Giving Boston show-goers a sweet mix of the cutting edge as well as great blasts from the past, this is a venue that's seen some major rock 'n' roll history. Opened in 1977, the Paradise is the first American venue to host U2. With a capacity of 650, the Paradise is somewhere between a bar and a small theater-sized venue, so there's room to move but there's enough intimacy that you can actually see the performers, even from the balcony. Just don't get stuck behind a support beam.
For more information: The Dise
Since opening in 1993, the Black Cat has helped fuel the resurgence of the U Street Corridor, a hotbed of music during the jazz age. Having hosted a veritable who's-who of indie and alt-rock--including The Cramps, Drive by Truckers, Luscious Jackson, Nina Hagen and The Hives--this is also the place to go for regular, weekend dance nights. When you need to take a break from the main stage, or don't feel like taking in the show, you can still find pinball and a great juke box in the Red Room, the main floor bar. (Pictured here, the band Shellac.)
For more information: The Black Cat
The place in the South to eat a pulled pork sandwich while checking out the best touring singer-songwriters, Eddie's Attic has been a local fixture for nearly two decades. Most shows feature two and sometimes three performers, and Open Mic Mondays brings local and national singers to the stage for two-song competitions; the winners are invited back for the Annual Open Mic Shootout. Don't miss the rooftop grill.
For more information: Eddie's Attic
Lenny Bruce was arrested here. Tom Waites broke through on amateur night. Joe Strummer played his final LA shows here. Such history could smother a venue, but the Troubadour keeps booking the best in rising musical talent. The general-admission, all-ages shows are usually standing-room only, but the balcony offers a nice place to hang out. If there's one consistent complaint, it's the pricey drinks. Pictured here, James Taylor.
For more information: The Troubadour
Band Hot Snakes performs at the Casbah. Bringing the best alt-rock, indie and local acts to San Diego since 1989, the Casbah is still the place for live music six or seven nights a week. Everyone from a young Nirvana to Elastica have graced this stage. Capacity is around 200 people so it's a pretty intimate scene once things get going. There's a billiard-table room in the back, and also a nice listening room with its own bar. Drinks aren't too pricey, and dancing like mad is a given.
For more information: The Casbah
Do your part to keep Austin weird, as the saying goes, by checking out Emo's. In keeping with the characteristic what-you-see-is-what-you-get style, the venue's website says: "Emo's has seen its fair share of bands come through the doors, some going on to wild success and some that probably should have just stayed home and not wasted the money on a tour." With both indoor and outdoor stages and a beer garden, it's a raucous, bracing and extremely fun place for the post-punk, grungy and even thrash-core bands that come through.
For more information: Emo's
A funky, fun venue located at the Polish National Home, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the Warsaw consistently hosts quality national and local acts of all kinds. The main space is just big enough for a small legion of real fans while keeping a good level of closeness between audience and performer. Plus, there's a bistro/bar that serves pierogis, blintzes, kielbasa, stew and potato pancakes--perfect accompaniments for the Polish beer. Pictured here, band Radio 4.
For more information: Polish National Home
The Showbox at the Market has seen everyone from Bo Diddley to Siouxsie and the Banshees to Wire stomping the stage. Both Showbox at the Market and the newer Showbox SoDo are easy to get to, as both are a short distance apart on First Ave. in downtown Seattle, and divvy up between themselves a regular number of cutting-edge performers. Both offer a swanky lounge area where you can chill out before a show.
For more information: The Showbox
Most nights at the East Atlanta Restaurant and Lounge— commonly known as The EARL— feature at least two bands, and often three, and booking managers tend to avoid jam bands and the kind of stuff you might find elsewhere at an all-ages show (such as hardcore and screamo). There's also the regular Sunday afternoon "dunch" show, described as "hangover-friendly live music"; bands take the stage between one and four p.m. Don't leave without eating an EARL Burger.
For more information: EARL
Shooting eight-ball on one of the ten pool tables while waiting for your favorite band to go on is a major perk. You might even end up shooting pool with a few performers waiting to go on. Quality local garage bands often support touring acts that play everything from rock to reggae at this small but highly regarded venue. As part of the Majestic complex, the Magic Stick is next door to bowling alleys and theaters, and on non-show nights you can play eight-ball while top-notch DJs spin.
For more information: The Magic Stick
In the midst of New York City's grunge-fabulous East Village is this spot of real charm. The Living Room is a true listening room, and both the main stage and the upstairs venue, Googie's Lounge, attract national and local acts playing folk, alt-country-rock and jazz--much of it performed acoustically. If the Living Room had been around in 1963, you would have come here to see the pre-electric Dylan.
For more information: The Living Room
Local boxer John Imbrenda opened this joint as a neighborhood bar in 1967, but sold it in 2003. Wisely, the new owners kept as much of the classic feel and design of the place as they could. A centerpiece of the hopping scene in Fishtown (a section of east Philly), Johnny Brenda's is about as intimate a space as you can find to see hot up-and-coming or indie rock. The balcony overlooking the stage is the catbird seat, and there's a bar on all three levels. And with the pool table, good food, cool crowds and the occasional burlesque show, and you'll soon make yourself a regular.
For more information: Johnny Brenda's