O'Brien's Pub

The music at this tiny, 70-person club skews more toward punk and metal outfits with names like Maggot Brain and Rat Corpse. Though it's a fraction of the size of small-scale venues like Great Scott, O'Brien's doesn't dial down its sound system, so be sure to pack earplugs. PBR is the drink of choice here—ask for a “cocktail” and you'll likely get a stiff rum and coke. From the tacky wood paneling to the questionable bathroom upkeep, O'Brien's certainly keeps out folks who require some classiness in their live music—but things are probably better for everybody that way.