Hampton Beach is one of the best summer spots in the Northeast, with shops, restaurants, and music venues everywhere.  It's a place that's always buzzin' from May through September.

However, there is one place on the beach that's iconic and open well into the fall season.

This venue has seen Janis Joplin, Phish, Staind, Willie Nelson The Jerry Garcia Band, The Doors, Crosby, Stills & Nash, George Carlin, U2, and Led Zeppelin all perform in this hallowed hall.  The stories are endless.

The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom has been around since 1899, and seen many transitions from a dance hall to a speakeasy, a big band hall, a rock n' roll venue, and the present day music hall.

The transitions and history are fascinating, and you can find the detailed history at casinoballroom.com.  There once was a restaurant attached, and a hotel that was part of a larger complex.

Today, the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom is still a mainstay in the center of Hampton Beach downtown, only 45 minutes from Boston, 45 minutes from Portland, and 30 minutes from Manchester.

What's with the name?  That's an often-asked question, but when your name is as old as 1899 and you've seen all the biggest names in comedy, big band, and rock play the venue, how could anyone change its authentic name?

So, despite multiple owners over the years, they were all smart enough to keep the name everyone has known for over 120 years.

According to the website, the Casino Ballroom was named for the Italian word "casino", which means a "gathering place for music".

If you're going to see a show at HBCB, here's what you need to know before you go.

Enjoy every minute of this historic place, and look around the room to see photos of some of the famous artists who've graced this stage.

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