Victorian-style independent music venue
Bluebird Theater
Why locals love it
Built as a neighborhood cinema in 1913, the Bluebird quickly became one of the city's premier mid-size concert venues after it first began hosting bands in 1994. The fully restored Victorian-style wall paintings, sculpted ornamentations and vaulted ceilings make the theater as much a work of art as the music on stage.
Why you should visit it
Smaller than a stadium or concert hall, the stage can be seen clearly from anywhere inside and the reasonably priced bar is easy to access. Still, the sound quality is respectable. On top of all that, both important names in alternative music and local heroes book gigs here, with ticket prices often less than half of what you may pay elsewhere.
Special tip
The surrounding neighborhood is a bit rough, but the block of the theater has some gems- try Mezcal just across the street for homestyle Mexican fare.