The Milwaukee music scene has long been dominated by three major players: the Pabst and Riverside Theatre, the Rave/Eagles Club and the Bradley Center. These venues generally showcase well-known artists and charge at least $20. Each of these venues comes with its own downfalls.

The Pabst, with its theater-style seating, does not allow guests to push to the front row for an up-close experience. The Eagles Ballroom, while large with no assigned seating, has terrible acoustics. The Bradley Center, finally, has the same problem as the Pabst, only on a much, much larger scale.

So for music lovers around Milwaukee, an alternative is to seek out a smaller, less well-known hall. The Eastside has a large music circuit, ranging from bars offering live music, to music halls bringing in local and underground artists.

Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave, is an intimate venue with a capacity of 300 people 21 and older. Shank Hall’s colorful history and a connection to ’80s rock band Spinal Tap makes checking out this Milwaukee establishment truly worthwhile.

Another venue worth visiting is Bremen Cafe at 901 E. Clarke St. According to Bremen Cafe staff, the venue features local artists all day long and is free throughout the week with a maximum entry fee of $5 on weekends. During the day Bremen Cafe is all ages, but after 9 p.m. it turns into a 21-and-older bar. However, they do offer some all-ages shows. Another unique draw which cannot be matched at larger clubs is open-mike nights on Mondays and Thursdays. Sign up for open mic is at 9:30 p.m., and there is no cover.

For an out-of-this-world experience, head over to Mad Planet, located at 533 E. Center St. Mad Planet is decked out in an alien motif, setting this club apart from the rest. Like the other venues mentioned, Mad Planet is a hot spot for local artists. Their shows are either all ages or 21 and older, and alcohol is offered at the all ages shows with proper ID. Mad Planet also has a free parking lot for patrons on the corner of Booth and Center streets.

While the bands playing at many of these local clubs may not be known outside of Milwaukee, supporting local music and enjoying a less expensive night out are two reasons why smaller venues have become so popular.

These venues generally offer a wide range of music and cater to the general population. So the next time you and your friends feel like catching a concert, check out a concert hall featuring local bands and you won’t be disappointed.

> Comments