Saturn is Birmingham's best small music venue, a 700-capacity room in Avondale that books touring indie, experimental, and electronic acts as well as local bands. The adjacent bar is open without a ticket on non-show nights. The sound system is good and the room is designed for both standing and a small amount of seating.
Check the calendar before you visit — a show at Saturn is one of the better options for an evening in Birmingham if you're interested in live music beyond the country and Southern rock that dominates most of the city's other venues.