WHERE TO GO: The musical menu in
Atlanta depends upon the
night of the week; many clubs rotate musical styles nightly, so
call ahead if you're in the mood for something specific. Here's a
rough sketch of what to expect at some select spots: For R&B
and hip-hop, try the spacious, neon-doused MJQ Concourse
(404-870-0575) or Kaya Club and Bistro (404-874-4460), where the
upscale crowd enjoys the swanky bar and large dance floor. Jazz
plays at the Sambuca Jazz Café (404-237-5299) or the multifaceted
Smith's Olde Bar (404-875-1522), which counts pool tables,
dartboards, and a foosball table among its assets. Seeking rock?
Try the Dark Horse Tavern & Grill (404-873-3607), The Echo
Lounge (404-681-3600), or
The Star Community Bar (404-681-9018),
with its rockabilly bands, Elvis shrine, and wicked martinis.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
While the scene in the broader San Francisco area is still vibrant,
and definitely worth a listen, many musicians have left the city
itself in the wake of the infringing high-tech industry. The city
itself is a study in the complexities of maintaining a thriving
music scene.
Live 105 FM's "The DJ with No Name" explains that skyrocketing
rents have hit some clubs and practice facilities hard. "It was
getting harder and harder for local bands in San Francisco," he
says, but adds that with the recent troubles in the high-tech
economy, the huge costs have started to come down and a few new
clubs have opened.
But while San Francisco proper may still be suffering, areas
outside the city's shadow have had the chance to blossom. Says No
Name, "The dot-com invasion is one of the reasons why a lot of
national acts are starting to come out of the
East Bay and other
local areas."
A short drive across the San Francisco Bay Bridge, East Bay is
where acts such as
Green Day, Counting Crows, Third Eye Blind,
Tupac, and the Digital Underground were formed. And just 30 miles
south is
San Jose, where recent chart-topper Smash Mouth got its
start.