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May 29, 2007

Paste Mag's Top 40 Music Venues

Here's one to get you talking. Paste solicited nominations for the country's best music venues, taking their readers' 500+ suggestions and whittling 'em down to an unranked list of 40 "according to history, setting, sound, character, comfort, atmosphere, vibrancy, uniqueness and their roles in helping launch careers." Here's their list of the nation's best listening rooms, ranging from the legendary (Fillmore) to the new(ish) kids (Allen Room at Lincoln Center). Pick your favorite region and enjoy.

NORTHWEST
Café Du Nord (San Francisco, CA)
Crocodile Café (Seattle WA)
Department of Safety (Anacortes, WA)
Doug Fir Lounge (Portland, OR)
The Fillmore (San Francisco, CA)
Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA)
Gorge Ampitheatre (George, WA)
Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, CA)
SOUTHWEST
Continental Club (Austin, TX)
Red Rocks (Morrison, CO)
The Troubador (West Hollywood, CA)
Largo (Los Angeles, CA)
Stubb's (Austin, TX)
Hotel Café (Hollywood, CA)

MIDWEST
Cain's Ballroom (Tulsa, OK)
Schubas (Chicago, IL)
Magic Stick (Detroit, MI)
Fox Theatre (Boulder, CO)
First Avenue (Minneapolis, MN)

NORTHEAST
9:30 Club (Washington, D.C.)
Allen Room at Lincoln Center (New YOrk, NY)
Iron Horse Music Hall (Northampton, MA)
Club Passim (Cambridge, MA)
Bowery Ballroom (New York, NY)
Maxwell's (Hoboken, NJ)
World Café Life (Philadelphia, PA)
The Living Room (New York, NY)
Space (Portland, ME)

SOUTHEAST
40 Watt Club (Athens, GA)
Bluebird Café (Nashville, TN)
The Basement (Nashville, TN)
The Earl (Atlanta, GA)
Eddie's Attic (Decatur, GA)
Jammin' Java (Vienna, VA)
The Melting Point (Athens, GA)
The Orange Peel (Asheville, NC)
Southgate House (Newport, KY)
The Tabernacle (Atlanta, GA)
Tipitina's (New Orleans, LA)
Workplay (Birmingham, AL)

Would like to see Mercury Lounge in there, but when you live six blocks away, bias is an issue. Additions, subtractions, expressions of frustrations? Have at it.

Posted at 4:02 PM




119 Comments

The Exchange (Regina, SK)

Absolutely perfect venue. I could watch The Constantines own that place every night for the rest of my life.

Posted by: red at 05/29/07 4:10 PM  | Reply
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Admittedly, it's been a while since I've been to First Ave but I think the Fine Line is much better.

Posted by: Sarah at 05/29/07 4:12 PM  | Reply
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THE SOUL BAR in AUGUSTA, GEORGIA home of JAMES BROWN

Posted by: maya lucia at 05/29/07 4:15 PM  | Reply
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The Parish is my favorite venue in Austin.

Posted by: l at 05/29/07 4:18 PM  | Reply
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the empty bottle is the best place to see a show in Chicago

Posted by: trainspttn at 05/29/07 4:19 PM  | Reply
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This sort of list is so arbitrary, I can't take it too seriously. But, 5 venues in GA versus 5 in the entire midwest? Give me a break. I realize Paste is based in Georgia, but the home-state love is a bit excessive.

Posted by: Nick at 05/29/07 4:23 PM  | Reply
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is that boulder, ca suppose to be boulder, co....if it is, the fox is not that great....seriously....that place smells like grandma...

Posted by: Julio Enriquez at 05/29/07 4:24 PM  | Reply
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weren't people freaking out about gum calling colorado the midwest recently? looks like paste can expect some angry letters from righteous colorado peeps.

Posted by: wahwahwaaah at 05/29/07 4:30 PM  | Reply
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Silly list...but What?!? no Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill?

Posted by: elton joel at 05/29/07 4:32 PM  | Reply
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Jammin Java and the 9:30 Club are maybe 20 miles apart, yet in different regions (both in DC Metro). How odd.

Posted by: Captain Sparky at 05/29/07 4:38 PM  | Reply
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the opolis in norman, ok

Posted by: beau at 05/29/07 4:38 PM  | Reply
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red rocks? well sure.

Posted by: cat dirt at 05/29/07 4:40 PM  | Reply
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I might as well be the only person to mention The Starlite Room (Edmonton, AB). Awesome place (for the nine people who have heard of it).

Posted by: Bob at 05/29/07 4:40 PM  | Reply
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Olympic Island, Toronto

Posted by: justin at 05/29/07 4:41 PM  | Reply
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boston? the paradise? middle east?

iron horse is decent though.

Posted by: corey at 05/29/07 4:44 PM  | Reply
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i've heard of it, Bob. I just saw Dino Jr. there on Saturday.

Posted by: papertiger at 05/29/07 4:47 PM  | Reply
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they left off the Middle East in Cambridge?

And I'm sorry, I know Maxwells has the history and all that, but it's a shit place to see a show. Bad sight lines, bad lighting and more often than not bad soundguys. The intimacy is amazing and it's a point of pride to be able to talk about having seen some astounding bands play there the night before they do a sold out show at Irving, but the room itself is rubbish.

Posted by: AnalogBass at 05/29/07 4:47 PM  | Reply
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The three SF picks are each pretty good to great. Great American can be an amazing venue to the right band. Cafe du Nord is a pretty good intimate venue. Fillmore is probably as good as they get for large-ish venues.

There are obviously some problems, with the list, though. From my Boston days, I always liked TT the Bears and for an impersonal box-of-a-venue, the Middle East downstairs will probably be my favorite.

Posted by: Adrian at 05/29/07 4:51 PM  | Reply
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GREAT to see cain's ballroom make the list. i've seen countless great shows there.

Posted by: kylie at 05/29/07 4:58 PM  | Reply
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I agree with The Opolis in Norman....great sound, intimate, fun decor, nice owners, cheap beer. It's awesome! Also, Hailey's in Denton is wonderful as well!

Posted by: Mark at 05/29/07 4:58 PM  | Reply
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I really dug the downstairs at the Middle East when I was there in October.

Posted by: red at 05/29/07 4:59 PM  | Reply
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I haven't yet checked out the Doug Fir here in Portland-- I suppose they have a lot of interesting acts, but no "must see" acts, yet, my concert budget gets stretched thin in this town as-is-- but I do hear that it's a cool and intimate venue.

I've always been a fan of The Aladdin, though, I've seen some mind-blowing shows there. It's too bad everything gets booked at the Crystal Ballroom instead.

Posted by: tk. at 05/29/07 5:04 PM  | Reply
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paste is clueless about chicago. schubas SUCKS! empty bottle is so much better.

Posted by: booboojuice at 05/29/07 5:08 PM  | Reply
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Four locations in Atlanta, and New Orleans only gets Tipitina's? I can't take this list seriously when they can only find one club in a city that has more live music locations in a fifteen bloc radius then most of these cities could dream of!

And they’re honestly going to contend that Atlanta has more great spots for live music than New York or Los Angeles? I smell a huge heap of bullshit!

Posted by: Ju Bean at 05/29/07 5:09 PM  | Reply
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that's hilarious...i live about a quarter mile from club passim but i've never been there. i thought it was just a place for spoken word poetry and amateur singer/songwriters.

say what you will about TT's, the Middle East and Paradise for acoustics or whatever, but they're venues that actually have real bands performing at them. which gives them a *slight* advantage...

Posted by: frank at 05/29/07 5:09 PM  | Reply
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I wouldn't say that Schubas sucks, I've had a pretty good time there, but I like the Metro much better as far as Chicago venues go.

Posted by: Dan at 05/29/07 5:13 PM  | Reply
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i don't understand how paste took two venues that are only seperated by 50 miles and put them into two seperate regions....it's only 45 mins from boulder to morrison....

Posted by: Julio Enriquez at 05/29/07 5:14 PM  | Reply
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i might be late on this. but since when is san francisco considered the northwest?

Posted by: joe at 05/29/07 5:17 PM  | Reply
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club passim? who plays there ever? clearly the middle east should be on this list

Posted by: cait at 05/29/07 5:18 PM  | Reply
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black cat- dc.... so much better than 9:30
exit/in, mercy lounge- nashville

Posted by: ben at 05/29/07 5:19 PM  | Reply
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Yeah, I second the Black Cat in DC -- no matter where you stand, you can always see (I suppose unless you're short... or there is that one tall guy who always stands in front of you... but I don't think you can blame the venue... just God).

The Union in Athens, OH is pretty good too for what it is...

Posted by: joykicksdarkness at 05/29/07 5:29 PM  | Reply
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joe: since SF got all uppity and refused to be called "Frisco"? I'm guessing Northern Cali = northwest, these days. Plus it makes it easier to spread the list out, since Idaho ain't exactly a bastion of culture.

Oh yeah, the Gorge Ampitheater in George, WA? It's a damn amazing carved out hillside ampitheater with the Columbia River as the backdrop to the stage. A long drive from anywhere, but if the weather holds, it's the most breathtaking view for any venue. Maybe I'll make it to Sasquatch next year...

Posted by: tk. at 05/29/07 5:30 PM  | Reply
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Paste redraws the lines. SF is not only included in the Northwest, but LA is now part of the American Southwest. And the Casbah and Belly Up in San Diego apparently ain't shit. I would beg to differ, but looks like the list doesn't have much cred anyway.

Posted by: Rosemary at 05/29/07 5:37 PM  | Reply
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Gotta give another vote to the Opolis in Norman Oklahoma... great place to see your favorite band with 50 other people

Posted by: Mikhail at 05/29/07 5:40 PM  | Reply
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I go to a lot of shows in Austin and wouldn't even have Stubb's in my top five of Austin venues, let alone top 40 in the country. My favorite venue, Emo's Austin, didn't make the list despite making the top five in Playboy's list that came out a few months ago. Emo's has butt loads of character and history. They still have the stool that Johnny Cash sat on when playing at SXSW hanging above the bar.

Posted by: Ruhmann at 05/29/07 5:43 PM  | Reply
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There is no way World Cafe Live beats the Tower Theatre for Philly.. and internationally speaking, the Paradiso in Amsterdam is the best venue. EVER.

Posted by: Syd Sedars at 05/29/07 5:47 PM  | Reply
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I agree the Metro is a great place to see a show. Just saw LCD Soundsystem there and it was outstanding.

Posted by: PickledOprah at 05/29/07 5:51 PM  | Reply
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glad to see Southgate House in Newport KY on the list...what a great venue.

Posted by: matt hamm at 05/29/07 5:53 PM  | Reply
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Boston has been snubbed for sure. But its tough to please everyone I guess. The Middle East, Paradise rock, even TTs need some recognition. Never been to the Iron Horse though.

Posted by: Sut at 05/29/07 5:54 PM  | Reply
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The Blue Note in Columbia, Missouri, holds a special place in my heart.

Posted by: z-man at 05/29/07 6:01 PM  | Reply
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I'll third the Metro in Chicago... Schuba's is great, but Metro is legendary -- and feels like the city.

Posted by: daniel at 05/29/07 6:03 PM  | Reply
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I call bullshit on the Midwest list.
Agreed the bottle is better than schuba's, which is better than Metro..

but no GROG SHOP in Cleveland? are you joking me?

although, I guess this is what you get from the readers of Paste......

Posted by: jen at 05/29/07 6:06 PM  | Reply
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I wholeheartedly agree with the picks in San Francisco. GAMH is my favorite venue of all time. Cafe Du Nord is almost scarily intimate. The Fillmore is a legend.

I'd add Bottom Of The Hill to the list also. Great venue.

Posted by: peterpanwashere at 05/29/07 6:11 PM  | Reply
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Cat's Cradle is in Carborro. I'd put it on the list.

Totally agree with Bottom of the Hill being added to the SF list.

Posted by: El Payo at 05/29/07 6:19 PM  | Reply
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THE MIDDLE EAST 4 EVA!!!!11!!!

Posted by: tt at 05/29/07 6:19 PM  | Reply
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Personally, I'm glad that they left Cat's Cradle off of the list. Yes, they attract most of the great bands that come through NC - but the sound engineering there is terrible.

Posted by: VP at 05/29/07 6:26 PM  | Reply
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The Gorge is nice but for sound it's shit. A great view and tremendous atmosphere can't make up for crappy sound rigs.

Tractor Tavern is just a 10 minute walk from my place and I love that choice--it has a unique decor and blends indie and country/alt-country fans into one happy family.

Posted by: Justin at 05/29/07 6:29 PM  | Reply
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Gotta love the Tractor Tavern (Seattle) being picked here, if for no other reason then I can crawl home from it.

The original Cat's Cradle for sure... not sure about the new (third?) location.

I have to second the need for the inclusion of San Diego's Casbah (at it's second location, correct?)

The best venue I ever saw live music at was The Backstage, which unfortunately closed it's doors in the late 90's. When it went under, The Tractor Tavern (formerly The New Melody) took on most of it's bookings and the rest is history.

Posted by: drake at 05/29/07 6:36 PM  | Reply
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The Bug Jar---Roch., NY
Trocadero---Philly

Posted by: kevin at 05/29/07 6:54 PM  | Reply
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There's no question The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee should be on there. Not only gorgeous on the inside, but the sound is better than any other venue I've been to (and I've been to a lot!).

Posted by: bluesphee at 05/29/07 7:04 PM  | Reply
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"Paste redraws the lines. SF is not only included in the Northwest, but LA is now part of the American Southwest. And the Casbah and Belly Up in San Diego apparently ain't shit. I would beg to differ, but looks like the list doesn't have much cred anyway."

werd; all the shows I've seen at the Belly Up have been some of the best music experiences ever.

Although it's probably not in the list because SD is like the least indie city in all of SoCal.

Anyway, can any of you LA freaks tell me where the FUCK the Largo is? I don't think I've ever seen or heard of anyone performing at the Largo, wherever the fuck it is. The Troubadour I can totally agree with, but the Hotel Cafe? Really? They get enough decent artists to actually warrant being called a "best venue"?

Paste is a pretty good magazine (great if you look at the other dreck on the stands), but that list is just crap.

Posted by: Allen at 05/29/07 7:09 PM  | Reply
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Um..the Largo is a dinner club on Fairfax. Jon Brion holds his weekly shows there every Friday. They regularly have comedy nights ft. Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswald, Margaret Cho, etc. Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann have each played at least once a month in the past year. The place seats like 40 max and is known for its strict no talking during sets/no cell phone rules.

I agree that The Hotel Cafe is really pushing it considering the other venues in LA, but the Largo is top notch.

Posted by: jess at 05/29/07 7:31 PM  | Reply
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this list is utter shit, plz disregard it.

Posted by: mike at 05/29/07 7:39 PM  | Reply
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I for one really dig Schubas, and Metro is a close second if it weren't for the arrogance the staff seems to share.

Posted by: liv at 05/29/07 8:12 PM  | Reply
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Black Cat > 9:30 Club in the District.

Posted by: Johnny at 05/29/07 8:19 PM  | Reply
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Bullshit indeed. I mean no Metro in Chicago. No Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis. No Launch Pad in Albuquerque. Shite I say!!!

Posted by: James at 05/29/07 8:26 PM  | Reply
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Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco is pretty crappy, actually. The stage is too low so you can't see anything (I'm 6'2" but I have shorter friends), and if you are in the back half of the room, all you hear is bar chatter because of the odd shape of the place, which for some reason flows sound from the back to the front. Also, they don't care at all about the timing of things. It's not uncommon for a headliner to come on stage after midnight on a weekday. We never go here unless we absolutely MUST see the artist. Other venues (Great American Music Hall, Bottom of the Hill) we'll go to just because the places are so well run.

Posted by: Gordon at 05/29/07 8:48 PM  | Reply
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Ugh! Per usual Arizona doesn't make the cut. I don't get it. We have the 5th largest city in the U.S. and yet musically we are underwhelming. I can't say I'm suprised we were left off the list because venues by and large here are not that impressive. I hope music lovers of AZ read this list and were inspired to make some noise.

Posted by: rebecca at 05/29/07 9:02 PM  | Reply
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Ugh! Per usual Arizona doesn't make the cut. I don't get it. We have the 5th largest city in the U.S. and yet musically we are underwhelming. I can't say I'm suprised we were left off the list because venues by and large here are not that impressive. I hope music lovers of AZ read this list and were inspired to make some noise.

Posted by: rebecca at 05/29/07 9:09 PM  | Reply
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Not sure why the Iron Horse is on here. It's nice to have relatively "big" indie bands coming to the liberal-arts-purgatory that is Northampton, and the people are always great, but the venue itself is pretty unremarkable. I've only been to 2 others on the list (Bowery and 9:30) and those seem a lot more appropo for a top 40.

Giving some hometown love, I must say the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh has incredible acoustics and fittingly gorgeous design; a personal favorite venue. Only hosts 10 or 12 shows a year though.

Posted by: Matt at 05/29/07 9:23 PM  | Reply
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There really isn't any Canadian love on this list.

I would nominate the Casbah in Hamilton.
Nice venue.

Posted by: Amy at 05/29/07 9:26 PM  | Reply
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The Empty Bottle should have definitely made the list. But all of you pholks talking up the metro? That place is AWFUL. You might as well go to the Aragon Ballroom...

Posted by: chad at 05/29/07 9:42 PM  | Reply
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Club Passim has the historical significance, despite it's insignificance today....Bob Dylan and many others played there in relative obscurity back in the day.

Posted by: john at 05/29/07 10:02 PM  | Reply
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No problem, Boston's not a big college town anyway.

Posted by: hijeffinition at 05/29/07 10:23 PM  | Reply
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at first i was kinda pissed about the cat's cradle being excluded, but it is a good point that the sound there sucks, and i might be a little biased when that's the place i see 90% of my shows...

also, great spinal tap reference

Posted by: corey at 05/29/07 11:30 PM  | Reply
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Cats Cradle in Chapel Hill!

Posted by: TDT at 05/30/07 12:07 AM  | Reply
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The Basement? I like the club and the bands they book, but there are about 20 better places to see music in Nashville. (Poor sight lines and usually pretty bad sound as well.) The fact that the Ryman Auditorium is not on the list makes it immediately suspect. Best music venue I've ever seen, and it's not a well-kept secret.

Posted by: Glenn at 05/30/07 12:18 AM  | Reply
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*sigh* what complete and utter bullshit. the fact that an ATLANTA-BASED MAGAZINE didn't put Variety Playhouse on this list is completely fucking ludicrous. seriously. what were they smoking when they chose the 40 WATT and The Tabernacle over the VP? as someone who has been to many, many shows at venues all over the southeast, i would, without hesitance, name Variety Playhouse as the best one in the region. in fact, it's my favorite venue i've ever been to, ever.

Posted by: disgusted at 05/30/07 12:42 AM  | Reply
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The main problem with shows in NYC is that they tend to sell out before the band even forms.

Posted by: virgil at 05/30/07 1:14 AM  | Reply
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Personally I'd take Schubas over the empty bottle. If you're at the EB for a relatively big name, it's got a fun atmosphere, but a lot of times the acts have to battle a noisy bar crowd not so into the music on stage. That's a problem everywhere but seems a little more pronounced at the Bottle. The stage is angled a little oddly for about half the audience, and there's a weird step four or five feet from the performance area, meaning the people up front are higher up then the people behind them. Since the band is only a foot or so off the ground, if you're standing right behind the step it can make a difference between seeing them play or waiting for the shaggy hair in front of you to move to one side. It's got a clubhouse feel with the couches and pool tables, and it's definitely better for running back and grabbing drinks (you'll usually sober up just waiting for your beers at schubas), but as a place to see a band, I'm sometimes left a little disappointed.

They're both a lot better then subterranean though.

Posted by: Ibu at 05/30/07 1:27 AM  | Reply
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Actually, Variety Playhouse is fucking terrible. It's more suited for elementary school Thanksgiving musicals. And The Magnetic Fields (worst concert ever). 40 Watt easily wins this.

Posted by: Porkins at 05/30/07 8:31 AM  | Reply
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How can a Boulder theater be in the Midwest, but Red Rocks be in the Southwest? Colorado's big, but it doesn't straddle two different regions of the country.

Posted by: TJ at 05/30/07 9:29 AM  | Reply
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Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA

Posted by: r*obox at 05/30/07 9:39 AM  | Reply
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Love for Jammin' Java! Awesome. I'd like to toss in Starr Hill in Charlottesville, VA.

Posted by: Shawn at 05/30/07 11:13 AM  | Reply
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wow. mercury lounge was my first thought too. I spent my formative years there, and no other place in austin has as good acoustics or atmosphere.

Posted by: Bud Caddell at 05/30/07 11:18 AM  | Reply
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how bout Massey Hall, Toronto?

Posted by: emgee at 05/30/07 11:23 AM  | Reply
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southgate house, newport, ky

best place ever

Posted by: austin kleon at 05/30/07 11:30 AM  | Reply
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I KNEW First Avenue in Mpls would make the list. I don't care if parts of Purple Rain were filmed there, that place blows.

Posted by: Adam at 05/30/07 11:39 AM  | Reply
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New Game. Out of those 40 places, how many have people been to? I've been to 9 (SF, LA, MN, NYC).

Posted by: Nylund at 05/30/07 11:44 AM  | Reply
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Red Rocks and the Fox Theater are roughly one hour from one another by car. So why are they listed in different regions?

Posted by: the management at 05/30/07 11:59 AM  | Reply
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red rocks>the gorge

Posted by: a at 05/30/07 12:45 PM  | Reply
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Firstly it's "World Cafe Live" not "Life".
But more importantly, no respectful Philadelphian would ever call the World Cafe even a top 5 venue in Philly. Its like an old age home.

Posted by: bd at 05/30/07 12:52 PM  | Reply
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The Basement is the bomb. Glad it made it..... THE FUCKING BLUEBIRD?!?!?!?! What a joke. That place sucks. What about the Ryman?

Posted by: ELi Cash at 05/30/07 1:07 PM  | Reply
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why would you even consider putting the troubadour on the list? the troubadour is total balls!

Posted by: kevin at 05/30/07 1:10 PM  | Reply
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What about Young Avenue Deli in Memphis? Some of the greatest rock acts play there on a regular basis. I was at a three night run a few years back that featured, Cee-Lo on Friday, Lucero on Satuday and Del McCoury Band on Sunday. Talk about on hell of a lineup! I do respect that the Southeast has more representation than the rest of the country, everything is better down south!

Posted by: If You Want Blood, You Got It! at 05/30/07 1:11 PM  | Reply
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Minneapolis: TRIPLE ROCK SOCIAL CLUB!!!!!!

Owned by punkers, for punkers. Decent ticket prices, great food, a nice small-medium size room. Vegetarian option and over a dozen really good tap beers, and hundreds more. Best of all, NO TICKETS, no rip-off $12.00 "convenience charges".

Posted by: AO at 05/30/07 1:11 PM  | Reply
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of course atlanta has the best venues. most of paste's readership comes from where the mag orginated duh! but seriously...being from atl i was perplexed why the variety playhouse was not mentioned especially when the tabernacle and the eddies attic are. variety has the best sound of the smaller indie venues than these two and by far outshine them aestheticaly. i would say variety, the earl, and the drunken unicorn are my top 3 here in atlanta. also mention the atlanta symphony orchestra's hall because they hosted sigur ros. the athen's venues are correct. i was curious no florida venues were listed...a whole state has no venues c'mon paste! anyhow all supposed "best of" lists never satisfy anyone. they are made to spark creative conversation or arguments like this one obviously has. enjoy kids!!

Posted by: doublestuff at 05/30/07 1:23 PM  | Reply
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1. The Troubadour is amazing-- great room, sound, history, etc.

2. Belly Up is the best venue in Southern California.

Posted by: dawg at 05/30/07 1:38 PM  | Reply
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I can't believe they left off the Staples Center in LA and MSG in NYC!!! Blasphemy!

Posted by: chad o at 05/30/07 1:38 PM  | Reply
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LA - Yes, Largo rules. Especially as you get older. Have seen some truly genius shows there. If you ever get the chance to see Grant Lee Phillips, Tommy Stinson or Michael Penn there... GO.

DC - 9:30 over Black Cat. Not really a question there: the 9:30 may be the best venue of its kind around. Like the Black Cat though...

Philly - I concur: where was the Trocadero on this list? Me loves the Troc.

Boston - I still miss the Channel. That place was rad.

I will also kick in and say the Greek Theater in LA. Going to Arcade Fire there and there is just something about it... just a great outdoor venue.

Posted by: The Dude at 05/30/07 1:51 PM  | Reply
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first unitarian church - philly

Posted by: d at 05/30/07 2:33 PM  | Reply
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no love for the norva in VA? c'mon, its the grossest small venue ever and the most punk in va.

Posted by: jdubs at 05/30/07 5:17 PM  | Reply
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Largo and Hotel Cafe are where all your 'KCRW Presents' sensitive singer-songwriter shows are in LA. (think Nellie McKay and Eleni Mandell) You basically have to know the performer personally to get in at Largo, though. So small you have to go outside to change your mind.
Word Up! to The Troubador. Can't believe the Greek Theatre didn't make the cut. You can hike up into the trees behind the venue and hear the show perfectly, sans ticket. Greek tree-people, are you with me?

Posted by: j at 05/30/07 5:18 PM  | Reply
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Can't we all just agree that PASTE magazine sucks?

Posted by: sulky girl at 05/30/07 8:13 PM  | Reply
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magic stick is absolutely horrid. expect some fun mugging on the way in. ruined my liars concert because of how shitty everything around it was.

Posted by: rob at 05/30/07 9:40 PM  | Reply
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Paste is a good mag. I have a subscription to Blender now, thanks to a relative's gift. At least Paste doesn't have a topless Avril Lavigne on this week's cover and a wretch-inducing puff piece about how we are supposed to take her seriously now as a musician.

I live in Austin Texas. I find it quite interesting how somehow West Hollywood is in the same category as Austin. We actually have ads in our local paper for shows in New Orleans, but Cali is like worlds away from here, as distant as almost every other part of the continental US.

Posted by: iburl at 05/30/07 9:50 PM  | Reply
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World Cafe Live is Philly's representation? That's a shame. Aside from a serious lack of interesting artists, World Cafe is just seriously lame as a venue (and cafe, I might add).

Anyone around here will tell you the church and the TLA are the best places to catch a show. (The Troc is decent, The Electric Factory can blow me)

Posted by: infrared at 05/31/07 12:44 AM  | Reply
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I guess the reason no one is commenting on the department of safety is that none of you have been there but I'm amazed that's on the list. I've never been there but a venue in anacortes which is only really known for what the heck fest is an interesting choice.

Posted by: cliff at 05/31/07 4:13 AM  | Reply
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The mouth breathing in these comments is laughable. Almost as laughable as NYCers love for the Mercury Lounge. Are you guys joking? I've never enjoyed a show there. Maybe NYC clubs aren't on here because most of them just stink. That's been my experience. Cramped, bad sound, terrible ventilation (in the smoking days), and personality plus at the doors. I'm sorry, but the clubs I go to in the South are just BETTER. And remember that this list was compiled by readers, so it's not really a definitive list by any stretch. Personally, I think that the Bottletree in Birmingham should probably be on here, but it's fairly new.

A more interesting list would include the best from each city.

Posted by: Lucas Jensen at 05/31/07 9:03 AM  | Reply
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"local venue where one time i saw 18th Dye just kick it for like 2 hours" in "my town. my town rules."

pfff

real winner: america. AND ABOUT TIME! (no, america the band, baby)(hey- how's yr folks?)

Posted by: calebs at 05/31/07 2:23 PM  | Reply
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Heck, Paste is better than Stereogum anyday. And besides, a list like this is obviously going to be argued over -- it's subjective, people. :shrug:

That said, I was thrilled to death to see one of my favorite local venues (WorkPlay, Birmingham, AL) included. And while I enjoy both the Variety Playhouse and the Tabernacle in ATL, I tend to prefer the latter.

Posted by: CJ at 05/31/07 2:44 PM  | Reply
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Personally I'd go with Black Cat over 9:30 in DC Metro area, but that tends to be a minority opinion, so that's fine.

Thrilled to see Iron Horse on the list for MA. Gorgeous space, wonderful shows. But Passim over Middle East/TT's/The Dise? Nope.

Posted by: Vix at 05/31/07 2:56 PM  | Reply
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I'm late to this party, but the Triple Rock in MPLS is second only to First Ave (though the flat screens they added a couple years back are kind of lame). The Fine Line? Please.

Empty Bottle and Grog Shop: yes.

Posted by: Mark at 06/01/07 2:13 AM  | Reply
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US-
1.9:30
2.First Ave
3.Metro
4.Showbox
5.Cats Cradle

Intl.-
1. AB-Brussels
2. Paradiso- Amsterdam
3. Vera- Groningen
4. Barrowlands- Glasgow
5. Quattro- Osaka

Posted by: experienced at 06/01/07 1:07 PM  | Reply
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I'm going to have to back up the Belly Up and Casbah in SD as well...as much live music as I've seen since moving to NYC, those places beat anywhere here, hands down.

Posted by: Heather at 06/01/07 3:40 PM  | Reply
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Wow, the Troub and Largo are at the very top of my LA list, too. Not only does the Troubadour go way back, but you really can't beat the combination of sound and relative intimacy. And Largo? Well, fuck, Andrew Bird's best LA shows were there. Too bad he's gotten too well-known to go back. I just can't complain about the LA picks.

Posted by: Andrea at 06/02/07 1:52 AM  | Reply
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As for Toronto, I'd hafta go with Opera House or Lee's Palace. The sightlines can suck if you're not in the right spot @ OP, but the acoustics are the best in the city. Honourable mentions to the Horseshoe and the Phoenix.

Posted by: Mike at 06/02/07 4:23 AM  | Reply
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Apparently, I'm not the only one surprised at the Cats Cradle omission (though, truthfully, the sound and environs leave a bit to be desired).

Black Cat > 9:30, though both are good.

Is Largo too small for this kind of a list? Don't get me wrong - I've long wanted to go there, but it's more like a locale for a series of intimate get-togethers with people you don't know then a show venue.

Posted by: Carey Scurry at 06/02/07 10:05 PM  | Reply
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bluesphee: you obviously weren't at the pabst for the go! team set - the sound was horrendous. milwaukee's best venue is the cactus club.

Posted by: joey ta-ta at 06/03/07 12:29 PM  | Reply
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Good God, Doug Fir Lounge makes me want to move back to Portland. Doesn't matter how random this list is, Doug Fir is fucking badass.

Posted by: Chris at 06/04/07 8:04 AM  | Reply
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The Paradise in Boston for sure. The bands, the layout, the marquee... Who exactly are these Paste readers?

Posted by: Jay at 06/04/07 10:28 AM  | Reply
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why is everyone hating on paste? it's just a list of suggestions, people, not an order.

Posted by: kage at 06/04/07 11:07 AM  | Reply
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toronto: horseshoe tavern, lee's palace

montreal: metropolis

Posted by: ryantheduke at 06/04/07 11:28 AM  | Reply
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cafe du nord in SF sucks so hard. and I can't believe the rickshaw stop, bimbo's, bottom of the hill, or the independent didn't make that list. lame.

Posted by: krys at 06/05/07 5:08 AM  | Reply
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no echo, no spaceland...is the troubadour and club largo really a legitimate representation of the southland?

Posted by: Josh at 06/05/07 3:22 PM  | Reply
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wow. what about the Trocadero in Philly and The Palace Theatre in Harlem???!!!!

Posted by: petryk at 06/06/07 10:38 PM  | Reply
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I think One of the top Concert Venues in the World has to be the MTS CENTRE in Winnipeg Canada.
Great accoustics, awesome set up very comfortable seating.

Posted by: Rick at 06/09/07 10:49 AM  | Reply
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I've been a music venue manager for the past six years and I've got to say that I am shocked that neither the Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry are on this list. Both are internationally known and respected venues that have launched the careers of some of the biggest names in country music and beyond. So it seems pretty bizarre that neither are on the list and yet The Basement is on for Nashville. Does anyone else find this really weird?

Posted by: Sara at 07/31/07 3:14 PM  | Reply
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No love for SPAC? it was number 1 on this guys list

http://www.jambandnews.com/my-favorite-concert-venues-number-1/

Posted by: kyle at 08/11/08 9:19 PM  | Reply
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