The Tabernacle

152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA

Venue:

The Tabernacle is a showcase venue in Atlanta located adjacent to the Centennial Olympic Park. As the name suggests, it’s a converted church, with a stated capacity of 2,600. The building has been restored and retains both a sense of the history of the place, such as stained glass windows and old staircases, as well as a hip vibe. The floor area is usually general admission with reserved balcony seats on three balcony levels.

Seating:

The Tabernacle hosts a lot of major shows, and tickets generally sell quickly. As with any venue, good seats are available, but Live Nation’s Premium Seating reserves the best second balcony tickets for, you guessed it, a premium price. They roughly set aside the first two to three rows from Sections 206 around to 205.

Anywhere in the 200’s is a good seat. The 300’s are good within the first several rows, but you’re sightlines are definitely looking down at the stage beyond that point. The 400’s… you can say you were there, and you can say that you saw the show. But you’re as likely to opt to stand on the floor at least part of the time with the General Admission ticket holders to more truly “feel” the experience. Sound on the balconies directly opposite the stage can be a little wonky as well, particularly in the depths of the 300 and 400 center sections. Even on the floor under the 200 section, the sound gets flattened. A few steps forward makes a startling difference.

Sound quality is usually good to very good, but artists that play particularly loud let loose a tirade or reverberation that can be painful. Lighting is always good but improves if the band brings additional staging.

Dining:

There are no food options within. The Tabernacle does a brisk bar business, but understand that their prices are generally the highest of Atlanta’s music venues. Even PBRs aren’t cheap.

Pre-show, consider Der Biergarten, Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria, and Stats Brewpub with a bit of a (safe) walk or Ted’s Montana Grill within a block. Or Waffle House! There are a number of restaurant options in CNN Center as well, from fast food to fine(r) dining.

Parking:

Paid parking can be found on-site, at a garage on Baker St/Olympic Park Drive (usually $5-$10 cheaper than other lots), or other paid lots/garages nearby. Expect to pay $30 or more if other events are being held in the area.

While parking can be found without too much issue, allow a healthy margin of time to work through Atlanta traffic to actually get there. Rideshare options would obviously face the same challenges.

Should you arrive early, having extra time to stroll Olympic Centennial Park or enjoying a beverage of choice is better than risking a late arrival. 3