If there’s a band coming to town that you want to see (that isn’t Taylor Swift-level huge), the chances are good they’ll be playing at The Pageant. This intimate two-story venue seats about 2,200, with the floor area typically being GA and the upper balconies with over 21 reserved seating. Sound quality in the venue is great, the bar area is huge, and unless someone huge is standing in front of you, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Photo: Courtesy of The Pageant
- 6161 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112
The Pageant’s neighbor and little sister, Delmar Hall, is a brand new music venue that’s even more intimate. At just a 750 person maximum capacity, everyone is up close and personal with the artists—plus, the venue takes advantage of today’s best sound equipment, so the sound quality is pristine. Similar to The Pageant, there’s a large bar area in the front, but you’re in the Delmar Loop, so there are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.
Photo: Courtesy of Delmar Hall
- 6133 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO 63112
There aren’t many places like Broadway Oyster Bar left in St. Louis. BOB, as we insiders call it, feels like someone picked up a restaurant in New Orleans and dropped it off here. The building, which is 170 years old, has two patios, an amazing seafood-focused menu, and live music every day of the week. There’s no set genre or type of artist, either; sometimes you’ll see a nationally touring band, sometimes you’ll see a local funk group. No matter who’s playing, you’re going to have a great time.
- 736 S Broadway Saint Louis, MO 63102
Jazz is still alive and well in St. Louis, and the Dark Room at The Grandel is where we like to see it. Seven days a week you can pop in and listen to some of the amazing local talent, like Ptah Williams, Mo Egelston, and Anita Jackson. Besides being a beautiful venue that just feels cool to sit in, it has solid food options and a surprisingly vast wine and cocktail menu. Take a date here and get ready to hear, “I had no idea something this cool was in St. Louis!”
Photos: Courtesy of The Dark Room
- 3610 Grandel Sq Saint Louis, MO 63103
Blueberry Hill is a trip. The expansive first floor is full (and we mean full, floor to ceiling) of pop culture memorabilia, plus a full menu of classic American pub food and drinks. The real secret here is the 300-seat basement venue, The Duck Room, named after Chuck Berry’s iconic “duckwalk”. Berry not only inaugurated the room, but played over 200 consecutive monthly concerts there. Check out local bands trying to catch their big break, plus lots of smaller nationally touring bands.
- 6504 Delmar Blvd Saint Louis, MO 63130
The Grove has quickly become one of the coolest areas to hang out in St. Louis, with great restaurants like Grace Meat + Three and The Gramophone, the main Urban Chestnut Brewery, and great bars like Atomic Cowboy and Handlebar. Smackdab in the middle of all that sits The Ready Room, a 750-person venue. Like most of the other venues, The Ready Room gets a mix of genres and artists, including a good amount of stand up comedians.
- 4195 Manchester Ave St. Louis, MO 63110
Nowhere in St. Louis feels more epic than The Fabulous Fox Theatre. First opened in 1929, every inch of the building is dripping in intricate artwork, carvings, and murals, all done in an opulent Siamese-Byzantine motif. If you’ve never been before, make sure to arrive early just to sit in your seat and look up at the ceiling. Because The Fox is typically home to Broadway plays and musicals, sound quality is amazing.
- 527 N Grand Blvd Saint Louis, MO 63103
The Stifel Theatre is kind of like The Fox’s little brother: still opulent as hell, still amazing to see concerts in, just a bit smaller. Built in the 1930s, the style is pure Art Deco, and recent renovations have made it even more stunning. You can catch lots of great, big name performances here, like Jason Isbell and Thom Yorke.
Photo: Courtesy of Stifel Theatre
- 1400 Market St Saint Louis, MO 63103
