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BEST 2013: Best Place to Hear Live Music

Can new kid in town the Sinclair beat out old standbys like TTs and the Middle East? You tell us- vote!

So you've just about worn out those vinyl LPs you picked up at our Best Record Store nominees. Time to check out those bands live, perhaps? We've lined up the best Boston-area rock venues to catch national acts on their stops in town and local rising stars alike. From Rock City to Harvard Square, these are your nominees for Best Rock Venues at which to pound beers and bang your head.

__Scott Sugarman

BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL | ALLSTON

Brave the tough Allston parking, and you'll be rewarded with an intimate, memorable show at Brighton Music Hall (née Harpers Ferry). The low stage lets you get up close to the band, while the two bars that line the room provide ample space for hanging close to the booze. Oh, and did we mention the pool tables in the back? Perfect way to kill time in-between sets.

HOUSE OF BLUES | BOSTON

It may be a corporate venue, but the House of Blues Boston presents major tours minus the typical boomy, muddy stadium acoustics (we're looking at you, TD Garden). Revel in HoB's pristine sound while standing in the spacious, well-ventilated general admission floor area. There's plenty of room to get your groove on or throw down in a circle pit, depending on who's playing.

THE MIDDLE EAST | CAMBRIDGE

On the flipside, sometimes there's nothing better than sweating your way through an intense set packed alongside a couple hundred other die-hard fans. For many a year, the four relatively compact areas that comprise Central Square's the Middle East have hosted both well-known and local bands. The shawarma's pretty tasty, too.

PARADISE ROCK CLUB | BOSTON

The ‘Dise books larger indie acts on their way to the HoB while managing to preserve the cozy vibes and cheap tix of smaller venues like the Middle East and sister club Brighton Music Hall. Trouble getting a good view from underneath all those crowd surfers? No problem-the upstairs balcony offers stellar vantage points.

THE SINCLAIR | CAMBRIDGE

Despite its delayed opening late last year, Harvard Square's spankin' new rock club/restaurant has quickly won over our hearts, ears, and stomachs. Awesome acoustics, several bars, close proximity to the Red Line-you can't ask for more than that. Unless you're talking a pre-concert snack to soak up some of that booze, in which case you should probably treat yourself Michael Schlow's duckfat potato chips and/or pastrami'd pork belly sliders.

T.T. THE BEAR'S PLACE | CAMBRIDGE

Just down the street from the Middle East, TT's holds its own. The tiny Central Square venue's space provides great views for everyone in the house. Plus, the concert lineups are always refreshingly eclectic, and tickets usually range from only 7 to 12 bucks.

Get out and catch some live music and then get voting! And don't forget that if you don't see your fave rock venue in town repped here, you can write it in! (Sorry, your Allston basement might host rad shows, but doesn't make the cut)

 

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