Legends tell of a long-forgotten nightclub buried beneath downtown Atlanta. For a decade, scalawags would shuffle down a speakeasy-style entryway onto a ship-shaped dance floor. Jazz and alligators, both live, filled the space. Patrons imbibed tiki drinks, and hot fondue flowed like gold.
To anyone who hadn't experienced Dante's Down the Hatch at Underground Atlanta before the downtown location closed for good in 1999, it sounds like a madman's tall tale. Now the owners of another storied Atlanta club, MJQ Concourse, believe they found hidden treasure in one of Atlanta's unique spots.
MJQ Concourse is set to open Jan. 29 following an extensive makeover of the former Dante's location. While Dante's was themed after the high seas, the MJQ redo looks to transport late-night voyagers to a galaxy far, far away. The club has been transformed from a pirate ship into a spaceship, trading sun-soaked decks for futuristic metal and neon lights. The location boasts multiple dance floors and four bars, including a more intimate cocktail lounge within Dante's former kitchen.
"Underground is just dirty as hell, and it reminds me of the old Ponce de Leon and Little Five Points," co-owner Ryan Murphy said. Murphy and his co-owner Ryan Purcell spent 21 months giving Dante's space a futuristic makeover, with wall art featuring "2001: A Space Odyssey" vibes and a former alligator moat now transformed into a sea of clouds with pulsing neon lights.
Underground Atlanta has had its share of reboots. Shaneel Lalani, who bought Underground in 2020, said the 400,000-square-foot property is now close to 70% leased — up from less than 20% when he acquired it. Lalani said Underground hosted about 3,000 events in 2024, and his company is also focused on event planning for the 2026 World Cup, when Atlanta will host several matches.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution