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In any major city, musical venues come and go. Some closures are well-deserved: bad sound, weak promotions, etc. But other times, a place shutting its doors is a kick in the teeth for any local music fan. Here is my list of five long-gone musical establishments I wish were still open.
Agora Ballroom
Located at the corner of Northwest Highway and Abrams, the Agora Ballroom was a cool place in a cool part of town. After its demise, the area never saw another venue.
Best show I saw there: Psychedelic Furs
Arcadia
Sadly, fire demolished the Arcadia in 2006, but the venue was a shining star on Greenville Avenue for many years.
Best show I saw there: The Replacements
Gypsy Tearoom
Yes, I know that this venue just changed names and is now called The Door, but the vibe is not the same. When the Gypsy was on a roll, there was no other venue that booked better talent.
Best shows I saw there: Gang of Four reunion and Yo La Tengo
Worst show: Ryan Adams yelling at everyone for talking.
Hot Klub
A dirty, dimly lit dive that was a punk rock heaven in the early ’80s. I used my brother’s ID to get in because I was a minor. With absolutely no ambiance, the music had to do the talking. Thankfully, the local and national talent did just that.
Best show I saw there: Hüsker Dü
Bronco Bowl
A bowling alley and a concert hall? Yes, and it worked out fine. The sound wasn’t that great, but the Bronco Bowl was the perfect mid-sized venue for acts that were a bit too big for the club scene. Demolished in 2003, the site now hosts a Home Depot.
Best shows I saw there: Talking Heads and The Clash
