The bands love it for the big, rock star-style stage and sound. The fans love it for the best-of-both-worlds big yet small vibe, the familiar staff, and the lobby bar, where they can go hang out and get drunk if the band sucks. It´s been about a decade since the State reopened (under the auspices of No Clubs Productions´ Tony Rifugiato and Dave Hundley) to host original live music almost exclusively. Both feast and famine have followed for the venue since, but the 565-capacity downtown St. Pete room has endured to become what many consider the local scene´s home stadium.
State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-895-3045, www.statemedia.com.
