Good music, dark bar, and slightly crusty regulars

Noteworthy for: Most of the bands here come from the singer-songwriter tradition, with an emphasis on solid lyrics and basic beats.

When Joe Ables opened the Saxon Pub in 1990, he had the novel idea of scheduling headliners early in the evening. This helped attract a core of regulars who come for happy hour and then stick around for a couple of hours.

The music doesn't stop at 10pm, however. The bar books up to six acts per night, and Ables often gives up-and-coming bands a shot in the later hours, attracting a younger crowd. (Latin rockers Los Lonely Boys played the Saxon frequently in their early days). Songwriter Bob Schneider, Sandra Bullock's ex-boyfriend, hosts a wildly popular Monday night show.