Meet Sean McPherson of Smiths Olde Bar in Midtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean McPherson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sean. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Smiths Olde bar is an Atlanta institution bringing the best in live music and up and coming acts to Atlanta for 25 years. We offer 500 concerts a year on 2 stages and have hosted such acts as David Bowie, John Mayer, Collective soul, My morning Jacket, Train, Johnny Winter, B.O.B. and much much more. We also offer a full service restaurant/bar, game room and patio.

Smiths was founded by Dan Nolen and Mike Reeves in 1993 after successfully operating such Atlanta night clubs as the cotton club in midtown and the point in L5P.

In 2016, Charlie Hendon replaced long time partner Mike Reeves and began a new chapter in smith’s history as an Atlanta Classic institution. It is now a rite of passage for all acts local and touring nationally to play smiths storied stages.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. In 2015, we were entrenched in a very public 6-month legal battle with our previous landlords estate over our right to occupy the building we have been in for 22 yrs. In the end, Dan Nolen and his attorney mounted a brilliant defense strategy which ultimately led to a long term lease with our current landlord Selig enterprises, in essence saving Smith’s Olde Bar and dodging a bullet for the Atlanta music scene.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Smiths Olde Bar – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are concert promoters. We bring over 500 ticketed concerts a year to the Atlanta, GA market, spanning every musical genre imaginable.

What sets us apart from our competitors is that we are know for taking chances on unproven artists. This is a rarity in this business.

I’m most proud of the robust musical history of the club and the storied acts that have graced our stage. Only the best walk through these doors.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like best about Atlanta is its robust nightlife, food, comedy and music scene. Not to mention, it’s one of a kind establishments like the Clermont lounge, Star community bar, Fox Theatre and Smiths Olde Bar to name a few. In short, its character is what I like best.

What I like least is the gentrification and marginalization of the “real atlanta”, its grit and southern gothic is part of its charm. Oh yeah, and the traffic sucks, too.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1578 Piedmont Ave.
  Atlanta, GA 30324
• Website: www.smithsoldebar.com
• Phone: 404.875.1522
• Email: office@nolenreevesmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithsoldebar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmithsOldeBar/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmithsOldeBar
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/smiths-olde-bar-atlanta

Image Credit:
Nigel Marson

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