Mableton's Best-Kept Secret: Hidden in Plain Sight
- Matthew Stover
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
You’ve probably driven past it a hundred times without realizing one of the region’s best outdoor venues is right here in our backyard. Because it sits pushed back a pretty good distance from the side of the road, the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre (MHBA) is surprisingly easy to miss.
But this venue is far more than just a quiet neighbor, it's one of the only dedicated outdoor event spaces in our community.
World-Class Entertainment, Hometown Feel
Sharing a campus with both the historic Mable House and the Mable House Arts Center, MHBA is a state-of-the-art facility accommodating up to 2,500 people per show for plays alongside country, rock, and classical music.
As a rental space managed by Cobb County PARKS, MHBA gives outside promoters and local talent the freedom to host their own unique entertainment.
The MHBA team's vision is to evolve the space from a local hidden gem into a premier regional destination for live entertainment. Unlike massive arenas, it offers a much more intimate, open-air experience.
A Down-to-Earth Community Vibe
The Amphitheatre is incredibly accessible and offers a few different ways to enjoy a show. You can reserve a spot at one of the six-person tables right up by the stage, grab a terrace seat in rows A through Q, or opt for the general admission lawn.
I recently attended one of the Wine Down Wednesday concerts, part of their free concert series, and found the atmosphere incredibly down-to-earth and welcoming.
One of the biggest perks is the flexible food and drink policy: for most events, you are welcome to bring personal-sized coolers and picnic baskets packed with your own meals and beverages, including alcohol at many events. If you have terrace seats, the aisles are actually spacious enough to set up TV trays, and those on the lawn are encouraged to bring blankets for a classic picnic setup.
If you prefer to travel light instead of bringing a cooler, on-site concessions are available. Add in the completely free general parking, and catching a show at MHBA becomes an incredibly budget-friendly, stress-free evening right here in Mableton.
You can feel that same great community energy at their other signature events, too. Watching Zootopia 2 at their Family Movie Series reminded me of taking my boys to local events when they were younger.
Don't Miss the Next Show
The management team wants every single event to feel welcoming and worth returning to year after year. See it for yourself! Grab a cooler, bring some friends, and check out these upcoming free admission events right in our own backyard:
Wine Down Wednesday: Featuring Milli Vanilli & Viva Benito on July 8 at 7:30 PM. Click here for more info.
Family Movie Series: Catch the hit musical Hamilton on July 10. Gates open at 6:00 PM, and the movie starts at 7:00 PM. Click here for more info.
It is a great venue but need to have more of a variety of musical acts.