ACME (1305 S.E. Eighth Ave.)–An eatery and bar, ACME mostly books local bands. ACME also hosts art shows and books DJs. $, 21+, small
Aladdin Theater (3116 S.E. 11th Ave.) –One of the only Portland venues that is all seating. Although people can stand near the front of the stage, most people sit in this theater-style location. It’s big, but it usually doesn’t sell more than 600 tickets because of the seating. $$, all ages, medium
The Amphitheatre at Clark County (17200 N.E. Delfel Rd., Ridgefield, Wash.)–The only place besides the Rose Garden to see your favorite bands: John Mayer, Christina Aguilera, and the Backstreet Boys. It seats 18,000 and has designated seats in front of a grassy area. $$$$, all ages, extra-large
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (1037 S.W. Broadway)–Where can you see both The Killers and the Oregon Symphony? The Schnitz. It’s an all-seating room, which raises the question: Why force the angst-ridden 16-year-old fans of The Killers to sit through the show instead of dance out their rage? $$$, all ages, large
Ash Street Saloon (225 S.W. Ash St.)–Tiny downtown venue featuring mostly local bands. Ash Street is better defined as a bar with entertainment, rather than a stand-alone venue. $, 21+, small
Berbati’s Pan (231 S.W. Ankeny St.)–Relatively small venue with a connected bar. Right next-door to Voodoo Doughnut and Dante’s, Berbati’s is in a convenient location to find food after a good hip-hop, rock, or folk show. $, 21+, small
Crystal Ballroom (1332 W. Burnside St.)–The historic ballroom is Portland’s premier venue-the place to see the most popular local and national bands. Most of the floor is designated for all ages, but the 21+ area has a balcony with bar. Lola’s Room, a smoking area with bar, is located just below the main floor. First-time concertgoers are always amazed at the bouncy floor-like a basketball court, the floor gives a little spring if you bounce on it. $$$, all ages, large
Dante’s (1 S.W. Third Ave.)–Low Dough Shows, Karaoke From Hell, and the other daily quirks of Dante’s make it one of Portland’s most unique venues. It’s a little too small and the sound systems are often dull. It does have a great atmosphere, however. Dante’s has a late-night pizza window that is very nice after a long night of drinking. $, 21+, small
Doug Fir Lounge (830 E. Burnside St.)–The Doug Fir is Portland’s hipster dance club. Trendy and small, the venue typically has intimate shows with fairly well-known bands. There is a live show or a DJ almost every night of the week. $$, 21+, small
Fez Ballroom (316 S.W. 11th Ave.)–Being at the Fez is like watching a show with your friends in your living room. Many shows there are very small, featuring local or little-known bands. $, 21+, small
Food Hole (20 N.W. Third Ave.)– This closet-sized venue focuses on local independent, experimental, hardcore, and metal bands. It’s being remodeled right now, but look for shows again soon. $, all ages, small
The Green Room (2280 N.W. Thurman St.)–This up-and-coming bar has an open-mic night and a “Portland Songwriters Showcase,” which features local singer-songwriters of the area. $, 21+, small
Ground Kontrol (511 N.W. Couch St.)–A vintage arcade, Ground Kontrol focuses on local music. It’s an all-ages venue until 7 p.m., and most shows are after 7. It features a lot of local metal, but does book a variety of music. $, 21+, small
Hawthorne Theater (3862 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.)–The Hawthorne Theater is the little sibling of the Crystal Ballroom. The venue is one large open space, with a designated all-ages area next to the stage and a bar right behind it. A fun place to see one of your favorite national and local bands. Sound at the Hawthorne is subpar. $$$, all ages, medium
Holocene–Holocene started out in 2003 as an electronic music club and quickly grew into one of the more successful new clubs in Portland, playing host to a variety of local and national acts. Known for their diversity, hear DJs spin one night and see your favorite indie act the next. $$$, 21+, medium
Mississippi Studios (3939 N. Mississippi Ave.)–Hosting many unknown local bands, the music you’ll hear at Mississippi Studios ranges from country to indie rock. Something is happening almost every day of the week. $, 21+, small
Rock ‘N’ Roll Pizza: Legends Bar and Heavy Metal Cafe (11140 S.E. Powell Blvd.)–Most performers are aging metal bands, both local and national. The venue is small and the shows are some of the worst in Portland. It’s close to a thousand miles outside of downtown. $, all ages, small
Rose Garden (1 Center Court)–Why go to a stadium show where you can’t see the artist? Because the artist is Britney Spears. There’s no way I’m missing her the next time she’s in Portland. $$$$, all ages, extra-large
Roseland (8 N.W. Sixth Ave.)–The best part of the Roseland is that you can see the band from almost anywhere in the room. The worst part of the Roseland is that the drunks in the 21-and-over balcony often mute the more serene bands with their drunken bantering. To solve this problem, make sure to show up early, get a seat in the balcony, and be one of the loudest drunks. $$$, all ages, large
Rotture (315 S.E. Third Ave.)–Now an Italian restaurant, Rotture was at first the Meow Meow, and most recently the Loveland. Rotture just added a show space above the restaurant that is 21+. $$, 21+, small
Satyricon (125 N.W. Sixth Ave.)–A classic punk dive bar that was renovated to be an all-ages venue, Satyricon is among the smaller venues in Portland. Although it is all ages, a bar just opened. Satyricon typically hosts metal, hardcore and punk shows. $, all ages, small
Wonder Ballroom (128 N.E. Russell St.)–A medium-sized concert hall with balcony, the Wonder Ballroom is the picturesque idea of what a venue should look like. It has enough room so that you’re not smashed into the corner, but is small enough that the concert maintains its intimacy. $$, all ages or 21+, medium