Birchmere   

Without its marquee, you might not notice the Birchmere inside this industrial building on Mount Vernon Avenue, and if you were looking for glamour inside, you'd be mighty disappointed with the homespun decor. But if you crave a fantastic music experience, you'll be well-rewarded for checking out the Birchmere, a cavernous, casual venue where music performances range from blues and folk to country. Headliners have included the Dave Matthews Band, Lyle Lovett, k.d. lang and Vince Gill. The proprietors are quick to point out that the Birchmere is a music hall, not a nightclub or bar. In a setting reminiscent of a country cafeteria, all the focus here is on live music, and the musically fluent crowd is a gratified one. Every listener takes a seat with a clear sightline to the stage, and even with a seating capacity of 500 you can expect the rapt audience to be hushed in excitement.