4. WALTERS DOWNTOWN
Look to the things that last. Walters Downtown, nee Walters on Washington, has been a go-to for local and touring bands and the people who love them since 2000. What’s more, the club absorbed much of the staff, the vibe and some of the storied tradition of Toby Blunt’s, Mary Jane’s and the Shimmy Shack before that. Which is to say that Walters is really something of a nesting doll of continuous rock action. Allowing that Houston is a self-destructing place, constantly remanding its past to the wrecking crew, Walters is downright venerable. Since making a pilgrimage east to its new home in a glittering cement bunker of dreams, tucked away in a DMZ just north of downtown, Walters has kept on keeping on, its family-that-likes-to-party vibe surviving real hardship, namely the loss of matriarch Pam Robinson.

It’s no fan appreciation day at the ballpark putting on shows night after night in a city that hasn’t made up its mind about music. Maybe it’s not exactly the Lord’s work. Just the same, the staff at Walters are the same people attending shows on their off nights. Their doors are open to everyone: punks, freaks, rappers, rockers, geeks, metal scum, even the kids from the infinite suburban expanses doing their learn-as-you-go hardcore bands. 1120 Naylor, waltersdowntown.com

3. WHITE OAK MUSIC HALL
There have certainly been growing pains and bumps in the road for Houston’s most noteworthy new live music venue, mostly involving noise and congestion complaints from those who live in the vicinity. That said, from a purely musical, concertgoing perspective, White Oak Music Hall has delivered on its promise to be the venue of choice in Houston…and then some. The club-like upstairs area fits around 350 and is perfect for local showcases and the like, while the 1,200-capacity theater-size downstairs stage has already played host to such major players as Dinosaur Jr. and Okkervil River.

But the major draw is the 3,000-capacity Lawn at White Oak, which is downright picturesque — particularly as the evenings cool a bit heading into the fall. In less than six months since its grand opening, The Lawn has hosted such acts as Flaming Lips, Sturgill Simpson and M83; on tap later in 2016 are Gogol Bordello, Morrissey and Pet Shop Boys. In addition to a great setup and general layout, White Oak gets extra points for not completely gouging concertgoers on parking and concessions (they’re still expensive, but not so bad compared to other area venues). Expect even bigger shows in 2017 as White Oak Music Hall continues its transition into Houston’s go-to live-music venue. 2915 North Main, whiteoakmusichall.com

2. FITZGERALD’S
Fitzgerald’s has been dutifully fulfilling the Bayou City’s musical needs since 1977. At the helm since the beginning, Sara Fitzgerald has not only done every job imaginable under its roof — door teller, booking agent, bouncer, etc. — but now she’s steering the ship herself again. After the historic venue passed through several tenants, Fitzgerald gave Fitz a swanky makeover and added a variety of genres and acts. Be it comedians, spoken word, experimental noise or punk and death metal, nearly every kind of avant-garde and groundbreaking sound has made waves through one of this place’s two famous stages since the days of Zelda’s and before.

Thousands of locals not only have witnessed some of the best gigs in H-Town memory under that wooden structure that still dominates the corner of White Oak and Studemont, but have been a part of many. Who hasn’t had a smoke or two on the second-story porch while heckling roller skaters? Or been sucked into an angry circle pit upstairs? To know Fitzgerald’s is to be familiar with the Houston music scene and all its rich history. Never forget, its first show was a sold-out performance by none other than Lightnin’ Hopkins himself. Love it or hate it, Fitz remains a landmark on our musical map, a beacon that continues to be a bright spot in our scene. 2706 White Oak, fitzlive.com

1. WAREHOUSE LIVE
Warehouse Live is a venue on a tightrope. It’s not a big-shot corporate music space like the House of Blues, but it’s also not an intimate neighborhood spot like Rudyard’s. Nor is it the underground, warehouse venue that its name might imply (that description better fits a place like Walters). Warehouse Live, in fact, is an amalgam of all these things. Each of its three stages offers just the right space for a wide range of performing artists, which means Houstonians get treated to a wildly eclectic lineup here. You’d be hard-pressed to find another venue that could book progressive death metal gods Opeth, local trap star Maxo Kream and the sultry burlesque dancer KiKi Maroon. But Warehouse booked all those acts...in October. Its location also makes for a great scene; while a few nice condoplexes now dot those few blocks of St. Emanuel, the area is still dominated by (you guessed it) warehouses, which means you can still find street parking and cheap Vietnamese food. We’re lucky to have a top-notch venue do such a good job of walking the line. 813 St. Emanuel, warehouselive.com

Written by Chris Gray, Clint Hale, Matthew Keever, Tex Kerschen, Kristy Loye, Jesse Sendejas Jr., Katie Sullivan and Marco Torres. Ballots also cast by Brandon Clements, Jack Gorman, Chris Lane, David Rozycki, David Sackllah and Nathan Smith.