Blitzen Trapper at Do317 Lounge
Photo credit blog.do317.com
This is just a starting point - a list of a few selected, small (crowds of maybe 15-200 people), venues that we love. There are plenty of other somewhat larger, well known and excellent places to hear a show (Brooklyn Bowl, or Chicago's Vic Theater for example), but this is an homage to smaller venues, similar to our main focus - providing information about a few bands that are worthy of attention but maybe not as widely known. These are small, intimate and usually friendly places that have exceptional taste in booking artists. Check back as we will add more venues sporadically. Make sure to read all the way to the bottom - we think you'll be glad you did.City Winery
A relative newcomer in the local venue space, City Winery started in New York, and last year year established a Chicago location that has quickly established itself as a classy spot to see some of the best artists visiting the city. Ticket prices are reasonable, but you'll spend a bundle on food and drink. Our favorite "new" spot.
West Loop
1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL
(312) 733-9463
Website: http://www.citywinery.com/chicago/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityWineryChicago
The Hideout
The Hideout is a fantastic place to hang out and hear some music. They have had a regular who's who of up and comers and occasional well-established local and national bands and performers. Affordable drink prices and a really chill atmosphere add to the overall experience.
1354 W Wabansia Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
Noble Square
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hideout-Inn/139096082092
Rosa's Lounge
Rosa's bills itself as the friendliest blues bar in Chicago and we won't argue. Sketchy neighborhood and a regular rotation of local blues artists give this a true old school blues joint feel. Bands like the Rolling Stones have been known to pop in to pay tribute to some of Chicago's blues favorites. Try to catch Melvin Taylor during one of his too infrequent appearances.
3420 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Logan Square
Website: http://www.rosaslounge.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rosaslounge
Brooklyn
The Rock Shop
Fantastic little venue - stage downstairs and a nice little bar and limited but delicious menu upstairs.
249 Fourth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215
249 Fourth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 230-5740
Website: http://www.therockshopny.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/therockshopbk
Manhattan
Rockwood Music Hall
Velour on the walls, 3 small stages give the Rockwood Music Hall an old-timey speakeasy kind of feel.
196 Allen St, New York, NY 10002
Lower East Side
Website: www.rockwoodmusichall.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockwoodmusichall?ref=ts&fref=ts
Pianos
Cool venue in an old piano store.
158 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
(212) 505-3733
Lower East Side
Website: http://www.pianosnyc.com/
St. Louis
Beale on Broadway
701 S Broadway, St Louis, MO 63102
blocks south. Favorite acts: Kim Massie and Marquise Knox.
During the non-winter monthsthe stage moves outdoors to
a gorgeous little stage with twinkling lights overhead.
Website: http://www.bealeonbroadway.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beale-on-Broadway/181897288500181?ref=ts&fref=ts
Nashville
Mercy Lounge / The Cannery Ballroom
One Cannery Row
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 251-3020
Website: http://mercylounge.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercylounge
New Orleans
Kermit Ruffins Treme Speakeasy
New Orleans is arguably home to more places to hear great music, including lots of street corners, than any other city in America; certainly per capita. Skip Bourbon Street, and head over to Frenchmen Street. This venue is listed more as an homage to the last 20 years of Kermit Ruffins performing at legendary dive Vaughan's Lounge than the newish venue he established in 2012. Kermit's performances at Vaughan's, as well as his cooking skills on Thursday nights are the stuff of legend, but he "retired" from that gig last fall. Catch Kermit Ruffins here or at any of numerous other great New Orleans venues that he regularly plays, particularly the Blue Nile.
1535 Basin St. New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 309.5828
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kermits-Treme-Speakeasy-Restaurant-Bar/228489110603709
Indianapolis
Do317 Lounge
1043 Virginia Ave #215, Indianapolis, IN 46203
The Do317 Lounge is a tiny performance space with a small somewhat limited bar located among artist's lofts and microgalleries on the 2nd floor of the Murphy Arts Building near Fountain Square. This place may be the best kept secret in Circle City. Acts like Blitzen
Trapper and The Lumineers have played here before a couple dozen people. Eat before you come - strictly an intimate music venue.
Website: http://www.do317lounge.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Do317Lounge
Birmingham
WorkPlay 500 S. 23rd Street
Birmingham, AL 35233 (205) 879-4773
Website: www.workplay.com
Facebook: httpps://www.facebook.com/workplay
Marty's
R.I.P. The legendary Marty's closed late last year...now where can we listen to some down and dirty blues at 4 am when we're in Birmingham?
Facebook: httpps://www.facebook.com/workplay
Marty's
R.I.P. The legendary Marty's closed late last year...now where can we listen to some down and dirty blues at 4 am when we're in Birmingham?
Napa Valley
City Winery
Opening April 2014, Cali's only (hopefully not for long) installment of NYC's original City Winery concept - great bands, great food, (oh yeah, great wine). Great date spot with great choices in
performers. Located in the historic Opera House.
Website: http://www.citywinery.com/napa/
1030 Main St. Napa, CA 94559
(707) 260-1600
City Winery
Opening April 2014, Cali's only (hopefully not for long) installment of NYC's original City Winery concept - great bands, great food, (oh yeah, great wine). Great date spot with great choices in
performers. Located in the historic Opera House.
Website: http://www.citywinery.com/napa/
1030 Main St. Napa, CA 94559
(707) 260-1600
Key West
The Green Parrot
Duval Street is fun and very, very touristy, but venture off instead just a couple blocks to The Green Parrot, where a nice mix of locals and tourists that are more "in the know" congregate each night for eclectic local and national acts. For a more nautical theme try the ever-friendly Schooner Wharf Bar.
| 601 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040 |
SoFar Sounds
www.sofarsounds.com
We are hiding this link in smaller print near the bottom of the page because we're a little afraid of letting the best secret in truly intimate shows out of the bag. SoFar is an organization that started in Great Britain a few years ago that has "chapters in many different cities in the US and throughout the world. They hold "secret" shows roughly monthly in each town, held in private homes and apartments by volunteer hosts. These are amazing events with a very small crowd and several unannounced bands for true music lovers. No talking during the performances, no leaving early - just front row views of amazing performers and a chance to chat with them afterwards. Check it out and register for your city. Check YouTube for SoFar performances (like the one by Antony & The Tramps), and prepare to be amazed.
Please email us or comment with your favorite small venues and dive bars.
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