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(Opera seems like it's a topic of discussion every other thread, but I just thought I'd throw in my opinion here.)
Cramped? Eh, some Crescent Moon nights are bad, depending on the artist and the time, but otherwise on the average the weekends seem as uncomfortably cramped as any other popular Atlanta megaclub, with the possible exception of Compound (sometimes). Note that the main rooms of Fever and Vision weren't much better, and there is typically plenty of space in Opera's lounge and patio.
I'll agree that the couches are a waste of valuable dance floor space, especially since they're wide insofar that half of their surface is unused. Then again, some seating in the main room is pretty vital for me and my fellow non-VIPs as it gets late and our endurance starts to wane.
On the elevated DJ platform: it was nice having a dancefloor beside the DJ in eleven50, but the new layout also helps the DJ convey energy to the crowd. Also, remember the show last year when AVB stood on the very edge of the tall platform (and nearly breaking his neck), the spotlight shining behind him, the crowd screaming as though he's some EDM god? That moment was pretty sweet.
In my opinion the club has become more trendy and pretentious since the name change from eleven50. I feel it was more laid-back and focused on the music and guest artists back then, whereas now the weekend experiences are repetitive and burdened with posers. But isn't that scene ubiquitous among Atlanta's nightlife? Ever been to Lotus or Thrive? I'd say those lounges are just as (if not more) trendy, based on my limited exposure.
(While I'm on the subject of clientele, I should mention that the female-to-male ratio is obviously more favorable than plenty of other electronic music clubs, which personally helps me enjoy the music more than I would at the sausagefests one finds elsewhere, heh. Fever was better, though.)
I've never really noticed any serious problems with Opera's sound system, which seems just as full and deafening as any other club's, but I might have lousy hearing. Granted, the unreliable smoke jets piss me off at times.
What's wrong with the staff? I've never encountered any problems. In fact, the staff's usually pretty courteous and friendly to me, but maybe I'm just fortunate.
Lastly -- and most importantly, in opinion -- is there another club in Atlanta whose atmosphere compares to Opera's? Come on, it's a little corny, but the whole early-90s-theatre-turned-nightclub gimmick is also awesome. It'd be nice if it were a little darker in there, but there's not another club in the city that can claim such a distinct character. It might not compare to the best in NYC, LA, Miami, or Europe, though, in the ATL, beggars can't be choosers.
Obviously, it's mostly pointless to debate the club's merits and problems -- if you don't like it, you don't like it -- but I'm compelled to speak out in defense of my favorite Atlanta club. I'm glad PVD's there, and I hope the promoters start bringing the big names and EDM back to Opera's weekend parties!
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