Boston

Best Live Music Bars in Boston

From intimate jazz rooms in the South End to energetic rock venues in Allston. The 12 essential venues for live music in Boston.

  1. 01

    Wally's Cafe SPONSORED

    South End / Columbus Ave · $

  2. 02

    Scullers Jazz Club SPONSORED

    Allston / Brighton · $$$

  3. 03

    The Sinclair

    Cambridge / Harvard Square · $$

  4. 04

    Brighton Music Hall

    Allston · $$

  5. 05

    Great Scott

    Allston · $

  6. 06

    The Beehive

    South End · $$

  7. 07

    Regattabar at Charles Hotel

    Cambridge / Harvard Square · $$$

  8. 08

    Cantab Lounge

    Cambridge / Central Square · $

  9. 09

    Oberon

    Cambridge / Harvard Square · $$$

  10. 10

    Paradise Rock Club

    Allston · $$

  11. 11

    Club Passim

    Cambridge / Harvard Square · $$

  12. 12

    Hong Kong Restaurant and Bar

    Cambridge / Harvard Square · $

The premier room for nationally touring jazz acts. Hotel setting at the DoubleTree, but don't let that fool you. 200 seats, excellent sightlines, serious sound system. Reserve well in advance for headliners.

Mid-capacity venue that books the best emerging artists before they graduate to bigger rooms. 525-person capacity, full bar, surprising food menu.

The 450-person capacity room that hosts the indie and alternative circuit. The booker has an excellent track record for catching acts on the rise.

Keep exploring

Related guides

Think we missed one?

Submit a bar

Keep exploring

More of Boston

Looking beyond Boston? See our guide to the best live music bars worldwide, or compare live music bars city by city.