Teragram Ballroom

Teragram Ballroom is on West 7th Street a block past Lucas Avenue, on the far side of the 110 from the downtown towers. It's one big general admission room with no seats, a raised stage and a rig of lights overhead, and it fills up with indie rock fans, touring singer-songwriters and the occasional DJ or electronic act. The size is the appeal. It's big enough for bands that have outgrown the Eastside bars, and small enough that you can see faces from the back.

The bars open an hour before doors, and the first act usually goes on about an hour after that, so there's time to grab a drink before the room gets packed. Everything is cashless, including walk-up tickets at the box office, so bring a card or your phone. Sold-out nights sometimes release a few standby tickets when doors open. Once you're inside, you're inside. There's no re-entry, except for the smoking area out front.

House rules are strict about the pit. Moshing, crowd surfing and stage diving get you thrown out, and so does throwing anything at all. Leave markers, spray paint and pocket knives at home along with outside food and drinks. A regular camera is usually fine, though the artist can change that on the day. If you need a chair, the venue can set one up with a seat for a friend, as long as you ask before the show or show up 15 minutes before doors.

Parking around here means third-party lots. The venue's own advice is to take a rideshare, and from 7th Street/Metro Center it's a ten-minute walk west over the freeway bridge.