On almost any given weekend, close to 20 Houston-area start-up punk, emo, ska and/or all-of-the-above bands show up to play no-age-restriction shows in a nonalcoholic environment. Sure, the place used to be somebody's house, but heck, that's appropriate -- many of these combos are taking their first baby steps out of the garage (notwithstanding the occasional bewildered national touring act that passes through). In a town where heinous pay-to-play policies have reared their ugly heads in the past, here's a place where a young band can test its mettle without fear. Besides, a lot of these kids are too young to get into a regular club, anyway.
Readers' choice: Continental Club