Live From New York
With CB's recent departure and CMJ fast approaching, today was a capital time for the New York Times piece on the changing face of NYC's rock clubs. And NYT says: Prognosis positive! The article's author grabbed a quote claiming "there's a renaissance of venues in New York" and profiled the situation like so:
But CB’s is leaving a rock scene that, despite some high-profile departures, is as healthy as it has been in decades, with new clubs dotting the map from Midtown Manhattan to Greenpoint and Park Slope in Brooklyn. For every Bottom Line or Fez or Continental that has shut down or quit live music in the last couple of years, a Rockwood Music Hall, Union Hall or Studio B has opened up — and maybe a Fontana’s or Club Midway as well. And in the next few months, at least five major spaces are set to open, giving the city’s rock infrastructure its most substantial expansion in years.Among the new venues mentioned are Live Nation's Rebel (anyone been?) and their soon-to-be opened spaces in Gramercy (unnamed) and Williamsburg (Luna Lounge), a new Joe's Pub styled LES space, and the Mercury-Bowery group's plans to redesign Billyburg institution Northsix. These names may be foreign to you non-New Yorkers, but then, a lot of you guys are coming in for CMJ, so Northsix, Mercury, and Bowery will be your stock and trade.
But we wanna know: What's your favorite rock hall? Maybe something up-and-coming, maybe the best venue in your city, or maybe the best place you've been in your life -- your call. And tell us why! We vote Rockwood for intimacy and acoustics, Mercury for British buzz band shows, Bowery for everything but their $12 vodka-Red Bulls, and Knitting Factory for loving Love Is All.
Posted at 6:30 PM
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I got to get me to NYC one day. Before everything classic disappears.
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the secret machines "in the round" show at hiro was pretty fucking cool. would that be considered a venue though?
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I maintain that the Hollywood Bowl is the best place to see a large concert. David Byrne / Arcade Fire a couple years ago was freaking magical. Same goes for Brian Wilson/Polyphonic Spree.
Favorite small venue - the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle. Best sound ive heard at a venue.
Best place for festival - Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. That place rules.
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everyone from san diego will say the casbah. hands down.
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Best in Chicago: Metro!
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oh, from my travels, i am partial to the crystal ballroom in portland or
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i second lyn... the casbah is the best in san diego
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Orlando: The Social (formerly Saphire Supper Club), Backbooth
Nashville: City Hall, The End, Exit/In, and The Ryman
NYC: Bowery Ballroom, Beacon Theater, CBGB (RIP), Mercury Lounge, Southpaw
Louisville: The Brown Theater
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I've lived in several different cities and the Bowery Ballroom is the best rock club out there, bar none.
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The article mentioned Barbes in Park Slope, which is a very nice, intimate venue.
I agree with you. The Rockwood is great for small shows. The Mercury is fine for checking out a British buzz band's first NYC show (though something about it makes people stand still and stare coldly). Also, the Merc's location is prime. The Bowery is the all-around winner. Rarely have I had a bad experience there (and it was usually the band's fault). Plus, the Bowery has three bars.
The Knit is good. No beef with The Knit.
I really like Southpaw. The door being next to the stage is kinda funky, but it's got a good vibe and the sound is usually pretty good.
Joe's Pub would get more points in my book if (a) they didn't take so much joy in making you wait in line and (b) the bartenders found a way to make less noise during very quiet shows.
I love The Fillmore in SF.
In Nashville, I like going to The End. It's a total dive, but the sound is fantastic.
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San Francisco
Small Venue:
Cafe du Nord, it's an old speakeasy that is a really cool setup with a pool table and bizarre entrances to the bathrooms.
Medium Venue:
Great American Music Hall, it's beagutiful on the inside in a sketchy area of town. I've hardly ever been there when the sound has been bad.
Worst beer prices:
The Fillmore, you can't get a beer for less than $5, including Budweiser, so dumb, I could buy a 6 pack for that price. They do let you have free apples though and free posters of the concert you go to usually.
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9:30 Club in D.C.
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In Denver the best place to go is the Larimer Lounge. It is the size of a small garage and has the best shows. I got to see Tapes 'N Tapes there with the Figurines and Cold War Kids.
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my favorite sf venues are the bottom of the hill (smallish and cramped and a bit out of the way, but the sound is good--esp if you like it loud--, there's a nice patio out back, the place has a good rock feel, and the band selection is good, particularly for bands that have a crowd but aren't hugely popular. big drawback for people who live in the east bay: shows always run after bart stops running) and the great american music hall (i second the above comment--sound's good, atmosphere is majestic without being alienating, the vibe is excellent, they have a separate bar line for good draft beer, and you can see bands that are blowing up but are still able to play in a nice mid-to-large venue).
in the east bay, my favorite new club is the uptown in oakland. it's got a really beautiful bar and nice bartenders, and the music room is off to the side, in a separate room with pretty good sound and a nice setup. i've played there, and i loved it up on stage. also, they've got a sizeable, inviting patio out back from which you can listen to the music, or sort of get away from it.
i also like the mile high club in oakland. it wsas a blues club forever, then became an indie-rock club for a while, then closed, and now it's open again. i haven't been back since the reopening, but again, it's got a good feel to it and a great patio out back. it's in a sketchy part of town, tho, and it's a bit of a guilty pleasure, since it's no longer a neighborhood staple, welcoming blues bar.
i should also shout out to mama buzz cafe in oakland, because i spend so much time there. it's a small mixed-use space (with beer and wine and coffee and food) with a gallery room where they host shows and other events, and it has a kick-ass patio out back.
i guess i'm a patio loafer.
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I'd have to say of the venues I've been to, First Ave in Minneapolis takes the cake. Great, great venue.
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troubadour, los angeles
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cain's ballroom here in tulsa is a GREAT venue. the sex pistols even played there back in '78 or so, and sid punched a hole through the wall backstage.
i like trees in dallas too.
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Gabes Oasis in Iowa City before it became The Picador. Haven't been back since it changed ownership...
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the Metro in chicago fucking sucks, stupid wannabe-good-charlotte staff, poor bar selection, bad vibe. it is only enjoyable if a good band is playing there, like keane, who had an amazing show. and jeff buckley. who played there when i was like 10.
I love Schuba's in Chicago, its tiny but has such a great atmosphere. The Aragon is really amazing too.
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The thing CBGB's is...outside of their final month they werent really booking bands that would normally play any of the other venues in town...not for a good 10 years.... iit was mostly no name punk & glam bands with the occasional big name like a few times a year. They arent really leaving a void that the other clubs would necessarily need to fill...its not like if the Bowery Ballroom shut down... yes CB's was an institution and all but if you looked at their schedule on any given month for the last 10 years you would hardly recongnize the bands...
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The Bowery Ballroom is clearly the best venue in New York City. Nuff said.
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Chicago: Union Square, by far.
Northern Kentucky: South Gate House.
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Logan Square, rather. Whoops.
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am i the first chicagoan to say that THE MOTHER FUCKING FIRESIDE was the best? come on now
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I back all the votes for Bowery Ballroom. And also in NYC, I think Sin-e is the best small venue (250 or so capacity).
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The Glasshouse in Pomona / Troubadour in LA
Worst: The Avalon Hollywood. Such bull.
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Red Rocks.
end of discussion.
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Troubadour in LA. Fillmore in SF.
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The best shows I've ever been to have all been at either Mercury Lounge or Northsix.
Mercury Lounge is so small and cramped, but with great sound. When bigger bands whove mastered playing larger shows live play secret shows there, its the best.
Two places I miss: Luxx, and Brownies.
I was almost always dissapointed whenever I saw a band at Sin-e (current Sin-e that is). The sound was always atrocious. I was also dissapointed every time I went to Southpaw. maybe that was just bad luck though.
Also, I think that picture was of Pete's Candy Store, am I right?
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My favorite venue in LA is The Echo in echo park. I saw deerhoof there and it was probably the best blend of band and venue i've ever experienced.
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In LA area:
Troubadour is cool & intimate but for some reason the sound was always fucked up everytime I went there.
Glasshouse at Pomona is my favourite. I dig the El Rey too.
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first ave first ave first ave
if you've been, you know
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boston: the lizard lounge (small...right around 100, but intimate and cozy as all hell, plus it's usually a pretty good band selection, great staff, and even great food) or the paradise rock club (mid size - 600ish, with balconies and a good stage, but not too big to lose the sense that you're a part of something)
the elbo room in chicago was a fun place to be, though i've not been to many others. it was nice and small and appropriately dingy.
nyc...i've only been once, but i really enjoyed irving plaza. the sound was great, the view from all around was great...nyc-ers, is there a reason nobody has mentioned this one yet?
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nyc: the knitting factory
chicago: logan square
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I've been in a lot of cities, but can only comment on Chicago with authority,
Metro: At best, mediocre venue. Always overcrowded, Mediocre sound quality. Nevertheless, saw the best show I've ever seen there: The White Stripes circa 2002. Still, on an active boycott of the Metro. 5/10
Riviera: Decent, but certainly not good. 6/10
Aragon Ballroom: See: Reviera, but more pretty. 6/10
Empty Bottle: Good, intimate club, saw Interpol there in 2001 (2002?) and got a spot with my arm on the monitor. 8/10
Double Door: The CBGB's of Chicago. Lot of good bands have rolled through there. Saw J. Mascis there in 2002...good show, not too crowded, easy access to liquor. 7/10
Vic:
I'll try to keep my huge opinion of the Brew-n'-View out of the picture, and just judge this on a pure-music venue. As such, it's good. Decent accoustics and sight lines. 7/10
Logan Sqaure Auditorium
- Maybe it's because it's only 4 blocks North of me, or maybe because it's never crowded...this is probably my favorite venue. Saw the Hold Steady there in 2005...lost my ticket and they still let me in! 9/10
Congress Theater: Never been for music. Saw a Dave Eggers thing there. Seems like a better venue for that, rather than music. 6/10
Schuba's: Good little veunue...books the good stuff. Saw CYHSY there for their first Chicago show ever. Leaning on the stage, snaked the set list (which my friend Mia got the whole band to sign), and hung out with some of the band at the bar (got photo-booth pictures of me and Alec, the lead singer). Great venue, but I should disclose that I am friends with a friend of Chris Schuba...
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Aussie here:
The best Brissy concert venues...well, I like the Tivoli for the way you can fit a medium sized audience in, but it still feels really intimate. But the Arena's pretty awesome too, I mean the seperate level for the 18+ provides a whole different dynamic.
Before it closed down, Festy hall was apparently awesome. Too bad I never got to go...
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The First Unitarian Church is, by far, the best venue in Philly.
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Matt: I wish EVERY UU church had shows in their basement. I've never been to the one in Philly, but I've heard it's fantastic.
In Pittsburgh: most of the mid-sized venues are gone now. Mr. Smalls is a good one, if only because it used to be a church and the bands play at the altar. It's not 21+, though, so you're stuck in bar area at the back while you're drinking. We've got tons of tiny venues (capacity 100-200), Brillobox and Shadow Lounge being my favorites.
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In my town: Eugene, Oregon's WOW Hall. It's community owned and operated with small ticket prices and big sound. I've seen Subtle, Liars, and Man Man there in this last year, and Deerhoof and Of Montreal are booked for the next couple of months. It has a great community atmosphere and big acts for some place with 150K people living in town.
Portland: A tie between Doug Fir Lounge and the Crystal Ballroom. Doug fir is a little too hip at times, but the "Twin Peaks" decor is awesome and they pull in sterling electronic acts. The Crystal has a floating dancefloor and amazing chandeliers, but can get a little too packed with tall skinny white kids making it hard to see Sufjan et al.
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The Ryman in Nashville, hands down
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No one likes the Warsaw?
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I'll second the First Uni in Philly, and also give some credit to The Khyber. Considering the size of that place (small) I've seen some incredible sets there (stellastarr*, Von Bondies, Minibosses).
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In Chicago:
-Fireside without a doubt was an amazing place, especially in hindsight. Now it's just a below average bowling alley. But hey, they filmed a scene in "The Breakup" there.
-I've always loved the Empty Bottle. For one, it's 21+ so no kiddies(that used to be a con but now it's a pro for sure). Cheap drinks and very small and intimate.
-Not sure why people here like the Logan Square Auditorium so much. It's way too big and open, the sound isn't that good and the few kinds of beer they have are overpriced. Pretty much the same things that are shitty about the Aragon, the main difference being that at least the LSA has bands worth seeing.
-Worth mentioning is the Abbey Pub. It's really nice inside, it feels a little like a ski lodge to me. Speaking of, is anyone else excited about seeing the Apocalypse Hoboken and Oblivion reunion show in December?! Or how about Naked fucking Raygun at the Congress? This could be the wrong type of blog.
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I haven't been to nearly to all of the Chicago venues but my favorites as of now are Riviera Theatre and Schubas.
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Bowery Ballroom?? Why is everyone so up their ass? The booking is great but the venue sucks. Sightlines are shit. Can't get a beer--bar is too small and way in the back. And the pisser? Forget it--through the crowd, past the stage and down a flight of stairs (2 flights if you're in the balcony) and in another bar! Poor.
The Academy on 43rd--THAT was a proper NYC rock venue.
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Best in Baltimore: The Talking Head.
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Zaphod's in Ottawa.
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The Bait Shop. I saw DCFC there once.
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In Washington, DC (and its environs):
The Black Cat, despite its crappy site lines does have great sound and still books the best shows in the city in on the mainstage.
Despite being crappily shaped, Iota is such an intimate and warm place to see a show.
In New York:
Nothing beats Brownies, RIP. But, shows at the Mercury Lounge always sounded good and made me happy.
In Chicago:
The Empty Bottle (what it is about crappily shaped spaces?) is a personal favorite--great shows, and sound, and Pac-man/Space Invaders in the bar!
The Fireside is a fun place to see high-energy shows.
And despite the fact that it closed right before my 21st birthday--so I never got to go there--I'm putting in a vote for Lounge Ax based on my older brother's reports!
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NY - Bowery - It is so pretty;
DC - like Bower, bigger more industrial looking;
Paris - L'Olympia, an amazing, perfectly sized, music theater.
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Cleveland:
Beachland Ballroom: An old Slovenian meeting hall. Beautiful big room, usually decnt sound and cheap beer. (You can get an Anchor Steam for $3.00).
Beachland Tavern: Attached to the hall, the workingman's bar. Aobut the size of a VFW bar, with a nice little stage.
Grog Shop: Cleveland's premier rock club. Started out as a little bar, but started booking live acts. I've seen hundreds of shows there. (they've moved up the street to a slightly larger locale).
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i always loved coney island high. small yes, but alway a good time
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Toronto:
1st place: Opera House
2nd place: Horseshoe
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my favorite venue is definitely the crocidile cafe in seattle.
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Thanks for the article link.
I've only been in NYC for a couple months, but I've liked the venues I've been to - Joe's Pub is excellent and intimate. Roseland is awesome, aside from the camera policy. I didn't know that Webster Hall fit 1,400, very impressive.
I'm going to Irving Plaza and The Knitting Factory next week. Incidentally, does anyone know either venue's policy on cameras?
Keep up the work.
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Ryman - Nashville. Religious Rock n Roll experience.
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PARC - Jakarta
BB's - Jakarta
CBGB
Knit
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the warsaw. amazing polish women serving pierogies and sausage, can't beat it.
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in Philly: The Tin Angel
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in Lancaster, Pa.(hey, we don't all live in big cities)--The Chameleon Club--lots of character, multiple levels, rooms, and bars. The indie rock DJ set is fun, and I also saw one of the best shows ever there--Paul Westerberg played a great solo acoustic/electric set.
I remember him asking us if he should end with "Here Comes A Regular" or "Swinging Party", then he played them both.
http://www.chameleonclub.net/
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Went to your link, chameleonclub.com. Isn't it irritating when sites like that, which are basically just for a posting of the venue's schedule, directions, etc. put adsense on them? Unless the site, itself, is the product, then I say no ads!
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Augusta's own little CBGB's = THE SOUL BAR, named in honor of native son James Brown, this place has brought in some of the best music ever to play this town: CAT POWER, ELF POWER, MACHA, JUCIFER, NOW IT'S OVERHEAD, FIVE EIGHT, MODERN SKIRTS, THE WHIGS, and lots of LOCAL BANDS!
and on top of that......they sell 40 oz. beers for $3!
god bless the soul bar!!!
http://www.soulbar.com
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Chicago:
Hands down, Empty Bottle. Amazing bands, intimate bar, appropriately dive-y, great for dancing, unbeatable drink prices, awesome staff, pool table and couches & a great photobooth. Love love love.
Hate Metro.
Much love for Double Door, they pull in bigger-sized bands and you can always "escape" to the basement if you need intimacy, or pool, or quiet until that band you want to see plays (they have monitors showing the band playing).
L.A.:
The Echo. Divey, good-sized room, fun patio (though you'll forget you came to a show) and decent sound.
The Scene. Has to be best punk venue (a la The Fireside Bowl) in town. Even though it's in Glendale.
Safari Sams also does a good show. Good size, good views from where ever you're at, quick bartenders.
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I love Warsaw and I love the sound at Bowery Ballroom.
Worst? Roseland. That place brings out the worst in people.
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9:30 in dc!
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holy shit no one's said The Commodore (Vancouver, BC). easily my favourite place on earth
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Bowery Ballroom
winner---Best Sound---Best Booking---Best Management---Best in the Country
Hands down my indie yuppies!!!
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1. Largo
2. Doug Fir
ps. while the church in Philly in is theory great, in practice it is not.
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Chicago-
Schuba's and the Park West.
Minneapolis-
Varsity Theater and First Ave
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Best in Buffalo: the Icon
Best in Niagara Falls: the Dome theater
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been to many clubs in my day, but the magic stick in detroit wins hands down
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The Bitter End. NYC. Great room.
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In Chicago Schubas is the best. For Mid-size stuff The Vic and Park West are nice (a double plus with it's 80s coke and mirror charm). And for Large it's the Chicago Aud or nothin. Also the new stage in grant park is nice.
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From Sao Paulo:
THE OUTS, STUDIO SP, BELFIORI and VEGAS.
at NY I definitely go for Mercury.
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From Sao Paulo:
THE OUTS, STUDIO SP, BELFIORI and VEGAS.
at NYC I definitely go for Mercury. the best.
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Rebel = Weird Vibe.
It's being remodeled into more of a music venue, but still sports some of the old venue's "charm". Last i saw (last month...had the space previewed for a potential show) it still sported cages for dancers on either side of the stage. Venue coordinator mentioned they "might be removed" but that no plans were currently underway for that. It is an L shaped space, with patrons making a dogleg to the right to approach the stage area which might be a liability for sound, though some serious dollars have been spent on the system itself.
Additionally, it's a multi-level club with an upstairs for private parties, etc.
In the end, think Avalon meets Lit Lounge.
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in chicago, the park west and the double door compete for my affections - each the best for different reasons. i am surprised not see a nom for the subterranean, though - great little place where you can watch from the second floor above the stage.
i now live in st. louis and the best place to see a show here is a seedy venue called the off-broadway. complete with saloon-style bar and wagon wheel chandelier...and, of course, keep your eyes out for beatle bob.
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the mountain bar in chinatown in los angeles.
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NYC: definitely Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge. Southpaw and Fez get honorable mentions (not a fan of the two drink minimum at Fez but I've seen some *incredible* shows there). add me to the list of those who dearly miss Brownies. damn you for closing it, Mike Stuto!
Philadelphia: The Khyber. And Sean Agnew can go fuck himself.
Boston/Cambridge: I can't believe I'm the first person to mention The Middle East (upstairs more so than downstairs - downstairs has the worst sound but what fantastic times I've had there over the years) and TT The Bear's Place.
Chicago: I am a huge fan of both Schuba's and the Hideout. Both venues are almost good enough to endure Chicago winters for.
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