THE BEACHLAND BALLROOM AND TAVERN
Opened in 2000 at a former Croatian community center, this North Collinwood club has two stages: one in the 500-capacity main hall, the other in the tiny bar at the front of the building. This Way Out, a small vintage shop housed in the basement, and Beachland Brunch every Sunday give you two more reasons to visit. THIS MONTH: Fountains of Wayne, April 24; 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
THE BROTHERS LOUNGE
Nearly straddling the border of Cleveland and Lakewood, Brothers Lounge has a legacy of live music that stretches back to 1959. Blues legends such as Buddy Guy and B.B. King have played the place over the years. But a massive, mid-2000s renovation made the spot what it is today, a combination music hall, pub and wine bar that has managed to maintain a vintage feel. THIS MONTH: Mojo Big Band, a 17-piece jazz orchestra, plays the music hall every Monday night; 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-226-2767, brotherslounge.com
GROG SHOP
With its low ceiling and graffiti-lined walls, the second incarnation of Cleveland Heights' Grog Shop, which hosts a full slate of indie rock acts, has all the gritty charm of the original location down the street. The B Side Liquor Lounge downstairs hosts DJs, while comedians take over the club's main stage most Tuesdays of the month. THIS MONTH: Cloud Nothings, April 5; 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
HAPPY DOG
A true dive bar in all the best ways, Happy Dog has become one of the city's most popular spots for live local music, be it Brent Kirby's Gram Parsons tribute or DJ Kishka's immensely popular polka happy hour. Don't miss the quarter-pound hot dogs ($5, with your choice of 50 complimentary toppings) or The Underdog, Happy Dog's new basement hangout. THIS MONTH: Ohio Civil War, April 6; 5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com
HOUSE OF BLUES
Located in the former Woolworth's building at Euclid Avenue and East Fourth Street, House of Blues has a beautiful Big Easy vibe and a balcony overlooking the main stage. The Crossroads at House of Blues restaurant offers a place to grab a bite, and don't forget to check who's playing the cozy Cambridge Room. THIS MONTH: The All-American Rejects, April 10; 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com
NOW THAT'S CLASS
This West Side spot has grown into a punk rock and metal Mecca since opening five years ago. The club has two stages and a basement bar. In pure punk form, Now That's Class has a skateboard ramp inside the club (although we wouldn't advise any mid-set thrashing). THIS MONTH: Urban Waste, April 28; 11213 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 216-221-8576, nowthatsclass.net
PEABODY'S
This club evokes our industrial past with its stripped-down, warehouse feel. Home to a 700-person main hall and the smaller Pirate's Cove and Rockstar rooms, the club plays host to local and national metal, rock and hip-hop acts. Don't miss the wall of black-painted glass in Pirate's Cove etched with messages from the likes of the Deftones and G. Love & Special Sauce. THIS MONTH: Soulfly April 24; 2045 E. 21st St., Cleveland, 216-776-9999, peabodys.com
THE WINCHESTER
Lakewood's intimate concert space has ample seating and is about music appreciation more than packing fans in elbow to elbow. The old-school music hall hosts a full slate of national, regional and local acts, as well as great sound and a relaxed atmosphere. THIS MONTH: A.J. Croce (son of Jim Croce), April 6; 12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood 216-226-5681, thewinchester.net
