Six Boston Live Music Venues to Check Out
![photo of the inside of Roadrunner during a concert with a full house. On stage, at back, a band is playing, lit by bright white lights. The photo is taken from above on the second floor balcony.](/files/2022/04/ft-roadrunner-concert.jpg)
Roadrunner. Photo by Ben Stas
Six Live Music Venues in Boston to Check Out
Catch a show at Allston’s new Roadrunner or Comm Ave’s Paradise Rock Club
Whether you’re a fan of emo, metal, indie, or pop music, Boston has many venues where you can catch some live music. New places like Roadrunner and some classic spots like the Cantab Lounge are excited to welcome fans back after a two-year COVID hiatus. With restrictions largely lifted, live music is preparing for a comeback. No matter where you are around the city, there’s a music venue for you.
Note: Be sure to check a show’s age minimums before purchasing tickets.
![photo of the inside of Roadrunner during a concert with a full house. On stage, seen from the side at right, a band is playing, lit by bright blue and green lights. The photo is taken from above, at right of the stage, on the second floor balcony.](/files/2022/04/res-roadrunner-concert2.jpg)
Roadrunner
89 Guest St., Boston
The midsize venue Roadrunner opened its doors this March in the Allston-Brighton area. The floor accommodates up to 2,000 people, and the balcony another 1,500. Both seats and standing areas are available. Roadrunner’s decor consists of strapping steel beams, glass block windows, and flamboyant art pieces, all of which contribute to a fiery ambience that pairs well with high-energy acts like Aurora, Lake Street Dive, and Rise Against. Their lineup features a range of genres in the coming months, including EDM, rock, and punk. Most shows are open to all ages, but age minimums vary from show to show, and the in-venue bar is 21-plus. Roadrunner also has strict no-smoking and no re-entry policies.
![photo of the exterior of brighton music hall. Its facade is painted in red with blacked out windows. The sign over the door is black and reads "Bright Music Hall" in white. A few people walk by.](/files/2022/04/sq-17-1614-ALLSTONTOO-005.jpg)
Brighton Music Hall
158 Brighton Ave., Boston
Another Allston venue, Brighton Music Hall opened its doors in 2010 as a “launching pad” to new local and national acts. The standing-only venue has a 500-person capacity for live performances, ranging from rock bands to stand-up comedy to dance parties, offering a slice of many musical genres and nonmusical entertainment. Among previous music acts have been the Dropkick Murphys, Weezer, and Imagine Dragons. Concertgoers can also play pool or get a drink at one of the multiple bars (if they are 21-plus).
![Photo of the facade of the Paradise Rock club on a sunny day. A person, presumably a member of the armed forces based on their camouflage attire, is seen walking by. The facade is black and the marquee reads "6th: Shovels & Rope. 9th: Motet." The paradise rock club logo is painted on the building above the marquee, and features a circular logo with wings.](/files/2022/04/res-22-1216-PARADISE-025.jpg)
Paradise Rock Club
967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Paradise lies at the edge of Allston, right on BU’s West Campus, and attracts a primarily university-age crowd. This 40-year-old venue is considered fairly small, with a capacity of just under 1,000, standing only. Paradise is general admission, with a floor and wrap-around balcony providing a generous view for all. Although it usually hosts local alternative rock acts, in the past big-name popular groups like U2, Sinéad O’Connor, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have played there. With convenient to-go restaurants like Raising Canes, Blaze Pizza, and El Jefe’s Taqueria nearby, fans can get a bite to eat before lining up for their concert.
![Photo taken during a Bad Suns concert at the House of Blues. The crowd has their arms raised and the lead singer is seen standing on top of some of the people in the first row by the stage. Folks are seen on the balcony as well.](/files/2022/04/res-Bad_Suns_in_2019_1.jpg)
House of Blues
15 Lansdowne St., Boston
House of Blues offers live music, folk art, and Southern-inspired food. This American chain of live music and restaurant spaces opened its first location in Boston in 2009. The capacity is over 2,000 within the combined music hall, VIP-only private club (the Foundation Room), and restaurant areas. The best viewing angles are at the lower, closer levels. The floor level is general admission, with standing only for most events; there is also a strict no re-entry policy. House of Blues is next to Fenway Park, so plan accordingly to avoid the extreme traffic on Red Sox game nights.
![Photo of the Sinclair roofdeck. The marquee on the tan building reads "Tonight Spafford Sold out." To the left, patrons can be seen dining outside at tables with blue Corona umbrellas next to a railing with plants.](/files/2022/04/res-sinclair-roofdeck-Adam-Straughn.jpg)
The Sinclair
52 Church St., Cambridge
It’s on the smaller side, but many visitors rave about the Sinclair’s intimate atmosphere (space for 525) and great sound system. The Sinclair has an indie, alternative club vibe and has hosted acts like Badflower, Earthless, and the Japanese House. Fans of the spot also come for the food, with the kitchen open for dinner throughout the week and weekend brunch. While the venue offers classic bar foods like beer cheese nachos and Brighton hot chicken wings, the Sinclair also provides a plant-based menu, including the sweet potato rodeo burger, a sweet potato and black bean patty with mixed greens on a brioche bun. Re-entry is allowed for most shows with an occasional exception.
![Black and white photo of a band performing at the cantab lounge. The photo was taken in such a way that the band members are seen in motion. A drummer, lead singer and bass player sitting in the back are seen performing.](/files/2022/04/res-DO1220292.jpg)
Cantab Lounge
738 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
Central Square’s Cantab Lounge is known for friendly staff and bartenders, fairly priced drinks, and a diverse crowd. The cozy venue hosts an open mic on Mondays, Bluegrass Tuesdays, and R&B sessions on Wednesdays, as well as trivia nights. The venue consists of two floors with a bar and a small stage each; the upstairs level has more well-known rock and R&B acts, while underground bands perform in the (actual) underground level. Although the venue has undergone many renovations during the pandemic, fans of the music lounge love the dingy, grimy aesthetic and dense crowds on the vibrating floor. There is no food provided at this no-frills music bar, so make sure to eat beforehand.
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