Caledonia Lounge

I drove up to Athens to see Strand of Oaks play at the Caledonia. It’s a teeny tiny venue located in a parking lot right behind the 40 Watt.
This place is definitely a hole in the wall. There was probably only a handful of people there for the show when we arrived. I enjoyed the intimate setting, but could imagine feeling a bit claustrophobic if a lot of people showed up to see a band. The place has seating along one wall for those that prefer to sit and relax during a show. The music is really loud here. My only complaint is that the sound isn’t the best, but I wouldn’t expect the best at a place like this. Tickets are cheap so stop by if you’re in the area and feeling some music.
Note: the address listed is actually for the stage door. Go around to the back of the building and you can enter there.

OK. Well. Another Athens music venue visited.
I was in town on business, and a band I had on my «see these guys» list was playing that night. I had a pretty good idea of where I was supposed to go. Except that that their street address is the stage door. Gotta go around the corner to find the entrance.
Nice outoor setting before the gate, bar and stage inside. Beer was priced about where I expected, sound quality was… well, it was loud. As expected. A few places to sit, a few more places to stand.
I’d go back, for the right price/​band combination.

Located directly behind the amazing 40watt club the Caledonia is like the larger venue’s little sibling. Hosting a slew of local, Atlanta, and smaller touring bands they provide a really fun indie atmosphere. Tickets are always cheap and you may get to witness an upcoming band that will headline the CMJ next year or one of the many local celebs sipping on a $ 2 PBR.
Dig it.

Ok. The employees here… complete assholes. Nothing positive to say about that. Acoustics aren’t the best. Some good bands, but often I won’t go just because of the staff. I have had a guy almost turn me away for my ID… which WAS mine. What a joke. Get a life pals.
The only reason these guys get two stars instead of one is for the music. Keep bringing more good people, and maybe I’ll venture over that way more often. The people there can be cool… as can the bands… just staff… get it together!

Remember that 80’s song, «Balls to the Wall»?
Cool, it has nothing to do with Caledonia. Unless you replace the «balls» with «hole» and the «to» with «in».
A true hole in the wall venue, Caledonia is just around the corner from the historic 40 Watt. And much cooler, I’d say.
Because Caledonia features amazing bands in an intimate space. It’s simple, really: You enter a narrow room, see the bar on your left, the crowd ahead, and the band on the stage up front. Christmas lights always hang on top of the bands’ heads on the ceiling, adding a touch of style to each group that plays.
I headbanged many a time here in my college years. Also drank many Bud’s, smoked many cigarettes, and kissed a pretty boy or two. It was a good place to grow up. Just like classes, dorms, conflicts, and fights… Ah, forever Athens.
And Forever Caledonia.

I love the Caledonia. Recently there was a show aimed at raising money to get a better sound system, so the music will sound even better even there.
I’m a little confused about Blake B.‘s review, so if you are intimidated by the thought of chunky indie rock kids jumping around spastically, be not afraid! The Caledonia will not eat your soul and spit it out. You will do just fine, and if there are any indie kids there you may not even recognize them as such. (And if you do they’ll probably be pretty nice to you.)
The space is small. The 40 Watt used to be housed here until they moved onto bigger and better spots around the corner on Washington St. It’s a little hard to find the Caledonia Lounge, so be forewarned: if you wander around aimlessly your first time looking for it, consider that journey a rite of passage. The Caledonia’s entrance is nestled in the parking lot on Pulaski St. between Washington St. and Clayton St., literally behind the 40 Watt building. Ask anyone nearby you see, and he/​she will be able to direct you with a point or a kind word.
The club is pretty small inside but also has a large patio outside for hanging out, complete with an upper level. Lots of tables and chairs. Sometimes for special happy hour shows bands set up outdoors and entertain at a lower volume. (Sitting outdoors while bands play inside is viable option, too, as you can hear very well outside – the club is LOUD.)
Earplugs are available for $ 0.50/pair indoors. Save your ears and buy a pair!
Do yourself a favor and visit this club. Check out the listings at
or

this is one of the most intimate performance spaces in downtown athens.
while it helps if you’re a townie with ‘indie’ leanings – it’s not a requirement that you wear t-​shirts from obscure bands or movies from the 70’s.
i saw the lovers here. i spent valentines day here with friends a few years ago. definitely one of the better ‘small’ spaces in athens.
(check the flagpole for schedule of shows. or just show up.)

A hole in the wall venue located right around the corner from the 40 Watt. This place is kind of like watching bands from the inside of a concrete block, which some people might actually be into. It’s small and sweaty and a bit cramped as far as sound quality goes.
If you’ve never been to a show in Athens before, you might want to be warned that Athens indie kids kind of have a problem with hand-​clapping. They drink a bunch of vegan Red Bull and then are so excited that the 7″ they’ve been listening to for the past 3 weeks is being played live in front of them that they can’t stand still, and they begin throwing their chunky tight t-​shirted bodies around spastically, both embarrassing themselves and the bands they’re gushing over. It’s really pretty gross.
I’ve seen a couple decent shows here but I kind of hope I never end up back here.