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Houston music scene: Places that rock
by Michael Navarro
Spotlighted below are just a few of the many Houston-area venues supporting the local music
scene.
Sherlock's Baker St. Pub
10001 Westheimer, 1997A West Gray, 228 West First St. and 2416 Bay Area Blvd.
A place to enjoy drinks, play pool or shoot darts while listening to undiscovered talent is one
of four Houston-area Sherlock's locations. All Sherlock's locations offer live bands seven days a
week. Most are alternative rock or classic rock cover bands who occasionally play originals.
Wednesday is "Big Ass Beer Night" with $1.50 20-ounce
beers at all four locations. There is no cover charge.
The Big Easy
"Social and Pleasure Club"
5731 Kirby Dr.
For a bit of the blues and a good drink, visit The Big Easy. This blues club has won the Houston
Press Reader's Award Best Blues Venue for the past five years.
Live bands perform six days a week, excluding JukeBox Appreciation Mondays.
Sunday is zydeco party day with concerts from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Harlem Slim performs every Tuesday in November, and Allison Fisher's Blues Jam performs every
Wednesday in November.
Artists such as Texas blues legend Big Walter "The Thunderbird" and Texas Johnny Brown have
performed at The Big Easy. With the exception of selected dates, there is no cover charge.
Numbers (#'s 2)
300 Westheimer
At one time, Numbers was a big Goth scene. It is still common to see a few fangs here and there,
but Numbers is now a little tamer and a great place to check out a band on selected Thursday nights.
The small size of the club guarantees you will be no farther than 50 feet from the stage; however,
the crowds can get fairly tight.
A wide variety of groups such as Matchbox 20 and 2 Live Crew have performed at Numbers.
The rest of the week, Numbers is a dance club that focuses more on grunge, industrial and techno
music.
Saturdays are all ages nights, which should be avoided unless someone underage accompanies you.
Numbers has two large screens that show the bands during concerts and plays music videos to the
DJ's music during club nights.
Cover is $7 on club nights. Concert prices vary.
Engine Room
1515 Pease
The Engine Room downtown is the place to go if you are specifically looking for a concert. Mostly
modern rock/alternative bands play here.
Unlike the smaller pubs, the Engine Room is approximately 5,000 square feet and can hold more than
500 guests.
Established bands such as Limp Bizkit and Fastball have performed there to sell-out crowds.
The Engine Room also gives local bands the opportunity to play. Upcoming concerts to look out for
are Poe, Nov. 21, and Better Than Ezra, Nov. 27.
The Engine Room also has a full bar, video games, a pool table and booths for guests to enjoy
between shows.
Shows admit all ages unless restrictions are specified. Tickets can be obtained in advance at the
Engine Room and Ticketmaster, or at the door the day of the show.
Prices range between $5 and $20.
Fitzgerald's
2706 White Oak at Studemont
Fitzgerald's is another place to go with a concert in mind. Every Tuesday is "Break Out Band Nite"
featuring local bands.
Fitzgerald's has a large variety of music. Groups such as ICP and Los Skarnales have performed at
Fitzgerald's.
Although Fitzgerald's serves drinks, all ages are welcome. Tickets can be obtained at the door and
through Ticketmaster.
Sambuca Jazz Cafe
909 Texas St.
Sambuca is a great place to start the night or take a date before venturing downtown. You can
enjoy live Jazz performances while sitting at the bar or sitting in the booths for a bite to eat.
Sambuca is dimly lit and has a lively atmosphere. Sambuca is a little pricey, and you will want
to dress up if you plan to go there.
For more information on concert dates or clubs, pick up a copy of The Houston Press. It contains
ads of clubs and upcoming concerts that you may never have known existed.
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If you are in Houston and looking for a place to catch live bands you are in luck. Whether you are
looking for local or established bands, Houston has an ever-growing assortment of bars, pubs and
clubs with live entertainment.