In a massive win for the live music industry, Congress recently passed the Save Our Stages (SOS) Act, designating federal grants and funds for independent venues across the country.
But, it didn’t happen overnight.
NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association partnered with thousands of venues and promoters over the last nine months, working tirelessly to combat the pandemic’s impact on small stages. Along with petitions and fundraisers, venue owners, musicians and supporters called and emailed local Congress members to demand emergency relief funds.
After months of waiting anxiously for Congress to pass this bill, good news finally arrived. The #SaveOurStages Act is a lifeline for independent music venues at risk of going under.
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While federal funds get disbursed, you can still take action by offering donations and support to preserve these community institutions. While there are too many amazing venues in each state to pick a single favorite, here is our list of smaller independent venues that could use additional support during this time.
Alabama: The Nick
Deemed “Birmingham’s Little Secret,” The Nick has been around for over 30 years and opened at a time when the city lacked options for original bands. An old convenience store, the 250-person venue packs a long history of hosting major headliners before they become famous – most notably Widespread Panic.
Alaska: Showdown Alaska
As the state’s epicenter for independent and premier artists and shows, the pandemic has led the venue and production company to turn to the community. Showdown Alaska in Anchorage put on the state’s first virtual concert with 100% of proceeds going to The Food Bank of Alaska.
Arizona: The Rebel Lounge
Unmistakably independent, The Rebel Lounge (previously known as The Mason Jar) is a small venue with a big heart. The venue has been awarded “Best Punk Club,” “Best Rock Club,” “Best Marquee,” and “Best Rebooted Venue” by the Phoenix New Times in their annual Best Of Phoenix awards. The venue is also home to a local coffee bar, Reap and Sow Coffee.
Arkansas: George’s Majestic Lounge
Hailed as the oldest and longest-running music venue in Arkansas, George’s was also listed as one of the best venues in America by Consequences of Sound. Located in the college town of Fayetteville, the bar interestingly holds a massive collection of yearbooks for patrons to sign. At George’s Majestic Lounge, you’ll hear Southern roots rock and blues most of the time.
California: The Chapel
A converted chapel and morgue, this midsized San Francisco music venue feels intimate with top-notch lighting and a singular disco ball. All ages are welcome to experience shows from a spectrum of genres, including folk, punk, indie and psychedelic surf rock, to name a few.
Colorado: Larimer Lounge
Established early on in Denver’s trendy RiNo neighborhood, Larimer Lounge books local and nationally recognized indie, punk, and alternative artists. Some past acts include Thundercat, The Arcade Fire and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. The Larimer Lounge earned the reputation as Best Rock Club by Westworld publication in 2016 and 2017 and continues to remain a staple music venue in the community.
Connecticut: The Side Door Jazz Club
The Side Door Jazz Club inside the Old Lyme Inn is described as a world-class jazz club. Rated as one of the top jazz venues in the world by DOWNBEAT Magazine, renowned jazz artists come to this unique and intimate venue to perform in the 75-person room with excellent acoustics.
Delaware: The Queen Theatre
Built in the 1800s, the historic Queen Theatre in Wilmington is more than a live music venue. Many events give back to the community and help aspiring musicians. Each year, they host a Shine A Light (™) concert to raise funds for local and regional musical artists. The Queen also hosts a two-week long living jazz residency for musicians and composers ages 17 to 25 to collaborate and gain hands-on experience.
Florida: Churchill’s Pub
Dubbed the CBGB of the South, this Miami venue has been around since 1979 and has earned the record of most performances hosted in one single venue. Even with big acts, like Iggy Pop and Social Distortion in its repertoire, Churchill’s Pub regularly hosts open mic nights and no-name bands. The grungy dive bar is a mainstay for locals and a tourist destination for punk and rock lovers. It’s one of a kind in Miami’s late night scene, with lax rules, cheap drinks, and a bustling home for punk, metal and rock music.
Georgia: 40 Watt Club
Athens is a college town and home to the 40 Watt Club, a launchpad for artists such as R.E.M, Of Montreal, Neutral Milk Hotel and The B-52’s, among many others. It’s known for propelling new wave and American punk rock music. You never know who you might discover at this legendary venue.
Hawaii: The Republik
The Republik in Honolulu books some of the biggest artists in Hawaii, but doesn’t forget about featuring local musicians on a regular basis. On social media, they highlight fundraisers, community events, performance spotlights, and news impacting the independent music scene.
Idaho: Neurolux
You’ll find touring independent bands at this 27-year old Boise music venue. Performances go on almost nightly in a laid-back atmosphere with chill crowds and stiff drinks. It’s consistently voted as Boise Weekly’s Best Music Venue.
Illinois: The Hideout
The colorful history behind The Hideout is evident in its uniqueness today. The house turned venue was constructed in two days at the end of the 19th century and was originally ran by bootleggers and gamblers. Eventually, it became a haven for jazz, alternative, post-rock, indie, and country artists. Many bands love playing at The Hideout. In fact, Phantom Planet’s “California” music video was filmed here.
Indiana: The Slippery Noodle Inn
Hailed as Indiana’s oldest and continuously operated bar, The Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in the 1860s, the building has undergone multiple name changes, was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and was frequented by Prohibition gangs. It eventually became a premier blues destination in the Midwest and hosts live blues seven days a week from local, regional and national groups.
Iowa: Surf Ballroom
An American cultural icon and Historic Rock and Roll Landmark in Clear Lake houses a venue resembling an ocean beach club from the 1930s and 40s. It’s also the last stage where three major performers, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. The Big Bopper Richardson were killed in a plane crash, dubbing it the Day the Music Died. You can still attend shows at the iconic Surf Ballroom, or tour the venue and museum.
Kansas: Kirby’s Beer Store
Kirby’s Beer Store compares to the size of most people’s living rooms, with the essentials for a good time: a bar, stage, and jukebox. Located in Wichita, this hole in the wall establishment hosts music from around the country and is regarded as one of the top dive bars in the USA. It’s always free to the public, and bands get paid from crowd tips.
Kentucky: Zanzabar
Zanzabar is voted as one of the top-rated music venues in Louisville, with live performances almost every night of the week. It attracts both local and national touring acts and has been around since the 1930s, boasting generations of local patrons, plus lots of vintage arcade games.
Louisiana: Tipitinas
With many live music options in New Orleans, narrowing down a venue was tough. Tipitinas is dedicated to legendary New Orleans rhythm and blues artist, Henry Roeland Byrd, AKA Professor Longhair, and his song, Tipitina. The venue was opened in 1977 by the Fabulous Fo’teen, a group of musicians and fans who wanted to give Longhair a place to perform in his last years. The iconic venue encapsulates the New Orleans music scene and continuously hosts rising stars and renowned artists alike.
Maine: Sun Tiki Studios
What happens when a former tanning salon gets converted to a music venue? Sun Tiki Studios in Portland, Maine. In the daytime, they provide full rehearsal space, and at night, they convert to a live music stage. Sun Tiki Studios prides itself on offering a place for all ages to learn, practice and perform.
Maryland: The 8×10
You know you’ve found a good spot when a venue has its own Commandments for keeping the music sacred. Sometimes that means admitting not everyone can just come up and entertain a crowd. Still, the Baltimore venue truly wants to help artists and new bands find opportunities to play, by hosting open mic nights and jam nights, as well as $5 for five bands, and monthly battles.
Massachusetts: The Lizard Lounge
Head to the basement of Cambridge’s The Lizard Lounge and you’ll find emerging local bands and national touring artists, as well as open mic nights and slam poetry nights. With no genre limitations, you’ll hear anything from rock to Balkan Folk to classic, or even opera. The Huffington Post describes it as “…a house party without a curfew.”
Michigan: The Marble Bar
You can’t talk about the Detroit music scene without talking about techno. As the birthplace of techno, you’ll find authentic off-shoots, such as EDM, house and dubstep in this city. The Marble Bar features diverse crowds, underground and well-known DJs and dancing until the late morning hours. They also recently launched a record label and a new pandemic relief album.
Minnesota: The Cedar Cultural Center
Centered at the heart of the diverse Cedar Riverside neighborhood in Minneapolis, The Cedar provides artist residencies, workshops and educational programs and features over 200 shows each year. You can explore intercultural and global voices, from local and internationally known musicians from a broad range of folk, blues, experimental genres and beyond. This non-profit embraces the Somali community and helps create awareness through music.
Mississippi: New Roxy
A former cinema left vacant for three decades now houses the New Roxy in Clarksdale. While restoration is in progress, the open-air ceiling and exposed brick lay a dreamy canvas for warm Mississippi nights under the stars. New Roxy is known for live blues and Americana acts and its reinvigoration of music and history in the community.
Missouri: Blank Space
Blank Space in St. Louis is a bar, gallery, study hall, bookstore, record shop and live music venue. Described as a place where grassroots artists and activists can come together for performances, launch parties and art shows, you’ll find instrumental, hip-hop, freestyle, DJ sets and overall welcoming and authentic vibes here.
Montana: The Pub Station
Located in Billings, you can see a broad range of both local and national artists at this 800-capacity venue. This live music establishment and recording studio is known for high-quality sound production.
Nebraska: The Bourbon Theatre
Housed in an old 1930s theatre, the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln showcases national touring acts from electronic indie bands to country artists to metal to every genre in between. The all-ages venue boasts a close-up stage, quality sound system, and overall an intimate concert experience, no matter the popularity of the artist.
Nevada: Fresh Bakin’
Fresh Bakin’ sounds just like the name. Since 2002, this venue has been serving up beats and electronic sets to the Reno and Tahoe crowd. You can also find music, art, podcasts and virtual events.
New Hampshire: The Stone Church Music Club
Fifty years and 150,000 shows make up the most recent history of this independent music venue in Newmarket, which was actually constructed in 1832 as a Universalist meeting house. In 1970, the building was purchased by two college students who wanted to preserve the Woodstock mentality. Artists like Bill Morrissey, Bela Fleck, Bonnie Rait and Ritchie Havens make up a small portion of notable acts to grace this stage.
New Jersey: Shanghai Jazz Restaurant
Rated as one of the top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World, this Madison restaurant and bar features jazz music and blues five days a week. You’ll hear from local favorites, big-name artists and acts from New York’s music scene in this cozy venue.
New Mexico: Launchpad
In Albuquerque, you’ll find Launchpad, a local favorite for live music and touring bands, and yes, it has a rocket ship. Featuring indie pop, ska, folk and beyond, a range of emerging artists come here to play. Plus, they’ve been posting virtual shows and news on social media to keep the community engaged.
New York: Nublu Classic & Nublu 151
Frankly, New York offers so many independent venues, it’s tough to decide. Nublu encompasses two jazz clubs, a record label, a festival and a cultural experience. Opening in 2002 in the East Village by a Swedish-Turkish Saxophonist, the venue combines jazz, Caribbean, African, and South American sounds along with electronic and dance music.
North Carolina: The Ramkat
In downtown Winston-Salem, The Ramkat delivers high-quality musical performances both in-person and via video production since COVID-19. Many artists bring an Americana, folk-country feel, though plenty of indie- alternative and hip hop artists fill the stages as well. The emphasis is very much on musicianship and talent.
North Dakota: Fargo Theatre
This vaudeville theatre built in 1926 and restored in 1999, attracts live events and concerts. It houses a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ and art deco architectural features. It’s also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While you can still catch independent and classic films here, you can also hear artists like Leo Kottke and the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Ohio: Grog Shop
A small stage and all-ages welcome venue in Cleveland Heights strives to offer live music seven days a week. The venue hosts local bands and nationally touring artists and everyone in between. No genre is off-limits; you’ll hear reggae, metal, hip-hop, indie and punk musicians. Some notable past artists include Elliot Smith, Bright Eyes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Established in 1992, the Grog Shop is an important fixture in Cleveland’s independent music scene.
Oklahoma: Maggie’s Music Box
In the middle of Oklahoma, Maggie’s Music Box offers a warm atmosphere with rum drinks and island vibes. People can experience two intimate stages, one indoors and one outdoors. The owners emphasize the importance of featuring local talent and Tulsa musicians, and you’ll definitely encounter lots of blues at this newer establishment.
Oregon: Wonder Ballroom
For 15 years, the Wonder Ballroom in Portland has been offering independent artists, singer-songwriters, and household names in a historic, gothic-style building. The venue holds just under 800 people and has a balcony with what many patrons describe as “no bad views.” In light of the pandemic, Portland’s own, The Dandy Warhols released a live stream film event of their 2013 show at The Wonder.
Pennsylvania: MilkBoy
Before it was a bar, restaurant, and live music venue, it was MilkBoy the Studio. They recorded albums for musical artists such as The Roots, Erykah Badu, and James Taylor among dozens of others. Like their studio, you can catch diverse genres in their small venue, as well as experience the Philadelphia local music scene through open mic nights.
Rhode Island: Pump House Music Works
Beginning as a guitar-making school, Pump House Music Works in Wakefield gathered musicians together with open jam nights and eventually filled weekends with scheduled shows. Voted by RI Monthly Magazine as the state’s Best New Live Music Venue, the non-profit organization seeks to provide high-quality concerts in their small 125 person space. They still hold monthly open mic nights to allow beginner and experienced artists the opportunity to perform.
South Carolina: The Pour House
Charleston’s The Pour House prides itself on being “a regional epicenter for music lovers, artists of various mediums, and other like-minded individuals” Acoustic shows, singer-songwriters, indie, blues, country and folk artists, find quality acoustics in this small venue for national tours and local musicians.
South Dakota: The Custer Beacon
Serving the Black Hills Community, this barn space hosts rock, country, Americana and blues music events on a weekly basis. Keeping much of the music local and regional, the entertainment venue also hosts open bluegrass jam sessions and country dance nights.
Tennessee: Mercy Lounge
Tennessee has two music towns, but in Nashville, the independently owned and operated Mercy Lounge features three stages for locally-loved bands and nationally-known artists. Typically open six nights a week, the Mercy Lounge has a country history dating back to the 70s and a top rock reputation from the 80s and 90s, with acts such as Janes Addiction and Lenny Kravitz.
Texas: C-Boys Heart and Soul
In Austin, you’ll find live music seven nights a week at this 50s style lounge. Known best for R&B, classic soul, funk, blues and country, C-Boys Heart and Soul has an eye for talent and can put on a show. The owner also owns and operates the famed Continental Club down the street, but the C-Boys is named after his mentor, Louis Charles AKA “C-Boy Parks,” who managed the legendary Austin blues club, the Rome Inn.
Utah: The Complex
The Complex in downtown Salt Lake City includes a footprint of five total live music venues guaranteeing a constant rotation of performances both indoors and outdoors. Running the gamut of genres, you can hear Primus one day and Amine the next. This entertainment mega-venue is easily the place to see live concerts in the state.
Vermont: Billsville House Concerts
This one-of-a-kind venue lives in a family’s actual home. They offer artists a home-cooked meal and a place to stay. Also, 100% of the proceeds go directly back to the artist. There’s a great deal of passion and talent involved, and the sets feel curated and special. It’s a place with a lot of heart and authenticity for the artists and the music.
Virginia: 5 Points Music Sanctuary
The 5 Points Music Sanctuary in Roanoke is more than just a venue. They give free music therapy to children and adults with special needs or concerns. Over the years, they’ve managed to donate $30,000 worth of music therapy to people in need. As advocates of the hearing disabled, they also provide a “Soundfriendly” environment and work with artists to create safe decibel-level shows. Additionally, they offer special backpacks that send vibrations to help hearing-impaired audiences experience live shows beyond the sound.
Washington: The Vera Project
In Seattle, The Vera Project’s all-ages, non-profit space is dedicated to fostering creative inspiration, collaboration and growth among youth aged musicians. It’s a music venue, recording studio, rental space and learning center all under the same roof. It’s a place where you can learn sound and audio production, DJing, concert lighting and live streaming. From practical application to “radical self-expression,” this grassroots organization aims to create opportunities for young people often excluded from the music scene.
West Virginia: The Purple Fiddle
An on-site hostel, cafe and venue make The Purple Fiddle in Thomas is a unique place to see high-quality live music. You’ll hear Appalachian-based, mostly acoustic artists almost every day of the week. They are typically booked solid six months in advance with an impressive history, including the Avett Brothers.
Wisconsin: Warehouse
A three-level venue in LaCrosse for all ages, Warehouse is unlike any other venue in the Midwest. They’ve held over 8,000 shows and cater to emo, punk and hardcore music lovers. They never serve alcohol but instead offer over 75 sodas from around the world. Past acts include Fall Out Boy and Less Than Jake. They are a non-profit organization, who also donate to various causes when financially possible.
Wyoming: Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Established in 1937, this Jackson bar and entertainment venue is a local landmark. Celebrities, presidents and regular folks come to this Western bar for dancing and to witness some of the greatest country acts. From Hank Williams Jr. to Willie Nelson, The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar books big-name artists and local legends every night of the week.