The Blind Pig

The Blind Pig is Ann Arbor's small-room music venue. Touring rock, indie, and hip-hop acts cycle through a stage close enough that you feel the bass in your chest, which matters more once you have outgrown amphitheater seats. About 35 minutes from Tecumseh on US-23 South.

Doors lean late: 5pm to 2am weeknights, with weekend hours opening at 3pm. Beer, wine, and cocktails are the bar's lane, with pool tables and bar games for the stretches between sets. Inexpensive enough that an unplanned Wednesday show does not blow up the budget.

Fans show up for the room as much as the bookings - tight bands, fun crowd, and a setup where you actually see the band rather than a video screen of them. The size is a feature, not a flaw, though it does mean the bigger names sell out weeks ahead. Check the calendar before you commit to a drive, since the lineup is the whole reason to make the trip.