Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge

I visited the hotel and the courtyard! Upon entering it reminded me of a 1970s hotel, a fanciful your grandmas house kind feel. The chairs were the red velvet «Royal» chairs complete with a book shelf full of classic novels and contemporary magazines and a black cat that followed me all over the place! I have to admit that cat was pretty cool.
I visited the courtyard to do some light reading, and it was good except I was expecting a ponds with fish. Although there was no pond there were chairs and party lights streaming from both ends of the roof tops. What made the experience was that there was a staircase that led to a top patio over looking parts of the city. Overall it was nice, but the courtyard could have some serious work done to it.
The Highland inn Café was even better, they had an outdoor seating area where you could chill!

Not the fanciest of places, but Highland Inn Lounge is a great spot for events. The owner is a real supporter of the neighborhood. They host both free and paid admission events for the public. You can also reserve the space for your own event. Follow them on Facebook to see all their events!

This place gets a 3 as a nice venue for what it was. My girlfriend and I went to see a really great performance. As a venue for seeing things awesome. My review is on the bar.
This bar has a staff of people who can’t tell the difference between Guinness and Yuengling. We went on a Wednesday night to see a local show that was being put on
We thought ordering beer would be a simple process but when they messed up what was ordered they acted like she was being rude and just handed money to her and saying that’s the best we can do. No only did they over charge more than two drinks but they felt they deserved to keep the tip for their screw up.
I’ll go back, but don’t support their bar.

It’s hard to believe I’ve lived in Atlanta for almost 20 years and just made my first visit to the Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge. I didn’t know what I’d been missing.
Attending a book reading and signing event — George Saunders, writer extraordinaire, reading from his latest, «Tenth of December» — might be a different experience than the norm, but I thoroughly enjoyed the funky cool vibe of the space. Plenty of room for 150 people or so to mix and mingle, and the wait for the bar was never long. With a $ 6 special for well drinks, I was a happy girl.
Keep an eye out for future book readings here, usually in partnership with A Cappella Books. For an author you like, it’s definitely worth the time and expense.
The staff is welcoming and friendly, and will happily call a cab for you at the end of the evening.

There are lots of things I could try to compare to coming here. None of them would be accurate because there is a certain unique charm about this place.
Edward L. described the heavy velvet curtain in the corner as something from a low budget porn. I saw the same fabric and it reminded me of being at an after hours party in someone’s basement. Somewhere in between those two descriptions is the Highland Ballroom (as its normally shortened).
Much less divey than you’d expect and a mixed crowd that some nights probably includes too many white people [poorly] trying to dance.

I’m sure that I haven’t experienced the full potential of this place. Positive in fact.
That doesn’t mean I cant give a glowing review of my experience. I was here on Saturday afternoon for a record show. It’s was about 5 vendors who had lugged in crates and crates of their records to sell. It was completely free and they offered $ 2 growler beers as a special, which was awesome because it was a fantastic IPA. There was plenty of space, yet quite a few shoppers. It was the perfect venue for this because the vendors were taking turns showcasing certain albums from their beloved record racks. The attendees were anyone from your normal soccer mom, to the hardcore kid with green hair. Very cool to see everyone mix together with the same appreciation for music.
It was such a cool vibe, I would definitely go again. It beats the hell out of going to the normal Mariott conference room where you might as well be at a star trek convention. It was great being able to drink some good beer, discuss some music, and leave with a nice stack of vinyl.

Great staff, and a fun space. Open very late and they pour some tasty beverages. The only time I went there was a bad DJ, but the outdoor patio was great.

Finally I got to see a show that LOTS of other people were seeing, even other Unilocalers! :)
The recent Royal Thunder show was quite packed, but the bar did a great job keeping everyone in drinks. With lots of bodies in the door this place sounds and feels amazing. I’m a huge fan.

My review of the Highland Ballroom would be better if people were actually there. I’ve only been once on a Saturday night, and it’s seriously a ghost town… no wonder they have to charge cover all the time.
I mean, the layout of the place is alright. There’s a patio outside and the music is actually really good. But the lack of a crowd really brings down the atmosphere and we ended up leaving and going somewhere else.
Maybe management should consider making one night free to rejuvenate and re-​publicize the place.

The Ballroom is one of a kind! This place is located under the Highland Inn in a great location. The lighting is low and I love the disco ball.
It’s tight to make it to the bar but the tenders are fast and friendly. Good selection of beer and Schlitz for $ 2! Ha, nice!
Good acoustics and decent sound system makes this place a must for local bands/​fans.

Another place I frequent way too often. Come for the great music– see DJ Adam Bomb spin on Fridays– stay for the cheap beer and big dance floor.
Never gets super crowded, mostly because the space is so large. If the main bar is packed try the other bar on the dance floor– even after this long, most people forget about it. There are covers on the weekend, but it’s not expensive at all.
During warmer months there’s a great courtyard out back for smokers and people that need to cool off.

#Yelp365
⁶⁄₃₆₅
Not a bad spot. Came here for the 2011 Creative Loafing Fiction Party thingamabob. I missed the free Savage Pizza but oh well! Anyway, this is a cute little spot, reminds of those 1950s style bars I see on tv, that might be a bit of stretch, but whatevs. There was one bar open tonight for the reading with pretty good drink specials.
Having seen hello ocho perform here, I’m going to guess that this is what other shows here are like. The stage is really tiny and the acoustics seemed a little weird from where I was standing… which, given the size of the lounge, wasn’t even that far away. But… I don’t know. Don’t know if I’d come here again to listen to a band play loud, raucousy music.
At either rate, this place was okay, I may come here again, but at least I’ve satisfied my curiosity in the Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge (yes this was my first time there).

This was our last stop during our SantaCon pub crawl (not the official one as my boyfriend and I were the only ones dressed up). Upon entering there was a $ 5 cover, which I was not too keen about as there were no bands playing when we got there. Anyway there were quite a bit of people and their two bars accommodated the crowd quite nicely.
The smalled bar was near the lobby and the other one, which was a little larger was inside the larger room on the right of the small bar. This large room had plenty of tables, a stage, and plenty of room to dance. The restrooms were located behind the bar, but I didn’t check out their condition.
Their beer prices were decent and the bartenders were pretty friendly and easy to get their attention, but I think that was due to my costume.
Upon leaving the doorman was kind enough to call a cab for us as well as give us their number, so I def have a favorable impression of the their staff.

Who are these 26 reviewers?!?
I don’t know what you are experiences and interpretations of a «lounge» are but this certainly is not it!!!
Two words to describe this place: Dump! Tacky!
Things that pissed me off:
–its renovated, basement of a VFW or a Legion — is this place a joke?!
-$ 8 cover (no band)
–line outside (haha, these people are idiots, find another bar that is um, I dont know, BETTER!!!)
–college kids
–creepy old men in their 50s watching the little college girls
–small bar (watch out for elbows)
–long wait at the bar (who cares if the bartenders are friendly!?)
–cocktails being served out of plastic cups at the bar (no class to be called a lounge, that is for sure!)
Things that grossed me out:
–Shoes sticking to the ground bc its that GROSS
–college kids
–the bathrooms (clogged toilets and no one does anything about it)
–petafiles in the crowd
–drunk moshing all over the dance floor
This place doesn’t deserve the 26 4 ½ star reviews nor does it deserve to call itself a lounge!
I am sure there are more out there but I confidently admit this being one of the WORST bars in the Highlands. If you are smart, I wouldn’t consider making this a part of your night one way or another!

Sometimes, I just gotta bust out of that back door and get some fresh air. (But they wont let me.)
For me, things get crazy at the Highland Inn Ballroom.
Usually, tons of dancing, friendly bartenders, the ‘strooms aren’t nasty (but a tad on the crowded side.)
My favorite area of the HI is the alley right outside. It just screams «time to misbehave».
Overall, always a good time, good shows, cheap drinks and uh.“unexpected company”. For example… Laser-​eye space kitty in a banana hammock taking prom photos and (maybe) showing us his travel sizer. Just use that imagination folks.
Bada BING!
I’m glad I didn’t pass up such an epic show of robot heads and indecent exposure.

A cool little spot to either wind up (after dinner), or wind down (after hitting a club or show)… Its just not a place that you circle your night around.
The BIG pluses…
– Great bartenders — really friendly, really responsive, and really cool people in and of themselves.
– The unique set up: You can hang in three areas — the bar area which is kind of small and situated like a «lobby,» to either the main room (for DJs or bands), or the outdoor courtyard.
The Minuses…
– Lacks an identity: Above being a dive bar, but not quite a lounge. A place that is still looking for its «hook.» Both times I’ve been (once for an after party and another time to see a local band), I didn’t really feel compelled to stay and hang out. More of a place to have a couple drinks and mingle, then jump off to the next thing.
Despite all this, it has a whole lot of potential. It would be a great place to host more genre DJs, host art showings, or even a Karaōke night… and more importantly, actively promote itself in those things, rather than being so laid back about it.
A nice little place that just needs a little spark.

Brought a group of 10 to the Highland Ballroom last night for a great show. Bernadette Seacrest & her Provocateurs were playing and they are one of the many hidden gems on the music scene in the ATL — not sure how this place is not packed every time they play but hey, who likes crowds anyways??? Cover charge was only $ 8 — what can you get for $ 8 nowadays? Combine the band playing with the ambiance of the Ballroom and a stiff Jack Daniels on the rocks and you will feel like you are standing in the middle of a David Lynch movie — very cool vibe all around!
I know that «jazz» is not for everyone but this is so much more than what most people would expect — The trio is set up perfectly with Bernadette’s silky Billie Holiday voice backed up by a slappin’, walkin’ upright bass and a little country/​jazz fuzz guitar tone — perfect for a shady joint on a Wednesday night… Great crowd — a nice mix of young & old, gay and straight!
The drinks are cheap and you can still hear the music outside while you catch a smoke in the courtyard.
The Ballroom delivers as usual — I’ve never had a bad time here!
She plays here again on August 4^th, 2010…

The more I hang out at the Highland Inn, the more I like it. One memorable recent happening, the Laser Beam Kitty Show, delivered more than just a great line-​up of local electronic bands, including Sonen, the event organizer. In addition to auditory pleasure that cost a mere 5 bucks, visual stimulation abounded, especially during Sonen’s set. Apparently, a drove of robots travels with the group, dancing suggestively with each other and unsuspecting audience members. One of my favorite robots, who my friends and I have decided to call Neon Girl, wore all black, so the neon, light-​up outline of her body was the only thing visible in the dark. At one point, Neon Girl shimmied up to me, rolling in my body bubble. The other robots, donning more traditional spray painted cardboard box costumes, were just as mesmerizing as the band itself.
Plus, since my friends and I were quick to rush to the Laser Beam Kitty photo booth after Sonen’s show, we received free, cold, tall Asahi beers.
Plus plus, a patron was giving away free chocolate cupcakes in the bar area – a moist and delicious goodbye token to a friend who was moving out of town.
Plus plus plus, I didn’t smell like smoke when I got home!

I didn’t even realize this spot existed at first! Hidden beneath a hotel, this hot spot is variety at it’s finest. The night might start out with a comedy show followed by a night of hip hop. Or maybe it’s techno music complimented later with a live folk band. Whatever the vibe being set here is, the crowd is always excited to be there and the place stays lively. Bartenders are friendly and serve some great drinks that are well priced.
The décor is very non-​existent, but when you think about the different shows that go on here, it’s nice that the atmosphere isn’t set to be one single niche. There is a small outdoor courtyard you can sit in as well, and it’s nice on warmer nights.
If you love a variety of acts and don’t want to hear just one type of music all night, you should definitely hunt this place down. Exactly what you need if your tastes are as varied as the rainbow!

The first Tuesday of every month is the Crash Test Comedy Show at the Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge. A group of Unilocalers went tonight to support Viet H. in his stand-​up routine, one of the several bright spots in a night of cheap entertainment — $ 2 to get in! (Viet — props, dude. Funny sh*t! hehe)
A few of the comedians were bombs… one poor guy had his act cut short when he was gasping for air in dead silence as he rambled on about being a doctor on Tatuin, trying to diagnose STDs on alien genitalia (WTF? Not enough Star Wars geeks in the crowd I guess). He got a few courtesy claps — rough crowd. Then there was the guy that went on and on about his predilections for illegal substances and a line about inhaling poop vapors to get high. Stinker!
But damn, some of those peeps were hilarious. They could charge a few bucks more. And the beers were cheap — $ 3 PBRs. Have a few of those and even the crappy comedians get funnier.

I was told by my friend Shawn this place would be real fun. It was last minute so I got dressed up expecting it to be like Ballroom dancing. Instead, it was Old Country music night. From Waylon Jennings to Patsy Cline. @ djs were spinning, but the place only had maybe a dozen patrons. Better for me, I owned the floor. I danced on every square inch of the floor. It is quite large and then there is a separate area for the bar, with games and chairs. You can also step outside for a smoke (not me) and to get some fresh air, if you can, b/​c all the smoker are out there. I am a big country music fan and I hope they have other nights doing the country thing. I can stay ITP for my country fixxin!
I am unsure as to the quality of the mixed drinks, I was mildly (understated) intoxicated upon arrival. I don’t know if I had beer or water when I got there. Is all the same, I was having a a BALL!
I will be back to sample another weeknight. Let me know if you wanna!