Mainstream Boston's pride and joy, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is based at Symphony Hall, 301 Huntington Ave (tel 617/266-1200, ), which Stravinsky called the best auditorium in the world - with a winter season followed by the Boston Pops concerts in May, June and on July 4. The city's theater scene divides into the safe productions of the Theater District (often Broadway cast-offs) and more experimental companies in Cambridge. The Bostix ticket kiosks (tel 617/482-BTIX, ) at Faneuil Hall and in Copley Square sell tickets for all major events - as well as tours, "T" passes, and so on - with some half-price same-day tickets. They're open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 11am-4pm; Copley Square is also open on Monday 10am-6pm.

Seattle bands may have attracted much of the music business hype during the 1990s, but arguably Boston has made a more innovative and substantial contribution to rock music . The emergence in the late 1980s of the Pixies, Dinosaur Jr and Buffalo Tom has been followed by a fresh batch of guitar rock acts like Tracy Bonham and Letters to Cleo, and the live music circuit is dominated by the very best local and touring indie bands. Key nightlife zones include Lansdowne Street , an entire block of nightclubs next to Fenway Park; Boylston Place , on the south side of Boston Common; and Cambridge's Central Square district.

Note that the city's bars are unusually officious in demanding ID. Though not permitted to offer cut-price happy hours, some provide free early-evening snacks instead. The free weekly Boston Phoenix ( ) is the best source of up-to-date listings .

Boston

Avalon 15 Lansdowne St tel 617/262-2424. An anchor on the Lansdowne St club scene, Avalon is a local favorite for late-night dancing with different themes on different nights (Saturday is techno night) and a live concert venue. Dress...

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Cambridge

The Cellar 991 Massachusetts Ave tel 617/876-2580. An eclectic mix of students and locals gather in this laid-back niche between Harvard and Central squares. Two stories, two bars and some live entertainment on weekends. Club Passim ...

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