The staff here are absolutely amazing! They are a dream to work with for events - I love it here!

Had a blast at this venue! Was treated nicely by the staff and was clean enough for the show.

Excellent ambiance, good drinks, super amazing staff. Overall great experience. A cool little space with a fun event.

The Drunken Unicorn is a small, underground concert venue located behind MJQ Concourse on Ponce De Leon Ave. If you've never been before, the venue can be hard to find. It's located underneath Friends on Ponce and the entrance to the Drunken Unicorn actually faces away from the street. Check out the photos here on Yelp to see what the entrance looks like. Also, the map on the Drunken Unicorn's web site is most helpful: http://www.thedrunkenunicorn.net/images/unicorn.jpg. Parking can be hard to come by since the lot is relatively small and often gets full. A good place to park, which is also free, is along Maiden Street, which is the first side street off of Ponce De Leon Place. I first heard of the Drunken Unicorn when some small Japanese bands played here: Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re and Peelander-Z. I saw two bands play here: The Fu and Joseph Vincent. When I saw The Fu and Joseph Vincent perform, I counted about 80-90 people in the audience. The place looked more than half empty. It made sense because the capacity for this venue is 250. I liked the intimacy of this venue. It's small. You can get right up next to the musicians on stage. Not only is the place small, but it's also dark and dirty. It's a grungy, hipster-type place with tons of stickers, crazy artwork, and writing/graffiti on the walls. Very limited seating is available along the outer edges of the space. The sound quality, lighting, and viewing angles are very good. Once again, it's small venue, so you're close to all the action. While I guess it depends primarily on the show, the ticket prices seem very reasonable. I guess it's because the acts that perform here are small, up-and-coming artists who are trying to build their respective fanbases. The staff seems cool. Overall, not a bad place to enjoy a concert. read more

Garbage place dirty as hell shitty lights and bad service had to wait least an hr for a fucking nasty ass drink

Expected to have a pleasant night and was completely disrespected from the moment I arrived. I came to the door and he immediately said "MJQ is around the corner". First of all I wasn't looking for MJQ. Then after I saw him not take a "cover" from the people who walked in right before me he said there was. I understand they don't take cards but the response I got back to if they have an ATM was "we don't have to have one because our customers carry cash". That was enough for me to turn right back around and never even think about coming to this establishment again. The only thing good about this place is the location but don't expect me to come to that racist place again. I'll spend my money and time elsewhere. Which I'm sure they are fine with. read more

The venue arm of local favorite MJQ, featuring a pretty tiny stage in a equally small room, which makes, mostly, for a good show setting. The sound here is a mixed bag, depending on who's working, but it tends to be better than several other local venues: you can at least hear everything most nights. It works out well for a lot of people because while waiting for certain bands you can go into the MJQ half, or right next door to the Local, and wait while having a drink instead of standing around sweating. You can also go out in the parking lot and take up conversation with the ongoing crew of begging bums that are always going through the parking lot, though the staff here does a good job trying to keep them from harassing the crowds. They tend to have a better line-up of shows than most other venues, with a pretty reliably solid array of up and coming indie acts on a smaller tier. One thing a lot of unfamiliars have trouble with is that fact that there aren't really any signs for the venue, nor for MJQ, as traditionally they like to keep it cool kids only. Basically, though, if you're coming down Ponce from Peachtree, you'll pass Eats on your left, go under a bridge, pass Chipotle on your left and then its the next shopping center parking lot, right before Marco's Pita, across from a liquor store and Kroger. Parking can sometimes suck, since the lot is small, but don't park at Kroger. If anywhere, go behind the Local or Doc Green's-- they don't charge or tow. read more

The Drunken Unicorn - entrance - Music Venues Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

See all

The Drunken Unicorn is the performance venue attached to underground club MJQ. I've seen a couple of good bands play here, including gypsy punk band Gogel Bordello. The Unicorn is what positive-thinking people call intimate, and what I call small. That means you're going to have a good seat...er, place to stand. Don't worry about the lack of seating. You're probably going to the Unicorn for a rock show, and one should never sit at a rock show. In addition to the close quarters, the acoustics are lousy. Or the sound guy is lousy. Either way, the sound is never very good. So what is there to like about the Unicorn? Well, it's a thoroughly loud, cramped, smoky experience. Which is pretty much what you'd want from a rock venue, right? read more

The Drunken Unicorn - a cat sleeping in front of a metal gate - Music Venues Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

My instinct is to give it three stars since that's how I really feel about it NOW. But I have the distinct feeling that if I were still an Atlanta denizen, I'd come here often and give it a four or five because it would be MY club, MY hole-in-the-wall joint. So we'll give it a four. The music club is small, sparsely decorated, and loud loud loud. I liked how dancers from the adjoining room would get coaxed in by the performing band's music and come in to dance awhile before going back to the DJ's realm. That was cool. Drinks were good and beers were cheap for Atlanta. I'll go back. I do so hate smoking indoors, though. I do so love the nice people working there and the variety of bands they host. read more

The Drunken Unicorn - Don Chambers + GOAT perform, Sept. '08 - Music Venues Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Went there to check out a Milo Greene show this past weekend. I had never been before and the place was a mixture of highs and lows for me. This place is hidden like an unicorn. The easiest way for me to give locations is go to the The Book House Pub (although you may have to park at the Murder Kroger) when you are facing the front of the pub, The Drunken Unicorn is to your left just past the parking lot. The Good: Intimate room, a great place to see a band up close. The bar is sectioned off with a door and it is nice and quiet in there. A little oasis from the loud music and a nice place to grab a drink. If you don't have cash, the bouncers had no issue with us leaving to go grab a few drinks at another place and coming back for the main act, which I thought was great of them. A fun little venue with unicorns painted everywhere. The Bad: The cost of the show per the website was $8. There was no way to buy tickets online, when we showed up, it was $10. Small difference, but a little annoying. There was no mention of opening acts of which there were two. The show opened at 9 pm, once we got there, we found out MG was coming on at 10:30. It is cash only at the bar, again no mention any where. The Band This Place Most Resembles: Milo Greene. Little. Unicorn. Different. read more

The Drunken Unicorn - a man with a sticker on his face - Music Venues Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

See all

Went here for an impromptu performance from Teebs, Free the Robots and Lefto. I expected the worst reading other reviews but it wasn't that bad at all. The place did have noticeably pungent odor that resembled garbage juice, but once it filled with people, it got camouflaged with the delightful musk of beer, sweat, and mary jane. There's nice art work on the walls and floor to gaze at in those life pondering moments and the sound system is pretty legit. I was so happy that there was an actual place to sit that I sat there until my cheeks could bare no more, all with my view of the stage not being obstructed. I went to rest room TWICE and it seemed clean enough. Didn't feel like I needed a hazmat suit like other in places. Long story short, awesome place to go to as long as your not prissy and aren't afraid of the dark. And kudos to whoever posted a picture of the entrance. read more

Heyo! i love this venue and went here in high school all the time! discovered a lot of cool bands and been to a lot of good shows BUT i gotta throw in this friendly recommendation that y'all need to have free water available to the people!! I think it's a little ridiculous the only way to get water is by paying for a bottle, i haven't ever been to a venue (esp a smaller one) that doesn't have water available. people are drinking and partying and neeeed dat shit for free all love, but seriously please rly consider this. it makes me not wanna come back to one of my fave spots in the city. read more

Went here just a couple days ago, to see the Front Bottoms. The parking lot was packed, and I literally got the last open space. It was a Saturday night, though, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. There are a lot of little bars, and the Clermont is down the street, so I'm sure it wouldn't have been too difficult to find parking nearby. I got here about 8.35, with the promise of the show starting promptly at 8.30. This proved an issue because of two reasons. One was that there was an unmoving line, and secondly, that they started the show at 8.50, and the line was still unmoving. It didn't start to move until 9.10, and I didn't get inside until 9 30. So I saw two songs from the opening act, which was just poor planning on the management's end. One of the bouncers told me that capacity caps off at about 150, and that after pre-sales, there were only 40 walk-in tickets left. Considering the line stretched outside the building, and around to the front, it's safe to say it was either a sold out show, or close enough. Now onto something I think is very important to note about venues: the people. This was an all ages show, where the majority of the people were under 21... and they acted like it. If you want to get close to the singer, forget about watching the band in peace. I was constantly rammed, stepped on, shoved, and climbed on. I don't know what it is about people who are 5'8" and 280 pounds who want to use a 5'3", 118 pound girl as a spring board. But it happens more often than not. I stayed in the pit most of the show, until I was bum rushed, which made me stagger to the floor, trapped under people. At least there were a handful of people who immediately reacted by keeping a bubble around me, until they grabbed me up by the waist. At that point, someone stepped on my ankle, injuring me enough that I moved away. Pretty much every show I've been to had bouncers who were at the front, grabbing people who were crowd surfing so they couldn't stay afloat 10 minutes straight, kicking people in the face and dropping their dead weight on small people like me. There appeared to be no bouncer here to facilitate the safe passage of said crowd surfers. Several times, I saw people go down because they couldn't lift a person, and I also saw people kicked in the mouth and cheek and back of the head. Honestly, it's plain rude to insist on being kept afloat by the crowd for 10 minutes at a time. When people started using me as a springboard, that's when I stopped attempting to help them stay afloat, and finally moved away from the deluge of people attempting to squish me. Despite the young crowd, the venue had a small stage that was very intimate, which I actually loved. The sound system was booming and fairly evenly distributed between the vocals and instruments, which is also awesome. I did enjoy being there, and it reminded me of when I used to go to shows as a youth. Maybe it's me getting older, but in Augusta I went to sold out shows with a 300 capacity, and the people seemed more considerate and less willing to punch you in the face. read more

I recently got to visit The Drunken Unicorn to see Bear's Den( BTW great band). The venue is a bit hard to find. It is actually located in the same parking lot as the Book House Pub. The only thing that tells you where it is the graffited wall with Drunken unicorn on it. This place is small and, based on my experience, will get packed. Don't fret the venue is well air-conditioned. The acoustics in the venue were good. Though, I think they could really crank it up if needed. Lastly this venue is CASH ONLY! so bring cash. Overall 4 stars for being a pretty good venue. -1 for not CASH ONLY. read more

Never have I seen so much unicorn paraphernalia. The far wall of the Drunken Unicorn is plastered with unicorn stuff, and I couldn't stop staring at all those glittery, neighing unicorns. Focus. Focus on the show! The Drunken Unicorn is a small music venue and a part of MJQ. Entryway is 'round back of the main MJQ one - just follow the cluster of stylish hipsters. It's easy to get a drink during shows at the crowdless room on the right, and the bathroom wasn't scary. The D.U. attracts a variety of shows, like Voxtrot and Deerhunter, and also hosts some events like the Underground Film Festival. read more

Wow, before you read a full review here are the highlights... Awful Smell No Parking Over Priced Drinks Rude Service I get the whole "dive bar" theme. I enjoy dives as much as anyone. There is a charm to the grunge, been around a while, etc theme. But this place doesn't do "dive bar" any favors claiming to be one. We came to watch a show and trying to find parking was a nightmare. After driving around for 15 minutes, we parked damn near a 5-6 minute walk. For the moment you get close to the door the smell is what threw me. Right above the door are the trash bins for the next door bar Friends. The smell of dirty diapers would have been an improvement...It feels as if the "crap" all rolls down hill and straight into this joint. I get a gag reflex just typing this but DO NOT USE the restroom! Take my word, and walk to the chipotle right around the corner. The drink prices were as if they believe the unicorn was booking the best bands out there. I think the prices and lack of patrons were key indicators that many people on yelp have been very gracious in their reviews. Finally, from the worthless meth head they have working the door to everyone I had the pleasure to speak with...they could really care less about the place. There was just no pride or ownership in their customer interaction. Save your money and encourage anyone you know to book their band at another venue. read more

Unicorns here, unicorns there...Deanna said it loud and clear, there is nowhere in the U.S. featuring more unicorn paraphernalia. You can't, CAN'T ignore the fact that you are in an environment that resembles some sort of underground, dark version of "my little pony"! Oh, yes, the Drunken Unicorn...one of Ryan's favorite places in Atlanta...! And I have to tell you people, I love it! It is part of MJQ, a place that deserves it's own long review itself. The one time I went there wasn't with my sweetheart, but with my friends Amie and Russ, to listen to Russ's band, awesome Morning State (http://www.morningstate.com/) and to complete an assignment for my documentary photo class, precisely taking photos of Amie as the wife of a rock star! What a cool night that was! We got there when the lights were still on and hung out at the place as you know, not precisely patrons. It's really cool to see how bands set their instruments on stage and how the dynamics of a music venue are before a show. It's just awesome! But, but, but don't expect a clean, tidy, perfect place. It's a bit on the overlooked side, but that kind of adds to the character of the place. The one and only huge downside is the nasty indoor smoking...grrrrr. It is a tiny place so make sure you bring your earplugs along, because it can get REALLY loud when the bands perform. But when the lights go down, and the music fills the space, you sort of forget you're bumping into crazy, dancing people, because it just makes it even better as a show experience! And bring cash...it'll make you life easier when buying some drinks...yeah, that large bottle of Newcastle! read more

While I'm not sure that the rather scant crowd is typical on a given Friday night, I can't say I'm complaining. I loved that there was a second room in between DU and MJQ where you could actually hear yourself think, and hear your companions talk. As much as I love going to live shows or dance to a bumpin' DJ, it's nice to be able to actually chat with the folks you're with, on occasion. Plus, the relative quiet of this room made it quite easy to get your hands on a $2 PBR. The Drunken Unicorn itself is insanely small, but on the night I was there I didn't see more than 30 or 40 patrons inhabit the place, so I'm sure the guys on stage were thankful for the "quaint" space. The surroundings aren't much, with a couple of chairs and some stacked stairs for hipsters to lounge on. Smoking's very much allowed, and even with the small crowd it heavily filled the room, so I can't imagine what it'd be like when actually busy. ::cough:: +1 star for the very friendly bouncer who asked us to kindly throw our empty beer cans on the ground cause they were doing a grungy photoshoot the next day. While it went completely against my play-by-the-rules and never litter mentality, I appreciated the opportunity to rebel. read more

Wanna get mugged? Because this is how you get mugged. If it's not from the vagrants in the lots that surround the place ( they don't have legitimate parking by the way ) the staff will be more than happy to do so with their over priced, under poured, garbage. I guess it's a fine place if you like PBR though. read more

The Drunken Unicorn is filthy but has a high-quality sound system. Perhaps that's why national acts like Fleet Foxes and Ra Ra Riot have played there. Once, while sitting on the small wooden riser area in the back, water dripped on me no matter where I moved. Upon my last trip to the Unicorn, the entire stage room smelled like bleach, so even though the place apparently was clean, I would've preferred the scent of lemon or pine. Plus, the always-dingy bathroom was grosser than ever before: both the roll of toilet paper and paper towels were wet. However, my vodka Sprite and the headliner, Batata Doce, made me forget about the foulness, fully focusing on the pretty singer who stood elevated on a higher-than-usual stage. At least the Drunken Unicorn gets the most important part right: the music. read more

Small venue that plays everything from the Hard-Ons to Snowden. It's dirty, smelly, skanky, loud, and dark. Definitely one of the venues where you need to know where the exits are just in case of a fire. Support non-mainstream bands and tip the bartenders well. The toilets are usually overflowing. Usually quite gross. Females beware since it's a uni-sex toilet. We boys are nasty. http://www.thedrunkenunicorn.net/# read more

I come here only for the live indie concerts. The place is literally underground and grungy. Expect to see hipsters. Don't be surprised if your car gets towed because you illegally parked at Chipotle. read more

This place had good music and I had a good time, but the people who worked there were unwelcoming and rude. They made the experience uncomfortable and tense. read more

Awesome music venue that really embodies the term "garage band." No seriously, the stage, ceiling looks like a garage or barn. Great venue where you can get up close and personal and maybe grab band members nuts if you're into that kinda thing. No signs or anything, a serious hole in the wall. I was really impressed by the sound system. Great soundstage!!! MJQ next door is a pimp ass bar with a lot of character. $6 20oz Newcastles, need I say more? read more

I know, I know where can you here JUSTICE, Vitalic, Busy P, MSTRKRFT, Daft Punk and countless more? Certainly not at the local bar & grill sporting establishment with its oh so hip cover bands and girls with Keith Urban t-shirts stretched across silicone... Just try a bit, now get off ponce... forget that you have to work in the morning, you want to be with your kind right? Oh yeah, don't forget to stop and get some cash...cash only....that's how DU rolls.... F@$& YES!!! parties, first Thursday of very month - GREAT MUSIC! Great bands regularly too... local and national (and international) bands play there... watch out when Cosmic Electric comes to town! I saw Wolfmother there, great little venue. In fact, some of the best rocknroll is designed to only reach venues like this. Go now. Tonight. Right away. read more

Oh, Drunken Unicorn, I could never forget about you! Since your inception by that amazing guy who has a penchant for unicorns who I refuse to name without his agreement, I have terminally loved you! I have been to many shows here (caribou, deerhunter, and blake b's band more than any) and had a few drinks in MJQ waiting for your bands to play. And what fine bands you have! I have seen some epic shows here, amongst your pseudo-Ferrari unicorn paintings and such. Keep bringing in the spectacular bands and I will keep coming in! I love you, DU! read more

No preconceptions. If you've visited MJQ before, then you know The Unicorn very well, aside from the bars being shared at similar times, and the venue being open after certain times/acts. This place puts all the focus on the act with very few frills for a musak venue, which makes it accessible to local acts, as well as touring acts. Think underground, and not just in the location. Whenever an acquaintance tells me about The Drunken Unicorn, I immediately am trying to visualize what hip, underground band must be playing for me to see. That being said, I've seen bands like Anal C*nt here which should tell you that billing need not care. This place is a concrete room to mosh in. Get used to it. Low-cost equals more down-to-earth (or down-INTO-the-earth depending on your viewpoint). If you are let down by the venue, then chances are you misunderstood the reason you were dragged there. Once you are amply entertained via musak, then take yourself over to MJQ, Book House, Friends, or Greens, and finish the night off in style. read more

There's a freaking picture of some old testament prophet lookin' dude sporting a mullet with a unicorn attacking an early 80's era camaro with the Atlanta skyline as a backdrop. $2 PBRs, but bring cash. Part of the MJQ subterranean complex which reminds me of the underground bunker from "Spys Like Us." Where's the damn entrance? Nice lineup of indie rock bands whom you've never heard of. Good mix of locals and touring acts. read more

Loved it.. venue ok.. being cash the part i loved was the music in the bar room and the MJQ entrance/exit.. remided me of an old parking garage.. music went from "The Cure" to total hip hop... packed dance/bar area.. Random and 100% fun.. $2 PBR! wooo hooo.. read more

attached to mjq, this is a small little dirty venue for live music. Stage set-up is nice and you see immediately upon walking in why it's called the Drunken Unicorn. I like this place, it's never too expensive to go see bands and the acoustics are pretty good. A bit dirty but that's part of the appeal I suppose. And I read that the capacity is 250 for this place. I can't believe that. It seems way too small read more

UNICORNSSSSSS!!!! obsessed. haha. In the mood for a show... go to the Drunken Unicorn. It feels like there's a show like every night. My last concert there was when I went to go see Hunter Valentine (call me. lol)..and boy was it packed with a majority of lezzies. That's besides the point. The venue itself is pretty cool. The only thing I dislike...that I have to walk to the other room for a drink. If you've never been here before, I feel like you might miss the entrance. If you see Southern Star tattooo...look to the right of it... see random stairs?... that's it...go down those stairs...towards the dungeon of death..MUAHAHAHAH...jk. read more

You can see pretty much anything here. I've been for a metal show (Isis), a local reunited punk band (Quadiliacha), the aforementioned F*CK YESSS dance party. Last night on my way to MJQ they had some kind of hip-hop party. Not a big beer list, but I always alternate between PBRs and Red Bull. Two separate rooms, the left side is the main area where the concerts and DJs are. Right side is the bar where the 21+ can hang. Just try to avoid having to go to the bathroom here. read more

Without a doubt, the Drunken Unicorn is the best venue for live music in Atlanta. As far as diversity, quality, and LOUDNESS, they cannot be beat. They have some pretty terrible bands (Minus the Bore, I mean Minus the Bear) from time to time, but they are offset by all the great ones, both local (Beat Beat Beat, Carbonas) and not (Lover!, Jacuzzi Boys). The hipsters there may look intimidating, but they're really not. What's more, the Unicorn is *usually* an all-ages venue (or at least 18+, and not many kids under 18 want to go to these shows), which is essential as far as I'm concerned. read more

I don't frequent this establishment much, but it is a very cool, small venue between Midtown and Poncey-Highlands. The place has a pretty laid back vibe, something bereft from many joints in town. Drinks are reasonable, and the clientele really depend on the night. I was there for a DJ show. It's nice because you were rather close to the performers. Before the show, the headliner was out mingling with the patrons, very cool experience. Here's a tip, go pregame at Friend's which is directly above Drunken Unicorn. You never know who/what you will see there. There is a parking lot, but cab access is super easy, and a good bet if you plan on downing any alcohol. read more

I've been there for one event. It's a small venue that has a nice stage. The venue is connected to MJQ (bigger venue). The bar tenders were cool and the sound engineer was cool as well. read more

If I'm in the mood for a show, I can always rely on The Drunken Unicorn to have someone coming through that I want to see. 5 STARS. But, the bathrooms. WHY IS EVERYTHING WET IN THERE? I still have nightmares. Wet things, Mikey. WET THINGS. read more

EPIC UNICORN MURALS. Loud and smoky. Awesome people. read more

It sort of reminds me of a miniature, subterranean version of The Earl - small stage, open floor, low-key setup, similar types of acts come through here. While it is small, I think shows can actually be more fun here than other places due to the proximity of the crowd to the band and the packed nature. If the band is pretty lively things can get absolutely nuts. Shows are pretty inexpensive here as well. However, the sound is only ok. It can get pretty hot in there too. Also, there aren't as many acts booked here that I'm interested in compared to other places like The Earl. I'd say The Earl has bigger acts in general as well. Still, it is definitely a solid spot to catch a good band in the city. 3.5 read more

its was a cool venue...A/C was blowing like crazy...i went on a friday night and it was a pretty small crowd...was kinda hoping for more ppl and excitement...but some good bands and that makes it worth it. not sure that i like the bar being separate from the venue i was in..but it wasent really a bad thing. Really wasent NEARLY as dirty or gross as i had pictured....actually a pretty decent venue. Ill definitely go back :) oh and parking was weird...i just parked across the street at the liqueur store ;) (UPDATE: I go here alot now-a-days..great venue to see up and coming artists..and the occasional random moose) read more

Loud, smoky and dark. They just remodeled the place! Double bathrooms in the Unicorn. Double bathrooms in the cafe. MJQ now has 4 stalls in the women's, 6 urinals in the guy's. New giant AC in MJQ, new paintings in every room. And the drinks are still cheap and strong. read more