The Mike Mineo Band prepared for their set at Original Fat Cats on June 3. With every night having a different theme, Tuesday nights tend to have more instrumental acts rather than vocal ones. (Photo by Stephanie Colaianni)

Original Fat Cats is a place where music is always playing.

“There’s definitely a band playing every night,” states bartender Ed Schoen. “We treat hard rock like a fine wine.”

Rock isn’t the only genre you can find here. Admit it, we all get sick of the ’80s cover bands, and most of us can only take so much metal. Luckily, at Fat Cats they offer theme nights. Rock, of course, takes over the weekends, while drum-and-bass and reggae can be heard over the weeknights.

The initially heavy-rock bar decided to open up its musical selection to a broader range of music to help bring in more people. MySpace is Schoen’s secret. He personally chooses which bands play the venue. Most of the “chosen ones” are local, but every now and then you will spot a band from New York or even South America.

With live music on a nightly basis and a full bar with 79 different beers, you can’t go wrong for a late night out.

Original Fat Cats
320 Himmarshee St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
(954) 713-8500
www.originalfatcats.com

Stephanie Colaianni
Photo Editor

Come on, people. The chance to see a live, local band in a decent, not-so-scummy place doesn’t happen that often. Places that can hold thousands of people aren’t in this discussion. Propaganda is the place to see local bands in a small-time atmosphere.

Music can look good once again. In comparison to most bars, Propaganda has a good sound system and more varied lighting, which can make or break a performance.

The revolutionary-inspired poster art throughout the venue complements the hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. There’s barely any room to fit the small circular bar and one lonely pool table, so it doesn’t take much to pack the house.

The music ranges from electro-punk acts, like Zombies! Organize!!, to indie bands, like Nothing Rhymes with Orange. Like the bands, the crowd varies from girls with full-sleeve tattoos and short bangs to guys who look like they’re taking a break from Halo 3 to get a drink. But they all bob their heads together to the fist-pumping beat of each band.

Propaganda
6 S. J St.
Lake Worth, FL 33460
(561) 547-7273
www.propagandalw.com

The band Nothing Rhymes with Orange brought in a packed house on May 30. Their indie sound was ideal for Propaganda’s general audience. (Photo by Stephanie Colaianni)