The original downtown rock club has seen better days, but no other spot is so rich with rock-and-roll history. This was the launching pad for New York punk and New Wave: the Ramones, Blondie, the Talking Heads, the Cramps, Patti Smith, Stiv Bators and the Dead Boys -- everybody got started here. These days, you've probably never heard of most acts performing here. Never mind -- CB's still rocks. Expect loud and cynical, and you're unlikely to come away disappointed. Come early if you have hopes of actually seeing the stage.

More today than yesterday is CB's 313 Gallery, a welcome spin-off that showcases alternative art on the walls and mostly acoustic singer/songwriters on stage. Same goes for CB's lounge, which has a more cerebral alt edge to its sounds, plus regular poetry slams. Within striking distance of the history, but more pleasant all the way around.