The Americana and roots music authority

alt-country bars/venues in your area

Any clever band would use every inch of the podcast and alt-country radio show discussions, but what would really be handy is a list of good bars that host alt-country bands written by the people who know.

So speak up! When bands come to your town where should they play? What bars should they avoid and why.

My area : North Texas

Dallas

The Double Wide
Adairs
The Granada
House of Blues

Fort Worth

Lola's Sixth Street
Lola's Stockyards (there's two Lola's)
Longhorn Saloon
Fred's (smaller outdoor venue)
The Moon Bar

Denton

Dan's Silverleaf
Rubber Gloves (RGRS)

and you?

Tags: bars, tours

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chelsea on February 1, 2013 at 9:40am

I'm in Erie too....every now and the Crooked I has some good bands, and Docksiders does too from time to time. Erie could really use some more cover bands, especially 80s songs.

Just kidding.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bill Graham on February 1, 2013 at 10:48am

Yeah, those '80's bands are great, aren't they? Never heard THAT stuff before. Erie IS pretty barren, Americana-wise. You should really check out The Sportsmen's in Buffalo. Easy to get to, pretty short drive and an unbeatable (!) line-up. Get there early for a good seat.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack Kidd on February 1, 2013 at 9:01am

Here in the UK, more specifically in the North East we have either The Sage, Gateshead or anything organised by The Jumpin' Hot Club (usually The Cluny in Newcastle).

Before I did my prodigal son act and returned to Northumberland I used to enjoy some great nights at The Stables in Milton Keynes.

Something else to check out and very Americana are the gigs put on by Mike Trotman's "Empty Room Promotions" at various venues around Buckingham & Oxford. I've seen Buddy Miller / Hayes Carll / Guy Clark / Gretchen Peters and a host more at these warm and friendly live music events.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tippy Canoe on February 1, 2013 at 9:11am

The Bay Area is lucky to have a few great sounding places.

Here's the East Bay (i.e. Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, El Cerrito, Albany and more) run down of my personal favorites:

Starry Plough, Berkeley

The Freight & Salvage, Berkeley

Speisekammer, Alameda (kind of a special secret spot)

Armando's, Martinez

Art Beat Foundation, Oakland (non-profit that hosts live music)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Anthony Gentilcore on February 1, 2013 at 11:53am

Not much here in the California desert except for Harriet & Pappy's in Frontiertown. I lived in Charlotte, NC for three years and just loved The Evening Muse and the Neighborhood Theatre in NODA.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by brad walkenhorst on February 1, 2013 at 6:26pm

St louis

Iam sure I am missing some.

Off Broadway
Old Rock House
Blueberry Hill
Lemmons
Stagger inn again (edwardsville)
VENICE CafE
broadway oyster bar

These are the main ones. I AM SURE I am missing some. Especially in the suburbs and outlying areas.

I can definitely see a road trip planned from this thread.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Eddie Boster on February 4, 2013 at 4:01pm

If you're on the I-70 tour a stop in Columbia Missouri is a good place to catch your breath and make some gas money. The University of Missouri, Stevens College and Columbia College supply enough college age music fans to keep a handful of music clubs cooking.

Mojo's

The Blue Note

The Bridge

The Blue Fugue

Roxy's

East Side Tavern

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ron victor on February 27, 2013 at 6:56am

NJ:

roxxy and dukes

Asbury lanes

probably about it - lol

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by john mobley on April 3, 2013 at 12:35pm

In the Washington DC Area, there are big venues and small. there are some that charge a lot, and focus on highly marketed product and some that are bottom of the barrel.

There are also a few where you can frequently see a great local band for free or very little (donations and tips accepted), and the music is fantastic, the people are amazing and the vibe is smoking hot! (Ask for Amethyst and tell her Cousin John sent you)

We also like JV's in Falls Church, VA (say Hi, to Lorraine), Hill Country Barbecue, and McGinty's Public house in Silver Spring, MD... via Chip Seligman at www.jamesturnerproductions.com

In Greenbelt, Md, a suburb of DC, stop by the New Deal Cafe, around 8 PM any night, and chances are there will be live music. And maybe even great live music, but certainly great music fans, who dance and sing and stomp their feet and buy the CD! and tip heavily when earned... Never been in a place more full of musicians, music fans artists, dancers, and lovers of music, just having a great time together!