Best Small Music Venue (2015)

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Toad’s Place is a historic concert venue and nightclub in New Haven, Connecticut. The Rolling Stones played a surprise hour-long concert here for 700 people in 1989, and in 1990, Bob Dylan began a tour with a Toad's Place performance that marked his longest show to date. These days, the venue sells out shows for folks like Wiz Kahlifa, LMFAO, The Kooks, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Jake Miller.
Photo courtesy of Larissa Green / Flickr

This Austin rock club (tagline: must love music) has lots going for it–music, “cheap” beer, liquor, pool, and arcade games. It’s an intimate, old-school space for rock and punk shows plus popular Monday rock 'n' roll karaoke. Rules include no cigars or guests under 21 years of age.
Photo courtesy of Bekah Cope / Flickr

This popular, 500-capacity San Francisco spot has 10 Years and 2,500 shows under its belt. The Independent has featured diverse genres from indie rock and comedy to hip-hop and EDM. Locally-owned and internationally-renowned, the space is know for its robust sound and lights plus favorable sightlines. Many of today's hottest artists began playing shows in San Francisco here, like Vampire Weekend, LCD Soundsystem, Bon Iver, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and The National.
Photo courtesy of John Margaretten

Doug Fir made a dramatic impact on Portland’s music scene–and its lower Burnside neighborhood–when it opened in October 2004. Located east of the downtown core, this a state-of-the-art, swank-meets-hip venue puts a new twist on the Northwest aesthetic. The interior draws on 50s modernism, with highlights like original woodwork and one-of-a-kind glass design. The Doug Fir Lounge concert venue boasts a standing room capacity of 299 and seats up to 200, hosting concerts nearly every night.
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Dunham Polara Studio

Over the past 35 years, the iconic 40 Watt Club has served as a music HQ for many of Athens’s most beloved bands including R.E.M., the B-52’s, Neutral Milk Hotel, Drive-By Truckers and of Montreal. After going through many iterations, the 40 Watt Club moved into its fifth and present-day location in 1991, in a building that housed one of downtown’s first grocery stores. Past performers (punk, pop, country, rap and beyond) range from Snoop Dogg and Iggy Pop to The Killers and Band of Horses.
Photo courtesy of VisitAthensGA.com

One of Boston’s favorite music venues, this lauded concert hall books performances from rock bands to stand-up comedy acts. The 476-capacity venue primarily showcases national touring acts and large local bands. In the near future, audiences will enjoy the sounds of Balkan Beat Box and Blues Traveler.
Photo courtesy of digboston / Flickr

Deemed one of the best places in the Boston area to see a good indie-underground show or a small, on-the-rise band, this low-key destination always draws raves for its long-running dance nights. The Great Scott calendar boasts acts from comedians to singers like Jessica Pratt and Rocky Votolato.
Photo courtesy of digboston / Flickr

The Hideout finds its home in a 100-year-old Chicago building, constructed in two days by undocumented workers and run by undocumented bootleggers and gin runners. Called the Hideout since it opened (legally) in 1934, this was the space “where the hard working man and the hard working hustler met for beer and eggs.” The venue has maintained its welcoming, community feel–hosting plays, benefits an annual block party, CD listening parties for bands like Wilco and the Flaming Lips, plus concerts for then-unknowns like Andrew Bird and Neko Case.
Photo courtesy of Seth Tisue / Flickr

This concert hall, opened in 2009 on Chicago’s Lincoln Avenue, regularly hosts emerging bands and musicians. Its capacity totals 507, divided between the main floor and balcony. Owner Michael Johnston of Audiotree also own Schubas, a top music club that has helped launch the careers of talents like Modest Mouse, Feist and My Morning Jacket. Lincoln Hall boasts great sound and an intimate atmosphere.
Photo courtesy of Clayton Hauck.

This multi-level downtown Austin space boasts a bar, roof deck and indoor/outdoor stages that host local and touring acts. Drawing its inspiration from the Native American culture of the Northeast, the Mohawk aims to welcome “friends, musicians and staff that represent all music tastes and all walks of life.”
Photo courtesy of The Mohawk