Originally Posted by Shasta
Downtown LA isn't dead at night. Sure, it's not Times Square, but there are some pretty great places to go.
As for Houston, I love downtown, even at night. Not sure how someone can claim it is dead when the Astros have averaged over 33,000 per game since moving downtown. Meanwhile, a few blocks away at the Toyota Center, the Rockets have averaged over 16,900 per game since moving downtown. Heck, even the AHL Aeros are drawing over 7,100 per game this season. And, lets not forget that the Toyota Center brings in the big name concerts (later this year includes Madonna, Radiohead, Nickelback, Van Halen, Cold Play and more). Speaking of concerts, Cowboy Mouth is playing at the House of Blues TONIGHT. Later this month, the Dropkick Murphys, George Clinton, and Heart will all play at the HOB. Over at the Verizon Wireless Theatre, that venue will host everything from Wanda Sykes to Roller Derby to Florence and the Machine to something called the Mariachi Invitational. On the East side of downtown, Warehouse live continues to book some awesome gigs like Love Void and Young the Giant.
And then there's the fine arts. The HSO draws over 350,000 to Jones Hall per year. The Alley Theatre brings in over 190,000 to see first run plays. The Hobby Center packs them in for Broadway tours and more. The Houston Ballet at the Wortham is the nation's 4th largest ballet company and just opened the nation's largest dance facility across the block where folks on the sidewalk can gaze at the practices.
And then there's things like the new Sundance Theater, Lucky Strike, Artista, Discovery Green, La Carafe, Market Square, and the still hanging on club and bar scene.
I've been to lots of downtowns and Houston's is perfectly healthy.
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