Readers Respond: What Are Your Favorite Places to Play?

Choosing the right music venue makes all the difference when it comes to your shows. Sure, playing the right size venue is important, but it's much more than that. If the venue staff is rude and unhelpful, you're going to be in a bad mood by the time you take the stage. If the room sounds bad, you sound bad. The list could go on and on. Wouldn't it be great if you could find out the inside story about a venue before you turn up to play?

Well, now you can! Here, you can share your stories of your favorite venues with your fellow musicians and check out the places they like to play. Never play a bad venue again!

Dublin. Ireland

For All Ages gigs, Radio City is a good spot when they're on. Its directly across from the bus station so people from all over the country find it easy to get to. Over Age I think Eamon Dorans is pretty cool. We never had a bad gig there! Sound is always good and its in a great location! The Village is a great place too. Local and pro bands play there such as Reel Big Fish and the strokes. Sound and lights are great! Expensive to rent out though but a good spot all the same. The Sugar Clubs good for more accoustic gigs I think. The place was originally a cinema theatre so it has that design to it but its a more sit down and listen type place than a jumping around going crazy place. Great crowds also in The Mezz and Whealans and any for metal heads Fibber McGees is where you want tp play. Thanks Kielty - Slow Motion Getaway.

—Guest Kielty

The Betsy Trotwood

I'm no musician, but my top place to see live music in London is The Betsy Trotwood. Great place to see bands before they make it big and the tickets become too dear!

—Guest Nelson

Bay Area

924 Gilman & Bottom Of the Hill in the Bay Area, also with great history behind them.

—Guest Amalia

Iron Horse in Northampton - Great Sound!

I brought my band, World Vision, to the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton. We had the best sound we've ever had so far. It made us that much more excited to play. Jim at the board gave us beautiful sound. Luckily our guitarist recorded it on little mini recorder. Crowd was very receptive and vocal too!

—Guest Balla Kouyate

Southern CA

The Wire in Upland has great staff, awesome equipment and it's clean.

—Guest Mistaken Future

Bluebird, Bloomington, IN

I have found memories of playing the Bluebird in B-town..

—Guest Dave

Bull & Gate London

great place to perform, good crowd and good staff.

—Drummermike

Athens Finest

If you're looking for classy, its got to be the Melting Point. If you want somewhere you can really pack out and get rowdy, it has to be the Georgia Theater.

—Guest Reccster

best venues

Best all ages venue in Seattle would be; Studio 7 Best 21 and over venue would be The Columbia City Theater, Showbox and Showbox Sodo

—Guest Nhatasha

Grand Canal Boston

I am in a cover band and we like to play at the Grand Canal in Boston. Great crowd!

—Guest Callum