This list'll be updated as often as I can do it (and if I hear about changes; I'm not psychic). Of course, I don't have all the places in town on here, just the "major" ones for rock-type stuff (although I wouldn't be averse to putting stuff up about other types of clubs; I just don't know very many). And if anybody reads this who happens to run one of the clubs/venues/whatevers below, please e-mail me about any shows you've got going on -- send 'em to "shows" at "spacecityrock dot com" (got too much junk e-mail, so you'll have to figure that out). Oh yeah, and I'd also like to remind folks of all those clubs that've gone on to the great beyond since this site first started: The Abyss; The Ale House; The APV Room; Area 51; The Rhythm Room; Fat Cat's; Billy Blues; The Blue Iguana; ClubSafeParking; Ashland Street Theater; Deep Phat; The Orchid Lounge; Urban Art Bar; Goat's Head Soup; The Velvet Elvis; and many more, R.I.P...
ACADIA LOUISIANA BAR:
3939 FM 1960 Houston, TX. 77068 (281) 893-2860 Live Music: Fri & Sat Blues, Rock
General Info: Never been in here, either (which is pretty sad, considering it's even closer to my house than Rudz), but I'm told this is, along with the Mucky Duck, is one of the best, longest-lived folk clubs in Houston. The bad part is that from what I can tell, they don't put ads for their shows anywhere...argh. [12/27/2000]
THE ARMADILLO PALACE:
5015 Kirby Drive Houston, TX. 77098 (713) 526-9700 "info" at "thearmadillopalace dot com" Booking: "booking" at "thearmadillopalace dot com"
ARTCAR MUSEUM:
140 Heights Blvd. Houston, TX. 77007 (713) 861-5526 Fax: (713) 942-2544 "artcarm" at "swbell dot net"
ASHBURY 60'S BAR & JAVA HOUSE:
4608 FM 1960 Houston, TX. 77069-4620 (281) 895-0884
General Info: Wha? A '60s-themed coffeeshop/bar? Whoa, maaan...okay, so I haven't been here, either, just seen the ads; I don't even know how often they have shows, but they've got a couple listed at the moment... [7/21/2000]
THE ATOMIC CAFÉ:
1320 Nance (713) 222-ATOM
General Info: Hidden away in the bowels of downtown (almost directly across the street from the Last Concert Café, actually), this place is mostly an art-space/theater-type deal, but lately I'm told they've been doing shows, which is cool, 'cause it's a neat little place. Funky, comfy couches, church pew seats in the performance area, plenty of cool locally-produced art on the walls, and cool bands like our very own Junior Varsity. Gotta make it back there sometime soon, definitely... [3/26/2000]
AVANTGARDEN:
411 Westheimer @ Taft Houston, TX. 77006 (832) 287-5577 (832) 519-1429 "mariana" at "avantgardenhouston dot com" http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=13690243
General Info: Man...I hadn't realized 'til recently just how long it's been since I swung by AvantGarden (almost since it used to be The Mausoleum, actually; I went there once or twice when it was Helios, but not real often). It's always been a cool, odd little place, and when I lived closer to the neighborhood, it was my favorite hangout of the whole Montrose area. It used to be a combination bar/coffeeshop, but if you're looking for a place to drink coffee in peace, this probably isn't it -- although the atmosphere is pretty dark & interesting, they tend to crank the jukebox really loud even on weeknights -- but it's still a cool little place. And the outdoor patio is very nice in non-mosquito weather.
The place went away for a while, supposedly undergroung renovations, and I haven't been in since. I was a little worried the "new" AvantGarden would be different, but it looks like it's run by some of the same people, at least, so that's a darn good thing... (A side note: the AvantGarden/Helios used to have a "sister" club just across the parking lot, The Oven, but I'm sad to report that the place is no more. It's a shame -- I both watched and played a lot of fun shows there, and their calzones weren't bad... These days it's a cantina called Mango's, I believe.) [12/3/2007]
THE BALINESE ROOM:
2107 Seawall Blvd Galveston, TX. 77550 (409) 762-9696 "balineseroom" at "sbcglobal dot net"
General Info: Yep, the same speakeasy/gambling club where Frankie, Bob Hope, & all those other old-school guys used to hang out, The Balinese Room in Galveston; somebody once told me that the reason it's built out over the water was because there was a trapdoor the folks running the place could use to dump the booze in case The Law came a-knockin' (mind you, that may well be totally apocryphal). Unfortunately, the renovated Balinese is currently not doing shows on Friday & Saturday night like they were for a while there. Hopefully they'll be back soon... [12/3/2007]
BARCODE:
902 Capitol (713) 229-0400 Booking: Sean Carnahan (DJs only; "seanc" at "barcodehouston dot com")
BARNEVELDER MOVEMENT/ARTS COMPLEX:
2201 Preston St. Houston, TX. 77003 (713) 529-1819 "info" at "barnevelder dot org"
General Info: The edge of the Rice Village is an odd place for a blues bar, I'll admit, but from what I've seen (and from what I've heard from blues-head friends), it's a pretty darn good one. They've usually got an open-mic jam deal at least once a week (not sure what day), so make sure to check that out if you feel like playin' the blues. Authentic blues in yuppie clothing. [12/27/2000]
THE BLACK WIDOW:
3310 W. Fuqua Houston, TX. 77045
BOHEMEO'S:
708 Telephone Rd. Houston, TX. 77023 (713) 923-4277 Fax: (713) 923-2805 "info" at "bohemeos dot com"
BRASIL:
2606 Dunlavy (713) 528-1993
General Info: Primarily a coffeehouse (and a fairly decent one, at that, if you can handle the arty crowd), but there's also jazz there Tues.-Thurs., and Houston's own DJ Sun kicks the phat vinyl on Mondays (I think). It's gotten a lot more packed lately, which sucks for those of us who like to sit and talk while we drink our coffee, but if you're into electronic stuff, it's a pretty good place to hear it. [12/27/2000]
BRIAN O'NEILL'S TRADITIONAL IRISH PUB:
5555 Morningside Houston, TX. 77005 (713) 522-2603 Live Music: Wed thru Sat
BUNGALO 8 SPORTS BAR & CLUB:
1463 Highway 6 South Houston, TX. 77077 713-570-9801 "contactus" at "bungalo-8 dot com"
CACTUS MOON:
22250 Highway 59 N # 621 Humble, TX. 77338 (281) 446-2202
General Info: Actually, this place's been around a lot longer than I'd realized, and it's gone through several different incarnations... Cardi's used to be a country bar, believe it or not, way back when, and then slowly transmuted into a metal/rock-type club, occasionally throwing in some hip-hop shows for fun. These days, they're apparently going back to their rock roots, booking lots more metal and rock'n'roll, and even "rock en espanol." And now that I think about it, this is one of the only places left in Houston that'll even bother with metal that's not of the Korn/Deftones/Limp Bizkit variety -- kudos to 'em for that, definitely. [12/27/2000]
CEZANNE:
4100 Montrose (713) 522-9621
THE COFFEE RETREAT:
17440 FM 529 Ste. #104 Houston, TX. 77095 (281) 345-8778 Booking: http://www.myspace.com/thecoffeeretreat
COMMERCE STREET ARTISTS' WAREHOUSE:
2315 Commerce St. Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 236-8214 "csaw" at "commercestreet dot org"
General Info: This place looks to be the downtown successor to the old Orchid Lounge, booking all those swing/country/rockabilly bands who aren't mean enough to play Mary Jane's; good thing, too, 'cause they've got some good stuff booked right now... Never been, dunno what it's like inside, but it sounds like it's worth checking out. Oh yeah, and this is sort of a "franchise," in the same way that Emo's is a franchise, of Austin's venerable Continental Club; just in case you're confused... (They also have a MySpace page these days, too.) [8/3/2006]
COTTON EXCHANGE BAR:
808 Franklin Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 236-0499 Booking: Ralph (713-236-0499) Live Music: Thursdays
THE CROOKED FERRET PUB:
11835 Jones Road Houston, TX. 77070 (281) 894-0055
CULLEN PERFORMANCE HALL:
University of Houston 154 Cullen Performance Hall Houston, TX. 77204-2003 (713) 743-5186 Fax: (713) 743-5194
THE CURVE:
1417 Westheimer, Suite B Houston, TX. 77006-2616 (832) 526-4382
General Info: Well, I've only been out here once, and it was kind of a lonely night -- some ska-band friends of mine were playing, and I don't think they appealed to much of the place's usual crowd, who seem to go more for blues, rock, or some combination thereof. Not a bad little place, and I hear they have weekly blues jams & stuff, which is cool... [7/7/2000]
DIRTWOOD RAMPPARK:
948 Wakefield Houston, TX. 77018 (713) 680-3442 Fax: Fax: (713) 680-3018 "jay" at "dirtwood dot com"
THE DIVE:
209 20th Street Galveston, TX.
DIVERSEWORKS:
1117 East Freeway, I-10 at North Main Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 335-3445 "info" at "diverseworks dot org"
THE DOWN TOWN GRAND ROOM:
1521 Austin Houston, TX. 77002
THE EL DORADO BALLROOM:
2310 Elgin @ Dowling
THE ENGINE ROOM:
1515 Pease Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 654-7846 Fax: (713) 654-7847 "info" at "engineroomlive dot com" Booking: "booking" at "engineroomlive dot com"
General Info: Man. I can remember when the Engine Room was still this vague dream of a place that kept promising to open, and here it is, years later, still going strong. I'd heard rumors a while back that the place would be closing, but hopefully that's not happening... At any rate, the Engine Room's still the only mid-size venue actually in downtown, other than the Verizon (the Meridian and Warehouse Live are close, but they're further east), and they host a ton of bands, some good and some bad. The sound's generally good, luckily, which makes up somewhat for the total lack of parking. [8/4/2006]
FITZGERALD'S:
2706 White Oak (@ Studemont) Houston, TX. 77007 (713) 862-3838 Booking: Michelle L. Garcia, 713-862-3838 (Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM); "fitzbooking" at "aol dot com") Ticket prices seem to generally hover around the $5-$15 range, depending on the size of the band
General Info: One of the granddaddies of them all, this is the only large club of its kind (meaning not a dance club, blues bar or a smaller venue-club like the Satellite Lounge or Emo's) that has survived since I've been here. I know there are several other old-timers -- Rudyard's and Emo's, for two -- but neither one can hold the huge high-schooler crowds Fitz can. It's a pretty decent place, with two separate floors for shows (at the same time, often), a nice (crowded) deck outside for between bands...and unbelievably shitty air-conditioning (seriously, it's so bad it makes me want to stay at home and listen to records, instead). This is one of the bigger hang-outs for Houston AlternaTeensTM -- they flock here in droves, smoking cigarettes and trying to look cool with all their piercings and shit, so be warned. (Don't mind me; I'm just older and cynical. After all, it's fucking traditional for punks to be "disaffected" white kids from suburbia, so what the hell.)
I've only been to this place a few times when it wasn't crowded (it does happen, though, esp. on weeknights -- there's not much of a crowd unless there's a well-known punk or ska band playing). They're packed full so damn often that they apparently get busted for fire-code violations on a regular basis... They book good bands, lots of ska and punk, and let local bands play, too. Anyway, it may be hot and filled with annoying thirteen-year-olds wearing t-shirts for bands that broke up when they were in elementary school, but Houston desperately needs an independent, big venue like Fitz, and I hope it stays alive a while longer. (And unless I was just really lightheaded at the recent Old 97s show, it feels like the ventilation has been fixed, at least in the balcony area, which used to be hotter than hell during shows of any size...) Thankfully, the last few years have seen some renovations in the downstairs area (formerly known as Zelda's, then as Lucky's Lounge, then as Zelda's again, and now I dunno what the fuck they're calling it, so I'll lump it up here with Fitz proper). Setup/Equipment: Very good sound system -- which isn't surprising, considering lots of "bigger-name" bands get to play here. You shouldn't need to bring anything; they've got a soundboard, monitors, big-ass speakers, cables, mics, stands, the whole mess. I've heard good and bad things about the sound guy, these days, but hey, I haven't had to deal with him, so I dunno... Booking: For bands that play there, well...let's just say I'm not real fond of some the management. They're pretty aloof and businesslike, which I guess is because they've been screwed over several times and have teetered on the edge of bankruptcy at least once. I will admit, however, that they can be friendly -- past booking folks have been friendly to me, anyway. There was recently a big housecleaning, though, it sounds like, and I dunno any of the folks booking shows there anymore. However, if their policies haven't changed, they charge a $35 "deposit" to play (at least, if you're a largely-unknown band playing on a weeknight, which is the only situation I've been in, myself) -- if 35 people show up, you get your money back. Weekends are $50, if I remember right. So, that kind of sucks -- and as far as I know, it's one of only two places in town where you have to pay to play, so be warned (the other, at least from reports I've heard, is the Satellite Lounge). [12/27/2000]
FLASHBACK COFFEE HOUSE:
1012 Heights Blvd. (713) 861-1064
THE FLYING SAUCER DRAUGHT EMPORIUM:
705 Main Street Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 228-9472 Booking: Jake (713-228-9472) Live Music: mostly Thurs thru Sat Folk/Acoustic, Rock
F.B.I. ROCK CLUB #1:
11528 Jones Road Houston, TX. 77070 (281) 807-4116 "kristyfbirockclub" at "hotmail dot com" Booking: Frankie ("forgettaboutit20" at "aol dot com")
General Info: Finally made it out here recently, for the big-ass St. Patrick's Day festival, so I figured I'd put up a bit about this place. It's not a club, and I really don't know what they do with it most of the time -- basically, it seems to just be a big festival space, and they rent it out for holidays and benefits and all that. Can't really say what the sound system's like (the show I saw was in a big tent, outside), but it seemed interesting, at least... [7/7/2000]
THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE:
2020 Postoffice Street Galveston, TX. 77550 (409)765-1894 / (800)821-1894 "thegrand" at "thegrand dot com"
THE GRASSHOPPER:
506 Main (713) 222-1442
GREEK TONY'S:
16140 Kuykendahl Spring, TX. (281) 440-3613
THE GRILLE AT EASYRIDERS:
16205 Westheimer Houston, TX. 281-759-2887
THE HARDROCK CAFÉ:
502 Texas Ave. Houston, TX. 77002 713-227-1392 "houston_ops" at "hardrock dot com" Booking: Kathryn Loos, 832-3723-6275
HARMONY COFFEEHOUSE:
5920 Hwy 6 North (inside Northwest Community Unitarian Universalist Church) Houston, TX. 77084 (281) 550-8884
THE HARP:
1625 Richmond Houston, TX. 713-528-PUBS
HERITAGE PLACE:
1203 Callahan Avenue Conroe, TX. (936) 494-3820
HICKORY HOLLOW:
101 Heights Blvd.
General Info: Okay, so I think this place is mostly a restaurant-type deal, but I know some local folks play here every once in a while, particularly country-ish/folk-ish people. [7/21/2000]
THE HOBBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS:
800 Bagby Street, Suite 300 Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 315-2400 Fax: (713) 315-2401
THE HOWLING COYOTE:
6536 FM 1960 West Houston, TX. 77069 (281) 444-3401 "howlingcoyote" at "sbcglobal dot net"
INDUSTRY CAFE:
2110 Rusk Houston, TX. 77003 (713) 222-CAFE "info" at "industrycafe dot net" Booking: Doc ("cortezhouston" at "hotmail dot com")
INTERNATIONAL BALLROOM:
14035 S. Main (at Hillcroft)
JAVAJAZZ COFFEE HOUSE:
419 Gentry Suite 103 Old Town Spring, TX. 77373 (281) 528-8129 FAX: (703) 991-7313 "info" at "javajazzcoffeehouse dot com" Booking: Michael Kelly ("thejavajazz" at "gmail dot com"); http://www.venuesytems.com/javajazz http://www.myspace.com/javajazzcoffeehouse
THE JELLYPHISH LOUNGE:
2420 White Oak Drive Houston, TX. 77009 "david" at "jellyphishlounge dot net"
JONES HALL:
615 Louisiana Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 227-3974 Fax: (713) 315-4830 Booking: Laine Twining (713-237-1439; "laine dot twining" at "cityofhouston dot net"
JP HOPS HOUSE:
2317 South Highway 6 Houston, TX. 77077 (281) 496-0623 "jphopshouse" at "ev1 dot net"
KAVEH KANES:
912 Prairie (713) 236-0411
KING BISCUIT CAFÉ:
1606 White Oak (713) 861-2328
LAST CONCERT CAFÉ:
1403 Nance St. Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 226-8563 FAX: (713) 225-1402 "lastconcert" at "pdq dot net" Booking: "lastconcertcafe" at "sbcglobal dot net"
General Info: This is a cool little place, although I have to say I have yet to make the drive just for a show; usually, when I head up to the Last Concert, it's 'cause I'm hungry (the place is also a not-bad Tex-Mex restaurant). The Café is a local fixture, hidden away on the edge of downtown (a few feet from The Atomic Café, above), and it's reportedly a damn cool place to go for rootsy-type music (i.e., blues, rock, folk, rockabilly, etc.), and particularly local rootsy-type music, on any night of the week. [7/7/2000]
LAS LLARDAS:
2406 N. Gessner @ Hammerly Houston, TX. 713-461-2028 Booking: Richard (Rock en Espanol bands; 832-326-3942; "livemusicfactory" at "yahoo dot com")
LYLE'S:
Rice Univ. campus, entrance #3
MANGO'S CANTINA:
403 Westheimer & Taft
MCELROY'S PUB:
3607 S. Sandman Houston, TX. 77098 (713) 524-2444 Booking: Susan (713-524-2444) Live Music: Fridays bit of everything
MCGONIGEL'S MUCKY DUCK:
2425 Norfolk Houston, TX. 77098 (713) 528-5999 "theduck" at "mcgonigels dot com" Cover's a little expensive if there's a band, usually close to or above $10 (but free otherwise)
General Info: Man, this is a neat little place. It's basically supposed to be like a nice, traditional-style Irish pub (although it's more "Irishy" than most bars I visited in Ireland, and it's definitely a cool bar to hang out in. Lots of folks play here, but they seem to mostly fall into the whole folk-country acoustic-style music vein, with a few exceptions -- if you're into traditional-type Celtic music, particularly, this is the place you need to be. Well-known Irish bands like Patrick Street and the Battlefield Band (among others) play here when they come to town, and the Mucky Duck also has free "Irish Sessions" every Wednesday -- stop by with an instrument and just join in (as long as you don't want to play jazz or something; it generally helps to play together, y'know). Unfortunately, on other nights the cover is usually a bit more than most places, when bands are playing -- the few times I've been by, it's run up around $10, no matter how "big-name" the band happened to be. But if you've got the $$$, it's pretty well worth it...
Setup/Equipment: Well, I can't claim to've ever played this place, but I have taken a look around when I've been there... It's a nice, fairly minimal setup -- there's a smallish stage set up in the corner of the main room (although for big parties & stuff, they move everything outside to the back "deck" area), and they've got a couple of mics hanging over it, as well as mics and stands set up for whoever needs 'em. I dunno if they have an actual soundman, but there's definitely a board, and the speakers seem to be pretty decent. All in all, if you play here, I'd be willing to bet you don't need to bring anything but your instruments... [11/20/97]
MECA AUDITORIUM:
1900 Kane (713) 666-5555
THE MELTDOWN:
at The Fire House 16300 Kuykendahl Road Suite #450 Houston, TX. 77068 Booking: "meltdownbooking" at "gmail dot com"
General Info: Swanky jazz-bar, and that's about all I know. They get what look (to my uncultured eyes) to be some bigger-name bands, but who knows... Anyway, the only folks who play here are jazz, blues, or swing, so don't bother otherwise. Oh yeah, and I saw an ad at one point that said "appropriate dress required" -- gee, that's nice; guess I'm out, then... [7/7/2000]
THE MERIDIAN:
1503 Chartres Houston, TX. 77003 (713) 225-1717 Fax: (713) 225-1724 Booking: Donneta Cavazos (713-225-1717; "booking" at "meridianhouston dot com")
General Info: I have to say that I think this is the most comfortable mid-size venue I've been to lately. It doesn't look like much from the outside -- it's on the second floor of what used to be a Chinese fish wholesaler -- but inside, it's got two separate stages, each with a darn good PA system and a bar, and better yet, there's an in-between area with couches and little tables, so when you get tired of screaming to your friends over the music or just want to escape, you can go chill out there. Maybe I'm getting old, but man, I dearly love clubs that actually make an effort to be a nice place to hang out... [8/3/2006]
THE MEZZANINE LOUNGE:
2200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 150 Houston, TX. 77098 (713) 528-MEZZ Fax: (713) 528-6394 "info" at "mezzaninelounge dot com" Booking: Tonya; "booking" at "mezzaninelounge dot com"
MILLBEND COFFEEHOUSE:
1370 North Millbend The Woodlands, TX. 77380 281-350-3052 "phanna" at "txucom dot net"
General Info: Don't know anything about this coffeehouse, except that it's supposedly inside a church? Not sure about that, either... [12/22/2002]
THE MINK/THE BACKROOM:
3718 Main (@ Alabama; Backroom entrance on Alabama) (713) 522-9985 "manager" at "themink dot org"
General Info: You might see "The Mink" and "The Backroom" separately in show listings, but don't be fooled -- The Backroom's actually where the musical acts (the non-DJ ones, at least) play, while the front area is the actual "bar" part of the building, The Mink. I think that's how it works, anyway... At any rate, they've had a bunch of really interesting bands playing there over the past few years; even if they don't have shows every night like, say, The Proletariat, it still sounds like a good place. They also host improv-theatre nights, DJ nights, and all kinds of other stuff. [12/3/2007]
MOJO RISIN' COFFEE HOUSE:
1600 Shepherd Dr. @ Eigel St. Houston, TX. 77007 (713) 426-1505 "MojoRisinCoffee" at "gmail dot com" Booking: Kenneth Scott ("booking" at "kennethscott dot com") http://www.myspace.com/mojorisincoffee
THE NEXT DOOR COFFEEHOUSE:
on Joanel, near Edloe & Kipling (713) 626-DOOR Booking: Roni (713-521-7829)
General Info: Started seeing stuff about this place recently, and although I've never been, it sounds interesting... Seems to be mostly folk-y stuff, and they've got a couple different open mic nights, looks like, so stop on by if that's your thing. (Sorry I don't have the full address; check their site for a map.) [10/1/2000]
THE 19TH HOLE:
202 Sawdust Rd. Spring, TX. 77380 (281) 363-2574 Booking: Mike P.; "mpguerr" at "comwerx dot com"
NUMBERS:
300 Westheimer Houston, TX. 77006 (713) 526-6551 "robot" at "numbersnightclub dot com" http://www.myspace.com/numbersnightclub
General Info: This place used to be the prominent "mid-size venue" in town, where bands who can't (or don't want to) pack the Woodlands or the Compaq Center come to play, but these days they've got a lot of competition from places like The Engine Room or the International Ballroom. I've always been kind of prejudiced against Numbers, because all it is is basically a big dance club that gets turned into a venue for the "Next Big Thing" bands that comes through town -- and, since it's bigger than a lot of other clubs, it used to be that Numbers would get most of said NBT bands, while smaller but cooler joints like Mary Jane's & Emo's got screwed. I dunno. I guess Numbers basically annoys me because they're like the big kid on the block who'll only come out to play if they get to pick the game.
Anyway, if local bands ever play here, I haven't heard about it; unless you're at least as big as Elastica or Better Than Ezra, I'm betting there's no way in hell you'll get to play there. (Damn. Having to eat my words -- local industrial-metal act The Hunger have played there within recent memory, and their anniversary party of a few years ago featured a bunch of bigger-time locals, including Chlorine, The Suspects, and The Jinkies...) [12/22/2002]
THE OLD QUARTER ACOUSTIC CAFÉ:
413 20th Street & Market Galveston, TX. 77550 (409) 762-9199 Booking: Jeanette Whitt; "jettrash" at "hotmail dot com"
ONION CREEK COFFEE HOUSE:
3106 White Oak Blvd. Houston, TX. 77007 (713) 880-0706 Fax: (713) 880-8499 "info" at "onioncreekcafe dot com" http://www.myspace.com/onioncreek
THE ORANGE SHOW FOUNDATION:
2402 Munger St. Houston, TX. 77023 (713) 926-6368 "oranges" at "orangeshow dot org"
THE OUTBACK PUB:
3100 Fountainview Houston, TX. 77057 (713) 780-2323 Booking Chris Garcia (281-914-5725) Live Music: Wed Fri Sat
General Info: Largely a cover bar, but non-cover folks have been playing there a good bit lately. I dunno much at all about the place beyond that, although according to their Website, they book through local cover-band kingpin Dennis Lange, so take that for what it's worth... [6/24/98]
OVATIONS:
2536B Times Blvd. (713) 522-9801
POLK STREET WEREHAUS:
3302 Polk St. Houston, TX. 77003
PROJECT ROW HOUSES' MUSIC & SPOKEN WORD HOUSE:
2519 Holman
THE PROLETARIAT:
903 Richmond Houston, TX. 77006 (713) 523-1199 (also fax) "info" at "theproletariat dot net" Booking: attn: booking, P.O. Box 667501, Houston, TX. 77266; "booking" at "theproletariathouston dot com"
PUB FICTION:
2303 Smith St., Suite 100 Houston, TX. 77006 (713) 400-8400 Fax: (713) 400-8401 "info" at "PubFiction dot com"
QUILLEN'S COFFEEHOUSE:
First Unitarian Universalist Church 5200 Fannin @ Southmore "Cydwright" at "aol dot com"
RICH'S:
2401 San Jacinto Houston, TX. (713) 759-9606 "info" at "richshouston dot com" http://www.myspace.com/richsclub
RICKSHAW BAMBU:
2810 Westheimer Houston, TX. 77098
RIVER CAFÉ:
3615 Montrose Houston, TX. 77006 (713) 529-0088 Booking: Mark Stausser (713-529-0088) Live Music: Wed Thurs Sat Jazz
ROBINSON RD. COMMUNITY CENTER:
27434 Robinson Rd. The Woodlands, TX. 77385
ROCBAR:
530 Texas Avenue (in Bayou Place) Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 236-1100 "info" at "rocbartx dot com" http://www.myspace.com/rocbartx
ROCKSTARZ PATIO:
6203 Nyoka St. Houston, TX. 77041-5311 (713) 466-0204 "startip22" at "yahoo dot com"
THE ROXY:
5351 W. Alabama Houston, TX. (713) 850-ROXY
RUDYARD'S BRITISH PUB:
2010 Waugh Houston, TX. 77006 (713) 521-0521 Booking: Wed. 9PM-2AM, or Mon. 3-9PM; Scott Walcott, 713-528-7839 "rudyards" at "houston.rr dot com" http://www.myspace.com/rudyards
General Info: Another of the few "venerable" clubs left in Houston's sort-of-scene, Rudyard's is more a bar than a "venue" (as opposed to, say, The Engine Room or Fitzgerald's; nobody goes to those places just to get drunk). They've even got dart tournaments on Sundays at 8PM, following The Simpsons. The bands used to be just about all local acts, but these days they have a really diverse slate, everything from teeny-tiny local bands to kinda-major indie bands, death metal noise to country (the only thing I've never really seen much of is hip-hop, actually). Rudz has a nice "neighborhood" vibe, and since it's 21+ only, there's a Low AlternaTeen FactorTM , which can be very good. The food's good, the crowd is friendly, and the folks who run the place are all laid-back and cheerful. Cool place to just sit around.
In case you haven't been to the place in a few years, the old downstairs stage is now where the dartboards are, and the stage and sound system are all upstairs, to give the bands and the audience a lot more room. Damn good idea, and the sound system they've got is probably one of the best in town, despite the size of the place -- sound man Joe really knows what he's doing. Seriously, it's a darn cool place both to play and see bands; go by & check it out... Booking: Booking guy Scott is real friendly & open to new bands playing -- they don't always have bands every night, though, so space can be limited. Keep at it, anyway, 'cause this place is another of the few places in town where people show up for reasons other than the bands that're playing, and a ton of Houston music-types hang out & drink at Rudz... Keep in mind, though, that the "hang out & drink" part can hurt, too -- not everybody hanging out wants to hear whoever's playing. [12/22/2002]
SAMMY'S:
Rice Univ. Student Center, entrance #13
SCOUT BAR:
18307 Egret Bay Blvd Houston, TX. 77058 (281) 335-0002 "Tbone" at "ScoutBar dot com" http://www.myspace.com/scoutbar
SHERLOCK'S BAKER STREET PUB:
1414A Upland Houston, TX. 77043 (713) 468-1787 Booking: Tillman Walker (713-468-3720) Live Music: Every Night Pop, Rock, Various
SHOESHINE CHARLIE'S BIG TOP LOUNGE:
3700 Main
THE SIDECAR PUB:
11202 Huffmeister Suite A Houston, TX. 77065 (281) 807-4040 FAX: (281) 807-5188 Booking: (281) 807-5188; send promo package w/B&W photo and CD "sidecar" at "pdq dot net"
General Info: Another one I've never been to, but they seem to've recently ramped up the number of bands playing there pretty seriously, and some of 'em (Edna's Goldfish, Secret Sunday, etc.) ain't bad. Could be worth checking out... [7/7/2000]
SLIDER'S:
1424 Westheimer Houston, TX. (713) 528-2788
General Info: Dunno a damn thing about this place, other than it used to be the Daiquiri Factory... [9/11/99]
SOCIEDAD MUTUALISTA OBRERA MEXICANA -- HOUSTON:
5804 Canal Street Houston, TX. 77011 (713) 926-2800 "info" at "smom-houston dot org"
THE SOUTHMORE HOUSE/THE BILL HICKS RESURRECTION LABORATORY:
2915 Delafield Houston, TX. 77023 (713) 921-1924 "southmorehouse" at "yahoo dot com" "billhicksresurrectionlabs" at "yahoo dot com"
General Info: There've been some changes over at the Southmore House -- namely, they got the boot from the actual house on Southmore and have had to find new digs. Damn. Luckily, they were able to find 'em, in the form of the kindly kindred spirits at the Bill Hicks Resurrection Labs artspace. Now the BHRL building also serves as The Southmore House Mk. II and hosts all those crazy, freaky, noisy shows/house parties the Southmore crew used to put on at their old place. [12/3/2007]
SOUTHSIDE SKATE PARK:
510 Iowa South Houston, TX. 77587 (713) 946-0414 FAX: (713) 946-0034 "info" at "southsideskatepark dot com"
SPEAKEASY LOUNGE:
110 Main St. Houston, TX. 77002 (713) 547-0655
STAG'S HEAD PUB:
2128 Portsmouth Houston, TX. 77098 (713) 533-1199 Booking: Angela Jenkins (713-533-1199) Live Music: Fri Sat Pop, Rock
STATION MUSEUM:
1502 Alabama Houston, TX. 77004 (713) 529-6900 Fax: (713) 529-6960 "info" at "stationmuseum dot com"
STUDIO EM:
1101 Providence
TAFT STREET COFFEE:
2115 Taft (in Montrose Community Center) Houston, TX. 77006 (713) 522-3533 Booking: Duc ("insultcomedy" at "yahoo dot com")
TEXAS ARTS VENUE:
202 North Main Street Conroe, TX.
TEXAS HORNY TOAD:
1917 Garth Road Baytown, TX. 77520 281-428-1249 Booking: Bobby & Jimmy (281-428-1249) Live Music: Thurs Fri Sat R&B, Rock
THA HOUSE:
428 Westheimer
TRADERS VILLAGE:
7979 N. Eldridge Road Houston, TX. 77041 (281) 890-5500 Fax: (281) 890-6568 "houstoninfo" at "tradersvillage dot com"
UNDERGROUND LOUNGE:
804 Fannin
UNION BAR & LOUNGE:
202 Tuam St. Houston, TX. 77006-2844 (713) 529-5296 "info" at "unionbarandlounge dot com"
VELVET MELVIN PUB:
3303 Richmond
General Info: So sad. This used to be known as the Velvet Elvis, back in the day...before the Estate of Elvis Presley tried to take 'em to the cleaners, that is. Fucking money-grubbing bastards... [8/3/2006]
General Info: Yup, one of the very few mid-size venues around ("mid-size" in this case meaning too big to be a dingy club and too small to be The Woodlands). It's a nice place, actually, although the one show I've been to so far was somewhat of an oddity (Sugar Shack's set for the 2000 Houston Press Music Awards showcase); funky sort of "steps" below the actual seats, so you can be on the ground floor and still see the band play (at least, I think that's the idea). Not many locals play here, but I know Colleen, the booking person for the place, told me a while back that she always wanted to book more local bands back when she did booking for Rockefeller's, so maybe someday... [7/21/2000]
VERTIGO NITES:
9406 Spencer Hwy. Pasadena, TX.
VULVA STUDIOS:
1600 White Street Houston, TX. 77007
WADE RD. SKATE PARK:
7923 Wade Rd. Baytown, TX. (281) 426-2971 "mmsk8" at "gte dot net"
General Info: Dunno much at all about this place, & I've never been there, but it's lately become a pretty popular place for bands to play -- they host these "Battle of the Bands" things every once in a while, and they sound pretty damn cool. (It is an actual skate park, by the way -- under-18 kids gotta have their folks sign waivers if they want to skate...) Anyway, this is also one of the few big, non-club all-ages venues around; it and the Scout Lodge(???) seem to have kind of taken the place of places like the A.P.V. Room... [8/8/97]
WALTER'S ON WASHINGTON:
4215 Washington Houston, TX. 77007 (713) 675-2319 "walters" at "4215washington dot com"
THE WAREHOUSE:
1801 Washington Ave. (713) 864-5480
General Info: I like this place, but honestly, it's less because of the environment, like with The Meridian, and more because of the people they book. They've got some kind of tie to the bigger booking agencies in town, I think, but whatever the heck it is, it works -- if there's a "hot" new band or musician coming to town, odds are that they're coming here, whether you're talking about Corinne Bailey Rae or The Living End. It's a little spartan on the inside, though, just a big airplane hangar-looking room with a front wall/merch booth, a bar on either side, and a smaller side stage (that I've never been to) off the main room. The sound's good, either way, and hey, if they keep bringing in good bands... [8/3/2006]
THE WHITE SWAN:
4419 Navigation Houston, TX. 77011 (713) 876-0965 (713) 923-2837 Booking: Barney Martinez ("booking" at "whiteswanlive dot com"; 832-746-3553) "info" at "whiteswanlive dot com"
General Info: Sadly, I don't know much of anything about this place, other than its over east of downtown, where there really aren't too many other places to see bands play. I've been told by a couple of bands that the club doesn't ever do much in the way of promotion, which may be why I don't know what the place is like... [8/3/2006]
General Info: Now, this is what I think Hell must really be like. These days, all the "big" festivals and reformed '70s rock bands play here, way the hell out of town in the frightening, intentionally confusing suburb that is the Woodlands. The Buzz (107.5 FM) holds its annual "Buzz Festival" here every year, and it's a horrifying sight -- I honestly saw warning signs posted that read "WARNING: Moshing activities may occur." (No, really, I did.) This place is overpriced as hell, and damn few local bands ever get to play here. Some good shows, sure, but in general, I avoid it if I can. [8/3/2006]
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