Launchpad

The Place

The Launchpad is the room where touring bands play Albuquerque before they are big enough to skip it. It sits on Central downtown, low and dark and loud, the kind of club where the stage is close enough that you feel the kick drum in your chest. Punk, metal, indie, hip-hop, whatever is moving through town lands here first.

It shares a wall with Sister Bar, same owners, and the two rooms trade energy back and forth all night. Shows run from local openers to national acts, and the calendar rarely goes quiet. Ages and cover vary by show, so check the listing before you go.

Everything else on Central is on the full calendar.