America's 40 Best Music Venues

WEST (continued):

Hotel Café - Hollywood, Calif.
Best place to catch a live sneak preview of next week’s TV-show soundtracks: Gary Jules showed up with an amp one day back in 2002 and, gradually, this small club transformed into the meeting place for an extremely tight-knit and talent-rich music community.
Introduced the world to: Rachael Yamagata, Alexi Murdoch, Cary Brothers, Joshua Radin, Brett Dennen
1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., HotelCafe.com

Red Rocks - Morrison, Colo.
Best place to have your mind blown by music and nature: Hearing the majestic sound bounce off the natural amphitheater of red sandstone monoliths named “Ship Rock” and “Creation Rock” is a must for any true music fan’s “before I die” list. Since it’s in the middle of a State park, even if you’re not U2 (remember the video for “Sunday Bloody Sunday”?) you can jump onstage on off-days and play for the make-believe masses.
Playing this month: Norah Jones (6/1), John Mayer. (6/15-16)
18300 West Alameda Parkway, RedRocksOnline.com

Fox Theatre - Boulder, Colo.
Best place to find the spirit of New York’s legendary Wetlands: The Fox opened its doors in 1991 to great fanfare, as the old-movie-theater-turned-concert-hall welcomed The Meters to the foothills of the Rockies. Designed by members of The Samples for optimal sound, the Fox was the spot for numerous secret one-offs by the Allman Brothers, Phish and even Bob Dylan.
Introduced the world to: Devotchka, Yonder Mountain String Band, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, The String Cheese Incident
1135 13th St., FoxTheatre.com

SOUTHWEST:

Cain’s Ballroom - Tulsa, Okla.
Best place to see a rock show under watchful portraits of Bob Wills, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Roy Rogers: Throughout its 75-year history, Cain’s has hosted everything from dancehall gang fights to pig races, mud wrestling and a rare American gig for the Sex Pistols. Once Bob Wills’ home base, the club’s show calendar is now a rock fan’s dream.
Introduced the world to: Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys
423 North Main Street, CainsBallroom.com

Continental Club - Austin, Texas
Best place to meet your drinkin’ buddies, hoist a PBR and get your face twanged off: With its warm light, red-velvet curtain and retro neon marquis, The Continental has been going strong since 1957. For over a decade it survived as a crooner hotspot and a burlesque club before becoming the landmark lounge it is today.
Introduced the world to: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Joe Ely, Charlie Sexton, Butthole Surfers, Kinky Friedman
1315 S. Congress Ave., ContinentalClub.com

Stubb’s - Austin, Tex.
Best place to toss out all genre bias while eating brisket: In the Live Music Capitol Of the World, Stubb’s reigns supreme, serving Austin generous helpings of the best touring acts along with its famous brisket and ribs. In the last few months, the outdoor venue’s typically genre-blind calendar has included George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Los Lonely Boys, Wolfmother, Patty Griffin, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Rakim and Ghostface, Manu Chao and Buddy Guy.
Introducing the music world to: Texas-style beef BBQ
801 Red River St., StubbsAustin.com

MIDWEST:

Schubas - Chicago, Ill.
Best place to ogle pre-war architecture while seeing your favorite new artists loving life: Built in 1903 and lovingly restored in 1997, Chicago’s gorgeous Schubas Tavern would be mere eye-candy if the bookings didn’t match the vibe. Fortunately, they do. This venue is also an artist-favorite tour stop; an anticipated oasis on the endless road of rock ’n’ roll.
Playing this month: Eleni Mandell (6/3), Noisettes (6/9), Ian Moore?(6/22)
3159 N. Southport Ave., Schubas.com

Magic Stick - Detroit, Mich.
Best place to crack a pool cue over some uppity rockstar’s soon-to-be-achin’ back… or to get punched out by Jack White while watching alt.country band Blanche: Housed above America’s oldest and hippest bowling center, Detroit’s Magic Stick sports a full bar, 10 billiard tables and the city’s best stage for up-and-coming rock acts. Just watch out for that left hook.
Introduced the world to: The White Stripes, The Von Bondies
4120-4140 Woodward Ave., MajesticDetroit.com/stick.asp

First Avenue - Minneapolis, Minn.
Best place to bask in Twin Cities music history before stumbling drunkenly through the skyways: First Avenue boasts that, early in his career, Prince made the venue his regular performance spot, even going so far as making it the set of his iconic film, Purple Rain. Introduced the world to: The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks, Peter Himmelman
701 First Avenue North, First-Avenue.com

NORTHEAST:

9:30 Club - Washington, D.C.
Best place to see a show in the worst neighborhood: Northwest D.C. isn’t the coziest place on Earth, but the 9:30 Club still pulls music lovers from all over the metro area, booking both the nation’s most popular acts and up-and-coming local favorites.
Introduced the world to: Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Fugazi
815 V St. NW, 930.com