USA Today Readers Name Top Small Music Venues
USA Today readers collectively named the storied New Haven nightclub Toad's Place as their favorite small venue in the U.S. The newspaper asked readers to vote for for their favorite music venue with a capacity of fewer than 1,000 people.
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While it was a close heat between the winner and runner up, Toad's Place came out on top. USA Today readers selected Beerland in Austin, Texas, as the second best venue, citing it's throwback charm, karaoke and arcade machines. The number three spot went to The Independent in San Francisco.
Voters were able to select from a list of 20 venues around the US picked by a panel of experts, with the top 10 determined by popular vote.
Other nominees included Baby's All Right in Brooklyn, Black Cat in Washington, Bluebird Theater in Denver, Bowery Ballroom in New York, Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, Crocodile in Seattle, El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, The Troubadour in West Hollywood and Union Transfer in Philadelphia.
- The Top Ten
- Toad's Place – New Haven, Conn.
- Beerland – Austin
- The Independent – San Francisco
- Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, Ore.
- 40 Watt Club – Athens, Ga.
- Brighton Music Hall – Allston, Mass.
- Great Scott – Allston, Mass.
- Hideout – Chicago
- Lincoln Hall – Chicago
- Mohawk – Austin
via Celebrity Access