The Top Live Music Venues in Boston

If you’re looking to see live music while visiting Boston, there are plenty of options that cater to a variety of tastes. Our list includes the big venues – the TD Garden, Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium – along with picks for a casual night out, clubbing and everything in between. 

01 of 08

Gillette Stadium

A view of the stage during the Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour at Gillette Stadium

Nicholas Hunt / TAS18 / Getty Images 

Address
1 Patriot Pl, Foxborough, MA 02035, USA
Phone +1 508-543-8200

Gillette Stadium may be home to the New England Patriots, but it’s also where many top artists perform for their Boston tour stops, primarily from spring through fall as it’s outdoors. Recent and upcoming performances include Taylor Swift, the Rolling Stones, Kenny Chesney, Ed Sheeran, Jay Z and Beyoncé. Gillette Stadium is technically not in Boston, just over 20 miles south of the city in Foxboro, but it's still one of the most popular places to see concerts. Keep in mind that traffic pre- and post-events can be rough, so either get there early, give yourself plenty of time, or opt for an option like taking the MBTA Commuter Rail for $20 round-trip. 

02 of 08

TD Garden

TD Garden Concert

Natasha Moustache / Contributor / Getty Images

Address
100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Phone +1 617-624-1000

The TD Garden is where you can catch a Boston Celtics or Bruins game, but they also host plenty of other events, including concerts, throughout the year. Top performing artists can be seen here, ranging from Ariana Grande and Elton John to Carrie Underwood and the Backstreet Boys. The TD Garden is convenient to get to by train whether you’re already in the city or taking the MBTA’s Commuter Rails, as it’s connected to North Station.

03 of 08

Fenway Park

Pearl Jam at Fenway Park

Jim Bennett / Contributor / Getty Images 

Address
4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Phone +1 877-733-7699

Fenway Park is one of Boston’s most popular attractions, so at the very least, plan to stop by the Kenmore Square area to get a taste of what it’s all about. If you’re not into the Boston Red Sox or baseball at all, you’re in luck because Fenway has become a go-to concert venue over the past several years. Big names like Zac Brown Band, Billy Joel, Phish and Pearl Jam play here during the summer. While some may argue that the acoustics in stadiums like this aren’t as good as other venues, the experience of seeing a concert at Fenway Park is one you won’t want to miss. 

04 of 08

City Winery

Address
80 Beverly St, Boston, MA 02114, USA
Phone +1 617-933-8047

City Winery, one of the newest music venues in Boston, opened in the West End neighborhood in late 2017. Listen to live music in this 300-seat venue while you enjoy their portfolio of over 400 global wines, 20 of which are made in house. The names performing here aren’t as big as those at the TD Garden, Gillette Stadium or Fenway Park, but you can still catch familiar artists, such as Sara Evans, Talib Kweli and Los Lobos. City Winery has over 20 live music shows set up each month. 

Continue to 5 of 8 below.
05 of 08

House of Blues Boston

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic perform at House of Blues

Paul Marotta / Contributor / Getty Images

Address
15 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Phone +1 888-693-2583

The House of Blues Boston came to life through founder Isaac Tigrett’s love for “the Blues,” with the first location opening in an old house in Cambridge in 1992. The goal was to highlight rural Southern music — from the Blues and Gospel, to Jazz and Roots-based Rock & Roll. Today, the House of Blues Boston is located on Lansdowne Street near Fenway Park and the venue remains committed to offering a lineup of diverse artists to celebrate Southern and African American art and music. Examples of artists who perform here are Wu-Tang Clan, New Found Glory, Carly Rae Jepsen and Jill Scott.

06 of 08

The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub

Exterior of the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub

 The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub 

Address
472-480 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Phone +1 617-864-3278

The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub is known as a spot for underground and indie artists. Located in Cambridge, their Downstairs area is where the bigger (and more expensive) shows are, but you can also experience talented live musicians in their other areas, the Corner, Zuzu and Upstairs.

07 of 08

Lucky's Lounge

Singer performing at Lucky's Lounge

 Lucky's Lounge

Address
355 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210, USA
Phone +1 617-357-5825

Looking for a night out to a no-frills bar with live music to dance to? Lucky’s Lounge on Congress Street at the intersection of Fort Point and South Boston. Check the schedule before you go — a few nights a week they have talented live musicians that will play songs you’ll want to sing and dance along to. One former regular band recently ended up on The Voice! Like most popular Boston bars, Lucky’s does fill up on nights with live music and weekend nights, so keep that in mind as you plan your evening.

08 of 08

The Grand

Address
58 Seaport Blvd #300, Boston, MA 02210, USA
Phone +1 617-322-0200

The Grand is Boston’s most popular club, where the live music doesn't come from someone singing or playing an instrument, but instead from top DJs. It’s a much different experience than the venues listed above — more of a Las Vegas-style club with bottle service and dancing – but it is where you should go if you’re looking for a big night out listening to DJs playing EDM and hip-hop. 

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The Top Live Music Venues in Boston