By Mitch Rice
When the pandemic emerged years ago, no activity was hit harder than concert-going. The pandemic years were indeed dull for music enthusiasts and concertgoers, who were resigned to listening to music at their homes. Thankfully, things are slowly creeping back to normalcy – the biggest indicator of that is the reopening of concerts all around the US.
Listening to live music, dancing shoulder-to-shoulder with a packed crowd, is something that evaded music enthusiasts for the past few years. Now, it is time to have some fun – time to make up for all the missed opportunities. We are here to help you find the best concert venues in the US so that you can once again experience the magic of live music.
1. Whisky A Go Go – West Hollywood, CA
Nicknamed “The Whisky”, this neat little venue is a nightclub located at 8901, Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. Whisky A Go Go is called so because it popularized Go-go dancing, which involves dancers who entertain the crowd along with the music.
Whisky A Go Go is your go-to place to experience rock ‘n’ roll. Countless famous artists and bands have used the venue to rise to stardom. Notable past performers include Led Zeppelin, The Doors, AC/DC, The Stooges, and Alice Cooper.
Address: 8901 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, United States
Phone: +1 310-652-4202
2. Music Box – Atlantic City, NJ
When you roll into a sin city, you can’t leave without some good music from the concerts in Atlantic City. After all, enjoying music is the least sinful thing you can do here. The Music Box is part of the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Here you can enjoy live music of various genres, including jazz, metal, blues, and country. The venue also hosts DJ and standup comedy.
The Music Box can seat 1000 people comfortably. There is plenty of legroom so that you don’t feel too confined.
Rob Thomas hosts his Sidewalk Angels Foundation show annually at this venue.
Address: 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, United States
Phone: +1 609-317-1996
3. Saturn – Birmingham, AL
This sweet little venue has a lot of fun stuff. The space-themed interior is nice. Besides music, you can also get to enjoy vintage arcade games and board games – it takes you down a trip through memory lane.
The Saturn has a bar as well as a coffee shop, so you have your beverages covered. All shows are 18 plus, so you can’t bring kids with you.
Overall, it’s a great place for indie music, with many fun activities on the side.
Address: 200 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222, United States
Phone: +1 205-703-9546
4. The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ
Van Buren is a relatively new addition to Phoenix. The venue opened in August 2017 with inaugural shows from Cold War Kids and Joywave. With a capacity of 1800, it is a significant venue that offers food and alcohol to go along with the music.
Van Buren attracts a lot of national artists. Some famous names that have graced their stage include Billie Eilish, Sting, Dua Lipa, Logic, and 5 Seconds of Summer.
Address: 401 W Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Phone: +1 480-659-1641
5. The Hall – Little Rock, AR
Looking for something new in Little Rock? The Hall, also known as the Little Rock Hall, is a recently opened venue located at the historic West Ninth Street. The open floor design and chic metal chandeliers create an atmosphere of its own. The mezzanine on the side only adds to the interior appeal – you can go there for a more private setting and drinks! The venue boasts of 3 bars and an on-site food vendor.
Address: 721 W 9th St, Little Rock, AR 72201, United States
Phone: +1 501-406-1364
6. Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
If you haven’t visited the Red Rocks Amphitheatre already, make it your next concert trip. This outdoor amphitheater situated in the Red Rocks Park is like no other. It is actually built into the rocks that are scattered in this area. Two enormous boulders on the sides and the skyline present a breathtaking view. It is a massive venue, with a capacity of about 10000.
Red Rocks attracts a host of famous artists. Big names such as The Beatles, the Blues Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Depeche Mode, and U2 have performed here. This venue is so good that it has an award in its honor – the Red Rocks Award.
Address: 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465, United States
Phone: +1 720-865-2494
7. Ridgefield Playhouse – Ridgefield, CT
The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center that exists for the sole purpose of disseminating art within the community. The venue was born in December 2000 when the old Ridgefield High School’s auditorium was remodeled. There was an inaugural show by guitarist Jose Feliciano. The venue has a modest capacity of 500. Besides musical performances, the Ridgefield Playhouse also features plays and films.
Some of the artists that have entertained fans here include Peter Yarrow, Barbara Cook, Joan Baez, Michael Feinstein, and Clint Black.
Address: 80 E Ridge Rd, Ridgefield, CT 06877, United States
Phone: +1 203-438-5795
8. House of Blues Orlando – Orlando, FL
The House of Blues, located in Disney Springs West Side, is called so to honor the blues genre while being home to a variety of other genres as well, including rock, pop, soul, etc. The special thing about this venue is the restaurant where you can sample fine Southern Cuisine. It’s recommended that you try the jambalaya and the po’boys – maybe order a dish of Voodoo Shrimp or Southern Tacos. While the music feeds your soul, the delicious food will feed your body.
Address: 1490 E Buena Vista Dr, Orlando, FL 32830, United States
Phone: +1 407-934-2623
9. City Winery Atlanta – Atlanta, GA
The City Winery is a great place to visit if you are a connoisseur of wine, for the place has an on-site winery. And yes, there is a Tasting Room. Unlike bigger venues, the City Winery offers an intimate setting, allowing you to fully immerse into the musical experience. There’s a spacious patio if you prefer an airier space.
Address: PONCE CITY MARKET, 650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States
Phone: +1 404-946-3791
10. Subterranean – Chicago, IL
Subterranean is a place to enjoy live music and DJs. The building is a historic one that is more than a century old. You can get a taste of the 19th and 20th-century architecture here, as well as the Tiffany & brass chandelier.
If you are a fan of rap concerts then check out the hip-hop open mic – called 606 Open Mic – that runs every Tuesday. It is, by the way, the longest-running open mic in the US.
Address: 2011 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Phone: +1 773-278-6600
11. Blue Gate Theatre – Shipshewana, IN
The Blue Gate Theatre is the go-to place for entertainment in Shipshewana. Regularly featuring Southern Gospels and Amish Musicals, the Blue Gate is a family-friendly concert venue. The theatre is adjacent to a hotel and restaurant, so it’s a great idea if you want to stay over for a few days and enjoy the good music.
The Blue Gate Theatre has seen the likes of Gary Allan, Michael W Smith, Bill Engvall, Phillip Phillips, and Josh Turner.
Address: 175 N Van Buren St, Shipshewana, IN 46565, United States
Phone: +1 888-447-4725
