Boston’s Best Indie Music Venues
The live music scenes is one of the best parts about living in the Boston metro area. If you’re willing to go exploring, you can easily find new bands to love. Often, they’ll be groups you’ve never heard of before.
Some music venues serve food and drinks, others emphasize the dancing, and a few are standing room only. All of them are fantastic places to take a date, or to relax and unwind after work.
Seafood, steak, beautiful cocktails and live music. Any night at the Blackstone Grill promises to be a memorable one. You’ll find live bands or DJs entertaining guests Wednesday through Sunday.
The Lizard Lounge
: Some of Boston’s best Indie bands head to The Lizard Lounge every week. Rolling Stone Magazine called it “an intimate, eclectic hot spot.” Events do require tickets. But don’t worry, you won’t leave hungry. They serve wine, beer, cocktails and plenty of bar food fare, from fried pickles to fish tacos.
There’s a show almost every night at Club Passim, and there’s no genre-discrimination. They offer a wide variety of folk, rock, zydeco, blues, and more. There are also plenty of open mic nights. Occasionally you’ll find art on display as well, making Club Passim one of the best cultural scenes in Cambridge. Salads and sandwiches are available from “The Kitchen.”
Another ticketed venue that’s all about the music. Like Club Passim, there’s something going on nearly every night over at Great Scott. Indie, underground, and rock shows predominate. The bar offers plenty of drinks to choose from. Eat before you arrive and stay well into the night.
Bull McCabes
: Located in Somerville’s Union Square, Bull McCabes specializes in doing two things: craft beer and live music. There is literally someone playing the bar every single night. Pub fare rules the day here, and you can order cocktails in addition to beer.
This ultra-modern Cambridge music venue is consistently named as one of Boston’s best. Get your tickets for shows you can’t catch anywhere else, from Preoccupations (FKA Viet Cong) to Vanic. Try the cornmeal fried oysters or the bacon and habanero devilled eggs for taste sensations you won’t soon forget.
Buy your tickets early if you want to catch one of the shows at Brighton. They sell out quickly. Fortunately, it’s easy to see if a show will be your cup of tea, as they do offer pre-made Spotify playlists featuring their artists right on their website. Alcohol is served, but be aware this is a standing-room only venue. You’ll have to hold your drink while you dance.
Here’s the fun part…these venues really are just the tip of the iceberg. Almost every one of Boston’s neighborhoods feature a fun place to lose yourself in amazing sounds. Ask me to point some out to you when you’re searching for your next home or condo. I’ll be happy to show you where you can immerse yourself in some of the city’s hottest beats!
