Live Music Venue and Bar Venkman’s Is Closing, but Maybe Not for Good

Venkman’s is closing November 28 after seven years at its space on Ralph McGill in the Old Fourth Ward. But it appears the live music venue and bar could return to the property as part of a new development, the AJC reports. However, that return may not happen for at least two years.

Co-owner and lead singer of Yacht Rock Revue Nicholas Niespodziani tells the AJC that the property is now owned by New City Properties, which plans to build something new there. Plans for the property are still unclear, but Niespodziani says New City wants Venkman’s to serve as an anchor tenant. Niespodziani calls the revamped Venkman’s “next level”. New City is also in the midst of building a stair-stepped apartment building and retail complex nearby as part of a “12-acre, modernist mini-city” along the Eastside Beltline trail and Fourth Ward Park, according to Urbanize Atlanta.

Once this version of Venkman’s closes, Niespodziani and co-owner and bandmate Peter Olson will focus all of their attention to recording a second album for Yacht Rock Revue and planning a tour next summer for the band.

Venkman’s first opened in 2015 as both a concert venue and permanent stage for Yacht Rock Revue and featured a restaurant under the direction of chef Nick Melvin. Melvin departed Venkman’s two years later and has since gone on to open Poco Loco Neighborhood Provisions in Kirkwood with his family.

Following Melvin’s departure, the menu at Venkman’s underwent several adaptations over the next five years, including serving snacks like smoked trout dip and barbecue chips, weekly stew specials, and, most recently, small plates and tapas.