Small venues that cater to acts playing original tunes can be hard to come by. Too many people would rather see generic cover bands at generic pubs and pay even more for it. I never understood that. The Abbey also attracted original acts from out of state.

Small original rock venues also disappear when neighborhoods gentrify, even if they were a part of what made the place cool to begin with. The most famous example, is of course, CBGB's. There's not much grit left on that stretch of the Bowery.

I guess it's time for places like the Abbey to locate further out of Boston - but then how would the car-less get there?
Yeah.. I know about Church, TT's, The Mid East.. here's to hoping they continue..