The Rest of the Best: Houston's Top 10 Local Music Venues
10. NOTSUOH/DEAN'S ON MAIN
Parking in downtown often comes at a premium, but notsuoH and Dean's -- located at 314 Main and 316 Main, respectively -- make the hunt worthwhile. Weekly poetry open-mikes every Wednesday night offer fledgling writers an opportunity to share their feelings onstage, while and lounge piano music is performed every Thursday until 8 p.m.
Both rooms will book just about anyone, so the lineup is hit or miss, but the catchy, raw indie-rockers Darwin's Finches love the place, as do more experimental-minded artists such as laptop genius FLCON FCKER. Don't be confused by the neon sign reading "CLARK'S" above notsuoH, though. They just keep that around for historical purposes, since this hole in the wall used to be a jewelry store in the 1930s.
314/316 Main, notsuoh.com; facebook.com/deansonmain
9. MCGONIGEL'S MUCKY DUCK
This cozy, dimly lit venue, tucked just out of sight of the bustling Kirby/Westheimer corridor, is a favorite of local music lovers and beer connoisseurs alike. Smiling servers keep your drinks coming while patrons sit back and enjoy the tunes. Mondays are host to open mike nights, and the rest of the week's varied lineup is available on the pub's Web site. Next Thursday, get a double dose of local music as Tyagaraja and Benjamin Wesley share the bill. Although local artists perform often, acts traveling through town, make frequent appearances as well.
2425 Norfolk, 713-528-5999, www.mcgonigels.com
8. WALTERS
Walters is home to some of Houston's local best hardcore, punk, indie and metal shows From Bury the Crown and Skeleton Dick to Indian Jewelry and Cavernous, the former Washington Avenue venue is thriving in its new location. The venue's calendar is usually chock full of heavy, hard-hitting local acts that will satisfy your musical palette as you down a few cheap drinks.
1120 Naylor, 713-222-2679, waltersdowntown.com
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