Venu ★ 3.9
$$$$
Beacon HillThu-Sun 22:00-02:00. Closed Mon-Wed.
Venu on Warrenton Street is the longest-running Saturday-night party in Boston, with a 6,500 square foot Theater District room of state-of-the-art sound.
TipSaturdays is the signature night, 22:00 doors. Cover runs around $30; collared shirts expected, no athletic wear.
Paradise Rock Club ★ 4.5
$$$$
Allston BrightonMon-Wed varies by show, Thu-Sat 19:00 doors, varies, Sun varies by show.
Paradise Rock Club on Commonwealth Avenue has booked touring rock and indie since 1977, the room where U2, The Police and The Cars played their first Boston.
TipBox Office Monday to Friday noon to 6pm in person, or buy via the venue website. Floor fills at the rail; balcony has clear sight lines.
The Sinclair ★ 4.6
$$$$
CambridgeDaily varies by show.
The Sinclair on Church Street in Harvard Square is the 525-capacity Crossroads Presents room with a balcony rail, an attached restaurant called 52 Church.
TipDinner at 52 Church before the show gets you priority entry. Doors usually open between 18:00 and 21:30 depending on the headliner.
House of Blues Boston ★ 4.3
$$$$
Kenmore FenwayDaily varies by show.
House of Blues on Lansdowne Street replaced the Avalon ballroom next to Fenway Park in 2009. The 2,400-capacity Music Hall and the VIP Foundation Room book.
TipFoundation Room VIP tickets jump the line. Pre-show dinner in the Southern kitchen runs walk-in from 17:00 on show nights.
The Middle East ★ 4.5
$$$$
CambridgeTue-Wed 17:00-01:00, Thu-Sat 17:00-02:00, Sun 17:00-01:00. Closed Mon.
The Middle East complex on Mass Ave in Central Square has booked punk, hardcore and indie since the 1970s. Four rooms: Upstairs, Downstairs.
TipDownstairs is the marquee stage; Upstairs takes 200, ZuZu books DJ nights. Restaurant kitchen runs to 1am most nights.
Roadrunner ★ 4.4
$$$$
Allston BrightonDaily varies by show.
Roadrunner in Boston Landing opened 2022 as Bowery Presents' largest New England room, 3,500 capacity on a flat floor with a wrap-around balcony.
TipTake the Boston Landing commuter rail stop; the venue is across the parking lot. Doors usually 19:00 with show at 20:00.