Live Music Venues in Philadelphia
October 4, 2022
A city filled with arts, culture and history, Philadelphia is an eclectic mix of old and new with historic venues such as the Academy of Music (the first opera house in the United States) to new state of the art concert halls to repurposed and renovated buildings. If you’re in town, check out these hot spots for classical music, opera, R&B, indie, hip-hop, jazz, dancehall, and other performances.
Kimmel Cultural Campus
Home to the Philadelphia Orchestra, the majestic Kimmel Center also hosts a variety of world pop and jazz performances.
Address: 300 S Broad St
Neighborhood: Center City
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
The Mann Center is a gorgeous outdoor amphitheater in Fairmount Park that hosts the Philadelphia Orchestra and other large touring acts in the summertime.
Address: 5201 Parkside Ave
Neighborhood: Fairmount
City Winery
City Winery combines music, wine, and great food in an intimate setting located in the Fashion District Philadelphia.
Address: 990 Filbert St
Neighborhood: Center City
The Met Philadelphia
Housed in a historic opera house, The Met Philadelphia has been modernized and transformed into the city’s largest performance and theatrical stage.
Address: 858 N Broad St
Neighborhood: Fairmount
Franklin Music Hall
Formerly known as the Electric Factory, this large premiere indoor venue has welcomed top names in entertainment for over 40 years.
Address: 421 N 7th St
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
Underground Arts
A two-room, 12,000 square foot venue designed to cultivate the local music scene, as well as to attract national and international talent.
Address: 1200 Callowhill St
Neighborhood: Center City
The Fillmore Philadelphia (and the Foundry)
This state-of-the-art, 2,500 capacity live music club in Fishtown is the perfect blend of class and cutting edge, and also contains the smaller 450-capacity Foundry club.
Address: 29 E Allen St
Neighborhood: Northern Liberties
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)
A centerpiece of South Street for decades, the TLA is a classic venue with an eye-catching traditional marquee.
Address: 334 South St
Neighborhood: Center City
Other Great Venues in Philadelphia:
Silk City – 435 Spring Garden – A classic diner with excellent food situated in Northern Liberties since 1954, Silk City also hosts local and emerging live music as well as late night dance parties.
Dell Music Center – 2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr – The fourth largest performance venue in Philadelphia is a beautiful outdoor amphitheater that is an institution for jazz, soul, rock and community events.
Johnny Brenda’s – 1201 Frankford Ave – This bi-level, hip venue in the heart of Fishtown hosts local and nationally touring bands while serving up tasty food and craft beer.
MilkBoy (Chestnut St) – 1100 Chestnut St – A restaurant, bar, café, and live-music venue in the heart of Center City.
MilkBoy (South St) – 401 South St – MilkBoy South Street boasts elevated American fare, craft beers and frequent live performances including open mics, comedy, and local bands.
World Café Live – 3025 Walnut St – A multi-stage venue that houses renowned independent radio station WXPN, World Café Live is an incubator for emerging artists and a home for local, national, and international acts.
Kung Fu Necktie – 1248 N Front St – A mainstay of the local music scene, KFN is Fishtown’s home for punk, metal, and late night dancing.
Ortlieb’s – 847 N 3rd St –Ortlieb’s, a Northern Liberties neighborhood favorite, is an intimate venue and bar with a varied calendar of local acts, open mics, and karaoke.
Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia – 1009 Canal St – Located next to the Fillmore in Fishtown, this combination bowling alley and music club is a brand-new space complete with a huge disco ball.
Liberty Point – 211 S Christopher Columbus Blvd – Philadelphia’s largest outdoor restaurant contains a live music stage where guests can enjoy DJ’s and bands with a beautiful view of the Delaware River.
Union Transfer – 1026 Spring Garden St – A historic building that was once a luggage storage facility for Reading Railroad has been a premiere concert venue hosting nationally touring talent since 2011.
Chris’ Jazz Café – 1421 Sansom St – Founded in 1989, Chris’ is the longest continuously operating jazz club in Philadelphia and is a must-visit spot for fantastic music and delicious southern-inspired cuisine.
Time – 1315 Sansom St – This stylish downtown whiskey bar has three different rooms, a full restaurant, and daily live jazz music.
The Dolphin Tavern – 1539 S Broad St – Known as one of the best dance clubs in Philadelphia, the Dolphin is now incorporating local and touring live music into their calendar.
Dobbs on South – 304 South St – Once known as the “Legendary Dobbs,” this small rock club earned its name by hosting Nirvana and Green Day before they were superstars.
Khyber Pass Pub – 56 S 2nd St – Located in Old City, the Khyber is a neighborhood favorite with mouthwatering New Orleans-inspired fare and nightly live entertainment.
Leda & The Swan – 1224 Chestnut St – Craft cocktails, stylish setting, and live music & DJs make Leda & The Swan a go-to location for Center City nightlife.
