What Should Go Here?: East Atlanta Icehouse
Former bar and restaurant was a staple in Atlanta's live music scene.
The old East Atlanta Icehouse, formerly known as the Echo Lounge, at 543 Flat Shoals Ave.
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The former East Atlanta Icehouse holds a special place for me in terms of special connections.
The old music venue at 543 Flat Shoals Ave. — better known to longtime Atlantans as the former Echo Lounge — is the reason I discovered East Atlanta.
It sparked my interest in the neighborhood that had a Brooklyn hipster vibe and eventually led me to buying a home in the EAV.
My first foray to EAV was with some friends who were really into the Empire State, a band from Athens.
I didn't care for Empire State but I really liked the Echo Lounge and neighborhood I've called home for nearly 11 years.
In that time, I seen some great bands such as Calexico, some funny entertainers like El Vez and some interesting events such as the Pucking Fuppet Show at the 543 Flat Shoals.
I was sad to see the Echo Lounge close — thanks to Atlanta City Hall's notorious red tape — but happy to see the building get new life as the Icehouse a couple years ago.
But the Icehouse was shortlived.
Now the building sits empty.
I know some of you will say we still have the Earl in the EAV, and I've seen quite a few great shows there, too.
But it seems to be a waste to have a venue that's not being used.
Would you like to see the Icehouse/Echo Lounge building come back as a music venue? If not, how would you repurpose it?
owner
11:43 am on Thursday, March 22, 2012
Everybody wants a Ruby Tuesday here. We have been asking for it for years.
Péralte Paul
12:00 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
I doubt that. One of of the things that makes neighborhoods like EAV and Inman Park distinctive is their lack of chains and cookie-cutter businesses that can be found in Anywhere, USA. Besides, Decatur has a Ruby Tuesday's and it's just a hop, skip and a jump away from EAV.
Nick
12:16 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
+1 on the live music venue...even if it's a restaurant/bar/pub that showcases live music...
rad harris
12:22 pm on Thursday, March 22, 2012
well... funny you mention it. i'm sure i'm not the only one, but a group of my folks want to pool some investor money together to make a venue (music, theatre, comedy, rental space)/gallery/shop. i've never been in there, but i'd love to get a peek and learn more about cost!
Dean
7:05 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
I would say live music except the layout and acoustics are just awful. Plus the rent is probably too damn high to sustain a place laid out for live music 6 days a week. What EATL doesnt need is just another bar. I would say pool hall or an ormsbys type place. No disrespect to midway across the street but you would think midway would have more games.
Jennifer Davis Staack
7:29 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
Big enough for a few bowling lanes plus games plus music? Probably not. I just want someone to build a Brooklyn Bowl in East Atlanta. It would be so awesome. Who's gonna do it?
Péralte Paul
9:34 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
I'm not sure it's big enough to hold a bowling alley and something that intense would probably require more parking, I think. But I like bowling and I'm from Brooklyn, so I'm kind of like a Brooklyn Bowl(er), lol!
Victor Cooper
10:57 am on Friday, March 23, 2012
+1 Pool hall
Scott L.
12:38 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
I noticed some work going on inside the building last week when I picked up my guitar from Earthshaking Music. I asked someone working inside, and they're supposedly turning it into a cafe/restaurant/bar/music venue called "Asylum". Opening early May according to the person with whom I spoke.