The Best Concert Venues to See Live Music Around Philadelphia
Looking for live music in Philadelphia? Start with this list of spectacular concert venues. Photograph courtesy The Fillmore.
Philadelphia is an awesome city for listening to live music. As proof, we’ve rounded up the best concert venues around Philadelphia where you can go for live music performances all year round
You can see live music at the Ardmore Music Hall. Photograph by Karl McWherter.
23 E. Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA, 610-649-8389
This comfy, friendly venue just outside the city books lots of rock, but makes room for jazz, jam, funk, hip-hop, and a healthy slate of tribute acts. Ardmore Music Hall has been known to host bigger bands making a second trip through the area in support of a recent album.
The gist: 21+, serves alcohol, standing room, some seats, decent parking options
Sample artists: Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers, Huffamoose, Chris Robinson, Ghostface Killa, Splintered Sunlight
A live music concert at BB&T Pavilion. Photograph courtesy BB&T Pavilion.
1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, NJ, 1-800-745-3000
Just across the river in Camden, this giant amphitheater is the area’s biggest open-air music venue, and a preferred location for fair-weather festival tours. On a breezy summer day, the outer lawn is a cheap, pleasant place to watch a show, but if the skies open up, you might wish you’d sprung for the seats under the roof and closer to the stage.
The gist: Seasonal, all ages, standing and sitting, serves alcohol, lots of paid parking, accessible by RiverLink Ferry
Sample artists: Kendrick Lamar, Phish, Dead & Company, Dave Matthews Band, CHVRCHES
Boot & Saddle
1131 S. Broad St., 267-639-4528
This South Broad Street club serves up decent pub grub and drinks in the front, while the back room is dark, cozy rock club. Along with Johnny Brenda’s, the Boot & Saddle is a prime spot to catch local and touring indie acts.
The gist: 21+, no seats, serves alcohol, accessible via Broad Street Line
Sample artists: Shabazz Palace, Sheer Mag, Har Mar Superstar, Lower Wolves, Strand of Oaks
Chris’ Jazz Café
1421 Sansom St., 215-568-3131
This mainstay Center City jazz club offers a well-curated calendar of local and touring acts in a sophisticated, intimate setting. Good food, too.
The gist: 21+, serves alcohol, accessible via Broad Street Line/Market Frankford El
Sample artists: Orrin Evans, Tony Miceli, Monnette Sudler, Kurt Rosenwinkel
Dell Music Center
2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr., 215-685-9560
Recently refurbished, the legendary Dell is a friendly, completely open-air amphitheater in Fairmount Park specializing in current and throwback favorites in the pop, hip-hop, R&B and soul genres.
The gist: Seasonal, all ages, standing and sitting, serves alcohol, free parking
Sample artists: Patti LaBelle, Talib Kweli, Sheila E., The War on Drugs
Everybody Hits
529 W. Girard Ave.
By day, Everybody Hits is a neighborhood batting cages operation. By night it’s a delightfully odd and lovely place to watch local and touring acts of the punk and indie variety. Casual atmosphere.
The gist: All ages, standing room, some seats, street parking, accessible via Girard Avenue Trolley
Sample artists: Swearin’, Eternal Summers, Blowdryer, R. Ring
Live music concerts can be found at Festival Pier. Photograph courtesy Festival Pier.
601 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
This riverside stage is a dedicated space for Philadelphians to get together and sweat without shame. It’s also home to two of this city’s finest summer music traditions — The Roots Picnic and the HoagieNation/Hall & Oates fest.
The gist: Seasonal, all ages, no seats, serves alcohol, paid parking options
Sample artists: Khalid, Beck, 311, Ms. Lauryn Hill
Head to the Fillmore for tons of live music in Philadelphia.
29 E. Allen St., 215-309-0150
This converted factory in Fishtown hosts rising and established acts downstairs in its spacious main hall and upstairs in the smaller (but still sizable) Foundry room. The brick architecture and rustic/chic décor makes this one of the city’s prettiest places to see a rock/rap/pop show. (P.S. The dance floor doubles as a roller rink on special occasions.)
The gist: All ages, standing room, some seats, serves alcohol, accessible via Market-Frankford El
Sample artists: Leon Bridges, Dr. Dog, The String Cheese Incident, Garbage
First Unitarian Church
2125 Chestnut St.
The Church basement has long been the city’s top all-ages venue, delivering early glimpses of rising acts, and a steady lineup of established punk, indie, pop, rap, and more besides. It can get pretty hot and humid down there, especially in the summer. It’s a different story upstairs in the quieter, classier Sanctuary, where you sit in pews and soak in the ambience.
The gist: All ages, no alcohol
Sample artists: (Sandy) Alex G, Big Thief, Angel Olsen, Iceage
This live music venue has changed names, but the magic remains the same. Photograph by Druf Photography.
421 N. Seventh St.
With its decent sightlines and airplane-hangar charm, the venue formerly known as the Electric Factory has been part of the city’s musical landscape for decades. The place was recently taken over and renamed by Bowery Presents, so some changes may be in the works.
The gist: All ages, standing room, some seats, serves alcohol, paid parking options
Sample artists: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ziggy Marley, Thom Yorke, Dark Star Orchestra
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684
This friendly Fishtown rock club is an essential pillar of the Philly rock scene, and the preferred spot for album release parties by local bands. Come early for a drink and a burger in the restaurant downstairs.
The gist: 21+, no seats, serves alcohol, accessible via Market-Frankford El
Sample artists: Cults, Work Drugs, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus
Catch some live music at the Keswick Theater. Photograph courtesy Keswick Theater.
291 N Keswick Ave., Glenside, PA, 215-572-7650
Opened in 1928, this large, impressive theater just north of the city favors established acts and tends to draw a somewhat older crowd. If you’re looking to sit down with a beer and enjoy the music, the Keswick is top-notch.
The gist: All ages, seats, serves alcohol, paid and street parking, about a 20-minute walk from the Glenside Train Station
Sample artists: Rufus Wainwright, Neko Case, Indigo Girls, Gordon Lightfoot
Kimmel Center
300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999
This Avenue of the Arts keystone is home to the world renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, but there’s usually a little of everything on its schedule — jazz, pop, rock, ballet, opera, comedy, etc. Beneath its glassy, classy ceiling you’ll find the 2,500-seat Verizon Hall and the smaller but still striking Perelman Theater. (The nearby Academy of Music and Merriam Theater are also under the Kimmel umbrella.)
The gist: All ages, seats, serves alcohol, accessible via Broad Street Line
Sample artists: Joan Baez, The National, Philadelphia Orchestra, The Bad Plus
Kung Fu Necktie
1248 N. Front St., 215-291-4919
This busy little Fishtown club often has shows going on both upstairs and down at the same time, and keeps its calendar stocked with rock, metal, rap, punk, DJ nights, etc.
The gist: Mostly 21+, no seats, serves alcohol, accessible via Market-Frankford El
Sample artists: Christian Death, Kool Keith, Lydia Lunch, Surfer Blood
Mann Center
5201 Parkside Ave., 215-878-0400
With its lush lawn and gorgeous views of the city, this indoor/outdoor amphitheater in Fairmount Park and its smaller Skyline Stage in the backyard provide a decidedly blissful and upbeat concert experience. In addition to its roster of rock and pop acts, the Philadelphia Orchestra stops by all summer long, sometimes for the usual classical fair and sometimes to provide the soundtrack to Harry Potter movies and such.
The gist: Seasonal, all ages, sitting and standing, serves alcohol, paid parking
Sample artists: Phoebe Bridgers, David Byrne, Tune-Yards, Smokey Robinson
The Met will be Philly’s new spot for live music soon. Rendering courtesy Atkin Olshin Schade Architects.
858 N. Broad St., 1-800-745-3000
At press time, this refurbished 110-year-old opera house on North Broad is still weeks away from opening, but, based on early peeks, it’s safe to say the Met is a stunner — a big, beautiful theater to see sit-down shows.
The gist: All ages, seats, serves alcohol, accessible via Market-Frankford El
Sample artists: John Legend, Weezer, Kurt Vile, Mariah Carey
PhilaMOCA
531 N. 12th St., 267-519-9651
Once a showroom for a mausoleum company, this homey Eraserhood club is a hub for music, movies, comedy, art and all kinds of pop culture oddities. The PhilaMOCA calendar is always full of surprises.
The gist: All ages, sometimes seated
Sample artists: Jpegmafia, Thin Lips, Nothing, The Blow
Hear live music on South Street at TLA. Photograph courtesy TLA.
334 South St., 215-922-1011
Bigger than a club and smaller than a concert hall, this South Street institution does a little bit of everything: rock, pop, hip-hop, established acts, rated rookies, you name it.
The gist: All ages, standing room, some seats, serves alcohol
Sample artists: Elle King, Tricky, They Might Be Giants, Spoon
Trocadero
1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888
It’s not the show-a-night hotspot it used to be, but this ornate old burlesque theater in Chinatown is still a favorite spot for watching music (and comedy, sometimes). The big names play the Troc’s main stage; smaller acts are booked upstairs in The Balcony.
The gist: All ages, no seats (usually), serves alcohol
Sample artists: L7, Rob Paine, Ty Segall, Helmet
Listen to live music at the Tower Theater. Photograph courtesy Tower Theater
69th & Ludlow streets, Upper Darby, PA, 610-352-2887
Located just west of the city, this gorgeous theater has been a favorite landing spot for larger touring acts since the ’70s.
The gist: All ages, seats, serves alcohol, accessible via Market-Frankford El
Sample artists: Mavis Staples, Neil Young, Chaka Khan, Death Cab for Cutie
Head to Underground Arts for live music in Philly. Photograph courtesy Underground Arts.
200 Callowhill St., 215-627-1332
This surprisingly spacious basement venue does rock and rap — and comedy and podcast tapings and so on.
The gist: All ages, no seats (usually), serves alcohol
Sample artists: Marah, Dice Raw, Open Mike Eagle, Titus Andronicus
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden St., 215-232-2100
The former train depot (and Spaghetti Warehouse) is one of the most important concert halls in the city. Boasting excellent sound, multiple bars, ample balcony space and a sliding stage to suit the crowd size, Union Transfer pretty much guarantees a good time.
The gist: All ages, no seats, serves alcohol
Sample artists: Toro Y Moi, Angel Olsen, Mitski, The Mountain Goats
Wells Fargo Center
3601 S. Broad St., 215-336-3600
The really big tours usually come to the hockey/basketball arena.
The gist: All ages, seats, serves alcohol, accessible via Broad Street Line
Sample artists: Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake
Listen to live music at World Cafe Live on Walnut Street. Photograph courtesy World Cafe Live.
3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400
WXPN’s conjoined twin of a music venue has a small stage upstairs and big, wide one downstairs — and both offer remarkably intimate and sophisticated concert experiences. Keep your eye on the Free at Noon calendar to catch notable acts on your lunch break.
The gist: All ages, standing, some seats, serves alcohol, paid/street parking options
Sample artists: J. Mascis, Arrested Development, First Aid Kit, Cracker,
Other Live Music Venues to Try:
Academy of Music
240 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
3680 Walnut St., 215-898-3900
Bourbon & Branch
705 N. Second St., 215-238-0660
Coda
1712 Walnut St., 267-639-4630
Connie’s Ric Rac
1132 S. Ninth St., 215- 845-5700
Jerry’s On Front
2341 N. Front St.
MilkBoy Philly
1100 Chestnut St., 215-925-MILK
Ortlieb’s Lounge
47 N. Third St., 267-324-3348
The Pharmacy
1300 S. 18th St., 267-519-3485
Philadelphia Clef
738 S. Broad St., 215-893-9912
The Queen
500 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE, 202-730-3331
The Rotunda
4014 Walnut St.
Scottish Rite Auditorium
315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ, 856-858-1000
Sellersville Theater
24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville, PA, 215-257-5808
SOUTH
600 N. Broad St., 215-600-0220
