The Masquerade is a concert venue in downtown Atlanta that’s located in the popular shopping and entertainment district known as Underground Atlanta. It first opened in 1989 and has three stages. Over the years, The Masquerade has become known for hosting less mainstream types of music, including punk, alternative rock, indie rock, and electronic music, although performers of other genres are often welcomed. During its long history, The Masquerade has hosted many prominent acts, including Weezer, the Smashing Pumpkins, Sheryl Crow, Oasis, Nirvana, Blink-182, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Green Day, and countless others. Capacity at The Masquerade varies depending on the three stages, although the largest stage at the venue has a capacity of 1,000 people.

Where are the Best Places to Sit at The Masquerade

All shows at The Masquerade are general admission, so there are no assigned seats. Therefore, visitors should try to arrive early if they wish to have a specific vantage point of the stage. Also, keep in mind that the crowd sizes will vary depending on the stage. The Purgatory stage has room for 300 people, while the Hell stage fits 550 people. The largest stage is Heaven, which has room for 1,000 concertgoers. Fortunately, for those who require seating, there is a designated area in front of the stage barricade. Guests who need a place to sit should contact the venue directly to make the proper arrangements; otherwise, be prepared for a general admission show.

Tips for Visiting The Masquerade

There is no centralized parking for The Masquerade, so visitors should take public transportation or plan to park downtown and walk to the venue. The good news is that The Masquerade is located in close proximity to many of Atlanta’s other attractions. The Underground Atlanta shopping district and the historic Fairlie-Poplar District are both close. Centennial Olympic Park and Georgia Aquarium are also located less than a mile from the venue, so there is a lot to do before or after a performance at The Masquerade.

Food to Try at The Masquerade

The Masquerade has multiple bars inside the venue but doesn’t serve food or allow guests to bring in outside food. However, downtown Atlanta features plenty of quality restaurants that are a short walk away. Within a one-block radius of The Masquerade, visitors will find Dolo’s Pizza, China Breeze Underground, and Jamrock Restaurant, which serves Jamaican food. There is also a cluster of restaurants a few blocks north of the venue just outside Woodruff Park, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a place to eat a full meal before or after an event at The Masquerade.