Art Factory

Providence Street hits you with car exhaust and humidity before you even see the door. Art Factory doesn't look like a typical rock club since it's an old theater space right in downtown Houston, but don't let the marquee fool you. You'll find a crowd smoking out front and a security guard checking IDs off a folding table. The lobby is small, so you're bumping shoulders with locals waiting for the house lights to drop.

Inside, the room is wider than it is deep, with high ceilings that bounce sound all over the place. It's an all-ages performing arts joint, meaning there isn't a sticky-floored bar anchoring the back wall. You can't bring drinks into the main seating area, which changes the vibe completely compared to your usual dive bar gig. The floor slopes down toward a proper stage, so even if you're stuck way in the back, you won't miss the band's set.

Sound quality is surprisingly crisp because of the theater acoustics. They don't sell cheap drafts, so grab something beforehand if you want a buzz. Show's over by eleven and you're right back out on the concrete.