Throwback photos: 11 long-lost places to watch great music in Madison
From the Throwback galleries: A look inside the State Journal's archives series
Here's a look at some of the long-lost bars once known as great spots to hear live music. From U2 to Sonic Youth, these night spots once hosted dozens of up-and-coming acts.
Merlyn's Night Club
Merlyn's Night Club, 311 State St., hosted many live music shows, including an up-and-coming U2, before closing in 1984. Pictured here is the club's door, part of an exhibit at the Wisconsin Historical Museum in 2012.
R&R Station
R&R Station, 103 N. Park St., opened in 1991 as a venue for live music. Pictured here is a mosh pit during a Jesus Lizard performance in 1994. The location also operated under other names, including the Stone Hearth and Paramount Music Hall.
O’Cayz Corral
O’Cayz Corral, 504 E. Wilson St., played host to a variety of rock, punk and grunge bands over the years. It burned down in a fire on New Year's Day 2001, along with the building next door housing the Comic Strip Lounge.
Stone Hearth
The Stone Hearth, 103 N. Park St., was part of a buzzing concert scene in Madison in the 1980s. It was a popular spot to see live music, including AC/DC, pictured here on this concert poster. Once Madison's largest nightclub, the site housed a club for 24 years, also operating as Bermuda's, R&R Station and Paramount.
Bunky's Nightclub
Bunky's Nightclub opened in the 1970s at the corner of Park and Regent streets and operated into the 1980s as a popular spot for live music. It was also home to Pino's Restaurant.
Paramount Music Hall
Paramount Music Hall, 103 N. Park St., closed in 1996 after financial and security problems linked to hip hop concerts. It was the city's largest live music club at one time. The venue operated under other names over the years, including the Stone Hearth, R&R Station and Bermuda's.
G.S. Vig's
G.S. Vigs, 1313 University Ave., was a popular spot to see live music in the 1980s. One of its concert posters is pictured here.
Headliners
A crowd arrives at Headliners, 624 University Ave., in September 1986. It closed in the late 1990s, but not before hosting many big names in music -- including U2, Metallica and R.E.M. The club could hold 800 to 1,000 people.
Club de Wash
The Hotel Washington, 636 W. Washington Ave., burned down Feb. 18, 1996, taking with it several beloved bars. Club de Wash, pictured here, was a popular live music venue.
Luther's Blues
Luther's Blues, 1401 University Ave., closed in 2005 after 4 1/2 years. It played host to many national and local music acts.
Wally Gators
Wally Gator's, 319 W. Gorham St., was a popular spot for live music. This photo was taken in 1988. Bands like Soul Asylum, Jane's Addiction and Sonic Youth played there.
Teryl Franklin | Wisconsin State Journal
Senior editor for audience development
Teryl Franklin is the senior editor for audience development for the Wisconsin State Journal. She has worked at the paper since 1996 in a variety of roles, including business editor, city editor and managing editor.
Browse our galleries of throwback photos from the Wisconsin State Journal archives.
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