Anarchy, Artifacts, and a Double Rum and Coke in a Pringles Can

By Stephen Krcmar

Just saying Punk Museum elicits different responses ranging from excitement to cynicism to gutter punk frugality: "Admission is $40?!!? That's like eight Fugazi tickets."

None are wrong. There are ways to visit on the cheap (more on that later), but if you've got any love in your jaded little heart for what you define as punk, you must visit the 12,000-square-foot museum. It's epic in both scope and execution.

HR of the Bad Brains.

“There’s no Grammy for punks," Fat Mike of NOFX and Fat Wreck Chords fame, who always puts the pun in punk, told The New York Times. "There’s no award show anywhere for punk. We needed a place where any punk rocker can go and celebrate our heritage.”

Co-founder and owner of Dischord Records, Minor Threat frontman, and Henry Rollins' old buddy, Ian MacKaye.

The Museum opened on April Fool's Day in 2023. Fat Mike is a co-founder and has $3 million in shares in the Museum. He told the Times he gives shares to some of the employees.

Memorabilia from Jello Biafra's mayoral bid for San Francisco in 1979.

The definition of punk is broad and loose. As it should be. Anarcho-punk, bubble gum punk, crust punk to the Zero Boys are all there. And there is plenty of memorabilia that might not be considered punk by purists, like Blondie.

Retired Hagen Daz ice scream scooper Henry Rollins showing off his six-pack abs during a live TV Party with Black Flag.

It's more fun than a hardcore matinee at CB's, with none of the stink. There’s also a wedding chapel, a bar called the Triple Down, and a tattoo parlor.

At the Triple Down, you can be like [Fat] Mike and snag a Shane MacGowan-approved "Double Fatty," a nod to Fat Mike: a double shot of Tito’s vodka, paired with lime-flavored Liquid Death sparkling water, and accompanied by a shot of Jameson. Hungry? Get the Fletcher, a double rum and Coke served in an empty Pringles can, named after Fletcher Dragge, the guitarist for Pennywise. The chips are served on the side.

The second floor also includes a gallery for special exhibits and a jam room where you can try instruments and amps from bands like SOA, Germs, Nirvana, Gogol Bordello, Rise Against, and NoFX.

The Jam Room. There's also a recreation of the Pennywise practice space.

A recreation of Pennywise's practice space.

The Punk Rock Museum is at 1422 Western Ave, Las Vegas, Nevada. It's next to Little Darlings strip club, which is underneath the "Hot 18-year-olds wanted" billboard. The Museum is open from noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Admission is about $39 and you can buy tickets in advance to guarantee your spot or at the door. Tours by punk luminaries that include admission are about $100. Check the calendar for a list of upcoming guides. Many tours sell out in advance. Admission is free on your birthday. Nevada residents get in for $20 on Sunday through Thursday. Just bring your Nevada ID.

Here are a few more of our favorite photos, in no particular order. 

Back when copers were punk rock. Darby Crash from The Germs.

Docs from New York Hardcore legends: Roger Miret of Agnostic Front and one of the dudes from Sick of it All.

S.H.A.R.P. gets the last word.