Listening rooms are usually intimate performance spaces such as cafes or coffeehouses where special consideration is given to acoustic quality as the audience is expected to be silent for the performance.
Music Venues and Theaters
Portland, OR
The Alberta Rose Theatre is Portland’s premier setting to experience acoustic music, art house films, and live performances. Located in the heart of the eclectic Alberta Arts District, the Alberta Rose originally opened as a motion picture house in 1927 and radiates the serene feeling of a Spanish-Colonial courtyard. The Alberta Rose is a mid-size, seated listening room with 300 fixed seats, excellent sightlines, and outstanding acoustics providing live entertainment of all kinds including music, circus, comedy, and more. ...
Jacksonville Beach, FL
Blue Jay Listening Room is an intimate, original music venue in Jax Beach, located in the Costa Verde Plaza upstairs from Casa Maria Mexican Restaurant. ...
Freeport, ME
Cadenza is a unique, intimate live music venue in Freeport, MN. Opened in 2019, the high-quality performance venue accommodates up to 85 people, seated at tables of four, in a casual and comfortable setting. Cadenza offers a light menu of pizza, sandwiches, snacks, and an assortment of wine and beer. ...
Saratoga Springs, NY
Widely recognized as the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States, Caffè Lena is a live performance venue and music school located in Saratoga Springs, NY. Opened in 1960, this world class venue with the best listening room in the Capital Region presents folk, roots, blues, jazz, Americana, bluegrass and more in an intimate setting steeped in history. The Caffe’s programming extends beyond live music offering online music classes for children and adults, community programs, and more. ...
Music Venues and Theaters
Gaffney, SC
A cornerstone of downtown Gaffney, SC, the historic Capri Theatre offers live performances of music, comedy, film premieres and is also available for social or corporate events. ...
New Orleans, LA
Chickie Wah Wah is an intimate music bar located in Mid-City New Orleans. Chickie Wah Wah presents local music of all sounds as well as specially curated performances by touring artists. ...
Nashville, TN
Located in Sobro, City Winery Nashville is the city’s only live music venue, fully-functioning urban winery, restaurant, and private event space all rolled into one. Enjoy live music, comedy, and wine events in an intimate space a full bar, a built-in stage, and state-of-the-art sound and production. ...
Memphis, TN
Crosstown Arts is a non-profit, contemporary arts center offering a variety of music/visual/performing arts spaces and programs in Memphis. Located inside Crosstown Concourse, the organization operates a 400-seat black box theater, an intimate listening room for live music, a 5,000-square-foot exhibition space, a multidisciplinary residency program, a shared art-making facility with public access to digital/analog production resources, and a craft cocktail bar. ...
Denver, CO
Dazzle is the premier jazz hot spot in Denver, CO, with nightly live performances by national and local musicians. Located in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Dazzle features a full bar, creative dinner menu, brunch and other special events. Dazzle is the perfect place to spend a sophisticated night on the town or party until the wee hours of the morning. ...
The Woodlands, TX
Dosey Doe Big Barn is one of the best listening rooms in the country. Built in 1856, Dosey Doe is a one-of-a-kind venue in the Houston area providing a very intimate setting for artists and fans alike. ...
Music Venues and Theaters
San Pedro, CA
The Grand Annex Music Hall is an intimate cabaret-style theater and flexible multipurpose space in downtown San Pedro, CA. State-of-the-art sound enhances a unique listening experience, complemented by cabaret tables, a well-stocked concessions booth and a commitment to community. ...
St. Louis, MO
High Low is the Kranzberg Arts Foundation’s literary arts cafe and multi-purpose event space in St. Louis’ vibrant Grand Center Arts District. The venue includes a cafe, library, art gallery, and listening room. The Listening Room at High Low is a 150-capacity, flexible space featuring state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and a full-service bar. It can easily accommodate a poetry reading, concert, or reception.High Noon in the Listening Room at High Low takes place every Thursday from 12 to 1pm. The High Noon series features St. Louis talents from across the arts, cultural, and educational spectrum. ...
Novato, CA
HopMonk Tavern is a brewpub with live music and a diverse selection of beers located in Novato, CA. The tavern opens up onto a large beer garden under vintage oak trees. HopMonk Novato is home to the Summer Cookout Music Series and the year-round Session Room live music venue. Session Room at HopMonk Tavern Novato hosts top-rate local, regional, national and international talent. Small acoustic acts play the beer garden stage from May through October. ...
Sonoma, CA
HopMonk Tavern Sonoma, built in a former 1888 farmhouse just blocks from Sonoma’s historic downtown plaza, is a year-round beer garden and listening room. The Hopmonk Tavern stage is a medium-sized stage with a wide variety of fine music; from small bands or solo artists. The atmosphere is warm and intimate with nearby tables where the audience can enjoy food and drinks. ...
Norfolk, CT
Originally built in 1883, Infinity Norfolk Music Hall & Bistro opened in 2007 in Norfolk, CT, as a top food and music venue with high quality dining and entertainment. Infinity Music Hall includes a world-class sound system and modern facilities, but still retains its original stage and ornate detail. great concerts, comedy shows, and other live entertainment to the area ...
Lansdowne, PA
Jamey’s House of Music is the top intimate live venue on the East Coast and a music lover’s paradise in Lansdowne, PA. Booking a wide variety of genres while favoring folk, jazz, blues, and world music, Jamey’s offers a platform for musical artists to produce professional-quality performance videos in a private live stage setting. ...
Key West, FL
Originally built in 1848, Key West Theater performing arts center is home to the Key West Theater & Community Stage, Rams Head Promotions, Grateful Guitar, Back Stage Listening Room and the Key West Theater Recording Studio. The 278-seat main stage theater offers an upstairs private balcony bar, dressing rooms and a green room. The Back Stage Listening Room offers a 56-seated capacity and is appropriate for intimate live performances, receptions, cocktail parties, readings, meetings, etc. ...
Bars and Restaurants
Portland, OR
Laurelthirst Public House is a humble little pub and the oldest independent music venue in Portland, OR, serving up music, food, drinks, and fun daily since 1988. ...
Hotels and Music Venues
Bethlehem, PA
Lobby at The Lofts is a unique music and entertainment space located in a historic building on Main Street in downtown Bethlehem, PA. Lehigh Valley’s hottest live music listening room also offers housewares, an international food market, and more. ...
Tomball, TX
Main Street Crossing is a listening room, concert hall, community center, church, private venue, and nonprofit organization located in historic Old Town Tomball, TX, outside of Houston. ...
Bars and Restaurants
Houston, TX
McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, off Norfolk St in the Upper Kirby area, is an intimate Irish pub with the livest music in Texas, craft beer, wine and liquor and great food. The Houston pub features game nights, bar & grill, concert events, and a huge Saint Patrick’s Day party. ...
Milford, CT
Presenting intimate experiences in the arts since 1972, Milford Arts Council (The MAC) is a visual and performing arts venue in a former train station in Milford, CT. The MAC provides a unique setting for live music, theatre, dance, film, art exhibits and more. Enjoy high quality, low stress arts experiences in a warm and welcoming space. ...
Reno, NV
Established in 2015 in Reno’s Mid-Town Arts & Culture District, Mountain Music Parlor is a music school, music store, and intimate listening room focused on teaching and presenting traditional American music. Heritage Hall is a cozy and comfortable venue where concerts, open jams, student recitals, and other special events take place. ...
Galveston, TX
The historic Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe is the best place to listen to live music in Galveston County. The music venue features Americana, folk, blues, and acoustic bands, with local, national and international acts. Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe only hosts original music, no cover or tribute bands. ...
Buffalo, NY
PAUSA art house is a jazz club wine and tapas bar located in Buffalo, NY, in the Historic District of Allentown. PAUSA presents music shows and artistic exhibitions from local, national and international artists. The relaxed atmosphere of the venue attracts patrons who wish to attend an intimate concert or an art exhibit while enjoying a glass of wine, small offerings and local craft beers. ...
Portland, ME
Established in 2005, Port City Blue is Portland’s most intimate live music venue, presenting an array of local and touring musicians playing jazz, Celtic, Middle Eastern, blues, bluegrass, folk, and more. Blue has a full bar menu including, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. ...
Decatur, AL
Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts is a 677-seat performing arts venue in the Albany/Old Decatur Historic District in downtown Decatur, AL. Shelton Auditorium is the main venue able to accommodate a wide array of events; from music concerts, theatrical productions, dances, weddings, corporate parties, conferences, lectures and more.The second story is home to the upstairs Loft Listening Room, an intimate space where you can hear the songs and the stories behind them in the Princess Theatre’s Singer/Songwriter concert series the second Thursday of each month. ...
Bars and Restaurants
Nashville, TN
Located in the Gulch, Rudy’s Jazz Room is Nashville’s late night authentic jazz club. Featuring live jazz six nights a week, craft cocktails, select beer on tap, and a New Orleans inspired menu. A true speakeasy feel, warm and intimate, open from 5pm until late night. Regular shows include Mondays at 9pm with Latin jazz and Salsa dancing, Wednesdays at 9pm features Regi Wooten & Friends, and Thursdays at 6pm Hot Club Gypsy Jazz. All ages on Sundays, but 21+ all other days. ...
Bars and Event Venues
Buffalo, NY
Babeville is a state-of-the-art multipurpose venue in a renovated 19th century Gothic Revival-style church in downtown Buffalo’s Theater District. The 9th Ward at Babeville is a basement bar and 150-capacity listening room ideal for smaller concerts and performances. The 9th Ward has rich wood, stone walls, and the bar features the original church altar. ...
Ann Arbor, MI
The Ark is a nationally known acoustic and folk music venue in downtown Ann Arbor, MI. At the 400-seat Ford Listening Room, seats put you within a few feet of the performers, there’s really not a bad seat in the house. The club presents the best contemporary and traditional live music over 300 nights each year. The Ark also presents a monthly Open Stage Night. ...
Fort Collins, CO
Located in the heart of Old Town Fort Collins, The Armory is one of the premier listening rooms in Colorado. Primarily featuring acoustic acts, the 200-person capacity venue is an intimate environment with state-of-the-art acoustics, great lighting and amazing sound for performers and audiences alike. Armory concerts are seated and usually pair nationally known artists with Colorado-based musicians for truly memorable performances and a place to perform and be discovered. ...
Berkeley, CA
The Back Room in Berkeley is an intimate space with great acoustics and comfortable seating that showcases acoustically-based genres including jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass, Americana and more. The Back Room has a wonderful ambience with brick walls, a high vaulted wooden ceiling, and a Steinway Grand onstage. The Back Room is an all-ages venue. Children under 12 are free. ...
Music Venues and Theaters
Alexandria, VA
Established in 1966, The Birchmere is a concert hall in Alexandria, VA, that features rock, blues, bluegrass, country, folk, jazz, and comedic performers. The Birchmere is committed to the presentation of the highest quality music in a comfortable and intimate atmosphere. The main room seats 500 and provides dinner service. ...
Nashville, TN
Run by the nonprofit Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), The Bluebird Cafe is one of the world’s preeminent listening rooms recognized worldwide as a songwriter’s performance space. The cozy space inhabits a tiny strip mall in Green Hills south of downtown Nashville, TN. The Bluebird hosts a weekly Monday Open Mic Night, quarterly Bluebird auditions, and Sunday Writers’ Night. ...
La Grange, TX
The Bugle Boy is a listening room where artists perform original music from a wide range of musical styles including folk, blues, rock, soul, R&B, jazz and more. Most concerts are live streamed. ...
Natick, MA
Located in Natick’s historic Central Firehouse facility, The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN) is an intimate listening room featuring a 270-seat performance space with a raised stage, professional audio system, and theatrical lighting. A concession stand is located in the lobby, serving an assortment of snacks and soft drinks at most performances. TCAN offers beer and wine service at all feature performances to patrons with acceptable ID. ...
Johnson City, TN
Lined in oak with an excellent sound system and great sightlines, The Down Home is the premier listening room in Upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Since 1976, the venue has provided an intimate setting for a variety of musicians, theater, political rallies, writers series, poetry slams and more. ...
Asheville, NC
The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub is a state-of-the-art live music, performance, and private event venue located in the historic River Arts District, in downtown Asheville, NC. The Grey Eagle is also Asheville’s longest-running all-ages venue, featuring a large dance floor, relaxing patio area, and one of the best sound systems in Asheville. The performance room boasts an intimate stage with options for seated shows, two flat-screen TVs, and projector. ...
Eugene, OR
The Jazz Station is an all-ages community performance space and art gallery in downtown Eugene, OR. A frequent stop for musicians throughout the Northwest, The Jazz Station is operated by the nonprofit Willamette Jazz Society. The intimate venue has a 70 seat capacity, a baby grand piano, an elevated stage and sound system, professional theater lighting, and a green room. ...
Kenney, TX
Originally built in 1887, The Kenney Store in Kenney, TX, has live music almost every night of the week. Two-step, waltz, or line-dance under the neon lights. Drink a few ice cold beers, specialty wines, or signature drinks from the full bar. Devour in-home cooking for lunch or dinner. ...
Glenside, PA
Just northwest of the Philadelphia city limits, the Keswick Theatre serves as the area’s destination for hosting first class performances and events offering full production capabilities with its built-in stage and state-of-the-art lighting and sound. The space also features lively bars throughout the entire venue. ...
Cambridge, MA
Founded in 2005, The Lilypad is a community gathering place and Boston’s home for avant-garde music and art. The Lilypad is an 80-person capacity venue and event space located in Inman Square, Cambridge, MA. The venue is available to rent for musical performances, theatrical performances, film screenings, readings, comedy, private parties and other events. The Lilypad serves craft beer, wine, hard cider and soft drinks. ...
Elkin, NC
Originally opened as an Art-Deco movie theater in 1941, The Reeves Theater & Cafe is now a modern industrial music hall with great acoustics and superior sound quality. Located in historic downtown Elkin, NC, the theater presents a wide array of local, regional, and national musicians. The theater’s lobby functions as a farm-to-table café and bar serving locally-sourced food as well as local craft beer and wine. Regular live entertainment includes open mic every Wednesday, monthly themed performances by The Reeves House Band, and The Martha Bassett Show is recorded live weekly for 88.5 WFDD radio. ...
Lansing, MI
Founded in 2015, The Robin Theatre is a community-focused performing arts space located in the REO Town district south of Lansing, MI. The Robin Theatre curates an eclectic series of music, comedy, poetry and more. ...
Lewes, DE
The Room at Cedar Grove is an intimate supper club and music venue near Lewes, DE. Chef Cullen keeps a constant flow of high caliber music and entertainment moving through his doors including national touring acts. ...
Garden City, ID
The Sapphire Room at The Riverside Hotel is Boise’s premier listening room with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, clear sightlines and regular performances by local and touring artists. The Sapphire Room features a full food and bar menu with table-side service during every performance. The Sapphire Room is all-ages and family friendly. ...
Oakland, CA
The Sound Room is an intimate all-ages listening room in Oakland, CA. The Sound Room is the home of Bay Area Jazz and Arts, Inc (BAJA), a nonprofit organization focused on music and art, with an emphasis on jazz performance. ...
Music Venues and Theaters
Port Aransas, TX
Third Coast Theater is the best live music venue in Port Aransas, TX, with concerts usually once or twice a month. Part of Seashell Village Resort, the 150-seat theater features many of Texas’ top singers and songwriters in an intimate setting that gets you up close and personal with the artists. Bring your own beverage and sit back and enjoy an evening listening to your favorite music. ...
Derry, NH
Tupelo Music Hall is an intimate three-level performing arts venue in Derry, NH, specializing in music events, comedy, and occasional theatrical shows. Tupelo has a kitchen, bar, and a professional stage with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Tupelo Music Hall presents multiple genres of talented nationally-recognized musicians who perform in a friendly and intimate setting. ...
Chicago, IL
Established in 1991, Uncommon Ground – Lakeview is home to Greenstar Brewing, Illinois’ first certified organic brewery. Uncommon Ground features farm-to-table cuisine, brunch, lunch and dinner daily. The Uncommon Ground listening room boasts a state-of-the-art sound system, full LED stage lighting, and seating for 47. ...
Wellington, FL
Village Music is a regional music center in Wellington, FL, offering a retail shop, music school, live music cafe with weekly events, craft beers, wines and artisan food. The Village Music Café provides a venue and opportunity for the music center’s students to perform, for master classes, clinics, songwriting classes and more. But the VMC also presents featured artists every Friday and Saturday night. ...
Black Mountain, NC
White Horse Black Mountain is a unique performance and event center in the heart of Black Mountain, NC, with state-of-the-art sound equipment presenting the finest in music and the performing arts in a relaxed, family-friendly environment. White Horse is a true listening room where the focus is on the music. ...
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