Atlanta Event Center at Opera

Most people know Opera as a nightclub. However, when it’s not operating as a dance club, it’s an event space officially known as the «Atlanta Event Center at Opera.» It wasn’t until I attended a fundraising event here a couple weeks ago that I learned this. Opera serves as a full service private event venue and caterer and has hosted corporate functions, class reunions, proms, wedding ceremonies and receptions, product launches, and even sumo wrestling matches.
Before the fundraiser, my previous visit to Opera was on a packed weekend night with hundreds of tipsy/​drunk people and clubgoers packed onto the various dance floors with seizure-​inducing strobe lights and DJs blasting EDM and hip hop at deafening levels. The fundraiser made me see Opera in a completely different light, literally. The space was brightened up and I could actually see the floors, walls, and ceilings. If you actually take a time to look at the design, décor, and architecture of the place, it’s actually pretty nice.
The building was originally designed as an auditorium in the 1920s. It was used for, among other things, operas and live theater. Designed by the same architects behind Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that the building started to function as a nightclub. It became known as Opera in 2007. As an event venue, its maximum capacity is roughly 1,000−1,200.
After countless nights of clubbing, the staff manages to clean up the space well. There are hardwood floors, detailed and ornate walls, columns, and ceilings, intricate and sparkling chandeliers, arched entryways, and tall velvet curtains. There are multiple rooms and bars. Unfortunately, the carpeted area upstairs, which is used as the VIP section on club nights, smells awful. Presumably, it’s the result of many a spilled drink in addition to excreted bodily fluids.
The event I attended had food, drinks, live music, and a silent auction. A multitude of local restaurants and vendors donated food. The fantastic lineup included JCT. Kitchen & Bar, Wrecking Bar Brewpub, Ration & Dram, The Luminary, Souper Jenny, Pig & Pint, Leon’s Full Service, Bantam + Biddy, Home Grown, The Mercantile, Affairs to Remember Caterers, The Ice Cream Bar, Frozen Pints Craft Beer Ice Cream, and Taproom Coffee. The auction had all sorts of items up for bid including decorative art, furniture, gift certificates, club tickets to sporting events, and more. As far as I could tell, it was a success.
Parking close-​by costs money. There’s a surface lot directly next to the building accessible via Crescent Ave. There’s also a parking garage across the street at the corner of Crescent and 14^th. We parked there. The rate was $ 1 every 15 minutes up to a maximum of $ 12.

I have attended several events at the Opera Event Center and I continue to be impressed. Each event from my daughter’s high school senior prom to a costume corporate event to your most romantic wedding Opera is the place to be. The food and service always exceeds expectations!

What more can I say? Opera Atlanta in the end pulled our evening together beautifully. Opera is not known for it’s weddings but I definitely think that this event should put their services on the map. The day of our wedding Jennifer, the Logistics & Operations manager, took control of taking items off of my checklist and was always there to hand me and my wedding party a much needed drink.
I will also say that the Event Manager Lindsay was always there to answer questions and take the reigns on getting us what we needed to achieve the atmosphere that we wanted for our big day. I will warn you she is a hugger so you can rest assured that you will immediately feel comfortable and welcome when you enter the grand Opera house. :-)
If you are looking for traditional this place will accommodate you beautifully however if you are looking for interesting, out of this world and an event that your guests won’t stop talking about… This place is it! An amazing venue that goes way beyond a nightlife hot spot. That takes a lot for me to say but I will own those words.
A very happy client,
Kyle

We held an event at Opera in 2008 called The NotWedding, and we couldn’t have been happier. The staff is incredibly attentive, the food was amazing and had everyone talking, and the venue itself is so uniquely beautiful. We were thrilled with our experience and can recommend Atlanta Event Center at Opera wholeheartedly.

I attended a corporate function at the Atlanta Event Center at Opera and the food was incredible! I was very impressed with the quality, set up, and taste. The food really was exceptional. 5 star experience!

After struggling to find a location for my october wedding, we settled on the Atlanta Event Center at Opera and had both the ceremony as well as the reception there.
The staff was lovely, the in-​house chef prepared all of the food to a T (in fact we are still getting compliments on the food from our wedding) and the atmosphere for our 30’s inspired wedding was perfectly accented by the absolutely gorgeous interior architecture.
I can not recommend this venue enough for the perfect wedding spot.