I’ll give you my quick story with Lenny’s before going into the news clippings and all that.
Before Lenny’s, the spot was called Dotties and located on Memorial Drive by the Oakland Cemetery, not too far from Capital Homes Projects. Always a GREAT spot to catch a open mic, and dope shows. I met a LOT of people there that I’m still cool with to this day. Dottie’s eventually changed it’s name to Lenny’s. I’m not sure what ever happened to old lady named Dottie who ran the spot. And to be honest, i’m not sure if I ever met Lenny who the spot was supposed to be named after. Anyway Lennys lasted on Memorial for a good while, before moving to where it is now. The new Lenny’s was WAY nicer than the old one.
I’m honored to be able to say I got a chance to perform on that stage SEVERAL times, in it’s old and new location. I also witnessed some great shows there over the years. Artist like Yelawolf rocked there, as well as Sean Price, Masta Ace, Rozzi Daime & SA-RA, Janelle Monae, Killer Mike, etc., etc., etc.
Lenny’s was also the location my big homie Jax from Binkis Recs passed away at. He died right there on that stage in November of 2008. So it has a LOT of memories for me.
I’m sad to see it go. I guess we have to add Lenny’s with the long list of other ATL venues that have shut down over the years: R.I.P. – Somber Reptile, Echo Lounge, Cenci, Sugarhill, Cotton Club, Kaya, Studio Central, Grove Park, Ying Yang Cafe, Crescent Room, Nomenclature, Hip Hop shows at MJQ, and … Lenny’s.
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Word By Maurice Garland:
Creative Loafing just put up a story on the closing of one of Atlanta’s best spots for indie rock and underground Hip Hop, Lenny’s Bar. This is really sad because its becoming evident that underground Hip Hop in Atlanta (i.e. the stuff that isn’t on the radio nor sounds like what’s on the radio) is losing places to exist. Another reason why this sucks is because a lot of the up and coming cats doing music aren’t going to have a place to hone their skills and build a fanbase early on. Its crazy, most of the artists that you might have found out about from visiting this site or reading my writings elsewhere over the last 3-4 years (Yelawolf, Pill, GripPlyaz, Proton, Hollyweerd, CyHi Da Prynce, B.o.B., Sean Falyon, Playboy Tre, Stanza, etc) all got their starts and built their presence by performing at spots like Lenny’s and Drunken Unicorn. About a year or so ago Drunken Unicorn pretty much took an anti-Hip Hop stance and didn’t allow rap shows to be booked there anymore, leaving Lenny’s as the last consistent spot you could go to hear the sounds of the underground.
What else sucks about this is that…quite a few media outlets will hit me up from time to time asking “what’s hot in Atlanta.” I actually find myself getting annoyed by that question more and more, because really…all that shit means is “when is Jeezy coming back out…do people still like T.I…where do people make it rain at…what songs get played on the radio the most…can you get us in the Velvet Room?” They aren’t really interested in the culture or what non-industry folks are doing down here. But, when I am asked that I do make an effort to tell them what they want to hear as well as put them up on the shit that people and most people like me are actually into. You know the stuff that the radio stations, larger magazines and labels choose to ignore until 2 years later when its cool to say that you like it. When they ask me that “what’s hot in Atlanta” question I tell them all ends of the spectrum especially the underground stuff. But now, that shit probably going to fall on deaf ears even more because of places like Lenny’s disappearing and other places either banning Underground Hip Hop or running away from it all together.
Granted, its not the “people’s” fault that Lenny’s is going out of business. So I can’t blame people for “not supporting,” but let stuff like this remind you to appreciate and support the little that you do have if you really love this Hip Hop shit. Also, if you are able to, let it inspire you to create venues and opportunities for the stuff that you like to be heard and seen.
I myself, am only speaking from the Underground Hip Hop side of things. I’ve only been to Lenny’s for the indie rock a couple times, but it was still cool. Even beyond the music, Lenny’s was my personal hideaway when I needed a drink and a moment to myself. I’ve had some pretty interesting conversations with some of the old heads that would hang there before it got dark and the show for the night started. But yeah, you can peep the Creative Loafing piece by clicking the link below. I’ve also added some links to some other moments and stuff I’ve captured there (at least what I could find) too after the jump.
Full Article By Chad Radford at Creative Loafing
An article by 
