Bobby "Blue" Bland. B.B. King. Chuck Berry. Aside from the blues, these three have a couple of other things in common. They're all in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ... and they all got their start at the legendary Victory Grill. The Victory Grill is a place where time stopped, but the music continues 60 years later. Opened on VJ day in 1945 for the returning servicemen of WWII (hence the "Victory" in its name), very little has changed about it. The tables are the same, the booths are the same, and the music is the same ... almost. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Victory Grill turned 60 this year – the grand old man of the club scene, and Austin's true home of the blues. Happy birthday to you!

Victory Grill
1104 E. 11th
512/291-6211
atxhistoricvictorygrill.org

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Hosted by Henri Mazza, Videoke is like karaoke except it's in a movie theatre, and you're not singing but acting out scenes from movies. Now, it's been said that first-timers should not participate (practice at www.videoke.org), but the night we went, two Videoke virgins won first place. That's right, they have judges scoring performances and picking the top three finalists. The audience, however, is the ultimate judge. Bring props, dress up, create your own dialogue, and gain a new understanding of the phrase "awkward moment." After witnessing a dildo lightsaber sword fight, we will never see Star Wars the same way again.

Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse Village, 2700 W. Anderson #701, 512/861-7030
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, 1120 S. Lamar, 512/861-7040
Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane, 5701 W. Slaughter, 512/861-7060
Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline, 14028 Hwy. 183 N., 512/861-7070
Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, 1911 Aldrich #120, 512/572-1425
www.drafthouse.com/austin/theater/village

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Madam Mam's has been the best place on the Drag for authentic Thai cuisine since 2001 (just try to find a table during the lunch rush), but another great quality that makes Madam Mam's one of the best is its proximity to the KLRU television studio in the UT Communication Building B, where Austin City Limits is taped. (We met Ben Folds!) Visiting musicians often find themselves exploring the Drag and eating at Sapachai "Sap" Apisaksiri and Chatfung's ("Mam's") popular restaurant. Sound check is at 2pm, so chances for a celebrity sighting are good between 3 and 5pm. Yes, you can be paparazzi, too!

Madam Mam's
Madam Mam's Noodles & More, 2514 Guadalupe, 512/472-8306
2700 Anderson, # 419, 512/371-9930
www.madammam.com

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Even the karaoke faint of heart can find a place at Beerland's Rockeoke. First observations may leave newcomers wondering if Austin now boasts its own karaoke rehab clinic. A few drinks later, the scene more closely resembles the Mickey Mouse Club gone terribly wrong. All around, people peruse song selections, while an impressive version of, say, Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" rumbles from the stage. Some unfortunate, well-meaning newbie takes the stage and yodels out the first notes of Garth Brooks. While the requisite enthusiastic support and jovial cheers ensue, the emcee, it seems, decides to lay down the law: New country songs are not allowed, but artists like Willie and Johnny are acceptable; don't drop the microphone; songs from musicals, especially Grease, are forbidden; and no B-52's. Ladies & gentlemen, this is Rockeoke. Follow the rules and you may discover the best Karaoke support group in Texas.

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The Broken Spoke is many things to many people – dance hall, hangout, bar, restaurant, museum, employer, home away from home – but the institution of Hardcore Country Night last year was the most wildly successful event of recent years. So successful, in fact, that the early evening show is now twice monthly on Tuesdays, with regulars like Pinetop Perkins sitting in. Headed up by the fiddler supreme Alvin Crow and Spoke owner James White, the band features former Nashville stalwarts Pete Mitchell and Neal Flanz playing the coolest, most traditional country music around.

Broken Spoke
3201 S. Lamar
512/442-6189
www.brokenspokeaustintx.net

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Calling Red's "retro" does it a disservice, for there's nothing self-conscious about it. It's just a soulful little Hispanic nightspot on Fourth Street east of the interstate, attracting local working class patrons, friendly neighbors from nearby, longtime Austinites, and for more than a year now, the latest crop of Austin's indie newbies. The unassuming venue is also a Thursday night hot spot with the coolest sit-down cover band in town, the Nortons, and regular guests like Joanna Ramirez and Mary Welch. Its outdoor stage and beer garden make it a popular (and affordable) performance venue, too.

The Scoot Inn
1308 E. Fourth
512/478-6200
www.scootinnaustin.com

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Nothing goes with grits like gospel, so Threadgill’s south provides both every Sunday at brunch. Each week, different performers, including the Darden Family and Bells of Joy, move diners to give some amens with powerful renditions of church classics. Nonreligious and faithful alike can enjoy some good beats and eats. It’s hard to get full on communion wafers, so when church lets out, head down to Threadgill’s to get some soul food on a whole new metaphysical level.

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What's that sound, you ask? Above the squeak of leather, the jingle of spurs, and the guffaw of a big-bellied laugh? No, it isn't an S&M-themed Stomp routine; it's the deep country-rock twang of Chain Drive's new live-music Wednesdays. With their $1 wells and domestics, it's an enticing enough night for all of hell's angels, but coupled with live bands like Darling New Neighbors or the Texas Sapphires, you got the dang Country Bear Jamboree! So pull on your boots, tighten your dog collar, and zip up your biker jacket. Whether you're growling at the moon like Ursa Major or gunning your Harley, you'll be a welcome addition to a burly cacophony.

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So you've found a counterculture beau or beau-ette at your local comic book store, perusing Joss Whedon's run on Astonishing X-Men. The traditional dinner and movie doesn't fit the personality of your relationship, so what are are y'all to do? Easy. Get to Spider House early enough to order your yerba matte mint lattes, fill the last row of the backyard stadium seating for some solid cuddling time, and watch the next episode in the newest space-opera serial. And jinkies! Mal and the gang will whisk you off into nerd heaven.

Tweedy's
2908 Fruth
www.instagram.com/tweedysbar

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