As the San Antonio music scene grows bigger than stacks of homework or young-adult acne, it's time to take a break to get down to the philosophy of music. With six major universities, numerous community colleges and institutes to choose from, SA is host to loads of college students looking to groove away the high-intensity edge.
Don't worry if you're a minor and long to jam your study worries away. These five venues will welcome the under-21 set with open arms and open cash boxes. It's time to rock the Sharpie-stained "X" as you fist pump at some of SA's top music venues.
Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary's St.,
Raised from the black-drenched, graffiti–painted ashes of the former White Rabbit, the club's now under new management with a new paint job and a new name. Branded as Paper Tiger, the St. Mary's Strip mainstay is now a premier hot-spot of eclectic acts, anywhere from indie-pop star Ariel Pink to alt-rock royalty Courtney Love.
K23 Gallery, 702 Fredericksburg Rd., (210) 776-5635, facebook.com/k23gallery
As intimate as a serenade, but still rocking enough to melt your face off, K23 Gallery is a one-stop, off-the-map destination for the cream of the crop of the local scene. The music, art and atmosphere at the DIY gallery are as sweet as the fictional perfume from which it takes its name. Tom Robbins, English majors?
The Korova, 107 E. Martin St., (210) 226-5070, thekorova.com
Named after the milk bar from Anthony Burgess/Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece A Clockwork Orange, The Korova is a club for the "punk's not dead" crowd. With superstars Black Flag and Melvins as past performers, The Korova also hosts local nights showcasing emerging talent.
Sam's Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com
What's better than rockin' out to some of the best blues, rockabilly and rock 'n' roll acts SA can round up? Rockin' out after eating award-winning cheeseburgers, or veggie burgers for the herbivore students, of course. Furnished to the nines with ambient mood-lighting, a fully stocked bar and air-conditioning (a rarity in music venues), Sam's Burger Joint is a top-notch establishment.
Alamo City Music Hall, 1305 E. Houston St., alamocitymusichall.com
The venue formerly known as Backstage Live still plays host to top hip-hop and hardcore artists, the only change being its new, more self-explanatory name. The venue is a hybrid of styles, featuring a vast space (perfect for unleashing teen angst in decently sized mosh pits) and a moody can't-see-beyond-your-nose atmosphere.
