Portland has had a thriving music scene with its own unique sound ever since the 1960s, when garage rock groups The Kingsmen and Paul Revere & the Raiders first came to prominence. Since then, Portland has hosted important groups in punk rock, bluegrass, and world music, sometimes even combining aspects together. It’s no surprise that there are plenty of places to catch a show. Here are a few of the best.

• The Aladdin Theater has been around since the ’20s, when it hosted vaudeville legends like Jack Benny. Since then it has gone through a number of incarnations. In 1993 it was restored to a hall hosting the best in modern music from all corners of the globe.
• The Crystal Ballroom also has a long history, with its origins in 1914. In the 1960s, it was a haven for the most modern rock stars, including Little Richard. There is a rumor that he fired Jimi Hendrix in the middle of a performance there, but whether that’s true or not, the ballroom continues to thrill with its special energy.
• The Wonder Ballroom was constructed in 1914, and its unique charm has survived until today. With a capacity of 778 people, it’s a blend of intimacy and crowd-pleasing that hosts hometown heroes like Quasi along with out-of-towners. In October, Chapel Hill group Superchunk takes the stage along with Teenage Fanclub.
• The Doug Fir is an example of beauty before age. It was founded in 2004, but its dcor harkens back to the 50s. The Fir is as renowned for its food as its music. Popular menu items include the Idaho Crunchy Trout, Smoked Draper Valley Turkey, and the Fir Burger.