~ Cape Girardeau isn't the only place around to watch live music.
Downtown Cape Girardeau is well-known for its entertainment options, but take a short drive out of the city and you will find good times aren't just had in Cape.
Ted Clark, co-owner of Stooges in Jackson, said that although his establishment is a non-smoking, family restaurant, he and co-owner Ron Cook have no shortage of live shows to rock their patrons.
"We try to bring in unique entertainment," Clark said. "During the Tunes at Twilight season, we'll bring in whoever is playing that week. We've had Kimberly Dahme in here and, although we like to have lots of local musicians, we like to bring them in from all over the country."
But Stooges isn't the only place to head if you're in Jackson. Jackson Sports Grill also features a family restaurant-type menu and what owner Debbie Stoverink calls "an exciting new addition." Beginning Nov. 30, the venue will open its Extreme Trivia, a Trivial Pursuit-type game unique to the area -- it features team play and is live. Special topics, like Disney characters, can also be programmed in.
"Lots of young families usually come in because the parents can enjoy themselves and the kids can head to the game room," Stoverink said. "We just really want to give parents an alternative to just taking their kids to the bowling alley or whatever on a Friday night."
And Shock's Pub, in Scott City has become an area hot spot thanks to owner Paul Shock's makeover of the bar's image. Along with poker and ladies nights, DJ and karaoke, and pool leagues, Shock's has made its biggest headway in the local music scene, even teaming with Real Rock 99.3 and bringing in Drivin' Rain for New Year's Eve.
"Our goal here is to provide a relaxed setting people can enjoy themselves in," Shock said. "We have the cheapest drink specials around, a nice social environment and the bar just demands patrons to have a great time."
Two other venues that are just a short drive away and great places to hear bands play are Muddy Waters in Egypt Mills and Double Nickel II in Sikeston, Mo.
Muddy Waters regularly features local talent (like a recent appearance by the John D. Hale Band), and Double Nickel II has one of the bigger stages of the local venues and uses it to its advantage, scheduling everything from country dance classes to rock 'n' roll nights.
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