Alabama has its houses of the holy. Destination-worthy venues where live music fans, if they get the chance, should see at least one show.

They run from beautiful/historical (for example, Mobile’s Saenger Theatre), to infamous (see, Birmingham rock dive The Nick) to buzzy (hello, Huntsville’s Orion Amphitheater).

Alabama’s also home to many clubs, halls and arenas that while perhaps less hallowed are still well-known and often well-run.

Today though, AL.com wants to spotlight some other live music hotspots.

Below are, in our opinion, five underrated Alabama music venues. Of course, these aren’t the only underrated venues in the state — it’s just a spark for that conversation.

PRINCESS THEATRE

112 2nd Ave. N.E., Decatur, princesstheatre.org

Princess Theatre is north Alabama’s spot to catch future Grammy winners, like Larkin Poe and Molly Tuttle, on the way up, as well as roots-music legends like Los Lobos and Steve Earle. After starting out as a horse stable in the late 1800s, the Princess transitioned to an art-deco theater hosting films and stage productions, and later its present vibey performing arts center form.

JAY AND SUSIE GOGUE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY

910 S College St. Auburn, goguecenter.auburn.edu

Since opening 2019 on The Plains, the Gogue’s 1,200-seat theater has grown rep for excellent sound and sleek comfort. The facility also boasts a 3,500-capacity amphitheater. The concert bookings are vibrant and diverse, including the likes of Jason Isbell, Herbie Hancock, Rosanne Cash and Ziggy Marley.

OXFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

100 Choccolocco St., Oxford, oxfordpac.org

Want to hear Foreigner hits like “Jukebox Hero,” “Hot Blooded” and “Double Vision” sung live by the guy who did them originally? Then catch Lou Gramm’s Oct. 11 show at Oxford Performing Arts Center. In recent years, OPAC has drawn a compelling mix of acts to central Alabama, including soul singer Mavis Staples, ex-Eagles guitarist Don Felder, ‘90s hit-maker Joan Osborne, and powerhouse throat Melissa Etheridge. AL.com’s Mary Colurso says Oxford Performing Arts Center, “leans to classic acts, but still no slouch on the lineup.”

DRUID CITY MUSIC HALL

1307 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, druidcitymusichall.com

This space has lived a few past lives. Including the Varsity Music Hall, which hosted the likes of String Cheese Incident, Morphine and a young Derek Trucks in the late ‘90s. Before that, it was College Station, where the likes of Phish played. Since rebooting in 2015, Druid City Music has brought acts like Lainey Wilson, Red Clay Strays and Black Pumas to T-Town ahead of the curve.

THE PEOPLES ROOM OF MOBILE

78 St Francis St., Mobile, facebook.com/ThePeoplesRoomMobile

The Peoples Room doesn’t hold many peoples. This listening room’s capacity is just 40 or so. Still, AL.com’s Lawrence Specker says, “The lineup is crazy eclectic. So far this summer they’ve had the singer-songwriter type stuff you’d expect plus jazz, country and even metal. It’s also a place that’s open to established veterans and unknown young acts, locals and nationally known visitors. It’s a great place to discover somebody.”