What are the best places to enjoy live music at in St. Louis? The answers may be easier to come by than you think: With so many top concert spots to choose from, no matter if you’re into rising indie acts or Top 40 radio staples, there’s never a shortage of promising places to crash. From intimate clubs to big arenas, the below list provides myriad venues for all genres, all seasons, and all people, ensuring there’s no limit to how much fun music fans can have in a night out on the town.
For example: You can catch a jazz show where musicians might suddenly burst out in inspired freestyles, or rock out at an indie club where everyone’s too cool for the room. Alternately, if your tastes run more mainstream, you and thousands of your closest friends can experience your favorite big name artist at a massive arena. So when it comes to the best places to take in live music in St. Louis, or catch a concert, rest assured – the below options are just the beginning. For those about to rock? We salute you.
The Pageant The Ready Room The Firebird The Fabulous Fox Theatre
| Name | Location | Description |
| The Pageant | 6161 Delmar Blvd | Although a sizable and popular spot to catch a live concert, The Pageant still manages to achieve the look and feel of an intimate venue. As a result, it’s one of the most promising places in town to catch big names in a variety of genres like rock, rap, and indie pop, with a special focus on emerging and well-established stars. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, but you might prefer not to sit anyway, as joining the crowd in the standing room area in front of the stage often provides a great way to get up close and personal with bands. The closer you get, the better the show – and we’ve yet to see a show here that’s come anywhere near to disappointing to begin with. |
| The Ready Room | 4195 Manchester Ave. | Although it primarily consists of a stage and large open room, this perpetually packed and lively concert venue scores major points as the first port of call for alternative, indie, and breaking acts visiting town. Heard a track you loved on Spotify, but can’t put the name of the band to the tune? Chances are, the artist is playing here soon. You can also catch a variety of theme nights, showcases, and tributes on-site as well – all while lounging by the bar snacking on food you brought in from Atomic Cowboy down the street. (Yes, that’s allowed.) |
| Off Broadway | 3509 Lemp Ave | Off Broadway turns its small size into a strength, providing a cozy setting at which to sip some local beer and enjoy the latest blues, folk, or alternative bands. While a largely no-frills venue, it’s nonetheless a surprise that more St. Louisans don’t frequent the spot – however, we’re pretty sure the regulars here are just fine keeping it to themselves. |
| Venice Cafe | 1903 Pestalozzi St | A funky, eclectic setting that hosts concerts every night, Venice Cafe is unlike anything else in the city. Adorned with all manner of artistic flotsam and jetsam, you can stop by its kitsch-covered environs to soak up jazz, soul, rock, and other popular genres. Monday is open mic night, and Tuesdays feature blues performances from a variety of all-star guests. There’s really never an off night here – doubly so if you bring a date, who’s guaranteed to get a kick out of the many examples of gonzo art on display. |
| The Firebird | 2706 Olive St | Offering near-nightly rock shows in a small setting, The Firebird – which often hosts a variety of indie and local acts – provides a fun space in which to cut loose. Emerging bands often take advantage of its eager crowds and excellent acoustics to amp things up a notch, while more well-known acts tend to fill it to capacity with lively crowds. You’ll also find the club boasts a convenient parking lot, a rarity amongst local concert venues. |
| Old Rock House | 1200 S 7th St | Old Rock House bills itself as “the premier concert venue in St. Louis,” and on some nights, it’s hard to argue otherwise. The atmosphere is upbeat, the acoustics are solid, and the drink and food menu stands on its own – and that’s before you consider the unusually wide variety of acts that tend to come through its doors. Check the spot’s calendar often for surprises: You may find upcoming shows in genres ranging from psychedelic to blues and everything in between. |
| 2720 Cherokee | 2720 Cherokee St | If DJs and dance nights are more your speed than classically-styled concert halls, then check out 2720 Cherokee. The venue is more of a curated destination experience than a rock club, offering live music in an offbeat setting that tends to specialize in electronic and dance parties, all of which take place under Star Wars-inspired decor. |
| Chaifetz Arena | 1 S Compton Ave | Intimate clubs are nice, but sometimes a full-size arena is the best place to take in your favorite acts, especially when more popular bands roll through town. Chaifetz may not be the biggest venue of its kind in St. Louis, but it is a popular choice that’s hosted a number of excellent shows ranging from The Lumineers to Twenty One Pilots, and periodically plays home to music festivals and other social events. |
| Scottrade Center | 1401 Clark Ave | One of the premier venues in town to catch many of today’s biggest headliners in pop, rock and country music, you can’t go wrong stepping through Scottrade’s doors. Want to watch a spectacle unfold, courtesy of your favorite stars? It’s one of the few places in the city big and bombastic enough to pull these kinds of shows off. |
| The Fabulous Fox Theater | 527 N Grand Blvd | The Fabulous Fox is of course first and foremost a theatre. But there’s no other better setting to take in a concert in St. Louis than here. Grab a ticket, and you can experience music in an ornate, historic setting that’s ideal for shows from some of today’s most gifted artists. To make your night even better, don’t forget to enjoy a champagne toast at the Curtain Call Lounge onsite, either. |
CHEAT SHEET
Here are some more live music venues to visit if you wanna rock ‘n’ roll all night in STL.
St. Louis Magazine – The 50 Best Music Venues in St. Louis
Foursquare – The 15 Best Places with Live Music in St Louis
Contributing Editor Tim Stanton is a longtime veteran of the nightlife and entertainment scene who covers bars, restaurants, travel, technology, and other topics. A noted high-enthusiast and foodie, he's our resident go-to guy for inside tips on your city's most promising options.
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