Georgia Theatre

The Georgia Theatre is a cornerstone of the Athens music scene, with the Athens Music Walk of Fame winding past the iconic marquee. Countless bands have played GATH, on their way to fame as well as after they topped the charts.

After playing a pop-up show October 17, 2025 prior to a Top-10 matchup between UGA and Ole Miss, country music star Luke Combs told ESPN's College Gameday, "I’d love to do a thousand shows at the Georgia Theatre. It’s one of the best venues in the world."

Head up to the rooftop for amazing views of Athens overlooking both UGA's campus and downtown.

The rooftop bar is open

• Monday & Tuesday: 1 hour before show, closed if no show


• Wednesday & Thursday: 3:00pm - Midnight


• Friday & Saturday: Noon - Midnight

Grab a bite to eat from one the pop-up restaurant partners and enjoy delicious food on most concert days. 

History of the Georgia Theatre

The Georgia Theatre is part of the Downtown Athens National Register Historic District and also the Downtown Local Historic District, which was designated in 2006. It was built as the Elite Theater in 1935 on the "foundation" of the original YMCA which had been constructed on that site in 1889. The upper part of that YMCA building was demolished in 1920 and it then served over the years as the Majestic Hotel, Masonic Temple, Dorsey Furniture Company, and Burnstein Brothers Furniture Company until the Elite Theater was built. It is unclear how much of the original YMCA building was incorporated into the Elite Theater. After a devastating fire in 2009, the Theatre was reopened in 2011.

As a live music venue, The Georgia Theatre has been the site of

• Live performances from a long list of acclaimed bands


• Music videos such as R.E.M.'s "Shiny Happy People" (1992) and John Mayer's "No Such Thing" (2002)


• Live album recordings from Corey Smith (2008) and the Derek Trucks Band (2004)

MEETING & EVENT PLANNERS:

Elevate your next event in the heart of downtown Athens at this acclaimed historic venue. Multiple event spaces with flexible floorplans are perfect for guest counts ranging from 50 to 1,000, including an amazing rooftop with 150 guest capacity. Host everything from a rooftop cocktail reception with live music to a jaw-dropping private performance on the main stage. The Georgia Theatre is also a great spot for weddings and banquets.

The Georgia Theatre is operated by Zero Mile Presents, with over 20 years of live event, concert and festival experience.

See the "Meeting Facilities" tab below for specs, capacities and floor plan, and visit https://georgiatheatre.com/rental-info/ for additional information.

IN THE NEWS:

• One of Georgia's "Best Music History Sites," AAA Living, September/October 2018


• 
  

  "Make A Music Pilgrimage to Athens," Garden & Gun, January 2026