Maroon Weekly

By Andrew Bennett, Scene and Heard Editor

Revolution Café & Bar – This venue is the jewel of the Brazos Valley with both an inside and outside stage. From my experience they treat their musicians the best. Bar owner Rola Cerone allows you to keep all the money from the door and hooks the band up with a generous bar tab. There is a regular crowd there that has a real appreciation for music. Also, it’s a reliable weekend night venue to go to as an audience member to hear great music from around Texas, as well as shockingly good poetry on Sunday nights. The walls are covered with eclectic art, a good portion of which is done by prolific local painter Jerome Riddle. The only drawback is you’ll most likely have to bring your own PA, especially if you play outside

The Village Café and Art979 Gallery – Another wonderful Bryan establishment that serves up organic food and locally brewed coffee during the day and hosts great jazz, folk, and poetry at night. Musicians who play acoustic music or jazz will love performing at this venue. The hardwood floor and high ceiling produce the warmest natural acoustics in the region. Owner Kristy Petty keeps the decor classy with welcoming leather sofas and monthly art exhibits. Their “don’t pay while you play” policy is exceptionally appetizing given their tasty plates and exotic beers. Though not usually a problem, you’ll have to watch your volume here. People to come to eat and chat, and I’ve been asked to turn down by patrons.

Zapatos Cantina – This drinking hole has a long history in College Station for me. I attended and played my first local shows here. The outdoor stage provides a great view for the musician, as the crowd will wrap around the stage 180 degrees. Also, people go to Zapatos to drink, a lot, so by the end of the night you usually have a rowdy crowd singing and dancing along; which can be good and bad, but mostly good. They also provide plenty’o pitchers while you’re playing. You’ll have to bring your own PA to Zapatos and make an awkward decision of either posting three people to collect door (which isn’t popular on Northgate) or settle for 10% of the bar tab.

The Stafford Main St. – This pure music venue in downtown Bryan is probably the best place to hold a dance party or generally fill your ears with nothing but music, and they will be ringing after the show. The sizeable house speakers provide a sonic mountain that encourages patrons to get a little sweaty.  The elevated stage gives you a fun perspective when the venue is full. However, unless you really pack the people in you will really feel a lack of energy in the concrete walls and floors. You’ll have to pay the sound guy, but you get to keep most of the door, which can be substantial.

Fitzwilly’s – The only place on Northgate that feeds their musicians, well. Fitzwilly’s has a fun outdoor stage with a balcony that looks down on it. It’s a good place for the audience to dance around. They give you a meal ticket and just two drink tickets per member of the headlining band. You’ll need a PA. Their payment plan is either $300 up front or the all the door, so it’s a little bit of a gamble. And tell your friends that the door guy isn’t mean, he’s just doing a good job.

The Corner – A great place to get exposure in College Station. This bar filters a large amount of people through. Concerts are held on the second and third floors. The third floor is a cool spot to play a concert due to the view and the large population that congregates up there. The second floor is also a good place to be heard because whatever crowd you bring will be joined by people from the third floor coming down to get drinks. However, unless you’ve won a battle of the bands there expect to get paid peanuts; 5% of the bar tab of the floor you’re on isn’t much considering the amount of people you’re playing to.