Deja Vu Sports Bar and Lounge: Atlanta's Best Jazz and Blues "Hideaway"

Turning onto Joseph E Boone. Blvd., the GPS indicates that I have arrived at my destination, a nondescript blue building to my left. According to the little device, this building houses Deja Vu Sports Bar and Lounge, a fairly new nightclub that opened in October of 2010.

Ghosts of past lives---boarded and dilapidated apartment buildings, and a few random businesses, surround the area. The appearance is both ominous, yet somehow bizarrely striking, though "striking" might not be the immediate impression upon rolling up to Deja Vu.

At the rear of the building on the right, the entrance is a bit concealed; you somehow get the impression that you've stumbled upon the Bat Cave. Walk through the doors and you're greeted by a dizzying collection of mirrored walls and stairs leading down to the actual nightclub. But the underground vibe doesn't stop there. Deja Vu's octagonal shaped bar boasts its own disco ball. To the left is a separate VIP area, enclosed in one-way mirrored glass. In front of the stage lies a sea of red-covered tables.

No sports bar is complete without finger-licking fare. As such, you can expect treats like tangy chicken wings, crunchy shrimp and fries. But the chef is also adept at dishing up some Tex Mex'"quesadillas, fajitas, and the like. Phillies, burgers, and chilidogs (amongst other items) also round out the tasty menu.

Deja Vu's claim to fame is its intense courtship of real jazz and blues, with Fridays being its heavy-hitting night. And if you're still not a believer, just take a peek at the club's June 2011 line-up: On June 3^rd, blues man Pete Petersen graces the stage, followed by saxophonist Dwan Bosman, who celebrates with a huge birthday bash on June 10th. But that's not all. Legendary blues singer Sandra Hall (who happens to be opening for Elton John in London this week) will make her appearance at Deja Vu on June 17^th. Recreating the "juke joint experience" the final week in June is guitarist Victor Hodge (who has played with the likes of Theodis Ealey.)

On this night, "The Funk Down Under" is taking place---an open mic jam session that features some of Atlanta's most notable artists like Tony Towerz and John Beal, amongst others. Clearly, "The Funk Down Under" (hosted by visual artist Corey Whitehead) is the perfect moniker to attract the musically curious. And that's exactly what owner Jonathan Hart hopes to accomplish by offering up the stage each Sunday night to the talented dozens of authentic jazz and funk musicians that exist in the city.

The crowd is what people like to call "intimate"---diehard jazz enthusiasts, a few urban dwellers, and some rotating musicians. All in all, these are definitely people who take music and grown-up entertainment quite seriously'"which is exactly why hidden venues like this have the potential to help revitalize neighborhoods "in transition."

There are many places just like this secreted all over Atlanta. While the masses are patronizing "cosmopolitan" venues with flashy advertising, Deja Vu offers free admission and staff that treats everyone like faithful regulars. A love of jazz and blues and an affinity for thinking outside the box are two qualities that will completely enhance your experience at the hazy nightspot. Only the city's "coolest" cats are the first to unveil Atlanta's buried treasures. Deja Vu Sports Bar and Lounge is the ideal venue to do just that.

Deja Vu Sports Bar and Lounge
1575 Joseph E. Boone Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30314
(678) 508-1679