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Earlier this year, Austin's Mohawk bar earned the "Best Bar in America" title from Esquire readers. Now, on the cusp of the summer tour circuits, Rolling Stone has declared Stubb's BBQ "Best Rock Club" in America.
RS cited the venue's capacity (a good size, the largest spot downtown that isn't a theater or indoor music hall) at 2,200, their admirable genre inclusion when it comes to booking (Wu-Tang, Feist, Billy Idol and Willie Nelson have all performed there), the PA system and the added bonus of delicious food as factors in the decision making process.
What do you think, Austin?
The runners up were Asheville, NC's Orange Peel, NYC's Bowery Ballroom, Detroit's Magic Stick and Norfolk's Norva. Not bad company!
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Stubb's is good, but it's not in my top 5 venues, all of which are smaller. So for it's size, yeah, I guess so. The sound there is consistently good.
It's cool that Austin was acknowledged, but I've never thought their acoustics were that great, and I always end up standing awkwardly down hill from the stage where I can't see anything. Still, congrats to Stubbs.
I love Stubb's. I've seen some really fantastic shows there. Glad to see RS appreciates Austin too.
No shit, the Magic Stick. Not as good as Stubb's but you can bowl if you get bored of the band upstairs.
Oh and I believe a couple years ago Jack White punched the guy from the Von Bondies there.
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1481112/20031215/white_stripes.jhtml
Holy shit,I used to work at the majic stick...I was there when all that shit went down between those two......jack totally caught him by suprise....me and my boy mopped up the blood.....
Personally I've always hated seeing shows at Stubb's. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some great shows there; I guess you just have to expect some sacrifices as far as sound and visibility when shows that are going to draw huge crowds are being booked.
Is it my dream place to see a band? Well, of course not, because if I could have a band play my living room it would obviously be way better.
As much as the sound is often muddy, the sight lines aren't great, and it's hot as shit when the shows are sold out, Stubbs is probably the best place to see a band in a venue of that size. Standing on the sloping uneven ground drives me nuts, but being outside under the stars and not in a cement cave adds something to most of the shows I've ever seen there.
And, when you look at the bands that often play Stubbs, they are playing a venue that is smaller than comparable stops on their tours (Wilco, White Stripes, Flaming Lips, etc), doing multiple nights /shows or playing something completely out of their comfort zone (Bob Dylan). There's obviously some magical allure that draws bands to play there vs Austin Music Hall, etc.
I think its pretty neat.
Oh, and the inside stage? It's the best sounding little room in Austin a lot of nights and the fact that the stage is a foot high is awesome.
stubbs = no good.
the bad: too expensive. the security/bouncers suck: routinely bust people for pot or flasks. the shows always start early.
the plus side: good booking. sloping site for nice views. the bbq. can watch shows from adjacent parking garage.