OPEN BARS (9)
Bowery Ballroom
New York, United States
A mid-size music venue (capacity ~575) in Manhattan's Lower East Side. Opened in 1998, the Bowery Ballroom quickly became one of NYC's premier venues for rock and indie acts, prized for its excellent acoustics and elegant 1920s building.
The Devonshire Arms
London, United Kingdom
Affectionately known as "The Dev," it is Camden Town's devoted home to the musical underground and one of London's leading goth and metal venues. Features a mock-Tudor façade and a buzzy and dark interior. It's described as a goth pub with serious attitude and a haven for goths and metalheads. A place where lovers of rock, goth, punk, and metal congregate.
The World's End
London, United Kingdom
A world-famous pub and a North London landmark, reflecting the eclectic nature of Camden itself. Located just south of Camden Town tube station. Boasts two bars and a mezzanine balcony seating area. The central area is designed to reflect the open marketplace that once inhabited the location. The pub itself is a large, atmospheric space for drinkers, separate from The Underworld music venue located beneath it.
The Bitter End
New York, United States
An iconic coffeehouse-turned-rock club in Greenwich Village. The Bitter End, opened in 1961, is the city's oldest rock club still in operation. It began as a folk music venue but over the decades has hosted rock, comedy, and more. Its red brick wall stage has seen an incredible roster of talent.
The Library
New York, United States
East Village book-lined punk dive famed for its jukebox and B-movie projector nights.
Project Orange
London, United Kingdom
A modern rock bar located in Battersea near Clapham Junction. Project Orange is a trendy bar known for its rock/alternative theme, offering craft beers, a jukebox/DJ setup, and games (pool, foosball, arcade machines) in a relaxed atmosphere. Known for late opening hours and filling a niche as a dedicated rock bar in South West London.
Webster Hall
New York, United States
A historic large nightclub and concert venue in the East Village. Webster Hall was originally built in 1886 as a ballroom. In rock history, it's famed for its 1980s stint as The Ritz, one of NYC's top rock clubs. Today, Webster Hall (capacity ~1,400) remains a prime venue for live music and dance nights.
Cart and Horses
London, United Kingdom
Famously known as "The Birthplace of Iron Maiden". A traditional East End pub transformed into a shrine for Iron Maiden fans, with photos, posters, and memorabilia. It has a dedicated rock bar and museum space, including a replica of the original stage. The main bar area serves drinks and food, remaining accessible even when the basement venue hosts ticketed gigs. The band's December 21, 1976 show with new guitarist Dave Murray is legendary.
The Black Heart
London, United Kingdom
The Black Heart is a renowned rock and metal pub in Camden, often described as a "heavy metal hotspot". Nestled in a lamplit, brick-walled back alley near Camden Town Tube Station, it is about a fifteen-minute walk from King's Cross St. Pancras. The interior is decked out in exquisite all-goth attire; its walls painted black and smattered vibrantly with music artwork, fairy lights sparkling in the dimness, unisex bathroom stalls plastered with band stickers and extremely entertaining graffiti. The downstairs bar is a bustling social hub for metalheads and night-creatures from all walks of life, offering craft beers, shots (including the 'Lucky Sod' Irish liqueur), cocktails, and mocktails.
CLOSED BARS (13)
The Crobar
London, United Kingdom
An iconic Soho rock and metal bar, affectionately dubbed the "beer-soaked jewel of London's metal community". It was located on Manette Street. Known for its endearingly grubby décor, a killer jukebox (which even spawned a compilation album), an extensive bourbon collection, and a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere that felt like home even when it was brand new. It was a quintessential dive bar for metalheads and rock fans.
The Intrepid Fox
London, United Kingdom
A historic pub with roots dating back to 1784, named after statesman Charles James Fox. Originally at 97-99 Wardour Street, it became a prominent goth and heavy metal venue by the 1970s. Known for its distinctive dark, goth-rock aesthetic, featuring black-painted interiors, a mock graveyard, and other macabre decorations. It was a key meeting point for the goth and metal scenes. After closure in 2006, it reopened at 15 St. Giles High Street (2007-2014) before final closure.
Fillmore East
New York, United States
A legendary concert hall in the East Village. Fillmore East was promoted by Bill Graham as the East Coast counterpart to his San Francisco Fillmore. Though only open 3 years, it was pivotal in the late '60s rock scene, earning nickname "The Church of Rock 'n' Roll".
The Marquee Club
London, United Kingdom
One of the most legendary music venues in London's history, operating across various locations from its opening in 1958 until its final iteration closed in 2008. Initially a jazz and skiffle club on Oxford Street, it became synonymous with R&B and then rock at its Wardour Street address. The Wardour Street venue, despite its small stage, was a crucible for emerging talent.
The Rock Garden
London, United Kingdom
The Ruskin Arms
London, United Kingdom
Club Lingerie
Los Angeles, United States
A hip nightclub and live venue on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, active primarily in the 1980s. Club Lingerie was known for an eclectic booking policy – hosting rock, punk, funk, rap, and more. In the '80s music scene, it was a place where up-and-coming local bands and even national acts would play more intimate showcases, and it doubled as a trendy dance club on off-nights.
Madame Wong's
Los Angeles, United States
Chinese-restaurant-turned-rock bar that booked The Police, Oingo Boingo and The Go-Go's before they hit arenas.
Gazzarri's
Los Angeles, United States
Strip landmark that broke The Doors in the 60s and hair-metal titans (Poison, Warrant) in the 80s.
The Clarendon Hotel
London, United Kingdom
A large old pub/hotel complex in Hammersmith that became a legendary music venue. The Clarendon's upstairs Ballroom and downstairs Broadway bar were home to pivotal alternative music events from the late 1970s through 1988. Most famous as the host venue for Klub Foot, the epicenter of London's psychobilly scene throughout the 1980s.
The Greyhound
London, United Kingdom
A historic pub-turned-rock venue in West London. The Greyhound featured a large backroom music hall that hosted many up-and-coming bands during the crucial Pub Rock and early punk era. It bridged multiple scenes from Irish folk in the 60s, to bluesy pub rock in early 70s, to punk gigs in the late 70s.
The Bottom Line
New York, United States
A celebrated showcase club in Greenwich Village on the NYU campus. The Bottom Line became known for its high-quality sound and for hosting legendary performances, especially by singer-songwriters and rock acts on the rise. Seating ~400, it had a cabaret-style table setup.
Bull & Gate
London, United Kingdom
A Grade II listed pub with a long history as a music venue, particularly from the 1980s until 2013. Hosted a wide range of indie, rock, and alternative acts in its backroom venue, run by promoters like Jon Beast (Timebox/Hype!) and later Club Fandango.