Other entertainment in USA
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A
Radio City Music Hall
This glittering art deco masterpiece is a great place to see a show. Many throwback acts (eg Dolly Parton, Santana) take the stage, but newer names like Arcade Fire play, too.
reviewed
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B
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Easily the most fun you can have at the movies: sing along with Grease, quote along with Princess Bride, or listen to professional hecklers skewer whatever movie they feel like mocking as part of the Master Pancake series. All that, and you can have food and drink delivered right to your seat.
reviewed
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C
Broken Spoke
If you are ready for a little Texas two-steppin’, there is only one place you should dream of going: the Broken Spoke. This is country-and-western nirvana – a totally authentic Texas dancehall that’s been in business since 1964. Here you’ll find dudes in boots and Wranglers two-stepping around a crowded dance floor alongside hipsters, college students and slackers; many consider it an essential Austin experience. (You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot a big old oak tree propping up an old wagon wheel out front.)
reviewed
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Oakland A’s
When the Giants are away, the A’s are usually home, which expands the possibilities for those desperate for a summer baseball fix. BART stops just outside the ballpark. The A’s most recent championship came at the Giants’ expense in the quake-addled 1989 series, and they remain fierce contenders. If you want to catch them in an interleague-play game, get your tickets early.
reviewed
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D
Emo’s
Long one of Austin’s great punk-rock clubs, the expanded Emo’s still has some of the cheapest cover charges in town. Alternative bands rule here, including quite a few touring acts. There are at least three or four bands nearly every night with punk, alternative rock and heavy-metal tendencies, and two stages along with outdoor tables. Shows are all ages unless explicitly stated otherwise.
reviewed
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Pearl Street Pub
Sorrows are drowned with multiple pints at the scarred wooden bar upstairs, where the vibe is shabby chic meets Old West. Downstairs, 20-something locals pound shots by the pool tables, soaking up the beer-drenched atmosphere at this town's favorite trendy dive. Come for Friday-night happy hour, when there is often live music at the packed upstairs bar.
reviewed
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E
Tiniest Bar in Texas
The lounges around the Warehouse District (near the intersection of W 4th and Colorado Sts) are a bit more upscale and attract a more sophisticated crowd. Far W 6th St (from Lamar Blvd to Congress Ave) is the newest eat-and-drink destination: the fun-loving Tiniest Bar in Texas has a Wii game inside and a huge patio outside.
reviewed
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F
Cactus Cafe
Inside the UT student union, this tiny venue has seen a stellar array of performers, including Lyle Lovett and Shawn Colvin, since it opened in the 1970s. Seating starts 45 minutes before showtime, but people start lining up even earlier. The focus is on the music, mostly acoustic.
reviewed
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G
Kona Club
Despite the tiki bar’s return to vogue, there ain’t many around, which is why we love Kona. Think low-fi tiki – no pineapple-shaped glasses or torches, but rattan walls, a good pool table and paper cocktail umbrellas compensate.
reviewed
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Overtime Theater
This upstart produces innovative shows and keeps ticket prices low. The names of some of its original shows gives you an idea of the vibe: Sheer Bloody Lunacy!, Pirates vs Ninjas, and The Brain That Wouldn’t Die: A New Musical.
reviewed
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H
Saxon Pub
The superchill Saxon Pub, presided over by ‘Rusty,’ a huge knight who sits out the front, has music every night, mostly Texas performers in the blues-rock vein. A great place to kick back, drink a beer and discover a new favorite artist.
reviewed
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Overton Park
Stately homes surround the rolling acres of Overton Park, where the Levitt Shell was the site of Elvis' first concert, in 1954. Today the newly reopened band shell hosts free concerts all summer.
reviewed
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I
13 Celsius
With an earthy-sexy European enoteca feel, it’s the only bar in Houston to keep a temperature-controlled wine cellar. Knowledgeable bartenders offer friendly guidance to enophiles and the clueless alike.
reviewed
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J
Scholz Biergarten
Near the capitol complex, this enormous 19th-century German pub was one of O Henry’s hangouts back in the day. It’s a low-key spot, and is equally popular with politicians, UT students and European expats.
reviewed
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K
Uptown
Local rock bands and occasional celebs play this mammoth bar with a big outdoor smoking patio. You never know who might appear – Green Day came unannounced in 2009. Schedule varies; call ahead.
reviewed
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L
Opal Divine’s Freehouse
Named for the owner’s grandmother, a woman who supposedly enjoyed ‘good drink and a good card game, ’ this breezy and spacious pub serves microbrews, imported lagers and almost 20 types of tequila.
reviewed
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M
Khyber
Trendy Old City stops at the door to this down-and-dirty old rock bar. Nightly music except Mondays, when karaoke takes over. The Strokes made it big while they were the Khyber's resident band.
reviewed
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N
Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon
This funky little cinder-block building is one of those dive bars that Austinites love so very much – and did even before it became nationally famous for Chicken-Shit Bingo on Sunday nights.
reviewed
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O
Donn’s Depot
Austin loves a dive bar, and Donn’s combines a retro atmosphere inside an old railway car with live music six nights a week, including Donn himself performing alongside the Station Masters.
reviewed
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Wormhole
Embracing a broad scope of the alternative-music scene, this new dive bar and venue is in the seedier part of town but will let you experience how alternative Savannah kicks it.
reviewed
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P
Ruby Room
Two red floodlights are the only clues that this dive exists. Bartenders pour wicked-strong drinks, DJs spin pop to punk, and the red lighting makes everyone look hot.
reviewed
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Q
Casino El Camino
With a legendary jukebox and even better burgers, this is the spot for serious drinking and late-night carousing. If it’s too dark inside, head for the back patio.
reviewed
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R
Deep Eddy Cabaret
This great little neighborhood bar is known for its excellent jukebox, loaded with almost a thousand tunes in all genres. Yep, it’s a dive, but a top-rate one.
reviewed
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Memphis Redbirds
This American Automobile Association (AAA) minor-league affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals baseball team plays at AutoZone Park April to August.
reviewed
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S
Highball
Bar? Brunch spot? Bowling alley? Karaoke? Skee-ball? Retro-swanky amusement emporium? The Highball is all of those things.
reviewed
