Insider's Guide to Pittsburgh Music Venues

Once a Catholic church, Mr. Smalls is a top live music venue perched atop the Millvale neighborhood that can do it all. You can see national acts in their main theatre (capacity is about 800) in the main theater space of this eclectic venue, then head down the hallways to The Funhouse, a repurposed skatepark-turned-music-venue that seats 175.

The acoustics in here are top-notch regardless of the type of band you're seeing, and everyone from Ziggy Marley and the Arctic Monkeys to GWAR and All That Remains have put on memorable shows at this truly one-of-a-kind venue.

Pro Tips: After you buy your ticket, add on the Balcony Experience for a unique view of the show that can be scaled up from seated individual tickets to private rooms for you and your friends with bottle service. The food here (located on the second level near the balcony) is stellar and reasonably priced. Use the bar way in the back of the venue for the quickest way to get a beer and back to your seat. Gristhouse and Strange Roots are both within easy walking distance to grab a brew before or after the show.

Many music venues have come and gone over the years in the happening nightlife neighborhood of the South Side (RIP Rex Theater) but Club Cafe has outlasted them all. The secret sauce? This intimate (seating for MAYBE 125 max) venue is intensely dedicated to bringing in national touring acts on an almost nightly basis. Add in the cheap cost of tickets (most around $15-18), a stellar list of local drafts and creative cocktails, and this is the perfect night out.

Pro Tips: Get there when the doors open and try to snag a seat as close to the stage as possible for the best, unobstructed views of the show. Bar seating makes it easy to get drinks, but likely you'll be peering around peeps to see the stage. Leave your coats in the car.

Have you noticed a theme yet? Spirit, also in Lawrenceville, is split into two spectacular live music venues raised from the dead of a former Moose lodge. Both the first floor Lodge and second floor Hall have full stages and sound great no matter where you're standing. Sometimes, events may sprawl between both levels with large parties for holidays or other special occasions filling both venues with DJs, emo, soul and plenty of other genres.

Pro Tip: The food here is great - snag a pizza or plenty of vegan options. Be sure to take a walk around the venue before you go in to see their mural covering the space, which is painted fresh each year with a new design.

While many of the live music venues on this list have been old buildings reimagined into new spaces, Carnegie of Homestead is still serving its original purpose as a library, athletic facility and a grand concert hall to Homestead and surrounding neighborhoods. Seating around 1,000, at this stunning venue you'll be able to grab a drink, walk around a gorgeous library and then settle into your seats for the show in the opulent hall.

I've seen everything from comedy acts to classic rock groups here, and am always pleasantly surprised at how amazing all types of music and performances sound in this 100+ year-old venue.

Pro Tips: Bring a seat cushion, these seats can get a little uncomfortable. Balcony seating is lovely here, but be aware that seats on the left and right side face inwards towards the center of the venue, so you may need to watch the performance looking at an angle.

Way back in 2005, before people had even invented the word "hipster," Brillobox established itself as the coolest bar for those wanting an elevated night out experience minus the pretension. Situated on Main. St right before Bloomfield turns in Lawrenceville, this venue promises a unique ambiance you won't find replicated anywhere else in the city and the bar menu to back up what all the hype is about. Head upstairs to their music venue for a variety of bands I am now far too old to know anything about and all seem way cooler than I'll ever be.

Pro Tip: For the Millennials among us, MySpace Nite (held monthly) is the best dance party in the city.

Perhaps best known for their huge selection of vinyl, this record shop also manages to pack in a nice crowd with national musicians from noise rank to folk country to enjoy as you browse the wax. These owners live and breathe music, so I encourage you to explore every inch of this store and ask questions; you never know what you're going to uncover here.

Pro Tip: This is secretly my favorite coffee shop in Pittsburgh. Even if you're not into music, try it out when you're in the Northside.

Country fans, we have live music venues for you, too! Saddle up and head to Tequila Cowboy on most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for a rotating mix of featured country artists from the Burgh and beyond. While this place plays both types of music (country and western) wander back to the karaoke bar and sing to your heart's content at this go-to party place.

In Pittsburgh, we love churches-turned-music venues. At This is Red, St. Michael's Slovakian Roman Catholic has been resurrected into the event space and concert venue. Highlights of this venue include an intricate rose window on the outside, an exciting second life for the original Brinkerhoff piano and mural-covered Grotto which all combines into perfect ambiance for shows that include jazz, experimental, electronic and more.

Neon purplish hues emanate from this new, upscale music venue in East Liberty that keeps local bands at the forefront. The same minds behind Howlers (now closed, but this used to be the best Bloomfield bar ever) opened up this fantastic brunch/event space/live music venue/restaurant/bar. Just follow the neon sign to their monthly jazz night, live band karaoke, reggae nights and much more live music fun.

Don't be intimidated by the graffiti and stickers covering every square inch of this Polish Hill venue, including the bathrooms. This is a fantastic punk bar that pulls in a supportive crowd and for a raucous, fun night of live music. Oh, and the food is dirt cheap and the portions are massive. What else could you need?

Pro Tips: This is one of few bars where you can still smoke inside. Don't miss the pinball machines and even a chess table in the back.

Crafthouse is my go-to when I want a good meal, a big selection of craft beer and a fun night of music with my friends. I love getting here early and enjoying apps and drinks during the opening acts in the spacious bar and dining room, then moseying down to the 500-capacity stage for the main act. Crafthouse gets in a bit of everything, from local cover bands to electronic, country , alt and more, so keep an eye on their ever-changing events calendar.

Pro Tips: Wingerogies. Do I have your attention? Pittsburgh's favorite dumpling, fried and tossed with the wing sauce of your choice and served with ranch or bleu cheese. Mangia! Also, parking can get full here quickly, but don't park at business lots next door. Do street parking in the neighborhood instead where permitted.

Pittsburgh's hardcore/metal scene is frankly one of the best-kept secrets in the city, and the rapid expansion of Preserving in New Kensington is quickly helping to change that. This now three-in-one venue, plus a record store, can do everything from the 800-person venue framed by stained glass in a reclaimed church to basement shows seating 300 and an intimate DIY space.

Despite the energy of the performances, the hardcore community is full of the nicest people I've ever met. So don't be afraid to get in the pit and be active during the show.

Pittsburgh's jazz legacy is a story we love to tell at VisitPITTSBURGH. While the most famous venues on the Hill District that helped spawn countless careers are now closed, Con Alma Downtown keeps this heritage alive. Every night of the week, Con Alma has world-class jazz musicians playing just feet away from a top-ranked bar and food that is consistently named one of the best bites in the Burgh.

One of the hottest night clubs in the South Side, Enclave goes all out as a performance venue with lighting, effects and sound that rivals venues twice the size. This in turn attracts the attention nationally touring DJs, EDM artists and more that fill out their concerts list, with house DJs and other special events making each weekend a party.

Wine casks serve as a very fitting backdrop to the myriad of performers who grace the stage of The Cellar, the Original Pittsburgh Winery's full-fledged music venue located right under their tasting room. Live music also happens multiple times per week in their tasting room, allowing you to see local performers and national touring acts all in one piece while you enjoy some of the best wine in the state.

The Jewel of Oakmont continues to shine just as brightly as when it opened in 1938. This movie theatre is still a great place to catch a special screening, but The Oaks Theater has evolved into a happening live music space bringing in local powerhouses and national acts which quickly sell out. Stay in the know on their events page.

While the rest of us were cooped up inside during the pandemic, the Squirrel Hill Sports Bar was expanding into a 225-capacity venue. Enjoy live music that includes local artists and specialty themed nights ranging from emo to anime kpop at this local gem.

These aren't necessarily ticketed concerts, but The Crafty Jackalope in Bridgeville is one of those great restaurants where you can hear live music a few times per week as you enjoy your meal. And, with a stunning beer selection and great wings, you'll see why this neighborhood hotspot is less of a hidden gem each week.

Your next night out can be all in one place at Cobra, which innovates with Japanese BBQ for dinner followed by live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. The sound system here is impeccable (they use the pioneering Void Acoustics system) which draws in some of the top names in house, trap, EDM, hip-hop and more to live events here.

A place of community. experimentation and collective action, Kelly Strayhorn Theater makes a mark with innovative workshops, classes, performances and more throughout the year. The venue also serves as an iconic live music stage in the heart of East Liberty with one-of-a-kind programming including the Pittsburgh Composers' Project concert celebrating local creators.

Located beneath the oldest standing gay bar in Pittsburgh, The Underground is a subterranean escape containing one of the best new venues in the Burgh. Follow their Insta for updates on upcoming discotech, club nights and end of the week dance parties in this welcoming, inclusive space where you can be you.

As we transition into some of the bigger live music venues on this list, it's worth putting the spotlight on Stage AE, maybe the most perfect mid-size venue that's ever been created. During warmer months, this is the place to see tons of national touring acts outside and with a nice lawn space. During colder months, the indoor vibe here can still fit major acts with incredible sound fidelity and lighting, or scaled all the way down to their Club at Stage AE experience for smaller acts.

Besides Smalls and Roxian, this is the venue I probably end up going to the most. There's a huge variety of genres that pass through here and the live experience somehow manages to still feel intimate even with 5,000 others around you.

Pro Tip: Add the Quick Pass to your tickets and avoid waiting in line hours in advance to get to the front row for GA shows. This add on gives you your own line and easy entry to the venue.

Baseball, apple pie, and Hard Rock Cafe. These American institutions have been around for a reason, and our Hard Rock location in Station Square offers beautiful city reviews, a variety of live music from local performers, unplugged brunch acoustic events, karaoke and more. Plus, you can't beat the views from our south shore for a scenic view of the city.

With a permanent exhibit to August Wilson and rotating exhibits to other nationally recognized artists, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center also boasts an impressive 500-seat venue increasingly being used to bring even more live music to Pittsburgh. They kick off the Blues & Heritage Festival here yearly and their music series Soul Sessions brings in jazz, soul, funk, blues and other artists to this smaller venue where there's not a bad seat in the house.

Who knows what you might see in our vibrant Cultural District, full of gorgeous theaters that entertain with Broadway productions, magic shows and much more. Heinz Hall is the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and this 2,600+ seat venue is a dream for concert goers with perfect acoustics and plush seating. This venue also will bring in national touring acts and holiday concerts, too.

The Benedum Center has been restored to its 1928 glory and is one of the poshest venues on this list. While home to the Pittsburgh Opera, this 2,800-seat venue also sees a variety of music acts perform here throughout the year. The Byham is smaller at 1,300 seats, and where you can see productions from the Bridge Theater Series, Pittsburgh Dance Council and Pittsburgh Musical Theater, but keep an eye on their events calendar for specialty concerts too, like a special Herbie Hancock performance in 2024.

And don't count out Greer Cabaret Theater, newly renovated and with ability to have inspired food and drink options brought to your table as you enjoy the show. There's free live music here weekly including jazz, quintets, drums and more.

The home of Pitt DI Basketball doubles as a 9,000+ seat venue for live music, and no matter which artist I've seen there, this place never disappoints. Despite being almost double the size of Stage AE, it still manages to feel like you're close to the artist no matter where you sit, and the venue lends itself to some of the more creative stage setups to make concerts here always just a bit more memorable than anywhere else.

Pro Tip: Don't wait in that huge line going downhill outside of the venue. Head to the other line that wraps around the building instead to save your calves.

Crowds at the home of the Pirates range from 35-45k fans in attendance, with the stage usually placed in the outfield so seats can fill the infield and utilize all the normal seating for the show. You can expect to see a country concert or two plus a touring classic rock act here each summer, but the real winner here is always watching the sunset with our skyline as a backdrop.

Pro Tips: As far as food goes, this is one venue I highly recommend eating at! Stick to the outfield walls for my favorite stadium bites. Don't be afraid to go to a Pirates game and test out your seat and view to the outfield and avoid any sections that might have you turned more towards the infield.