Can new kid in town the Sinclair beat out old standbys like TTs and the Middle East? You tell us- vote!
So you've just about worn out those vinyl LPs you picked up
at our Best Record Store nominees. Time to check out those bands live, perhaps?
We've lined up the best Boston-area rock venues to catch national acts on their
stops in town and local rising stars alike. From Rock City
to Harvard Square,
these are your nominees for Best Rock Venues at which to pound beers and bang
your head.
__Scott Sugarman
BRIGHTON
MUSIC HALL | ALLSTON
Brave the tough Allston parking, and you'll be rewarded with
an intimate, memorable show at Brighton
Music Hall (née Harpers
Ferry). The low stage lets you get up close to the band, while the
two bars that line the room provide ample space for hanging close to the booze.
Oh, and did we mention the pool tables in the back? Perfect way to kill time
in-between sets.
HOUSE OF BLUES | BOSTON
It may be a corporate venue, but the House of Blues Boston presents
major tours minus the typical boomy, muddy stadium acoustics (we're looking at
you, TD Garden). Revel in HoB's pristine sound while standing in the spacious,
well-ventilated general admission floor area. There's plenty of room to get
your groove on or throw down in a circle pit, depending on who's playing.
THE MIDDLE EAST | CAMBRIDGE
On the flipside, sometimes there's nothing better than
sweating your way through an intense set packed alongside a couple hundred
other die-hard fans. For many a year, the four relatively compact areas that
comprise Central Square's
the Middle East have hosted both well-known
and local bands. The shawarma's pretty tasty, too.
PARADISE ROCK CLUB | BOSTON
The ‘Dise books larger indie acts on their way to the HoB while
managing to preserve the cozy vibes and cheap tix of smaller venues like the
Middle East and sister club Brighton Music Hall. Trouble getting a good view
from underneath all those crowd surfers? No problem-the upstairs balcony offers
stellar vantage points.
THE SINCLAIR | CAMBRIDGE
Despite its delayed opening late last year, Harvard Square's
spankin' new rock club/restaurant has quickly won over our hearts, ears, and stomachs. Awesome acoustics, several
bars, close proximity to the Red Line-you can't ask for more than that. Unless
you're talking a pre-concert snack to soak up some of that booze, in which case
you should probably treat yourself Michael Schlow's duckfat potato chips and/or
pastrami'd pork belly sliders.
T.T. THE BEAR'S PLACE | CAMBRIDGE
Just down the street from the Middle
East, TT's holds its own. The tiny Central Square venue's space provides
great views for everyone in the house. Plus, the concert lineups are always refreshingly
eclectic, and tickets usually range from only 7 to 12 bucks.
Get out and catch some live music and then get voting! And don't forget that if you don't see your fave rock venue in town repped here, you can write it in! (Sorry, your Allston basement might host rad shows, but doesn't make the cut)
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