The Masquerade, Music venue in Atlanta, United States

The Masquerade occupies the former DuPre Excelsior Mill at 695 North Avenue, a brick industrial building constructed around 1890. The venue is arranged over three levels, with each floor holding its own stage and bar. The original mill structure was retained when the building was converted for use as a music venue.

The building began as the DuPre Excelsior Mill in the late 1800s, serving industrial purposes before its conversion into a music venue. The operation moved to Underground Atlanta in 2016, continuing as a performance space in a new location.

The building's name comes from the DuPre Excelsior Mill, which produced excelsior, a wood-shaving packing material, until demand collapsed after World War II. From 1977 to 1989 the mill housed a pizzeria and bar that hosted movies, bands and Shakespeare plays, with a Wurlitzer organ; blues pianist Willie "Piano Red" Perryman lived there in its later years.

The venue is accessible by public transportation and provides parking options for visitors. Checking the website or event listings before arrival helps you understand the layout and plan your visit accordingly.

Part of the original mill structure collapsed during renovation work in 2019, an incident that prompted increased efforts to protect the remaining historical sections. This reminder of the building's age adds another layer to understanding the venue's complex relationship with its industrial past.