Athens has a variety of venues and stores for music lovers.
Ranking as one of the coolest towns in the U.S. by an independent travel website, Athens, Ohio is an oasis for music lovers new and old to the area for its diverse and flourishing music scene. From those who like to sip a latte while soaking in the vibes of acoustic tunes to others who like jamming to some rock n’ roll, there’s something for everyone in this town.
Casa Nueva
Worker-owned and Mexican inspired Casa Nueva Restaurant and Cantina, 6 W. State St., is listed among the entertainment website Impulcity’s “12 Best Restaurants in Ohio.”
Casa isn’t just known for serving its delicious local eats, but also for welcoming live music from musicians from all genres Wednesdays through Saturdays.
“We might have the widest variety of music,” said worker-owner Tommy Stumpp. “On any given night, we might have a DJ or a punk band or a bluegrass band or a local rock n’ roll band.”
Smiling Skull
The Smiling Skull Saloon, 108 W. Union St., offers a tight, dive bar-like atmosphere in the Athens bar scene. The Skull hosts a variety of genres — even what owner Chris Wolfe calls “progressive, unrecognizable noise” — attracting a diverse crowd of music lovers multiple nights a week.
“We also have some more, old-fashioned or contemporary bands that play some older rock n’ roll or blues or any kind of blues rock,” Wolfe said.
For those who wish to brave the stage, the Skull hosts open mic nights every Tuesday and karaoke on Wednesdays.
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Jackie O’s
Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, 24 W. Union St., isn’t only a place to grab a few award-winning local brews. The pub hosts live shows three to four nights a week, including a Celtic band on Tuesday evenings and jazz on some afternoons, put on by students from the School of Jazz.
“It’s a pretty fun, warm, atmosphere,” said Tom Potter, kitchen manager at Jackie O’s. “We have two spaces, so there’s different environments, so we could have a smaller, more intimate show on our BrewPub side, or more of a big-jam band or a rock band on the other side. There’s lots of dancing, and people seem to have a good time.”
Donkey Coffee
Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 W. Washington St., is warmed by the aroma of fair-trade coffee and decorated with the artwork of local artists. The back room of Donkey is packed every Thursday night from 8 to 11:30 p.m., as music lovers gather to listen to artists of an array of genres that step up to the mic on open stage night.
Leah Wilson, an Ohio University senior who comes to open stage weekly, performed in front of the Donkey crowd in her final weeks of being a student here. She said Donkey is what she will miss most Athens.
“Everybody here is so friendly and positive, and I always feel safe coming in here,” Wilson said. “There’s no place in Athens that I feel safer. And the coffee’s good, so it’s just a great place to be.”
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House Shows
Rising in the Athens live-music scene are “house shows,” serving as an alternative music venue for those who choose to avoid the Court Street bars. Those concerts are held in Athens’ homes, hosting both local and out-of-state bands that pass through Ohio.
However, house shows often take place in a legally unfamiliar area, as Athens Municipal Code does not permit certain things that occasionally happen at these concerts, such as asking for cover charges to hear music in a residential area.
Megan Fair, a sophomore studying journalism and executive director of All Campus Radio Network, said most bands that play at these events, which consist of local and regional artists who pass through Athens while on tour, make money through donations and selling merchandise, not necessarily through cover charges at the door.
“Because these shows are in a legal gray area, it can be hard to pin-point what show is going on where,” Fair said.
She suggests keeping an eye out for fliers on the streets and going to other live music venues, such as the Smiling Skull, to network with artists.
“It’s kind of like a fun scavenger hunt,” she said.
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Blue Eagle
Blue Eagle Music, 40 N. Court St., has sold musical instruments, accessories and repairs in the same location since its opening in 1971, remaining loyal to its classic ambiance with its solid oak floors and high ceilings.
Blue Eagle also provides musical lessons in its basement for hobbyists and passionate band members alike.
“I do a whole lot of variety of new and used stuff, including a lot of vintage guitars that certain people really appreciate,” said owner Frank McDermott. “You can see that the look is really a throwback; it’s an old-school place.”
Items range from ukuleles to wood flutes to a variety of folk instruments, and trade-in options are available for anyone wishing to swap out their old instruments.
Haffa’s
Haffa’s Records, 15 W. Union St., is a must-see shop for all vinyl collectors and anyone who enjoys kicking back and listening to music the old-fashioned way. Haffa’s is the only remaining record store in Athens, managing to keep up with the music scene despite existing in the age of digital downloads and instant streaming.
With a dollar bin full of bargain treasures, as well as collectables that range from $50 to $60, there’s something for everyone on any budget.
“I try to stock a little bit of everything,” said owner Andrew Lampela. “There’s a lot of obscure stuff in here. We try to be a little bit weirder with our collection.”
@Alisa_Warren
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