Bluegrass, alternative, and everything in between

Everyone knows that Boston is home to a thriving music scene, be it local artists or internationally-recognized acts. From folk and jazz to rock and alternative, Beantown offers countless venues showcasing just about every musical genre you can think of. Here, the Daily breaks down the best of the best of the area's music clubs.



Bill's Bar

5 1/2 Lansdowne St.

(617) 421-9678

Although this club makes its home on a street that is traditionally known for its techno-trance dance clubs, you'll be glad to hear that you'll find nothing but live acts at Bill's Bar. Diversity is the name of the game, with many theme nights that feature various kinds of music. Monsta Monday hosts head-banging metal acts, Thursday features underground artists, and the club goes mellow on Sundays with reggae.



Club Passim

47 Palmer St.

(617) 492-7679

Located in Harvard Square, this music club/coffeehouse has a long history as one of the folk scene's staple venues. Founded in 1958, the stage was graced by such famous names as Joan Baez and Van Morrison through the 1960s. Now it hosts some of the biggest (and smallest) local acts such as Mark Erelli. A nonprofit music center, Club Passim is "dedicated to the cultivation and preservation of folk music." No alcohol is served at Club Passim: the beverages here are limited to water, soda and coffee, making this club's audiences both tame and attentive. If struggling with the urge to nosh, visitors can order from the club's vegetarian menu featuring an array of Middle Eastern dishes.



Harpers Ferry

158 Brighton Ave.

(617) 254-9743

From big-name R&B acts to local bands, the music at Harpers Ferry is definitely varied but always top-notch. This venue is best known for its annual Blues Festival, and event that brings some of the biggest names in blues to Boston. Performers range from funk and soul to jazz and alternative rock. One of the area's larger venues, you'll also find pool tables, dart boards and foosball to keep you busy while the music plays. It also offers an extensive bar and appetizers to snack on until 11:30 pm. Except for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Harpers Ferry is an exclusively 21+ club, making for a slightly older crowd than at some of the smaller clubs.



House of Blues

96 Winthrop St.

(617) 876-8330

Part of a nationwide chain, the Cambridge branch of the House of Blues distinguishes itself from its fellow clubs across the country by staying to true its namesake _ you'll only find the best of blues music here. The club attracts a varied crowd, from new youthful fans of the musical genre to people old enough to be your parents. If it gets too crowded for your tastes up by the stage, you can watch the concert via closed-circuit television from a stool at the bar. This 2002 Citysearch nominee for Best Live Music Venue offers a menu that ranges from classic (read: baby-back ribs) to nouveau (read: roasted Portobello sandwich).



Johnny D's

17 Holland St.

(617) 776-2004

This Davis Square haunt has one of the most diverse lineups around, featuring everything from bluegrass to Latin to swing. This, however, was not always the case. In the 1970s and 1980s, after John DeLellis first purchased the Uptown Caf?© in 1969, the venue featured only country-western performers from the area. Today, on pretty much any night of the week you can walk in and treat yourself to dinner while taking in the tunes. The atmosphere is homey and casual, although the seating area fills up quickly when bigger names perform.



Kendall Caf?©

233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave.

(617) 661-0993

Designed to resemble somebody's living room, Kendall Caf?© is one of the area's most comfortable venues. Although it holds barely 50 people and nearby housing restricts the club to keeping down the volume, it attracts some of the best local bands like Letters to Cleo. It is one of the best places to catch acoustic folk acts. Like many of the area's smaller clubs, Kendall Caf?© offers a dining menu that ensures the audience is satisfied with more than just the music. You can choose from a wide variety of dishes ranging from Indian to Cajun.



Middle East

472 Massachusetts Ave.

(617) 547-3930

Located in nearby Central Square, this venue is arguably the epicenter of Boston's alternative rock scene. It first opened as a restaurant in the 1970s featuring Arabic music and belly dancing. It wasn't until the 1980s that rock acts also began performing at the Middle East, beginning a musical tradition that has continued through the past 20 years.

Although it's rare to find anything other than local acts performing, both levels are consistently packed with music-hungry students and grown-ups. Headliners usually perform downstairs, an area that features two large bars and an expansive dance floor flanked with a few stools and tables. The upstairs is considerably brighter, and smaller, with more eclectic bands performing.



Regattabar

1 Bennet St.

(617) 661-5000

By far the swankiest and most elegant of Boston's music venues, the Regattabar is nestled within the equally posh Charles Hotel. The cozy atmosphere and dim lighting make it ideal for the mostly unplugged jazz acts that grace the club's stage. With the exception of Roomful of Blues, the sound here is typically soft and mellow, not loud and raunchy.



Ryles

212 Hampshire St.

(617) 876-9330

Unlike many of its counterparts in the jazz scene, Ryles is a toned-down, comfortable jazz club that features both known and unknown jazz acts. Although most nights feature local musicians, bigger names perform often enough to maintain this club's reputation as one of the area's premiere jazz clubs. It strays from its roots on Thursday and Saturday nights, when the upstairs level opens up to a dance floor featuring salsa and swing. On Sunday mornings, the club hosts a popular jazz brunch, but the best time to go is during the week when the crowd thins out.



T.T. the Bear's

10 Brookline St.

(617) 661-6752

Yet another Cambridge music hotspot, this venue is located down the street from the Middle East. Famed for having hosted such big names as Nirvana, the stage at T.T. the Bear's is now home to smaller local acts. A maximum capacity of 300 ensures that you'll never be far from the action on stage. Its small size also offers a disadvantage, though _ if it's a concert featuring anything louder than acoustic, the volume can reach deafening levels. Take a break from the noise by taking in a game of pool in the back room, or grab a drink from the far end of the club's three-sided bar.