Most of the time, students choose their college based on academics, athletics and family. But what truly shapes young people’s lives is the culture they subject themselves to while in school. And it is difficult to find something that holds stronger history, emotion and cultural appeal than music. When young people find their favorite music venue, it can make them feel at home.
From the Bowery Ballroom to the Georgia Theatre, here are some of the best college music venues in the country.
10. Caledonia Lounge (Athens, Georgia)
In Athens, Georgia, good music is not hard to find. The college town, home to the University of Georgia, holds the top spot on the Top 10 College Music Scenes list. Surrounded by famous venues, such as the 40 Watt Club and the Georgia Theatre, Caledonia Lounge has taken more of an underground approach. Shows range in price, but they typically stick around $5 to $10, making it affordable for broke college students. The venue features both well-known and upcoming bands, so seeing your favorite band and discovering new music is very easy.
9. The Union (Athens, Ohio)
Athens, Ohio is one of the smallest towns with a venue on this list, but there is no shortage of amazing music. And if you’re ever passing through the Appalachian town, The Union is the place to see shows. The historic bar burned down in November 2014, but it has since been rebuilt. Similar to Caledonia Lounge, the venue features both well-known bands, such as the Marcus King Band, and local up-and-coming musicians. Most importantly, the Union is one of the cultural center of Athens, Ohio. A night spent at The Union will leave you surrounded by new friends and eager to come back.
8. Crystal Ballroom (Portland, Oregon)
Portland, Oregon is packed full of music fans, and students at Reed College, Lewis and Clark University, Portland State and others have no shortage of venues to see their favorite groups. Crystal Ballroom is a town favorite. Now over a century old, the concert hall has a very diverse history. It was built in 1914, and served as a ballroom during the Great Depression. In the 1960s, the venue featured prominent psychedelic acts, such as the Grateful Dead and Blue Cheer. Now, the venue features a wide array of music, from Blues Traveler to The Dandy Warhols and others.
7. First Avenue & 7th St Entry (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Students at the University of Minnesota, Macalester College and others are exposed to a great deal of live music and rock history. Prince shot the music video for Purple Rain at First Avenue & 7th St Entry, and bands like The Replacements, Soul Asylum and others launched their careers by playing on the venue’s stage. At 48 years old, the venue is one of the longest running, independently owned and operated clubs in the country.
6. The Bowery Ballroom (New York City)
Surrounded by 81 universities and nearly 600,000 recent college graduates, The Bowery Ballroom is a hot ticket music joint in Manhattan. In New York City, it can be hard for a broke college student to pay for entertainment, but shows at The Bowery Ballroom are relatively affordable, typically costing $15 to $20. The venue attracts a variety of artists, from electronic dance groups like Crooked Colours to older hip hop groups like Yo La Tengo. The venue fits less than 600 people, so tickets go fast!
5. The Mohawk (Austin, Texas)
In typical “Keep-Austin-Weird” style, The Mohawk makes a point to welcome all kinds of people. The venue’s goal is to “represent all music tastes and all walks of life.” The live music bar is open every night from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. On their outdoor and indoor stages, the venue features prominent local acts, touring up-and-coming groups and established bands. The Mohawk has found a perfect way to consistently bring a diverse group of people together to enjoy each other, life and music.
4. Slim’s (San Francisco, California)
Founded by Legendary R&B artist Boz Scaggs in 1988, Slim’s has found a way to keep a well-rounded crowd. As one of the most prominent music joints in San Fransisco, the club is not specifically geared toward college students. However, the venue’s wide range of both established and up-and-coming acts attracts many students from nearby colleges. Slim’s features jazz, alternative, blues, hip-hop, pop and more. The club has hosted well-known acts, such as Radiohead, Kings of Leon, X and Prince.
3. The Crocodile (Seattle, Washington)
Students at the University of Washington, Seattle University and others don’t need to be reminded that they live in the birthplace of grunge. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and others are pillars of the city’s history. Opening its doors for the first time in 1991, The Crocodile played a pivotal role in the 1990s grunge scene, featuring Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Cheap Trick, R.E.M., Mudhoney and Yoko Ono. Now, the venue continues to entertain students and locals by featuring hip-hop, rock, electronic, folk, singer/songwriters, metal, punk and avant-garde acts.
2. Cat’s Cradle (Carrboro, North Carolina)
Just a short drive from the University of North Carolina, Cat’s Cradle has established itself as one of the most prominent underground venues in the country. It holds a mass capacity of only 750 people, but still has managed to have John Mayer, Nirvana, Iggy Pop, Joan Baez, Public Enemy and others play on its stage. Cat’s Cradle is the quintessential college music club. Most shows at the venue are all ages, so students under 21 can still get in to see stellar acts.
1. Georgia Theatre (Athens, Georgia)
Athens, Georgia is home to many amazing venues, but possibly the most prominent of them all is the Georgia Theatre. The historic venue has played host to Tom Waits, B.B. King, Phish and countless others. It is practically the birthplace of R.E.M., Widespread Panic and Drive By Truckers. The theatre obviously can attract big name bands, but it stays close to its roots by featuring up-and-coming local acts. The Georgia Theatre has an immense impact on the community of Athens, Georgia. It has played a big role in shaping the music taste and overall culture of the small college town.
