Everyone has had a voice in giving a shout out to their favorite venue. I haven't yet but its time. I cover alot of ground from Connecticut to Rhode Island to Massachusetts. One of the great things about my current address is the proximity to a highway. I got Boston in an hour and a half.
Boston's House of Blues is by far the best venue I have ever visited. Yes, worldwide. There is something about the angle of the floor and the height of the stage that makes every step a perfect site line. I have never had an obstructed view in general admission. The balcony of 'reserved seating' seem clear enough, I'm not a sit down sort of gal but its large and clean and everyone up there seems passively happy.
The sound system is top notch with every band getting a great high and low from it. Dependent of course on the sound board operator but not once have I had auditory issues. Two wall length bars one on either side of the stage provide miles of booze for those so inclined and again with ramping even while you wait for the foam to settle you can clearly see the stage.
The staff is fantastic. No rough pat down and a shove, no 70's bouncer mentality. Just ample coverage on every event. From the people at Will Call to the stage front to the coat check, they (appear anyway!) to be happy to be there and are helpful and polite.
Security there has always been knowledgeable and professional again, considering the rough shows I go to there I have no idea how they tolerate it. The Palladium has a nice tiered setting so again- not a bad spot in the house. Sound board smack dab in the center and elevated) provides a great perch to shoot photos from As for up front the 'pit' is properly corralled and with a knee height stage it provides a great vantage for photos or just watching. No neck strain and it really allows the performers to interact with the crowd.
Otherwise, Rhode Islands Lupos and Club Hell should be bleached and burned they're filthy with the worse staff ever. Hartford's Webster Theater is filthy but generally an OK no frills venue that you never ever want to have to use the ladies room at. Just hold it.. no really, not as bad as CBGBs, but running for top 10 hell pits of all time. Security here is unique as obese means strong for some reason. There are no muscles but there is some girth, they can be horribly rude and sometime need a chalk board to figure out what you're saying but again I take in to consideration the crowds they have to deal with so I cut some slack (and bring donuts).
There ya go- we ain't LA and we ain't NY but we can hold our own that's for sure.