You Still Haven't Been To The Best Venues In Town

Brothers Lounge 
Can’t decide what show to see? At Brothers Lounge, split your time between its two venues, a wine bar and a more traditional music hall. You’re likely to find a jazz quartet playing in one room while a bluegrass singer-songwriter strums chords in the other. In both rooms, Brothers offers a robust menu featuring about a dozen martini concoctions, like the musically themed Brothers Blues, made with vanilla vodka, Blue Curacao and lemon. What to see this month: Northeast Ohio boasts its own local Zydeco band, Mo’ Mojo, whose high-energy sound graces the stage April 20. 11609 Detroit Road, Cleveland, 216-226-2767, brotherslounge.com

Coda 
Low lighting and colorful murals lend ambiance to this cozy underground spot, an artsy brick venue owned by Cleveland restaurateur Dante Boccuzzi. Located in the heart of Tremont below Boccuzzi’s Dante, Coda’s stage showcases indie, folk, blues, hip-hop and rock — both local and otherwise. Grab a late-night snack and settle in for three or four musical acts, as most shows feature multiple headliners. What to see this month: Millennials who miss the heyday of early-aughts emo should love local indie rockers Hello, Bandit, which showcases its airy, instrumental-heavy sound April 13. 2247 Professor Ave., Cleveland, 216-274-1200, coda.danteboccuzzi.com

Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern
Cleveland’s popular hot dog spot took over “The Euc” in 2014, allowing the longtime venue to maintain its musical history. Now, when you want a great show and a hot dog topped with mac and cheese, Happy Dog at Euclid Tavern offers the same quirky food and laidback bar setting as Happy Dog’s Gordon Square location, with the added benefit of regular live performances. Most shows are free, but range up to $10. What to see this month: On April 20, it hosts a crime-themed evening of events capped with a performance by murder-ballad musical duo Charming Disaster. 11625 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-5400, happydogcleveland.com

Mahall’s 20 Lanes 
Bowling alley meets music venue at this Lakewood bar, where lanes are open every weekday until 6 p.m. and live music takes the stage most evenings. A popular spot for small local and rising indie bands, Mahall’s recently outfitted its main stage with a new sound system to provide better acoustics in the crowded — err, intimate — space. Expect to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your fellow music lovers. What to see this month: The band formerly known as Teen Suicide is now American Pleasure Club, and will bring its eclectic electronica sound April 26. 13200 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-3280, mahalls20lanes.com 

Now That’s Class 
If you like your music loud and your beer cheap, you’ll love Now That’s Class, an ironically named dive bar. With two live stages, graffiti-laden walls and a skateboarding ramp in the main room, it is reminiscent of a party in a friend’s basement — but cooler. Order off its vegan-friendly menu, grab a PBR and enjoy music genres you’ve never heard of such as “hardcore punk sung in Greek” and “searing guitar rock with sludgy pop overtones.” What to see this month: Canadian pop-punk duo Partner, who describes itself as “part musical act, part teenage diary and 100 percent queer,” plays April 14. 11213 Detroit Road, Cleveland, 216-221-8576, nowthatsclass.net

Wilbert’s Food and Music 
Fans of the Cleveland Indians love Wilbert’s for its raucous game day specials, but this downtown hot spot also serves as a popular music venue for folk and country. In fact, more than 90 Grammy Award-winners have played Wilbert’s throughout the years. With an expansive space, above-average bar fare and ever-present drink specials, Wilbert’s attracts a lively crowd that makes it an ideal spot to catch an impromptu, upbeat show — game day or not. What to see this month: South Carolina-based duo Brother Oliver (yes, they’re actually brothers) brings psychedelic folk rock to Wilbert’s April 26. 812 Huron Road E, Cleveland, 216-375-5966, wilbertsmusic.com
_________________

Bonus: Five Classic Spots We Still Love

Agora Ballroom & Theatre
Once a vaudeville/burlesque house, the Agora boasts a killer sound-system, making it a favorite of metal bands craving serious volume. 5000 Euclid Ave., No. 101, Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

Beachland Ballroom & Tavern  
Smaller indie, blues and rock performers take the tavern stage, while larger acts play to standing-room crowds in the venue’s connected ballroom. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com

Grog Shop 
Catch up-and-coming indie artists and the occasional silent disco at this one-room venue in Coventry. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs

Music Box Supper Club 
The Flats club hosts national and rising musical acts of all genres and offers concertgoers a full-service dining experience while they listen. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com

Hard Rock Rocksino 
Big-name artists play the 2,100-person Hard Rock Live stage, while smaller, more subdued acts play in Club Velvet. 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7625, hrrocksinonorthfieldpark.com

House of Blues 
Offering all the amenities of a chain venue — easy ticketing and sleek marketing — it still manages to retain all the warmth and friendliness of a local theater. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com/cleveland