Music Venues

"For the many small local bands and touring acts that come through St. Louis, there are some great small to midsize venues to check out! The Duck Room at Blueberry Hill is a great place to grab dinner and then head to the basement for some music. The Ready Room is the main concert venue in the Grove, making it an ideal spot to see a show and hit a bar or two after. The Sinkhole is the perfect place to grab a cheap Canadian beer and listen to some loud music. On cold nights, you can go and sit by a giant fire pit between acts at Off Broadway, then head inside to the spacious, high-ceilinged venue that provides tons of natural reverb.”

Evan M., M1

This bomb deli celebrates St. Louis’ Blues music heritage and often has live blues on weekends. While you’re there enjoying the tunes, order a muffaletta or po’boy; their sandwiches are out of this world (expect a line, as Blues City Deli is a popular St. Louis mainstay and, not to mention, a great place to bring your out of town guests).

Eclectic New Orleans-themed dive bar with great local blues, jazz, and jam bands. A lively, friendly scene on a summer Saturday night.

Lesser known acts than at the Pageant, but same ownership.

Located in the basement of the Blueberry Hill restaurant on the Loop, the Duck Room is an intimate space with acts ranging from blues to psych-rock.

Want a truly offbeat music experience? Check out Joe’s. It’s a super funky bar with an incredible junkyard sculpture garden out back. Live music on Thursdays and Saturdays, usually, but to be in the loop, email joescafe.bigbill@gmail.com to get on their mailing list. Joe’s strives to be under the radar, so they don’t often publicize their calendar except by email listserv. Doors at 7, show at 8. $15, cash only. Must be 25 and up. BYOB and BYO food!

[caption id="attachment_12507" align="alignleft" width="350"] Catching a show at Chaifetz Arena.[/caption]

Larger acts play at the Enterprise Center, Chaifetz Arena, the Fox Theatre, Stifel Theatre, Chesterfield Amphitheatre, and Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. These are all located downtown, with the exception of Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (an outdoor amphitheatre located by the casino) and Chesterfield Amphitheatre, both in West County.

A music venue that used to be a garage, Off Broadway has a very homey feel to it.

A hole in the wall in South City, Sinkhole Bar is the best spot for punk in town.

This outdoor venue in the back of Atomic Cowboy brings in a wide variety of quality acts (reggae, jam bands, folk, bluegrass, rock, and electronic), and the backyard ambiance can’t be beat.

Independent and locally owned venue bringing in both national and local acts.

[caption id="attachment_12511" align="alignleft" width="350"] The Pageant[/caption]

The Pageant is the largest of a variety of Joe Edwards’ Loop-based music venues. They bring in big music acts and well-known stand-up comics. Popular shows sell out, so get on their mailing list if you don’t want to miss out.

The Ready Room attracts many touring indie acts as well as some smaller pop artists.

Live cover bands and a debaucherous scene. Close to Ballpark Village, so it’s an ideal option for pre- or post-Cardinals game.

This interesting, eclectic bar is covered top to bottom in mosaics, and features funky art and sculptures. Rotating local acts of varying music styles play almost every night of the week. The schedule is available on their website. If you’re a Grateful Dead fan, check out local favorite Jake’s Leg.