From clubs to concert halls, musicians thrive in these venues

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The Northland has a rich and unique assortment of venues that host music on a regular or semi-regular basis. Bars and clubs, dining establishments and concert halls of all sizes bring musicians that run the gamut of musical styles.

Here are the places to check regularly:

Beaner's Central

324 N. Central Ave., Duluth

The coffee emporium — the bean in Beaner’s — all-ages listening room and recording studio has been bringing an eclectic menu of original local, regional and occasional national acts to West Duluth for more than a decade. Owner Jason Wussow has provided a forum for local musicians to learn their craft through open mic nights, offered a stage that many performers use for their CD release extravaganzas, and juggled daring multi-act bills three or four nights a week. The basement allows for discreet recording and gives the venue the secondary option of recording right off the stage. Look forward to their “one week live” coming Sept. 19-24. Contacts: beanerscentral.com; (218) 624-5957.

Amazing Grace

394 S. Lake Ave., Duluth

You can enjoy soups, sandwiches and good bread in addition to good music at this subterranean mecca. Open stages, chick jams and local, regional and occasional national performers come across the Grace stage. Contact: (218) 723-0075.

Sacred Heart Music Center

201 W. Fourth St., Duluth

The board at Sacred Heart does a wonderful job of bringing a semi-regular stream of classical and contemporary music from local and national level artists. This is a visually lovely space and every singer who has set foot on the Sacred Heart stage is attracted to the natural reverb. Upcoming events include Lindsay Mac and the Boom Booms, Catie Curtis and the return of Neal and Leandra. Contacts: sacredheart

music.org (218) 723-1895.

Bev's Jook Joint

820 Tower Ave., Superior

It’s like finding a seedy little South Side of Chicago “hole-in-the-wall” right on Tower Avenue in Superior. Bev has been committed to bringing big-name blues to the area for 12 years. Walter Trout, Tinsley Ellis, the Kinsey Report, E.C. Scott and Magic Slim have all graced Bev’s tiny stage. Contacts: twinportsnightlife.com; (715) 392-3580.

Fitger's Brewhouse

600 E. Superior St., Duluth

Lots of local artists play here — a mix that focuses on roots and Americana. They brew their own beer, have good sandwiches, you can listen or converse, and there’s never a cover. What more can you ask? Contacts: brewhouse.net; (218) 279-2739

Honorable mentions

Mitchell Auditorium

College of St. Scholastica

Pristine acoustics, great sightlines and an intermittent lineup of international artists from Christmas in Ireland with Katie McMahon to Chinese erhu master Yang Ying.

Red Mug

916 Hammond Ave., Superior

Subterrannean oasis for coffee with predominantly local musicians and the occasional Greg Brown and Fred Eaglesmith.

Thirsty Pagan

1623 Broadway St., Superior

The billiard-table-green walls and the puke-green floor of the music room host weekly regulars such as the Fractals (Thursdays), Little Big Band (Wednesday) and an open mic on Sundays. Great old beer signs like Hamms, Grain Belt and Royal 58 give the place an over-age frat house feel.

Pizza Luce

11 E. Superior St., Duluth

Great big rock room that has hosted the Meat Puppets, Atmosphere and Brother Ali and where you can hear locals like the Keepaways and Cars & Trucks.

Zeitgeist Arts Building

(including Teatro Zuccone, Zeitgeist Arts Cafe and Zinema 2), 222 E. Superior St., Duluth

Zeitgeist houses a restaurant and bar in old downtown that has hosted That 1 Guy, Coyote, Batteries and more; plus Renegade Theater Company does its thing here.

Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake

805 E. Superior St., Duluth

The best patio in town, plus regular jam sessions (bluegrass and Celtic, for sure) where anyone is welcome to bring their axe and join in the fun.

John Ziegler has worked in the music industry for 37 years as a radio host, interviewer, record producer and professional musician./i>