You can't get no satisfaction: Local music venues have greater potential

It's Friday night, and you're in the mood to check out a local band ... so where do you go?

With a rising number of people coming to see local bands in places that are bars first, music venues second, complications like overcrowding and below-average sound quality are bound to arise. So what venues have been easy to love in this easily unlovable situation?

Buckner's

Overcrowding is never really a problem here; the place is as spacious as any in town. It's also the place to see a great variety of music -- anywhere from jazz to hard rock, they really book it well.

"Buckner's is always a good time to me," said Jared Smith, "because it's got enough space for a larger crowd, and it presents a good atmosphere."

Broussard's

Overcrowding IS a problem here, the stage is small, and this can sometimes make it unbearable for both band and fans (especially in warmer months). But Broussard's books most of the best acts around and has great bartenders and friendly regulars, not to mention a unique Cajun atmosphere you can only get here.

Port Cape (upstairs)

The stage is great; the view is wonderful, nice bar, just a good overall place for a gig. The only problem is they don't book anyone to play there. Port Cape could be the best place in town to see a show (and, for that matter, play a show) if they would take a page from the two establishments above and invite a plethora of local acts to play (and fix their P.A.).

Rude Dog

Catch a band at the Rude Dog and you will know why the city has fire codes. The bartending is excellent and they are even rumored to have a P.A., but the place is consistently full to the brim on concert nights, even though they are one of the few remaining bars to always charge a cover.

"The Rude Dog kind of sucks because you have to walk through the band to get into the bar," said Ron Ruppel, drummer for Rock Solid. "And they always charge a cover. I personally like places that don't charge a cover because it's like you're charging your friends to see you."

After all is said and done, most will go wherever their friend's band takes them that evening, without thought of the venue. But wouldn't it be nice if, when you went to see the Dirty 30s, you didn't have to be inebriated not to notice that you were being felt up and pushed around.