MJQ is one of the best dance floor so far in ATL , i've been to many clubs in ATL but this is something special than others which makes me to go often ...if you need a typical dance club with top 20 hip hop and classy outfit with lounge this is not the right place .No dress code no classy outfits its absolutely a real dance club with good people. im ready to hit floor now :)...
Review Source:This is my favorite club in Atlanta! No pretentious people, no $12 weak drinks, no dress code, and no person at the front telling me I need a back strap on my shoes just to go to happy hour(Vanquish)! I LOVE this place. Old school basement house party at its finest! My cousin visited from NYC and had the best time, even participated in a dance battle! And we are 40!! Best time always!
Review Source:Let me start off by saying IF YOU CANT AFFORD TO BUY YOUR CHICK A DRINK OF HER OWN YOU SHOULDNT BE HERE FELLAS altho I was enjoying m6 night some bumb ass dude knocked my whole drink out my hand BOY WAS I HOTT my boyfriend even pressed him to buy another one but he didnt have $$$ him and his girl were SHARING HELL NAW but the music is hip hop gotta love it.. Its very casual  so you don't have dress up they allow you to smoke so you may come out smelling smokey... Fun night out drinks could be stronger tho
Review Source:A place that values being 'cool', but, at least last Saturday, ended up feeling smug and hostile.
I've been to MJQ before and had a good time, but I went last Saturday, and it was remarkably lame, and it changed my opinion of the place.
We waited in line for 15-20 minutes even though there was no apparent occupancy issue (it was pretty empty when we finally got inside). Â In any case, a man in a three-piece suit coordinated for several of his bros to enter. Â 20 dollar cover for men; 10 for women.
But more importantly, the music was bad. Â I understand the music varies night to night, and other people seemed to be enjoying themselves, but Saturday night sounded like pandora with Soulja boy as the go-by, with sporadic and jerky interruptions by a DJ who looked like he was 17. Â I want to dance to a good DJ, not an amateur rapper. Â The overall vibe was sort of hostile, maybe a result of it being like 80% dude.
Too cool for me.
MJQ is MJQ ....As in.."It is what It is....there is no place in Atlanta like it as It is literally a hole in the ground. Â You go to dance and lose yourself with some random person in the corner.....Not to post up on the wall in your Tori burch shoes and fake Chanel bag (Char c.) Â You wear sneakers and a t-shirt with some vulgar slogan on the front. Â The music is great (sometimes) and the pbr is cheap. Â If you want the normal Atlanta suburban or Snellville crowd, Â you may want to rethink your evening...... Â MJQ rocks!!!
Review Source:MJQ is technically an acronym for Modern Jazz Quartet. While this club is the place to get down and dance, it does have some similarities to jazz clubs from back in the day. Not only because it's underground, but also due to the fact MJQ could be a speakeasy if it wasn't for the signs calling out "Parking for MJQ/ Drunken Unicorn".
I had a blast dancing to Sloppy Seconds, along with the veritable other 20-somethings in Atlanta.
All races, shapes and sizes gather at MJQ for the same purpose: to party!!! Frat boys, wanna-be-rap stars (and the girls dressed to look like their in a music video), hipsters, tatted up artists, and then me - the awkward freckled girl who can't really dance.
Thank goodness this place is sans pretension. Don't worry about dressing to impress because you're gonna get sweaty.
Drinks may be hard to access due to not enough bartenders on packed nights (which is the only reason I took off a star) yet they are cheap. A round of beers only cost $6. Granted it was PBR and High Life...but heck what else do you need?
Word of the wise, pre-purchase tickets online prior to coming on an event Friday or Saturday. We were able to waltz through the back entrance without waiting in line. I only wish I would have been drunker...because then I wouldn't have thought everyone was judging me for my bad dancing!
Personally, I would give 4.5 stars if I could.. but here we go...
We had an blast here last night with the 4 star DJ playing 5 star old school hip hop. The music and the atmosphere was just awesome, yet my eyes were bleeding (almost) from the amount of smoke in the air. It didn't get too crowded until 1 am, which for me is acceptable. The $10 cover might also have played a role in this. I'm also not a fan of the cash bar personally, which is another reason I'm not giving a full 5 stars here.
This was a new club for us... Had plans on going to the Clermont Saturday night, but a line around the building led us to this underground treasure of a dance party.
Two areas, the main bar was very crowded and seemed to be hosting a primarily hip-hop party, which we hung out for a while and then headed to the side room and smaller bar area where a friend of ours was spinning disco/funk records. We had so much fun dancing that night... I certainly hope MJQ will host another dance party with DJ Dave SOON!!!
Bar seemed to be fairly priced, $4 for ranger IPA, but friends liquor drinks were shoddy and grossly sweet IMO. $3 coat check for ya.
Usually an establishment that looks like a literal tool-shed would get poor reviews. MJQ can, apparently, make anything super cool. Instead of "I'm not going to some toolshed for a drink!" you'll be saying, "A tool-shed, brilliant! Most impressive!"
MJQ is a fun time, as long as the crowd is fun (which depends on the night, really). In general, the crowd is fairly diverse and easy going. Between the music, atmosphere, and drinks, you'll almost certainly have a great time.
It is underground, so you'd be mistaken in thinking there is ventilation of any sort here. Be prepared to be sweaty and for others to be sweaty. It can get super packed, so if you are claustrophobic (and STILL decided to go under a tool-shed to a bar) then you might have issues once it gets busy.
It's worth a trip, but I never made it a regular place. It is a bit too crazy for when I just want to relax with friends.
Yes, go into the old garage looking dungeon.
Why did they remove the rails above? Anywho, I always leave drunk, pooped from dancing around, and shoes unrecognizable. Fun place to go. You'll find all types of characters here. You'll find people dry humping in the corner here, nearly passed out drunk by the entrance here, disgusting bathrooms here (bring GermX)... you get the drift.
There's def a new scene that has taken over MJQ... at many times... I kind of do miss the old days here.
Always a good time, never a dull moment, great for people watching ..
This has been by far the best and most entertaining club I've had the chance to grace. The crowd is extensive and attracts all walks of life I should say. On Fridays you can enjoy the sounds of old school hip hop or Saturdays the awesome sounds of the early 80s and 90s. This club has it all and is a mellow place, not one of those you stepped on my shoes now in going to bust a cap in you. Age ranges from 20s-30s and I have seen a few older people in there. They offer a full bar and some beer. They only accept cash and do have an ATM on site. The drinks are pretty cheap and they don't skimp on the alcohol. When it comes to beer they don't have much variety but still good none the less. They close at a decent hour and offer up a variety of DJs. I recommend this for people new to Atlanta who aren't trying to go to a mainstream club.
Review Source:My absolute favorite club in ATL. If you like to dance and not just stand around looking at people (Compound, Velvet, Reign, Mansion), this is the spot for you. The music on Friday is the absolute best, takes me back to high school and college. FUN TIMES! Only downside is parking and the heavy smoke (yes, they smoke "that" in there, too). Do not expect upscale ambiance or "all eyes on me" types. Another reason to love this place, though.
Review Source:What an odd, odd place, but the sound & good times make up for it!
Being an out of towner & being spoiled by a "no smoking" ban in NC, I was not prepared for the onslaught of cigarette smoke that bombards this "underground bunker" of a club. :D However, it was my good friend DJ Rasta Root's Face Off party that brought me here, so I had to make the best of it. Â I was pre-warned not to wear anything fancy or nice.
There's only one bar area & even though it's long, it couldn't keep up with the hundreds of people packed in the space.
Needless to say, the more packed it gets, the more uncomfortable it is. BUT, if you're there with a group of friends & the music is good, you'll forget about being uncomfortable. :)
It was really crowded which is usually a downer for me. But not tonight. Phife from A Tribe Called Quest performed some of their mainstream hits. Everyone was in a good mood. I pretty much was buzzing before I got there but I still hit the bar up. The bartenders were really cool and got drinks prepared fast as possible. There are 2 sides to this place and both were jumping. I was kinda down about the $20 cover but I see why cause a hip hop legend was performing. He even said he felt like he was in New York. Good job Phife Dog! I recommend hitting this place up if u don't want to worry Bout a dress code and just want to get out and mingle.
Review Source:I don't know how I've missed reviewing my favorite hometown night spot.
I've been going to MJQ for YEARS (until I left the Atlanta area in 2010).
Your first time going - you'll probably look around and wonder if you're being punked. The top of the club looks like a tool shed. And yes, it's underground -- LITERALLY. I've heard rumors that the club used to be a parking garage, and I believe it, because of the 45 degree incline that you have to walk down once you enter. Ladies, leave the stilettos at home if you don't want a broken neck. Leave them at home anyway because this ain't that kinda spot. Don't wear your "good clothes" either because at the end of the night you'll smell like a bar.
They don't take credit cards so bring your cash. There is an ATM outside in the lot next door, but you might get asked for change from the "valets" working the parking lot. Â I believe there is an ATM inside as well.
My favorite night is Fridays - old school hip hop.
If you want to stand on the wall and look cute with your Louboutin shoes - this is not your spot.
If you want to hear the garbage on the radio that you can hear on 3 stations at the same dayum time - then this club is NOT for you.
If you don't want anyone stepping on your shoes or don't want people touching you - this is not your spot.
If you want to order "bottle service" and "be seen" - this is not your spot.
If you want to dance until you sweat like you've been at the sauna, if you want to have a GREAT time like you're in college again, if you want to party with different people from all walks of life...then THIS is YOUR spot.
I will say - the last few times I've gone home, I feel like MJQ is succumbing to the "Atlanta Nightclub disease" and the vibe is changing (or maybe I'm getting older? I'm not sure). The crowd seems to be getting younger, and the club seems to be losing its edge and grittiness.
This is by far my favorite place in Atlanta to go and Shake my bum bum. Now I have only been on Wednesday nights, so I can only speak to that. I have only been maybe twice, in which it was not jam packed down there.
The main room blasts anything from Phoenix to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to The Rolling Stones. Unless you like this type of music, I suggest you don't go on this night. The back room plays old school hip hop, BUT you can't really dance back there bc people are usually break dancing.
I recommend getting there early if you want to sit near the dance floor or get a drink. There are typically 2-3 bartenders, and they are NEVER able to handle the crowd. I don't hold this against them though because I either go already liquored up, or I get there early enough to get liquored up before the crowd shows.
You will see all types of different dances, and the scene is quite hipster-esque. I LOVE IT!! I always recommend this place for people with a thirst for divers music and crowds.
I wish I could give this zero stars.
I loathe this place and avoid it like the plague.
I used to actually enjoy it when I was 21, when they played good music and it was a big dance party.
I haven't been in about a year, my last experience was awful. It was sweaty and packed with really young kids, I really doubt they were of legal age. If you're a woman expect to get hit on and felt up by creeps, and I mean really felt-up, sickening. The bathrooms are dark and filthy with doors that don't shut. The whole basement-cave area smells like urine and broken dreams. There is a separate room that plays hip-hop which is sort of redeeming for the place...
MJQ is one of my favorite underground hip hop clubs in Atlanta. Â The music is incredible on Friday nights and what I love about this place is the djs play a little of EVERYTHING spanning across decades. Â It's only $10 to get in and the drinks aren't expensive either. Â Too bad I'm beyond the age bracket to really enjoy this place like I use to, but if you are between the ages of 24-31, then I'd say make this place your regular hangout spot. Â
Oh and warning, watchout for the random crackheads who claim to be parking lot attendants - taking personal interest in "protecting" YOUR car and YOUR car only...for a few dollars of course:-)
I've never had a bad time at MJQ. The only underground club in Atlanta. Â It may be hard to identity because it favors an old garage (It's right next to the Chipotle on Ponce.). You will be greeted by a bouncer who will check your I.D. and ask for 10 bucks.
As you enter, the floor is a bit deep steep as yo walk into this cave like atmosphere but then you see a huge open room with bars and around dancing to old school hip hop. The other room has break dancers!
This is a place where people actually dance and have a good time. You don't have to wear to be seen, it's just a fun atmosphere.
The bathrooms are a bit weird. How can I say this...there are no mirrors and last time I was there no hand soap, so bring your sanitizer!.
Friday nights, old school hip hop....where else can you get that? actual dance club that you'd honestly be silly to be walking around with stilettos on. It's relaxed, intimate and everyone is there for the love of the old school jams (at least on friday nights).
My friend dragged me here and I was soooo happy she did! Literally I was a little scared, going underground but the party started off slow and quickly got jumping! We parked across the street in the grocery parking lot, probably not legal...
The bathrooms are small and not all that clean but decent for a club.
You like old school hip hop 80/90's...good drinks, I seriously got drunk off my ass for not that much money, dancing, strobe lights, casual dress....MJQ is the place!
Yoooooo! Ive been looking for a club to dance in atlanta. Finally Ive been here for 6 years and finally found one. I went saturday night one night had a decent time. Just was happy to see everyone dancing not to many wall standing. But one day i was bored wed. night and looked for somewhere to go. MJQ came up. I was like what. I got dress asap. It was like 11:45pm. So i checked it out Wed. night. And it was crazy mayne! I found me a new spot in atlanta. Thanks for YELP. Â I heard its nice on Friday nights also. BUT wed. will be my night. I didn't know so many people party on wed nights.
This is not a place to hook up with people. Its just a place to dance and party and enjoy drinking all at once. This is the place to go. I'm a try to get there every wed. night.
This is possibly the best club in Atlanta. It's been here for a LONG time, and hasn't changed its course since its beginnings. It's literally an underground club, and I initially thought it was going to suck (it looks REAL shady from the outside), but once you get in? Man, your entire life changes. The DJs are REAL DJs; not a bunch of yuppie hipsters with a MacBook, crossfade-song feature, and shuffle turned on. They literally do spin on the one's and two's, and the music is never a failure. They deliver no matter what. And they play virtually all genres of music. I'm more into house, dub step, drum n' bass, and hip hop myself, but the DJs are usually really adept at making every track dance-able.
You want to go here. But you want to go here with someone who's been here before to get a really fun experience. Either way, you're guaranteed to have the time of your life in there.
When I think of MJQ, the first things that pop into my head are the Jersey Shore theme song, and neon lights.
MJQ is a treat, a blast, a good time, if you will. Whenever I take friends from out-of-town, they later describe it as "that underground dance club". Always a hit, and always full of characters. Get ready to shed your pride when you go out at MJQ.
Inside this concourse, there are several rooms. The bar is free-standing in the middle of the room, so there is plenty of area surrounding. In the back, you'll find the stage you might be dancing on, later.
If you're actually looking at the building from the outside, there are 3 different places: The Drunken Unicorn, Friends (a-top), and MJQ. Each have their own entrance. MJQ will be the one with no thru-traffic, probably based on the amount of people loitering outside, preparing themselves for dance party mode.
Wednesday night is the best night to hit up MJQ for dancing, and typically there is a cover. I would grab a drink first, and then hit the dance floor. It doesn't get extremely packed until after midnight, then, well- GOOD LUCK. This is the kind of place I would recommend going with friends.
So you'll have a lot to talk about later.
This place is an Atlanta Institution. The Wednesday night, late-night dance parties here are the stuff of legend. Friday night and Saturday nights are also great. Just be careful not to arrive too early. The place won't get going until midnight; however, it will stay hopping until four in the morning.
The main dance room usually has an eclectic mix of musical dance tunes while the back room (adjoining / adjacent to Drunken Unicorn) is more of a hip hop dance room with people participating in a dance-off ritual / competition.
On Wednesday nights, in the back room dance area, you can see a 60 year old white guy who will be dancing in an odd herky-jerky 70s disco style with several young guys doing acrobatic hip hop. Rumor has it the aforementioned old guy works at or teaches at Georgia Tech.
I think clubs are pretty much all the same. What makes this club unique are the people who come to party, the prices, little random things, and THE PEOPLE. We went on a Friday which is the 90's hip hop/reggae night. It was really packed in the main room. First off finding parking wasn't that crazy and the bouncer was sweet (usually these guys are tools). $10 admission was awesome and $5 drinks is what I live for.
The little things I liked about the club were the air vents in the center of the dance floor, the new toilets, and the seating area next to the dance floor. What really blew me away was how cool everyone was. We had just left the meat market that is "Twist" and to come to this environment was refreshing. The women were dressed to dance and not stuck up. I danced with a bunch of guys and they were all very respectful, these days guys can get a little handsy.This is definitely my favorite club environment.
I've been going to MJQ since around 2003 and though it's undergone some changes in the crowd, DJ's, and decor it remains my first choice when I'm going out in Atlanta.
The music is all over the place. Don't come expecting to hear Top 40. There are a million other clubs that cater to that. On any given night you will hear a few top 40 songs but you'll also hear Funk, Soul, Dubstep, Dancehall reggae, Baltimore Club, Electro, House, Indie Rock, and just about anything else you can think of. A lot of the DJs take risks which doesn't pay off from time to time but for the most part it definitely works.
and one big thing:
DO NOT MAKE REQUESTS TO THE DJS.
They usually will not honor them anyway. MJQ is one of the few places that really lets DJ's show off their art form and let them be creative. Don't ruin it by asking for the "Boots with the fur" song or Black Eyed Peas.
There are two rooms; The main room and the Cafe. For me, the Cafe is the better room. The music's a bit more eclectic and I like the intimate atmosphere.
Here's a breakdown of what goes on during the week:
Wednesdays:
Main Room - Varies but typically a lot of 2000-present Indie Rock. Cafe - House/Disco or Funk/hip-hop (alternates weekly) - This is usually when a lot of the dancers in Atlanta show up. The house dancers and poppers tend to dominate the cafe on the house nights and the b-boys dominate on the hip-hop/funk nights. When I say Funk, I'm referring to James Brown style, 60's era Funk and breakbeats. Not 70's "Workin at the car wash" Funk. The dancers have been a staple at MJQ since it was just a little room under the Ponce De Leon Hotel so if you're a spectator show a bit of respect...don't push anybody, don't get anybody's face, don't make fun of them, etc. As a b-boy I can tell you most of us are very respectful and just want to dance. Price - Free I think
Thursdays:
First Thursdays of the month the Cafe is usually open to accommodate the 21+ crowd who are at Drunken Unicorn for Fuck YESSS, a monthly electro party. Main room's usually closed. Every other Thursday, it's usually closed unless there's a special event going on.
Friday:
Mostly 90's Hip-hop. When I say 90's hip-hop, I mean the music is similar to what you would've heard at a hip-hop party in the 90s...classic hip-hop and deeper cuts, hip-house, Baltimore club, etc. All the Fridays I've been are packed. Hands down, the best night to go to in Atlanta if you love hip-hop. You'll occasionally see a few b-boys there. Price: 5-10
Saturday:
Main room - Used to vary a good bit but lately it's turned into a Dubstep night for most of the time. I like dubstep but unless I'm at a dubstep party, i can get tired of it. It's honestly hard to predict. I think the last Saturdays of the month are when the Cobra Corps. DJs are there and you'll hear a lot of 90s/early 2000s southern hip-hop (DSGB, Pastor Troy 3-6 Mafia, So So Def), Baltimore club, with a little dubstep and New Orleans Bounce thrown in there. The Cafe - also varies a good bit, hard to say what you're going to hear in there on a Saturday. Price: 5-10
2nd Saturdays of the month are usually Sloppy Seconds where bigger acts will come through. It gets packed early and is usually 15-20 depending on what acts are there.
In my opinion, Saturday has become the weakest night to go most of the time except certain Saturdays out of the month depending on your taste but it's still better than 95% of the clubs in Atlanta if you actually want to dance and not pose at a VIP table.
Some final things:
-Cash bar. Don't be surprised when you get there.
-Parking. There is a parking lot across from MJQ that is paid. You can also park in the shopping center on the opposite side where Bookhouse Pub is but it fills up early. There's also street parking on Somerset Terrace (Liberty Tattoo is on the corner) or on Bonaventure, the next street over. You can park at Kroger but it's risky. I've known several people that have had their car towed.
-Leave the sandals and open toed shoes at home. The floor gets filthy and a lot of glass gets broken throughout the night. If you get a cut, it's on you.
-Be respectful. I know the bouncers here and they don't put up with BS from anybody. You try and pick a fight or get too rowdy, you will get kicked out in a hurry.
-If you want Bottle Service or a VIP section or want to posture and look cool, please, please choose another venue. You're in the wrong place. A lot of what put MJQ on a slight decline in the past couple years is a clientele coming and expecting something it's not and then getting angry about it and ruining the vibe. This isn't coming from a place of pretentious "This was our spot and it needs to stay underground." I simply want the new people that come to check out it to enjoy as much as the regulars who've been coming since it opened. MJQ serves a specific niche in the Atlanta club scene and I would hate to see it become a carbon copy of all the other places out there.
I will be the first to admit that MJQ can be hit or miss. But when it hits, oh how it hits!
I've been here when it's dead and awkward, I've been here when it's absolutely packed to the gills... I definitely prefer the latter. The breakdancing room in the middle is always my go-to spot, as I've come in here to escape the sweatiness of the main room of MJQ for a bit of dancing or to save my eardrums from the loud music at Drunken Unicorn on a date. And either way I've had a great time. 5 stars for the middle room, where they pump the air conditioning and always play fun, lighthearted music. Oh, and you can dance battle, if that's your kind of thing.
The main room of MJQ can be awesome, boring, or scary: totally depends on the night you arrive and what you decide to make of it. But to be honest, that's part of what I love about this place. You can go in, ready to shake it, and have the absolute time of your life. Or, you can arrive a little early, be welcomed in to an empty awkward space, and decide to leave early. It's like a choose your own adventure novel, and hell, I loved those suckers.
After hearing so much about this place, I finally had the opportunity to go here. Â For starters, you can park directly across the street for $5 or you can park elsewhere, like I did, for free. Â I don't know the towing policy so if you get towed don't Message me. Â
When I first walked up to the entrance, I wasn't sure if I was at the right place or not. Â The outside looks like a place you can bring your car for tune-ups. Â The cover charge to enter is only $5, a very reasonable price. Â This is truly an underground type of place, you literally have to walk down a cave-like entrance. Â There are two rooms, the main room larger than the other. Â In fact, you can easily walk past the other room without realizing it. Â The main room has its typical bar, but what set it apart to me are the seating arrangements of this place. Â Along the walls, corners, and nooks, are cool little bench-type chairs to sit. Â There are plenty of little spots to get your groove on.
The price for drinks is fair, but once that place gets packed you'll only want to be drinking water. Â While they only take cash, they do have ATM's available. Â From what I've heard, the restrooms were once disturbing, but they've renovated the bathrooms. Â
The highlight of this place is definitely the music. Â On this particular night, two DJ's, Jah Prince and Rasta Roots, were on the turn tables. Â If I could, I would have tipped these guys and give them a standing applaud. Â They mainly played Hip-Hop, Dancehall, and Reggae. However, it wasn't the mainstream songs that are so played out. Â They played cuts that instantly transported me back to my teenage and early 20's. Â In the smaller room, they DJ played similar music as well. Â I was highly amused watching people Pop-Locking...to every damn genre of music. Â Never have I seen anyone Pop-Lock to Reggae, I suspect if they broke out some Beethoven they would have been doing the same.
Yes, they allow people to smoke. Â As a non-smoker, it didn't bother me because they music was THAT good.
I will definitely return, especially when these DJ's are there.
No matter what I'll love this place. For as long as I've known about it, MJQ has prided itself on playing classic rap. Things have totally changed with time. MJQ was bumping some of the hits that still frequently bless my ears in my cd player-less car, the latest Jay Z, T.I. some songs I'm sure you'd have to have purchased the cd to really know what it was and I'm still not sure where Nirvana came from but hey everyone has to love a little 'Teen Spirit' and it never fails that the DJ will put on my slow jam "Kissing Game" , I think I've had the pleasure of visiting MJQ about 5 or 6 times and this is one song that I can ALWAYS look forward to hearing.
I always forget that this place has the other room in the back corner because I'm always dazed after hours of being subjected to second hand smoke from cancer sticks and rancid herb, I'm also sucked into watching that ONE GUY who has to show everyone the moves he practiced the night before.
MJQ is the type of place that you just have to accept for what it is, a hole in the wall or ground, with cheap drinks and the best music.
EURO TRASH at its best!
This underground garage is high, high energy!!! If you can keep up with this crowd, it'll be the best Weds night ever, just be prepared to be seriously hurting in the morning - you'll have to add a few more espresso shots to your coffee come Thursday morning. Seriously though, I haven't been to a better dance club in Atlanta in awhile, especially not on a Wednesday night.
The DJ spins TECHNO remixes till 3am without skipping a beat! Non stop partying.
$2 PBR - buy your friends a round!
No Dress Code - come in sneakers and jeans.
Stress free - everyone is too busy dancing.
No creeps - you won't have to hide out in ladies room
Sweat - lots of sweat, so forget the eyeliner.
Age - 21 - 61 (oh yes, that 5'2 white haired old man on the dance floor is my old physics professor from Tech, and he tears up the dance floor every weds night - so jealous of his 40 years of experience clubbing).
Gay Straight Bi - no one cares, we're all friends!
So next time you want to drink on a Weds night, and your tired of trivia night and the Highlands is empty, make your way over to MJC on Ponce. It's hidden behind the Chipotle (I'm waiting for the night when I will pass out in my car after a night at MJQ to only wake up around 11 am the next day in the parking lot and grabbing a burrito to cure the hangover).
and Warning: you will smell like a soggy cigarette the next morning!
Ah, MJQ, I knew you when. Â Back in the olden days, a mere pup in the basement of the Ponce Hotel, you grew up and moved down the street, transitioning from a literal underground upstart to venerable old man of the club scene. Â I, too, have aged with you, calling you first "MJQ" then "the Q" and now "the MJQ" with nary a trace of irony in my voice. Â It's been a long 13 years, hasn't it?
Oh, occasionally we still see each other. Â The faces in the crowd may have changed, but the people are still much the same as back when Bill (both Clinton and Campbell) was in office. Â They were emo and tat'ed back when it meant something, they'd tell you....well, if they had invented the word emo back then. Â But I see you've grown more inclusive since the days that the doorman would tell frat boys who wandered in from Buckhead you were a gay club. Â Now I see you happily taking money from all, image be damned. Â You've been around for so long now, you've earned that right.
You're the most racially mixed club I've seen in town. Â That's a good thing. Â Your Wednesday night still packs them in as my aged, sell-out ghost dances your floors; my physical self slumbering away. Â (Memories of those Wednesday nights still make me grin and shudder.) Â Your drinks are still reasonably-priced even as everything else rises out of control. Â You're still kind of grimy, kind of scummy, but you wear it well. Â (I've had the unfortunately experience of seeing you with the lights on and I forgive you.)
So stay who you are, MJQ. Â Continue to welcome the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe cigarette smoke. Â And on the rare days when both the mind and body are willing, I'll see you there, struggling on the dance floor, trying not to break a hip.
While I'm not the biggest socialite, I have indeed been to many of the clubs in Atlanta. Â MJQ is great and different because the crowd is as diverse and varied as the music. Â I like to go on Wednesday nights because the vibe is positive, and everyone seems to be having a genuinely good time. Â Friday nights are nice too when they play hip hop and reggae--it's just it can get pretty packed and tempers sometimes flare.
Overall, it's a great time, and no pretensions. Â You can go in t-shirt and sneakers or the latest trends and not feel out of place either way.
EDIT 6.19.2008 - Retro neon sunglasses--mini chinese dragon parade--dancing the night away....I love it here.
I've never seen anything like this place. Â I love trying to explain it to friends. Â "You basically walk into a toolshed, then down into a cave, then you end up in this crazy/strange not-quite-dance-club." Â
I mainly love this place because of the amazing people-watching capabilities. Â Every week there's a completely different variety of people there. Â It's a blast.
How often outside of high school dances do you get to witness dance-offs!? Â It's hilarious!
I hate the typical "club" scene because it's usually full of skeezy people, yet this place absolutely provides an awesome time every time I go. Â I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who's thinking about it, and I try to take any out of town visitors so they can experience this one of a kind place.
A basement atmosphere with a reasonable cover, two DJs, one bar, and some unlikely aura that causes me to have a good time on a somewhat consistent basis.
I like going dancing in the abstract, but I am not a person who goes to dance clubs in actual reality. I am pseudo-introverted and generally don't like being talked to or danced on by strange guys, but I also don't like NOT being talked to or danced on because that must mean I am undesirable in some way. I also don't like waiting in line for bad drinks. This adds up to me opting to rent a video more often than I like to admit to the cool kids on yelp.
So I am pleasantly surprised to be giving five stars to a dancing venue. Both times I was at MJQ I talked to and danced with interesting, not unpleasant guys that make pretty good stories. For example, last night an Italian guy accosted me at the bar and asked if he could be my hairdresser, and then we talked about languages and real estate, and he at least pretended he didn't believe I was 27 (I can't decide if I liked this comment - is 27 really THAT old? come on). Then I spent about an hour dancing with the guitarist for the band Rehab (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rehabmusic.com%2F&s=f3ac0ac0032382361dc5f3e7beaf01d322fab483a4b88513a68b0e3dfae55741" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.rehabmusic.co…</a>). And the only reason I even figured out who it was was because when we were dancing in the small room we were singing in harmony with the music and I said hey, you can actually sing, and he said yeah, I'm a professional musician.
And if yelpers hadn't taken me here the first time I probably would not have been particularly amenable to going last night because I am lazy and generally have to force myself out to places that start getting cool at 1 AM, since as a general rule lame people like me prefer to be in bed by that time.
The drinks are not awesome, I won't lie. But it's FUN here, shitty vodka out of plastic cups notwithstanding. I don't even know why, but it is.
My old friend Brent, the one who first turned me on to Cafe Diem and the orginal 11th St Vortex, also first told me about a little dance club and bar called MJQ, in the basement of the old Ponce Hotel on Ponce de Leon Ave in Midtown. Â This was the early '90s, when George Chang, a "very tall Chinese Swede", owned the place, and regularly appeared at some point during the evening to say hello to folks, in his quiet unassuming and very humble way, sort of making sure we were all having a good time. Â
Brent and I went a few times back then, and what I loved most about it, besides the little "chill" area with overstuffed sofas and chairs and a TV that showed martial arts films on perpetual loops, was the music, and the little dark dance floor where anyone and everyone could move however the spirit made him/her. Â No judgments, no trying to impress anyone, at any time. Â Just cheap beer, including imports, impressive DJs who knew what we wanted to hear, and a dark and cool ambiance just right for letting loose on the floor.
Later, when MJQ opened a little farther down Ponce, in an old garage beneath a parking lot, the "underground" vibe took on a whole new meaning, and it was no longer about looking for the single green lightbulb outside the Ponce's basement door, but looking for the shack above the garage, no sign, just knowing where it was, and that, in and of itself, held its own meaning.
When Brent and I went out, we never paid to get in. Â He would nod to the man by the door and in we went, down the ramp to the bar, which was lit by red lights before they were blue, and the ceiling leaked when it rained, and the place was dark and hip and moody, and after a few $2 Bass Ales the music would amp up and we'd hit the floor. Â MJQ Concourse (as it was now called) still had the dance floor to beat all, a place where it truly seemed that anyone could dance with anyone, or all alone, all ages, all races, all kinds of people accepted and welcomed, and we were all one big writhing mass of flesh and sweat, the crowd separating when the baby powder hit the cement floor, and the B-boys were on their way to break and amaze us all.
At some point the laws changed, and alcohol could no longer be served late, so bars closed early, and this included MJQ, unfortunately. Â It became a bit of a drag to wait for the right time to arrive, only to have to leave before the lights came up - no more hours and hours of dancing until knees could stand it no more.
A second room opened for Brit Pop, a bar with an actual "wall of words" next to it, a place to sit and order shots of Ouzo and read the words, thinking what to add if only one could. Â
Admittedly, I don't go out to MJQ like I used to - I think at some point I grew old and wasn't sure it held for me what it once had, but if you're of a certain age, and you want a good time at a really unpretentious dance club and bar, I really couldn't recommend it highly enough. Â It helps to know its history, and that Chang is now passed on, and the vibe still remains, a testament to the concept, and the whole underground nature. Â It's still got a lot of what it once had, just a good place to drink cheaply, to dance, and to be yourself, whatever that may be.
Well, what can I say about the place I grew up in? Â I've been going there since it was further down Ponce than it is now and George Chang used to let me in when I was a little too young to be in there...ahh memories...
Anyway, I continued my late teens (and now early 30's) at MJQ Concourse, hanging out with the  amazing DJ's and musicians that show up there after a show (usually coming from somewhere else.)  I have hung out with some very amazing celebrities there!
The scene is mostly underground  (and I am not cracking the joke about it literally being underground....or did I just do that?)  and I only go for britpop night on Wednesdays in the big room, or Saturdays in the cafe.  Or if the Drunken Unicorn has an amazing band I will go any night of the week.
Stuff about MJQ- it is a compound of two bars with amazing ambiance, and one room where bands play, it is a cash only bar (don't argue with them), ask for the MJQ drink- it's tasty! And do yourself a favor and do not go to the bars until after midnight at the very earliest- you might find yourself terribly alone. Â Don't go there begging for hookups, its largely frowned upon, go to Buckhead for that. Â You will meet interesting and diverse people if you just act cool! Â Also, don't show up there in your frat boy clothes- it may cost you dearly at the door.
In recent years it has changed from being a mostly britpop/indie rock establishment to having a more urban, hip-hop flair on many nights of the week. Â
The best part about MJQ is if you find yourself without plans for New Year's or Halloween you can always come here and be assured a good time! Â I always sport my costume and make an appearance on Halloween!
But it is definitely a place to go and see cool people shaking it to the most amazing music in town! Â And be nice to the staff- they are all cool people so don't give them a hard time or else!
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
