Feeling aimless and craving excitement, I set out solo one Friday night in late August. It was one of those humid, sweltering summer days typical of the South that linger, much like the profound influence of melodies and rhythms that resonate with your spirit.
Thus, I arrived at Commune, a wine bar and listening venue located in Avondale Estates, just east of Atlanta; the evening was serenading its end, following hours of tunes curated by DJ and vinyl enthusiast Bruce Phillips.
Phillips’ performance, which featured entirely vinyl records, whisked attendees away on a musical expedition through the African diaspora, encompassing genres such as soul, Brazilian groove, and jazz fusion. Throughout four hours drenched in sangria—where I savored each sip of the drink blending apricot eau de vie, peach, pineapple, and spiced citrus—the lively voices of Ramsey Lewis, Elias Silva, Roberto Roena, Hubert Laws, and Bill Summers filled the atmosphere.
As the night came to a close and the crowd thinned, the final chords of Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” faded into quiet. I reflected on how that instant—a night where music had completely fulfilled me after entering feeling weighed down and aimless—was exactly why I had gone out in the first place. I departed feeling nourished and at ease, uplifted by the conversations I’d shared with fellow music enthusiasts and with Phillips throughout the evening.
As someone diving deeper into music as a means of connecting with my deceased parents, I’ve been on the lookout for actual spaces where I can gather with others. Not a club, but rather a place that feels vibrant yet fosters connection. More intentional, as the solitude from the pandemic still casts a shadow.
In fact, I was in search of listening rooms like Commune, where music genuinely serves as the focus of the evenings, with every gentle laugh or whispered conversation woven around it. My quest seems to resonate with a multitude of others filling these once-unique venues—the latest version for enjoying wine and cocktails while melodies float through the air.
Commune and such listening spaces or bars pay homage to the Japanese kissa, or kissaten, which first emerged in Japan during the late 19th century. The appreciation of Western jazz within these settings blossomed in the late 1920s and reached its pinnacle during the post–World War II 1940s and ’50s. The trials of war led to the closing of many early kissa, resulting in the loss of entire jazz record collections. This contemporary revival signifies a moment of reconnection with jazz and places dedicated to encouraging deep listening.
This spirit partially motivated Commune co-founders Zopi Kristjanson and Chris Devoe to launch in 2024. The two avid music lovers took a bold step into the food and beverage realm, seizing the opportunity offered by the “ideal windowless space” in Avondale Estates.
“Music, wine, and food have been central to gatherings for millennia, so we believe it’s vital to create a venue where all these elements can be enjoyed in a refined yet affordable setting,” Kristjanson stated. Equipped with their extensive music knowledge, Kristjanson and Devoe outfitted the listening room and wine bar with a JJ322 tube amplifier, Klipsch AK6 speakers, and sound-absorbing panels along the walls and ceilings that appear ornamental and elegant at first glance.
However, it’s not only the sound quality and acoustics that create an extraordinary music experience. Low-profile sofas encircle the space, inviting intimate conversations over a rotating selection of charcuterie, brioche rolls, or pasta puttanesca. Service at Commune flows effortlessly, as glasses of wine or freshly crafted cocktails arrive almost without request.
Courtesy of Legend Has It
