I try to go to local gigs alot. I havent been able to go much over the last few months but I like finding the little, independent venues in and around where I live. Some of which have been there aslong as I have but ive never even noticed them before.
I live between 2 cities and in Newcastle there are lots of smaller venues when you know where they are. One of my favourite venues is actually an Italian restaurant. Its strange watching drone and stoner bands play in a fairly classy restaurant, while you're sat at tables in candlelight but it's a great experience. The acoustic sets ive seen there have been amazing too due to the setting.
http://www.myspace.com/themusicalrestaurant