It's a favorite venue with big names looking for an underplay; in recent years, everyone from The Rolling Stones to Jack White to Radiohead have passed through. — Patrick James, Jagwar Ma on Santa Monica Pier; Credit: Courtesy of Twilight Concerts at the Pier, There’s nothing quite like seeing a concert at the Santa Monica Pier. Best Music Venues in San Diego, CA - The Casbah, Lestat's West, Prohibition, Music Box, The Holding Company, Humphreys Backstage Live, Listen Shows, U-31, Humphreys Concerts By The Bay, Greene Music Folk, blues, jazz and American roots music are the focus, but the Mint has also played host to noisy psych-rock (The Warlocks), futuristic funk (Bernie Worrell) and everything in between. It was a daunting task to review all the live music venues in California and create a list of just 50. 325 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park, www.pehrspace.org. — Daniel Kohn, RIff Raff at the House of Blues; Credit: Photo by Hannah Verbeuren, Reports of its demolition have circled for years, but for now, the House of Blues Sunset Strip remains standing. The Novo . — Thomas Kelley, Like us on Facebook at LAWeeklyMusic Had a blast w/ @thebuttertones w/ Traps PS last Friday! 4212 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, www.elcidla.com. Gigs sell out quickly, especially if Ty Segall or some Pitchfork hype-band like Waxahatchee is booked. Greek Theatre - Los Angeles and Berkeley, Calif. ... One of the most famous outdoor music venues in California, the Hollywood Bowl has been a much-loved landmark of the Hollywood Hills since the 1920s. But when it comes to venues in which to hear that music played live, we are equally blessed. As its name suggests, this 350-seat club is located in Echo Park and is a prime spot for a sublime night of indie rock. Since reopening in 2001 as a music venue, it's hosted gigs by Sia, Adele, Suede, Courtney Love, R.E.M., and Florence + the Machine. The Best Small Venues in Los Angeles. For fans of music on the fringes of the mainstream, Los Globos is exactly the kind of dive-y venue they can claim as their own — one with friendly staff, cheap (by Silver Lake standards) beer, and a we're-all-in-this-together vibe embodied by the stacks of band gear you'll often find piled up along the second floor wall. The Roxy Theatre (often just The Roxy) is a famous nightclub, on the Sunset Strip, in West Hollywood, California. The second floor sound system, designed by Low End Theory founder Daddy Kev, is one of the best in the city, and the projections, mixed live most weeks by Timeboy and Strangeloop, surpass those of venues four times the size. The Smell Since then, it has seen some of the biggest music legends of the last 70-plus years take its stage, everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Bob Marley and Black Flag to the Black Keys. Latin music festival La Linea returns to London with an incredible line-up for 2021! Led Zeppelin, Mötley Crüe, Guns ‘n Roses, No Doubt—they’ve all played this hallowed West Hollywood stage, and the venue was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. — Tom Meek, One Trick Pony at the Mint; Credit: Photo by Timothy Norris, To call this Mid-City landmark intimate would be an understatement; its officially capacity is 200, but with more than 100 attendees it already feels packed. Besides sight lines, the bathroom is the only other drawback, because there's always a long line. The venue wasn’t restored to its former glory until 2008, after an extensive renovation by Live Nation culminated in a reopening concert headlined by Jay Z. Located in Koreatown, the Wiltern is one of the prime Live Nation-run venues in the city and as such, draws an impressive array of different artists into its ornate halls each and every year. Andy Summers (The Police), Slash, Steve Lukather (Toto) and Joe Bonamassa are just a few of famous musicians who've played here many times. At rock shows especially, sound can be undefined, and clear vantage points are tough to stake out. But it’s as much the Art Deco interior as the music that really makes this place magical. Beyond booking, the space itself has a layout that just works, no matter who’s playing. Then River Phoenix's death in … Located near the top of Griffith Park, the venue has the warmth of listening to music in a friend’s backyard. #thetroubadour #soldout, A post shared by Troubadour (@thetroubadour) on Jun 18, 2018 at 2:24pm PDT. We’ve scoured venue listings and scoped out new artists to bring you everything from secret shows on Sunset Boulevard to free concerts. With the rise of L.A. Live, an expanded roster of restaurants (however corporate) have made an evening at Staples a more all-encompassing night on the town, and parking is easier than ever. — Art Tavana, 33. Bluewhale Even shorties have a good view, unlike its basement bro the ‘Plex downstairs. 1. Originally opened as a movie theater in the 1930s, like many other opulent film-houses from that time period around the country, the El Rey soon gained a second life as a concert venue when the massive multiplexes began to take over the scene. It qualifies so gosh durn hard. For food, we recommend taking a short walk to renowned French dip haven Cole’s. 9081 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, www.troubadour.com. Bristol has a vibrant music scene beating behind the doors of its many characterful venues. Its alleyway entrance is impossible to find. . The Best Small Venues in Los Angeles. 3/19. Aunny’s 5-star review: Having spent a considerable amount of time away from my beloved Los Angeles recently a few things are desperately missed and constantly on my mind: Mexican Food, seedy dive bars, and most of all, my familiar music venues. But they all hold a certain common ground. The Masonic Lodge is where both Satanists and romantics can obsess over death. 6400 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, www.amoeba.com. Upstairs, the ceiling is too low; downstairs, the sight lines are poor. and Carnage Asada, and he tends to book shows with his heart instead of his wallet, opening the room’s small stage to radical art-jazz experimentalists and guttural hardcore punks alike. The Best Large Event Venues in Los Angeles. John Corabi. Below are 30 essential pop music venues in the Los Angeles … Offers Delivery Offers Takeout. Strawberry Alarm Clock, Zakk Debono & The Broken Circle. Others treat them as tools to sell booze. Restored in 2002 to its Roaring Twenties elegance, it packs a respectable 1,200 with moody lighting, a big dance floor, balcony seats and a rooftop bar. There’s also a large outdoor smoking patio (yes, you can drink there), as well as several delicious post-concert food options close by (Two Boots Pizza, Tacos Arizas). 9015 Sunset Blvd. The Roxy is owned by Lou Adler and Adler's son, Nic, who operates the club. — Philip Cosores, With its rippling layers of metal wrapped like billowing silver sails around a warmer, wooden interior, Frank Gehry’s design for Disney Concert Hall remains one of the L.A.’s most striking architectural achievements. De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea If you are searching for event venues in Los Angeles we share: 1. — Max Bell, With is colorful marquee and distinctive, Art Deco tower, the Wiltern is an L.A. landmark as immediately recognizable as Griffith Observatory or Grauman's Chinese. Their stage is an odd shape but the room is an intimate size and it's a great place to see the next up-and-coming band, and maybe some old favorites. 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown, www.wiltern.com. Supporting this entertainment and business industry is a wide selection of corporate and party venues. You could just as easily call this the house that Jon Brion built. , A post shared by Hollywood Palladium (@hollywoodpalladium) on Jun 13, 2018 at 11:08am PDT. Sinatra first appeared here in 1943; the Beatles, in '64. California is a big place and Californians are huge music fans. One of LA’s top venues for years now, the famous Fonda Theatre was originally known as Carter De Haven’s Music Box and was one of Hollywood’s first legitimate theatres. A giddy Adele called her mum from the stage in 2009, and Avicii colonized it for Generation EDM in 2013. 2/28. With a capacity of up to 2,200, the cavernous Wiltern is harder to love than its more intimate rivals, the Mayan and Fonda. From a myriad of options, these 25 event venues in Los Angeles are top choices for 2020. Bands and fans benefit from a top-notch sound system that reaches into every crevice of the intimate structure. Unlike the seated Nokia Theatre, also in L.A. Live, this futuristic “club” has proven malleable for a myriad of events, from televised shows like the Golden Gods Metal Awards to Cirque Berzerk’s spectacles to EDM and hip-hop nights. Both drinks and parking are pricey, so it's not a cheap night out — but even for non-VIPs, Avalon delivers a top-shelf club experience. In 1989, a fire nearly destroyed this old Vaudeville theater located in downtown L.A., but rather than see it bulldozed, the owners decided to restore The Orpheum, and since then — and after another renovation in 2001 — it’s played host to some of the biggest and brightest live music entertainers in the world. Led Zeppelin rocked this joint 16 times in their career, and it's been a dream of mine for pretty much my entire adult life to see a concert here. Or, you could catch a big leaguer such as Ty Segall play a low-key, acoustic set on a random Thursday night — and it’ll cost you five bucks. It's already hosted a diverse array of live music and club events, from Weezer and Sam Smith to Deadmau5 and A Club Called Rhonda. Despite its name (and the fact that Steel Panther performs here regularly), the storied venue works surprisingly well for rap concerts, the sound system seemingly well-tailored for all those head-nodding beats and floor-splintering bass. One of LA’s top venues for years now, the famous Fonda Theatre was originally known as Carter De Haven’s Music Box and was one of Hollywood’s first legitimate theatres. — Philip Cosores, Some fans of the old Largo on Fairfax still miss that tiny supper club's intimate confines, where folks at the front tables could literally reach out and tousle genius-in-residence Jon Brion's hair as he hunched over one of his many loop pedals (not that anyone would dare — owner Mark Flanagan regularly tossed disruptive patrons for far milder offenses). If the main room starts feeling claustrophobic, there’s a downstairs lounge to retreat to. Every act, big and small, locally and globally famous, come through the City of Angeles to play at its many great venues. In London, 40 percent of small music venues have shut down in the last decade. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: 93,607: October 8, 1922: Rose Bowl: 96,771 July 11, 1922: Hollywood Bowl: 17,376 September 17, 1959: Dodger Stadium: 57,000 Highlights from Day 1 of the Playboy Jazz Festival. There are venues whose history extends back 100 years, and there are others built in this century. It was given its current name after a 2012 renovation, and while the theatre holds non … — Falling James, Mack Sennett Studios; Credit: Courtesy of Prismatics, The glamour of old Hollywood is revamped for the millennium at the 100-year-old Mack Sennett Studios. Top 20 Worst Bands of All Time Check out these legendary venues in the City of Angels! Throughout the years, this 17,000 seat venue has seen the likes of music’s elite. Parking is still a sore spot (either pay $25 to park in the Forum’s lot or go insane searching for scarce, cheaper neighborhood lots), but once inside, you'll find the perfect venue for new history to be made by legacy acts (U2, Fleetwood Mac) and newer stars (Ariana Grande, Imagine Dragons). Located in the Old Bank district, the Regent got a major cosmetic facelift a few years back in 2014 and has since become one of the premier, intimate live music destinations in the area, hosting everyone from EDM acts to free jazz players and beyond. (Fun fact: the club scene in 1992's The Bodyguard was filmed here.) ☀️ , A post shared by Hollywood Bowl (@hollywoodbowl) on Jun 10, 2018 at 1:20pm PDT. Even in the dead of winter, it can get stiflingly hot. Known for its monthly Monday night residencies, the room’s cozy confines allow for not-yet-ready groups to hone their craft in front of a supportive crowd. Pier entrance is at corner of Colorado Ave. and Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, santamonicapier.org/twilightconcerts. This wasn’t just me pretending to be hardcore (though it was certainly that); it also felt cooler to claim as my first the spot where The Doors and War started off as house bands, where Janis Joplin drank the night she died, where countless metal and grunge bands announced themselves to the world. It’s just the right size: You can always find your people here without searching all night, and make new friends too, giving it the feeling of a party as well as a concert. The outdoor venue is lush, sound is usually great, ticket prices are reasonable, parking is typically included in the cost, and on-point bookings err on the side of indie rock. It is neither a hotel nor a café. Escher in His Own Words. Completed in 1900, the auditorium is still considered to be one of the top venues for classical music in the world. But what makes the Viper most distinct is its size. Like any local venue, their Monday night residencies are always worth checking out, but their knack for foreign artist showcases, like their recent Japan Nite, is where the Bootleg really thrives. Los Angeles Area Rock And Roll Venues. — Falling James, While Jack White could have easily sold out a larger venue when he was on tour here last June, he opted to play both the Fonda and its slightly spookier urban jungle cousin, the Mayan. 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The spacious rooftop works even better on a summer night, perfect for a chat or smoke, with a giant video screen so you'll know when the headliner goes on. $5 before 10, $10 after! There are many historic clubs around West Hollywood vying for your almighty dollar. 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, www.whiskyagogo.com. Today, the hall is still all about the music, featuring five nightly performances by regular players. A beautiful hardwood floor, completely renovated seating, and sound acoustics revamped with live music in mind have helped deliver on MSG’s promise to turn the Forum into a concert hall instead of a sports arena. — Katie Bain, The Glass House's no-frills room is as simple as the juice and soft pretzels it sells at its bar. 3040 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, www.clublosglobos.com. In that case, you're going to wish you took an Uber. The Most Famous Music Venues in Texas Catch a show at the most iconic musical venues in the state. ✨Summer Nights✨#greektheatre #losangeles #griffithpark @michelleshiers, A post shared by The Greek Theatre (@greek_theatre) on Jun 4, 2018 at 8:29pm PDT. Here are the 15 best of the bunch. The Best Large Event Venues in Los Angeles. Opened in 1927 as a movie house, this registered historical landmark maintains a high vibe of haunted intrigue whether its hosting club nights, Lucha VaVoom or live music. There is now an endless stream of jazz A-listers from New York and beyond parading through the club’s custom-glass entrance, yet Bluewhale remains the most affordable option to see the very best jazz has to offer, with low ticket prices and no food or drink minimum, making the music accessible to a younger, hipper crowd. It's a proper restaurant on the weekend, where the sangria flows during flamenco shows for tourists looking for that inauthentic L.A. experience. Hence the evolution of rock venues from school dances and VFW Halls in the 1950s to psychedelic ballrooms and repurposed nightspots in the ’60s to the essentially still-enduring version a … Just got a guided backstage tour and I'm freaking out right now. Operated today by Goldenvoice, The El Rey regularly plays host to an eclectic array of different artists ranging from Dirty Projectors and Angel Olsen to Lily Allen and Chromeo. Although pricey festivals like Way Over Yonder have taken root on the pier in recent years, music always sounds better when it’s free, especially during the summer Twilight Concerts series, which has featured Charles Bradley, No Age, Patti Smith, Dr. John, La Santa Cecilia, The Zombies, Dick Dale and, fittingly, Best Coast. The venue’s cheap tickets, free parking, and ultra-laid-back staff make it one of the most underrated venues to enjoy in the greater L.A. area. The narrow space can make the standing-room area a bit awkward, but you can call ahead to book a table or booth for dinner, or show up early to score a spot at the bar. If you’re able to watch from the balcony, we recommend it; you can see the entire stage and your view is less likely to be obstructed. Venues; Clubs; Rainbow Bar & Grill. Parking is in the back (along with the entrance), where people are constantly getting stoned, while the beer selection inside is always ranked among the area's best. Snug Harbor is one of the main draws to Frenchmen Street, a strip of music venues and restaurants just steps from New Orleans’ French Quarter. Located off The Strip on Santa Monica in West Hollywood just east of Beverly Hills, it is also famous for launching folk rockers such as David Crosby at its Monday night “hootenanny.” Mondays still rock to this day. First opened in 1922 and given its trademark bandshell in 1929, the Bowl has been an iconic venue ever since, and a badge of honor for the performers who've played it. It’s such secret moments at the Fonda that give it the edge. Top 10 music venues in Bristol. But as Live Nation's flagship L.A. venue, it consistently books shows worthy of its opulent, historic setting — including gigs this year by Best Coast, The Tragically Hip and Father John Misty. It has served as a music venue since 1994 and now, under the aegis of Goldenvoice, caters to hip crowds by bringing in a mix of veterans (upcoming performers include Steve Earle and Godflesh) and rising names (Melody’s Echo Chamber, Cayucas). The Troubadour is a haven for heavy metal. The sound is top notch from anywhere in the room and it’s easier than most places to get close to the stage. The 100 Greatest American Music Venues A first-class, front-row ticket to this country's most vital concert halls . Sunset Marquis. The entire building is designed to look like a 16th century Andalusian tavern, so even if the band flops, it's a romantic spot for a date or a somewhat authentic Spanish experience that even smells like a Spanish alley. Palazzo Beverly Hills. It qualifies so gosh durn hard. It's no accident that both A Club Called Rhonda's “pansexual” dance parties and Das Bunker's dress-to-distress industrial nights call Los Globos home, or that the club books more quality underground metal shows than any other venue in town (except, arguably, Glendale's Complex). Before the show, the lobby makes use of its movie-house ambiance, selling popcorn and candy along with the requisite booze, while a DJ often graces the foyer with a backing soundtrack. Nevertheless, the comforts of the intimate space and dedication to artists shall remain. NIVA participants in Los Angeles include the Bootleg Theater, Teragram Ballroom, the Regent, Zebulon, and the Troubadour, among the dozens of venues, promoters, and festivals in … It seems like every night of the week you can catch a wide variety of superstars, cult favorites, or up-and-coming artists in any one of the hundreds of venues spread out across the gargantuan city, ranging in size from the 50-person dive bar to the massive, 100,000-seat Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Recent star-studded tributes to David Lynch and Allen Ginsberg and multi-night stands from Belle & Sebastian and Jeff Tweedy have all lived up to the seated venue's gorgeous, restored, 1920s decor. To make our task a little easier, we excluded all venues with a capacity over 20,000. Sponsored Results . — Lily Moayeri, Founded in 1970 by pianist Don Randi of famed studio hired guns “The Wrecking Crew,” Studio City's Baked Potato is L.A.'s oldest jazz club, sitting along the 101 across from Universal Studios. With a sizable dance floor up front and two stair sets that lead to a pair of small balconies, the space is comfortable and easily navigable even when packed. If rock bands aren’t your thing, there are plenty of DJ sets at night. venue!? — Philip Cosores, The El Rey first opened in 1936 and for years operated as a first-run movie theater. You might think that a cemetery isn’t the most ideal location to take in a loud rock concert, but if you’re talking about the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever, you’d be dead wrong. Vote in our Best of L.A. You never know who may pop in on any given night; major artists like Jenny Lewis or Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready could spontaneously jump onstage with whoever is performing. Open Ocean Records. This 200-capacity room sits nondescriptly in its Glendale neighborhood and is easy to miss driving by. Acts here lean more towards punk, metal and rock, which the venue is well-suited for. #lastnight #JonBrion joined in with the gang! 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, www.alexsbar.com. In recent years, big names have started to come back to the Palladium, including The Black Keys, Slayer, Big Sean, The Replacements, Lily Allen, Sleater-Kinney and TV on the Radio. 200 W. 2nd St., Pomona, www.theglasshouse.us. 2. — Paul T. Bradley, To the uninitiated, nothing about the Hotel Café makes sense. The Hollywood Bowl isn’t just the most awe-inspiring venue in Los Angeles, with its storied history and epic backdrop, it’s one of the grandest live entertainment centers in the entire world. Tame Impala and Modest Mouse highlight this summer's schedule. For 17 years, making it L.A.’s longest-running DIY venue, the Smell has been a launch pad for hometown heroes like No Age, Bleached (back when they were Mika Miko) and Health, as well as the go-to stage for local bands to earn their stripes in the underground scene. Leee John of Imagination. Onizuka St., Little Tokyo, bluewhalemusic.com. Tonight it's finally going to happen. Though it’s changed hands and names numerous times in its nearly 100-year history, the Fonda was taken over by Coachella organizers Goldenvoice in 2012, and has since emerged as one of the premier spots for visiting indie rock acts. Budget friendly. It first opened in 1926 as part of the Orpheum vaudeville circuit, and was restored in 1989 (following a fire) and further renovated in 2001. It was significantly refurbished after World War II due to severe damage. 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, www.thehollywoodpalladium.com. The Nokia experience is generally all-ground grand for a smaller venue: big artists, big sound and big lights and production. — Daniel Kohn, The Roxy Theatre is a Los Angeles institution whose fame spans the decades. The beautifully restored theater, formerly called the Palace, has hassle-free entry (if you buy tickets in advance — which you should), a perfect-sized dance floor, lots of levels to explore and mingle, and most importantly, the best EDM sound system in town. Previously know as the Club Nokia, this venue located in the downtown L.A. Live complex has been rebranded as the Novo by Microsoft. Music Venues, Recording & Rehearsal Studios, Music Production Services (909) 269-1473. But it's the acts on the verge of superstardom that make the place special. Jazz Cafe, London 24/07 - 15/10/2021 View more info for Leee John of Imagination Buy Tickets. — Max Bell, See also: The Regent Joins Downtown L.A.'s Live-Music Boom, The tiered setup at Club Nokia is visually pleasing from wherever you are in the room, but it’s the bottom/pit area and the second level balcony that offer the best POVs. There's no backstage, so the band walks through the audience (usually about 150 worshipers) to deliver their musical sermon.