For folk, roots rock, Celtic music, and great singer/songwriters, McGonigel’s Mucky Duck (2425 Norfolk St. off Kirby Drive and Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77098; 713-528-5999) is a dream. The quaint Irish pub hosts Texas musicians Kelly Willis, Sisters Morales, Bob Schneider, and others.
Another pub with a reliable music scene is Rudyard’s British Pub (2010 Waugh Dr., at Welch, Houston, TX 77019, 713-521-0521). It’s off the beaten path and easy to miss. Look for the neon “Rudz” over the door. The upstairs stage ranges from punk to honky-tonk. Don’t miss the Old West-themed wrought iron railings by artist Mike Miano.
Prefer to participate in the performance? Head to Howl at The Moon (612 Hadley, Houston, TX 77002; 713-658-9700) for sing-a-longs and tag-team piano shows Wednesday through Saturday nights.
Jazz lovers dig the comfortable confines of Cezanne’s (4100 Montrose Ave., Houston, TX 77006; 713-522-9621) second-story Montrose space, a jazz staple perched above the Black Labrador Pub. Cezanne’s intimate, 40-seat venue hosts live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights.
A few blocks east of downtown’s Minute Maid Park, rock, pop, reggae, and alternative acts play their hits and push their merch at Warehouse Live (813 St. Emanuel St., Houston, TX 77003; 713-225-5483). Located in a renovated 1920s warehouse, this pristine venue boasts large and small stages and a touch of class not found at most concert locations.
On the other side of downtown, Verizon Wireless Theater at Bayou Place (520 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002; 713-230-1666) hosts a stellar array of concerts and performances. The venue’s capacity ranges from 1,900 to 2,800, depending on the floor setup, so concerts maintain an intimate feel, while drawing popular acts.
