for two hours I constantly went to the manager and staff to make an announcement and was told if the person didn't come mover their car it would be towed called the tow company that was a lie so I went in to speak to the manager who went on to say hey sucks that your stuck that's a private lot so we have no control on it you have to leave my office I'm counting money as if he could give to f*#%! And I went postal he started yelling putting his hand in my face saying you wanna go there let's go there looks at some other guy saying hey what's the number to APD uhhhh 911 you ass I will never spend a dime in this place I don't even want to give that one star!! read more

I am only giving this 2 (instead of 4) stars because, particularly, of one bartender. I'd usually give Smith's a 4 because it's a decent dive bar. It doesn't have as many good beer options as I'd like. HILARY was the rudest bartender I've ever encountered. I don't say this lightly, either. I was there with my sister last night, waiting on her to serve us. We were directly in front of her (not far off in the corner where she couldn't see us). The bar wasn't busy-- it was at most about 2/3 full. My sister and I were the only two women there. We watched as Hilary served every single male waiting at the bar first, even two that came in well after she had seen us there. I thought, surely THEN she'd at least give me a nod to acknowledge she saw us waiting. We saw a third new guy walk up... What did she do? She then went over the new guy who was over at the very END of the bar, and served him. My brother-in-law said "wow she's serving that guy who JUST walked up!". When FINALLY every other male was served, she only then looked at my sister and me. I waved my hands in the air and said "oh hello! we'd like a beer!" and she glared at me and said "you know what? you can go be served by someone else" !!!!!! I looked around and said to her "there's nobody else here!"... but she just rolled her eyes and WALKED AWAY!!! I asked my brother-in-law to order drinks, and guess what? she served him right away! My sister and her husband just looked at me in shock over Hilary's terrible attitude and snarky comment! She should be fired. read more

I've been to Smith's Olde Bar a few times before -- I've lived in Atlanta for years on and off and, let's face it, it's an institution -- but I've always given this place less cred than I should have because I think of it as a place where bow-heads and wannabe jocks come to knock heads and listen to garage bands. I was wrong, and last night's line-up on the main stage confirmed that Smith's showcases a wide variety of outstanding musicians. Case in point: through the invitation of my impossibly hip, plugged-in music blogster friend, I went to see Jessica Tonder perform, a critical darling and break-out local artist that's gotten her music out through the internet. She chose to start her modest national tour at Smith's Olde Bar, and opening before her were equally talented rapper Diverse and Brunswick, New Jersey band Like Trains and Taxis. Each performance had a different style and mood from the other (rap, jazzy rock, atmospheric R&B/ pop), but the connective thread was that all the music was unapologetically on the edge, full of conviction and a new soul while respectfully giving nods to the musical giants and genres that came before them. An especial thanks to the incredible DJ that collaborated with Diverse and Jessica for some of the best sampling (I could hear Public Enemy in the background) and music I've heard in a while. For that alone, Smith's Olde Bar needs to be placed on equal footing with some of the newer and more edgy music venues in the city. Sure, below on the main floor that same night, half of the bar was filled with college students playing poker, while the other half of the bar was filled with a non-descript group of regular folk swigging beer and watching sports on the tele -- who cares? As long as they continue to offer a good variety of musicians and sell mixed-drinks for about five bucks a pop, I'll remain an ever humble, converted fan. read more

For those who have actually been around Atlanta for some time may remember Gene & Gabe's dinner theater which is now where Smith's Olde bar is now located. It's a bit larger as the the game room used to be a futon shop back in the day and the Atlanta Room was annexed a few years ago. Great location and has a bit for everyone, from pool, dart's and other games to a large dinning area, bar area and two music rooms. Smith's is a local bar and has that vibe to go with. The crowd is quite varied and other than the locals usually depends on who is playing either in the Atlanta room or upstairs. The shows are varied as well and there is again something for everyone. There is a DJ on Fridays, brunch menu on Saturday and brunch and bluegrass on Sundays Though Smith's is a neighborhood joint and music venue first they are always working to improve the menu offerings. Good wings, burgers and chicken fingers as well as both beef and chicken sliders. The Breakfast burger on Saturday is double patty with bacon and an egg for $5 and is awesome! The french toast and "Lonnie plate" on Sunday to go along with live bluegrass makes for a good beginning to a Sunday Funday. Parking is not the issue some think but you may have to get creative. DO NOT park at Cowtippers as they will tow you but there is parking behind Smith's, Ansley II and across the Monroe at Ansley Mall as well as a few spaces next to Smith Park across Piedmont. Not really a sports bar per se but there are plenty of TVs and management will usually try and find whatever game you wish to watch. During football season things get a bit more convoluted in that on Saturdays there is the Alabama crowd and Pittsburg crowd on Sunday (long story). They have just recently added a slanted roof to the patio area out back where the smokers in the group can go out and burn one and still have a drink. All in all a nice comfortable friendly place to meet, sit back, listen to music or to just wait out traffic. Stop on by and tell 'em Lonnie sent ya! read more

Smith's is such a great place to hang out. The service was impeccable. Our server was Ryane; the absolute best! She was very personable and attentive. The food was great. A sizable selection, so everyone can be pleased. We also met the manager Tim who was a delight. We had a pretty big party and for the staff to be so patient and accommodating was outstanding. We will definitely be coming back soon! read more

I loathe this place and always have. My skin crawls when I have to go see a band here. Well, I was coerced when I heard that the Atlanta Funk Society was playing a free show. It's exactly like it was in 1995, full of grunge assholes dressed like it's 1991. The bartender was seriously smacked out and no one is friendly that works here. The show space is descent, but still not my favorite. Ick, I just really do not like this place. However, Atlanta Funk Society is one freakin' awesome band to see and I would go anywhere to hear them. read more

Smith's is a pretty cool place. I stopped in to have a few drinks with some friends. I had a great time. They have a decent beer selection, but even though it's a bar...the drinks were not what made me love the place. The music was my favorite part. I noticed there were folks going into what turned out to be their Atlanta room. When I entered the Atlanta room I was charged $8 to watch a small band play...I'm glad I coughed up the $8. The three piece band that was playing was front manned by a fellow named Zac Martin. This guy was amazing. If you ever get a chance to see him, take it. Thanks Smith's, for having excellent music for me to enjoy with my drinks. Though I didn't not order food...the food I saw around the bar looked nothing short of amazing. And I also love the fact that the bar seems to favor my favorite college football team. Roll Tide. read more

Try $4 for a PBR. Oh and during the first song of the show last night the power cut off and proceeded the stay off until I left an hour later: $18 poorer from the show and $30 poorer from the beer. Wish I could say I have heard/seen this band live but all I heard was a bunch of drunk fans singing and saw the lead singers face due to the flashlight that was focused on it. fabulous. read more

Please let me give you two perspectives on Smith's Olde Bar. First of all, I have been a customer of Smith's Olde Bar for many, many years. I have frequented Smith's Olde Bar many times in the past, primarily to see the bands. From a customer's perspective, the food is mediocre bar food, at best. Beer selection is not bad, but draft beer never seems to be as cold as it should be. The wait staff is just 'okay', and I don't mean that as a positive. They are slow (although this could the fault of the kitchen), and are not the friendliness people. They also, from my experience, seem to be prone to get orders wrong. I ordered a chicken sandwich with fries a couple of weeks ago, and they came back with chicken tenders instead, which I accepted due to time constraints. From a musican's standpoint, Smith's is the equivalent of a Chinese sweat shop. They depend upon touring bands as a draw, not local talent. They do provide a steady stream of second-tier national talent that is sometimes worth seeing. That is why I have there so many times in the past. My band has played upstairs in the Music Room twice, and once downstairs in the Atlanta Room, sharing the bill with others. My band has never made a dime from Smith's after they deduct the costs of production and Smith's take of the proceeds. In addition, the load-in/out to the Music Room on the second floor iis shameful, in my opinion. Instead of building a freight elevator, they expect musicians to carry their equipment up some rickety aluminum stairs to the Music Room. That is likely an accident waiting to happen. I have spoken with other groups that have played at Smith's Olde Bar, and they cite that as being one of the reasons they prefer not to play there anymore. Sorry I can't give you less than one-star, but I have to give you that. My suggestion: support other music venues in Atlanta, not Smith's Olde Bar. read more

I used to love this place, but I stopped in on a trip home over Thanksgiving and was shocked to learn that they have replaced their glass stock with 14 oz faux pint glasses. It's deceptive and wrong. If you want to serve smaller beers, fine, but don't try to trick your customers. read more

I've been to Smith's a handful of times to see my brother's band perform and always really liked the place. I like that they actually have two performance spaces. The upstairs is larger and has a bar, and is a pretty great setup to see a band. The Atlanta Room, downstairs, is a bit smaller and more intimate. Great for a low-key, acoustic show like the last time I was there. Smith's is the kind of place where nothing really stands out, but they seem to do a lot of things well. Great place to have a beer and watch a show. Oh, and get the basket of burgers to split with a friend. read more

I came here for a new comedy showcase. I was happy to see a bar near midtown with fresh comedy. The show was great and I think Smith's is hosting a show every Tuesday night starting in 2014. We parked across the street and had no issues; I was scared my car would get towed. But the staff tells you to park in the Publix lot, so I guess it is ok. From the outside, Smith's looks small, but there are two levels and a lot of space. The show was upstairs in a smaller room. It had a bar and if you wanted to order food you could. There was a $5 cover for the showcase. I definitely will be trying Smith's Olde Bar again. read more

I'm just not a huge fan. Downstairs it seems there are a lot of frat guys (or former frat guys) wearing khaki cargo shorts and watching some sort of game. Bah. The upstairs music room is okay, but not my favorite spot of see a band in Atlanta. They do get some good acts on occasion: The Whigs, Y-O-U, Second Shift. As far as the food goes, it's pretty regular bar food, but I won't eat here because my friend said she saw a rat in the kitchen (which could be true because I've seen them out by the dumpster a few times). Basically, I wouldn't be crazy about going here, but I wouldn't be saddened if I never went here again. read more

Smith's...what happened? We came in for the Alabama LSU game. The game related awesomeness that used to be Smith's on an Alabama game day has been replaced by service that has gone down hill, no excitement for the game (you used to play the fight game, Sweet Home Alabama, etc), and a really poor band during half time. Was that a poor excuse for Elvis that I saw standing on a makeshift stage? Really? What used to be an awesome time at a bar that we loved, where we could enjoy the game with other football fans is now a joke. We couldn't even tell that there are other Bama fans in the house tonight and it's no wonder. read more

This place has a neighborhood bar feel. The food is always good (even their wings, which i'm not usually a big fan of), and the beer/drink selection is on point. This is THE PLACE to go for Steelers and Bama fans. Be prepared for slow service. We've been to SOB a few times, and the service has been consistently s.l.o.w., although also consistently courteous and polite. My friend says "They work at their own pace." They have a few different rooms/"venues" here, but I've only been in the main bar room. I hear the other rooms have live music regularly and are cool. The parking situation seems to confuse new patrons. You should plan to park behind the gas station (Exxon I think) that is on the corner of Monroe and Piedmont. You won't get towed if you park there and there are plenty of spaces. read more

We went here Friday night to see the Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Rumours. It was upstairs and boy was it hot up there! It was very crowded so that made it worse but the music made it do-able. The band was fantastic and the crowd very engaging. The one thing I can say about this bar is that the bartenders work their butt off and have a smile to boot! The servers are nice too! read more

Fun place to see local live music! Love that it is a nonsmoking venue. Not too crowded. Had a great night out here with a group of friends! read more

We went here for some comedy shows. It's a divey bar, with good prices, and a typical menu. Please order the pretzels. Before you drink, while you're drinking, after you drink... whatever. Do yourself a favor and eat them. The stone mustard is so good, and they also come with queso.... whaaaaaaaat?!? The hummus platter was good, but it was lumpy, kind of a weird texture. I would order it again though. The comedy show was great, but you can hear the music from the other rooms playing (especially when the door opens), and it can be a little distracting. Free parking lot across the street, and the servers are attentive. Go here, get a drink, eat a pretzel. read more

Fantastic. Bar food is ok.... Waitresses are cool and super awesome. The dudes who work there are creepy as hell--so avoid them. My co-workers go there maybe twice a month after we get off work so we're semi-regulars. The waitresses always take great care of us and its nice to be known a little. read more

Tough not to not like this place. An easy going place simply to relax with a good group of friends. Upstairs has a decent area to see bands. From the likes of G. Love to RL Burnside and shit-loads of local bands, it's worth a night out. Just don't fall down the stairs on your way out home. read more

Went to see Willie Sugarcapps a great band. As usual much of the crowd was there to socialize and not to hear the music, so they talked throughout the show on the ballads and quieter songs it was unbearable. Took the mic during an interval between songs and asked the miscreants to be quiet, then he yelled at them, then he stopped in the middle of the song and chewed them out. Told them to leave that there were lots of people who had paid good money to see the band, his words fell on selfish, uncaring group like a silent prayer. The band was on fire, lots of new material and really rocking, played over two hours. I do reiterate that this place is not fan friendly, but seeing (sadly not hearing too well) was a joy. read more

We went for Wrenn on 2/19. Our party of four ate dinner in the downstairs bar area before the show started. My wings and fries were fine. The service was average, but she was a friendly waitress. Broad beer and spirits selection. The IPAs I ordered were good! There were no complaints from the others with me. No issues with ordering our tickets online. They have a list with your name. We had our table reserved as ordered. The show was great! Sound system is nice. There is a bar in the concert room as well as a satellite bar that is cash only. All employees had good attitudes. I'd like to go back for another show! read more

Smith's Olde Bar is a unique Atlanta landmark. It's located on the corner of Piedmont and Monroe. When I first moved to the area and would drive by, I assumed it was just your typical bar, but it's a very unique place. It's a traditional full service bar, restaurant, and also a live music venue with two different stages. I recently had the opportunity to visit and see one of my favorite bands in the upstairs Music Room - it really is a great venue. It is upstairs over the bar and was larger than I expected it to be. Beyond the stage is an open standing area surrounded by pub tables. The Music Room also has it's own full service bar so you don't have to walk back downstairs for a drink. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the staff is friendly. I'd say the sound upstairs is pretty good for a live band and a small venue. It does give you the opportunity to feel up close and personal with the band. If standing around to see a band isn't your thing there is a decent amount of seating along the perimeter of the room. The only inconvienience I encountered is that the restroom is downstairs and a walk across the entire bar, it's definitely a hike. The drinks are affordable and on par with what you would normally expect. Great venue overall and I'm sure i'll be frequenting with all the great bands that come thru. Before the show I had the opportunity to have a few drinks downstairs at the main bar. They had a good selection of bottles and a decent draft offering. I'm not an Alabama Football or Steelers fan, but if you are, this is the place to be during the game - they host both teams fans and have good drink specials for the game. I can't speak for the food, but they did have a good selection of typical bar food offerings - I hope to try on my next visit. Parking doesn't have to be such a pain in you are willing to walk a block, just park in the Ansley Mall lot across the street. If you need something close that could be a problem because of the lack of parking around the building. Smith's is a true Atlanta landmark and I can see why they attract so many great regional and national bands and performers. Be sure to look at their website and look at their upcoming events calendar - you will probably find one of your favorite musicians in an upcoming show. If you haven't seen a show here, place Smith's on your bucket list, it's a true gem. read more

I was in the upstairs room to hear the live music. The room has decent acoustics and some seating on the edge. It wasn't very crowded, which I loved, so no jamming through the crowd to wait at the bar for a drink. Drinks are decent and reasonably priced. I'm not sure about where the parking should be, but I parked at the Pier 1/Publix shopping center and my car wasn't booted, broken into, or ticketed. read more

Woohooo SOB!! What a kickass spot. So glad my local tour guides decided we should end up here. Eric's review basically says it all, the honey mustard wings were amazing. Originally I had wanted teriyaki, but they were out, and now I see it was clearly divine intervention. Honey mustard is a heavenly invention, and on these wings, it was pure bliss. The tater tots were amazing too, nice and crispy on the outside, and just the right consistency on the inside. Way better than my middle school cafeteria, fo sho. read more

great place... I'm a BIG fan or margaritas and this place has one of the BEST margs EVER!!! The bartender was cool and seems to love her job. The tequila was a "tropical tequila".. sooo good. I know I keep talking about the margarita.. but the bartender was AMAZING! she was this skinny white girl with short dark hair. Cool place, cool environment. read more

Interesting place to check out a show. From what I could tell this place is a bar/ restaurant/concert venue with 2 different concert venues. Everything inside was ok to good. Nothing really great. My issue with this place is the parking. Yikes what a headache. I am sure I could have found 4 star if the parking was better. I watched a good show here and for the most part I enjoyed my time. I would come here again but no I know about the parking headache. read more

I come to Smith's to watch Steelers games, but otherwise, I don't think I'd have much reason. Food is greasy, and service is always miserably slow on game days. They really should have more staff on game days. It's always disappointing to eat there while watching the game. read more

Great beer, great servers, great local / non local bands. This place has a show multiple times a week and prices to get in are low ($10). Food is good, pub food naturally and on occasion they partner with other local restaurants (BBQ!!). Ample space, parking can be a pain. Trivia, kickball meet-ups, and the like all apply here. read more

I came here to hear a friend of mine in concert. We were in the Alabama Room. It has mixed sitting for about 50 or so people. Not a big room but perfect for the crowd we had. read more

Not sure who is more responsible for the horrible experience, the owners or the promoters, but as a musician, my band and I were treated very poorly. The bar itself is very dank and uninviting. My band was touring from out of town and we couldn't believe how unprofessional and disrespectful this venue was to us and the other bands playing that night. It might have had a reputation back in the day for breaking bands, but currently, this venue does little to value artists and could care less about how some of the staff treats their customers. We found other places in Atlanta to hang out with friends, play pool, have drinks and listen to music where the staff was friendly and the ambiance was way better. Too bad the owner can't pull it together and care about their establishment. read more

Never went here for music but have been to poker night a few times. The service during poker is always excellent (I forget the girl's name but its usually the same one and she knows what she's doing). The one time I sat at the bar the service was abysmal. I felt like if I was bleeding out every orifice of my body, had smashed the glass that had gone empty for the last half hour on some innocent bystander's head and had set fire to my coaster I still would have to wait until I was sober to get another beer or the tab. 5 stars for the poker service, 1 star for the bar service = 3 stars average. read more

A dive bar. And I mean that in the best possible way. I love the music room and they get GREAT acts. I saw the legendary Atlanta musician Col. Bruce Hampton last Friday and I've seen Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes with a full band play their twice. But I'm afraid seeing live music anywhere is pretty much over. I'd say at all shows I've seen there at least 70% of the "audience" were engaged in loud conversations for the entire show. And of course there's always the girl, standing 2 feet in front of the performers who are giving their all, texting and face booking on her phone for the entire show. Not sure why these people pay to see a show when the down stairs bar is open for free but I wish they would die. read more

Really cool spot! A little run down it seems, but it's still a relaxed casual place to hang out (especially if you're a Crimson Tide fan)! Great drink specials (today we got the $15 beer bucket) and good food for a reasonable price. Parking situation isn't great and I definitely recommend getting there early if you're trying to sit and watch the game - can get crowded fast. Other that that, I love coming here! read more

The staff is absolutely amazing, the venue is huge, the clientele are friendly, it's the best place to go watch a STEELER game in the area, the drinks are made well, the food is great, I definitely recommend checking it out. The only downside is parking is limited, but that kinda comes hand in hand with living in Atlanta. read more

I love this place. I love anywhere that has billiards. They also have a dart board, and some other stuff that I don't recall. The food is typical bar food. Apparently the bartender was upset that a friend and I came in an hour before closing. I'm also in the industry, so I get it. It's late, and you're ready to go home. But guess what? You chose to work at this late-night bar, so pep up sweetheart. It's almost over .... Promise. She kept giving us the death stare, which made it really uncomfortable. Anyway, I'll get back to making this my regular dig one of these days. read more

Love this place. It's dive'ish but you don't feel like you're gonna get tetanus by sitting in the booths. It's a very open setting yet has three distinct rooms on the inside not including the stage area upstairs. There is pool and what not in one room, tables for sitting/eating/drinking in the next, and a good open bar area in the third. Shows are great here. Very intimate yet big enough to get a good crowd. The food rocks, too. I recommend the fried pickle chips and tots with bacon and cheese. read more

One of the oldest cool spots to get your favorite drinks, awesome food, and great music. Some of the best in local and traveling bands have played here. I was at Smith's for Angie Aparo a few weeks ago, and it was an awesome concert. The venue really lends itself for you to have an intimate seating with the artists. Oh, and try the burgers. Wow! read more