With the weekend, we're feeling the urge to get out there and do some damage to our hearing. Who's with us? Whether you're into metal, folk, punk, rockabilly or whatever the kids are calling it these days, here are your halls of rock.
Bowery Ballroom, Manhattan, N.Y.
Some of the best venues are able to create an intimate setting while still allowing for a decent-sized capacity. Bowery Ballroom satisfies both fronts phenomenally. Great bands pile through this venue every year, from the big stars to the up-and-coming independent artists.
Damien Jurado plays later this month, and the John Butler Trio (already sold out) plays in early February. The sound is great, the music is consistently solid, and the setup and atmosphere make it easy to feel comfortable. Music lovers must check out this venue ASAP.
The Troubadour, West Hollywood, Calif.
Not only does The Troubadour have a great history (artists such as Jim Morrison and Axl Rose became famous here), it has an exceptional setup and atmosphere. I got the chance to see a show at The Troubadour in late 2013, and it didn't disappoint.
The intimate atmosphere makes it easy to talk to people in between songs. There's a bar area to the side in case you want to slip away for a second, as well as a bar behind the general floor. And the lineup and sound are consistently solid. This is a place you can go to a whim (like I did) and enjoy yourself thoroughly.
Fox Theatre, Boulder, Colo.
Colorado has a good deal of outstanding venues (I'm a big fan of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, too), but Fox Theatre is near the top of the list for a lot of music goers. Once a movie house, Fox Theatre has the intimate feel you could expect, as well as a welcoming and lively crowd (the venue is located right across the street from the University of Colorado).
Like many of the top venues, Fox Theatre has a history of attracting big names, such as Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Sublime, Phish, Widespread Panic and Sheryl Crow, as well as local acts like Yonder Mountain String Band, The Fray, and Air Dubai.
The music accommodates a wide range of folks, the sound is splendid and the people are good. Sounds like a recipe for fun to me.
Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, Calif.
The Great American Music Hall not only has a ton of history and one of the best names in the business, its design is also exceptional. The interior - boasting elegant balconies, marble columns and ceiling frescoes - was designed by a French architect and political figure Chris Buckley after the destructive 1906 earthquake.
The venue has housed a variety of different establishments throughout the years, but it has still kept its unique design while also adding two bars, a modern kitchen, an oak dance floor and a high-quality sound system.
From Van Morrison to the Grateful Dead to Arcade Fire, artists have been filing through The Great American Music Hall for decades.
Another venue that bears mentioning in San Francisco (and one of my personal favorites) is The Independent.
Schubas Tavern, Chicago, Ill.
Schubas Tavern doesn't hold a lot of people (capacity: 165), but, then again, that's what adds to its charm. The intimate venue most known for its country and folk music has great atmosphere, lighting and sound. It has also been known to host some great indie and jazz artists.
The accompanying bar is a bonus, refurbished in 1988 by owners Chris and Michael Schuba. It comes complete with a 30-foot mahogany bar, tin ceilings and walnut wainscoting. Oh yeah, and the Schubas also helped launch the career of Dave Matthews.
Joe's Pub, New York, N.Y.
Here's a small rundown of some of the artists who have performed at Joe's Pub: Leonard Cohen, David Byrne, Elvis Costello, Pete Townshend, Prince, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Dolly Parton, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
If you are looking for a venue that regularly hosts the top emerging and established artists in the country, Joe's Pub is a good place to start. The fact that the audience is so close to the musicians in the small venue is an added bonus, and it only adds to the personality of the place.
The Continental Club, Austin, Texas
Looking for a rockabilly joint with a booming jukebox? Then The Continental Club in Austin is the place to be. Some famous musicians have played wild shows here in the past, from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Joe Ely to The Cobras.
The Continental Club has also been known to host a birthday party for Elvis, as well as Buck Owens and Wanda Jackson. If you are looking for gritty, rip-roaring music and a boisterous crowd, then you have come to the right place.
The Crocodile, Seattle, Wash.
Established in 1991, The Crocodile first soared to fame based on its stellar grunge era acts, from Nirvana to Mudhoney. Since closing in 2007 and reopening in 2009, The Crocodile continues to turn heads with its lineup, whether you are into punk, folk or hip-hop.
Its dance floor is generally packed with an energetic crowd, and you may find yourself swept away by the rowdy atmosphere. One of the most historic venues in the United States, The Crocodile is still going strong since Nirvana showed up on the lineup as Pen Cap Chew back in 1992.
Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, Ore.
Doug Fir Lounge is another venue in the Northwest that has built up quite the reputation for itself. First of all, the layout is fantastic.
You have an intimate general dance floor next to the stage, a back bar area you can lounge at, a classy restaurant/bar on the side, and an outdoor area that includes plenty of seating and a fire pit. This is one of those places I personally feel is a bit underrated.
Check it out and chances are you will be pleasantly surprised, whether it's the atmosphere or the great up-and-coming music. The Doug Fir also hosts a wide range of music, from rock and roll to bohemian.
The Bluebird Café, Nashville, Tenn.
The Bluebird Café is a small, extremely intimate venue (capacity:90) that has gained national acclaim for its acts and atmosphere.
A variety of top musicians will try out their new songs before they hit the airwaves at The Bluebird Cafe, and it's also become a meeting place for musicians and producers (producer Scott Borchetta listened to Taylor Swift here, then signed her as the first artist at Big Machine Records).
On top of that, many songwriters behind popular songs will also perform at the venue. This Tennessee acoustic listening room is practically bubbling over with history and opportunity. It's a must-see for music fans.
Topics From This Article to Explore
