what else does houston have to offer? honestly, any new music venue in houston is a good step.... that's my point.
Most places around town are...seedy. At least inside 610. It'll be nice having a place downtown where you can easily and confortably walk around to grab a drink/dinner/game and then head to HOB or visa versa. Rhythm Room is cool but it defines seedy AND there ain't crap else there. Continental Club is okay but there ain't crap else to do there either. Sammy's is close to downtown sorta but is located in Homeless central and across from the Greyhouse bus station. Woo hoo. Fitzgeralds ain't got crap else around there, IIRC. Redcat Jazz Cafe is perfect ...if you like Jazz. I'm not a big fan, personally.
I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, but I used to go out three nights a week and see a different nationally touring act each time. You can certainly hear live blues almost any night of the week SOMEWHERE in town; that's not been a problem in Houston, as long as you don't mind getting a little smoke in your eye. If you're interested in having a very clean, safe place to go see some touring acts now and again and bring a date, cool, HOB will be perfect. If you're hoping House of Blues will give homegrown talent a place to develop and get heard downtown, I don't think that's a fair expectation given HOB's mission and history. As I said before, they are the Planet Hollywood of nightclubs. EDIT: nevertheless, I have long hoped Houston would begin to develop a central entertainment district where the sort of clubs I DO enjoy can prosper together in the same walking-distance area. If House of Blues can in some way help accomplish this, then I'll be very pleased. I'm just not holding my breath.
UPDATE: The porject will break ground in early September. It is scheduled to be finished by fall 08' It will NOT be built in phases....all of it will be built one shot. Also, Alamo Drafthouse and KFC/Burger King have been added to the list of tennants. Work was also being done to add a Sheraton hotel to this project....not sure where this stands but in this new rendering a third building has been added, which makes me wonder. This is a great addition downtown for Rockets fans in particular. This project will end just two west of Toyota Center, making it a great pregame and postgame hangout for Rocket fans. This is a final rendering of the projects main enterance at Main. As you can see, it runs towards the Hilton Americas (pictured in the background), which is right nextdoor to Toyota Center.
the construction going on in this city is insane. i'm not complaining. but it's astounding. there are so many significant projects being worked on out on the west side of town it's ridiculous.
I'm hoping this brings more and more business to Downtown and keeps the people who come down here for conventions out of the galleria area since we lose so much of our business because of that.
I played the one in Los Angeles. It's a great room with a great sound system that is run by incompetent morons and idiots.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but there isn't a HOB in Dallas, right? If not, they will be sick with envy...who likes a over-the-top, theme centered, chain entertainment spot more than Dallas? hehe
