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The world’s coolest cities have live music scenes that come in all shapes and sizes. The common denominator is that they deliver an outstanding evening of great music—be it blues, Latin, soul, funk, jazz, rock, indie-pop, or something in between. These are our hands-down favorites.
Best Live Music in....
Best Live Music
Miami
Churchill’s Pub 5501 NE Second Ave., Little Haiti, 305-757-1807
The Draw: Live indie rock—punk, hard rock, acoustic—almost every night in Miami’s favorite English pub. Marilyn Manson played his first gig here. The Scene: You’ll find appropriately hole-in-the-wall décor: psychedelic parachutes, jukeboxes, pool tables, video games, and soccer and rugby games on the telly. A grungy but affable mix of hard-core rock and punk lovers welcomes newcomers to this neighborhood bar. Hot Tip: The traditional pub fare—shepherd’s pie, scotch eggs, and the popular British restaurant–style curries—is better than you’d expect.
Jazid 1342 Washington Ave., South Beach, 305-673-9372 jazid.net
The Draw: It’s all about the music, every damn night—that’s Jazid’s motto. Downstairs, jazz, funk, soul, reggae, Motown, and R&B, and Brazilian jazz are played for performance-lovers of all stripes. The Scene: Small, sultry, and candlelit, Jazid has been hosting local and national performers on its intimate downstairs stage for years. Upstairs, there’s a DJ den with overstuffed couches and a pool table. The eclectic crowd—young, old, professional, Latin, black, Anglo—is here for the music. Hot Tip: Call to get on the guest list by 9pm, and you’ll get in free between 9 and 11.
Tobacco Road 626 S. Miami Ave., Downtown, 305-374-1198 tobacco-road.com
The Draw: Open since 1912, Tobacco Road is Miami’s oldest continually operating bar. Today, it delivers live rock, blues, jazz, and indie music, as well as great down-home meals. The Scene: Colorfully painted, distressed walls are the backdrop for this downscale hangout with serious music. Blues legends, including B.B. King and Koko Taylor, performed here in the day, and it’s rumored to have been a favorite haunt of Al Capone. Hot Tip: Don’t make the mistake of going somewhere else for dinner before the show. Come here for the homemade chili and, if it happens to be Tuesday night, the $12.50 lobster dinner.
