OPEN BARS (18)
Theatre of the Living Arts (TLA)
🇺🇸Philadelphia, United States
Originally a 1908 nickelodeon called Crystal Palace, converted to theatre in 1965. Became concert venue in 1988. First Philadelphia venue to show Rocky Horror Picture Show (1976). Briefly known as "The Fillmore at TLA" 2006-2008. Capacity ~1,000.
The Lexington
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
A "classic American rock lounge" famous for its bourbon selection. The upstairs venue is a key stop for touring indie bands and serves as a primary industry hangout.
Hope and Anchor
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
A historic pub in Upper Street with a basement music room that was crucial in the 1970s pub rock and punk scenes. A Grade II listed building. A historic pub atmosphere upstairs, with a recently refurbished basement live music venue featuring a new PA, enlarged stage, and lighting rig. The upstairs pub functions as a traditional pub, while the basement is a dedicated 80-capacity live music venue.
Crystal Ballroom
🇺🇸Portland, United States
Historic venue known for its unique wood floor that bounces with the crowd. Hosted numerous national and local rock acts.
The Viper Room
🇺🇸Los Angeles, United States
The Viper Room represents the dark heart of the 1990s alternative scene, yet its physical structure holds a history spanning the entire 20th century. Built in 1921 as Young's Market, the building transformed through multiple incarnations: The Cotton Club (1940s), The Melody Room (1951-1969, a mobster hangout frequented by Bugsy Siegel and Mickey Cohen), Filthy McNasty's (1969-1980s, a "no-photos" celebrity sanctuary), and The Central (1980s-1993, famous for Tuesday jam sessions). Opened by Johnny Depp and Sal Jenco in August 1993 with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the 250-capacity venue was styled after 1920s Harlem jazz clubs.
Mercy Lounge
🇺🇸Nashville, United States
Part of Cannery complex. Strong presence in rock, alternative, and indie scenes with energetic shows.
Kung Fu Necktie
🇺🇸Philadelphia, United States
A Fishtown dive bar central to the DIY rock and punk underground, known for raucous shows, cheap drinks, and a loyal following.
Ortlieb's
🇺🇸Philadelphia, United States
Reopened and revitalized as a nightclub/live venue, Ortlieb's carries on a rock and dive bar legacy in Northern Liberties, hosting a mix of local and touring bands.
Moth Club
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
Housed in an ex-servicemen's club (Memorable Order of Tin Hats), Moth Club retains its glittering gold ceiling and 1970s social club decor. The hipster favorite for cutting-edge indie and alternative comedy.
Harvard & Stone
🇺🇸Los Angeles, United States
Industrial, factory-style bar with a focus on American spirits and R&B/Rock. Features live bands nightly, often free admission. Creates a "neighborhood bar" feel with a grittier edge.
Warsaw
🇺🇸New York, United States
Unlike DIY spaces that vanished, Warsaw survived by embracing its roots. Housed in the Polish National Home (built 1914), this community center moonlights as a 1,000-capacity rock club.
Slim Jim's Liquor Store
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
The Masterful Purveyor of Good Times, a late-night rock'n'roll dive bar and grassroots live music venue. LA-style dive bar vibe with neon lights, music posters, red leather bar stools, and booths. Ambiance is electric, with well-worn leather and aged oak. Features an award-winning jukebox loaded with classics from Led Zeppelin to Guns N' Roses. Extensive stock of whiskies (over 90 from around the world), liquor, classic cocktails, and cold craft beer.
Manchester Bar (Gòtic)
🇪🇸Barcelona, Spain
Tribute bar to Manchester's indie/post-punk scene; cassette-lamp décor.
The Garage
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
Opened in 1993, The Garage is a rite-of-passage venue for touring bands. It has hosted secret shows by The Killers and a seminal 1994 gig by Jeff Buckley.
Klub 007 Strahov
🇨🇿Prague, Czech Republic
A miracle of survival. Located in basement of student dormitory on Strahov hill, operating since 1969. Under communism was "university club" with slightly more freedom—haven for dissident "Grey Zone" underground.
Arlene's Grocery
🇺🇸New York, United States
Retaining the façade of the Puerto Rican bodega/butcher shop it replaced, Arlene's Grocery helped transform the Lower East Side into a rock destination in the mid-90s.
Bar Vinil
🇪🇸Barcelona, Spain
Vinyl-centric indie/alternative lounge with retro décor and sofas.
Blondies
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
An excellent rock'n'roll dive bar with live music founded by Australian sisters Verity, Sharmaine, and Rochelle Cox. A down-and-dirty Mecca for music-lovers with delightfully wonky furnishings reflecting a DIY spirit. Known for insane music and a cultural hub for good vibes, great drinks, and even better company.
CLOSED BARS (23)
Mercy Lounge (Cannery Ballroom)
🇺🇸Nashville, United States
Opened January 2003 in historic 1883 flour mill/cannery building. Added 1,000-capacity Cannery Ballroom in 2005. Hosted Steven Tyler, White Stripes, Adele, Black Keys, Bon Jovi. Transformed into Cannery Hall in 2023.
Ex'n'Pop
🇩🇪Berlin, Germany
Schöneberg living-room bar where Nick Cave, Einstürzende Neubauten & local post-punk bands jammed inches from the beer taps.
Tropic Club
🇬🇧Bristol, United Kingdom
Planet X
🇬🇧Liverpool, United Kingdom
The Magnet
🇬🇧Liverpool, United Kingdom
The Haçienda
🇬🇧Manchester, United Kingdom
Financed by Factory Records and the band New Order, The Haçienda (FAC 51) opened in 1982 in a former yacht showroom. Designed by Ben Kelly, its industrial aesthetic—featuring hazard stripes, bollards, and high-tech materials—influenced nightclub design worldwide.
Jilly's Rockworld
🇬🇧Manchester, United Kingdom
Club Quattro Nagoya (first site)
🇯🇵Nagoya, Japan
Nambucca
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
Historically pivotal for the "Nu-Folk" (Frank Turner, Mumford & Sons) and Libertines-era indie scenes, Nambucca was a key venue for North London's alternative community.
The Square Club
🇬🇧Cardiff, United Kingdom
Glasslands Gallery
🇺🇸New York, United States
Originally art space "Glass House," professionalized into Glasslands Gallery by Brooke Baxter and Rolyn Hu in 2006, later run by PopGun Presents. Known for whimsical cloudy art installations on ceiling.
The Barrel Organ
🇬🇧Birmingham, United Kingdom
Jabberjaw
🇺🇸Los Angeles, United States
An all-ages coffeehouse with no liquor license, emphasizing music and community over alcohol sales. Epicenter of the "Coffeehouse Scum" scene and crucial for the Riot Grrrl movement in LA.
The Toucan Club
🇬🇧Cardiff, United Kingdom
Namba Rockets
🇯🇵Osaka, Japan
La Batuta
🇨🇱Santiago, Chile
Knaack Klub
🇩🇪Berlin, Germany
Prenzlauer-Berg institution that hosted Die Ärzte, Rammstein and countless indie showcases in its 70s/80s heyday.
New Moon
🇫🇷Paris, France
Gritty Pigalle club that launched French punk, cold-wave & early indie acts.
Manchester Bar (Raval)
🇪🇸Barcelona, Spain
Smaller sister bar focused on 80s-90s British indie playlists.
The Falcon
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
An influential pub and music venue, particularly during the 1990s. A hub for London's Britpop and Shoegaze scenes, also important for the "Camden Lurch" indie bands.
Bristol Bierkeller
🇬🇧Bristol, United Kingdom
Cavernous Bavarian-style rock bar; 1990s home to student alt nights and early shows by Nirvana & Arctic Monkeys.
Bull & Gate
🇬🇧London, United Kingdom
A Grade II listed pub with a long history as a music venue, particularly from the 1980s until 2013. Hosted a wide range of indie, rock, and alternative acts in its backroom venue, run by promoters like Jon Beast (Timebox/Hype!) and later Club Fandango.
Duchess of York
🇬🇧Leeds, United Kingdom