House of Blues

Chain Venue Offers a Surprisingly Intimate, Unique Music Space

I remember when I first saw a show at the House of Blues in Anaheim. A few days before, I told one of my LA/hipster friends that I was seeing a concert there and she immediately scoffed. "The House of Blues? You mean the one at Downtown Disney? Ugh," she said, scrunching her nose. She surmised that since House of Blues was related to the Blues Brothers, and that this particular one was at Downtown Disney, that it would be mainstream and dull, not avante garde or rive gauche.

Well, the House of Blues in Anaheim is certainly not breaking any new ground for the avante garde scene, but it is a venue worth its weight in name-recognition. With a Southern, voodoo theme, drawing on New Orleans brand folklore and iconography drawn from nearly every religion, no corner is left unfurnished or unfancified. And the same is true for every other House of Blues I have been to--San Diego, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. All have some different touches but share the unequivocally House of Blues motif. Pay attention to the details at each one; you're bound to discover more than you anticipated. (My personal favorite touch in the venues is the quilted stage curtain, made to look old and worn, like it was made my your grandmother in some bygone era).

And that's just what the venue looks like! No worrying for die-hard music aficionados, the decor doesn't upstage the performers. Even aside from the spectacular setting, the music sounds really great. The lofty ceiling provides a great space for rock, reggae, or even acoustic numbers to shine. You can opt to stand in the pit or relax and sit on one of the stools lined up along the railing of the second floor. Bars are conveniently located on both floors, so your music can be supplemented by one of the venue's specialty cocktails or a more classic choice of beer.

All in all, the House of Blues in Anaheim offers more than one might think. The moody, almost spooky interior, like the deep South it evokes, gives rise to a venue that is almost a show in and of itself. It may not be the most underground or trendy, but it is a solid showcase for any band.

The House of Blues in Anaheim has some great amenities you won't find at other music venues. They have an upstairs hangout loft, food and drinks, and places to actually sit down! It's great if you want to be far away from the stage and chill out.

But if you want to get near the action as I do, the lighting at the House of Blues may make you blind by the end of the evening. That's my biggest irritation with the HOB--standing near the stage, you'll have spotlights shining directly in your eyes. They really should keep the lights on the performers.