Philly's 15 Best Music Venues, Ranked

Philly has always been an art town , and the rise of Modern music venues over the last decade has only made more room for local bands to find a place on stage . These unexampled venues do well to complement Philly ’s historic concert halls , those long - running field that have a history of hosting every kind of execution you could find in this city – which facilitate make Philly ’s medicine view today all the more vibrant . From balconied halls with velvet chair , to hole - in - the - wall stages in dive bars , we ’ve gathered our 15 favorites for a not - at - all - definitive ranking of the city ’s good locale .

15.Kung Fu Necktie

FishtownKung Fu Necktie ’s biggest asset as a venue is its quality . The commercial-grade froufrou is set apart , and you ’re leave with a gritty ( yet still trendy ) golf hole in the wall with a small microscope stage that ply to punk bands . While this does draw in greedy punk followers , the locus is also full of other strayer who , despite throw to pay a book binding fee because of a show , are n’t really there for the show – so do n’t require a hush to lessen over the taproom or for the great unwashed to pay attention just because a isthmus is encounter . Nevertheless , it ’s a adept place to arrest younger , smaller touring acts , and the occasional terpsichore political party .

14.The Foundry at The Fillmore

FishtownIt turns out The Fillmore is in reality two venues in one , with the smaller , upstairs venue – The Foundry – pumping out just as many show as its mainstage similitude . As one of the newest venues in Philly ( it ’s not even a year honest-to-god ) , The Foundry draws comparisons to other small Empire State of the South venues in the city ( though not as large as the TLA or the Trocadero ) , and offer up a lounge setting with lush sofas spread out throughout . The stage is small , and standing way is mean , but the sound quality is still intact . Plus , another benefit of being a unexampled locale : it ’s still relatively clean , including the bathrooms . Get in now while it lasts !

13.Electric Factory

Spring GardenElectric Factory is one of the city ’s big GA venues , attracting cardinal performing artist across musical genre thanks to its 3,000 standing room capability . draw magnanimous names is one of Electric Factory ’s most pregnant selling point in time , though the venue is not without its shortcomings . charge of overcrowding and acoustic in the recollective ( but not very all-embracing ) space , as well as hard - to - get - to bar , are a couple issues that keep this venue from range gamey , especially after the emergence of a handful of locus over the last five eld . But not all is lose : once you make it to those hard bars , price are pretty average considering the scope .

12.The Fillmore

FishtownOne of Philly ’s New venues ( it open its doors last October with an inaugural carrying into action by Philly aboriginal Hall & Oates ) compact a mess of hope into its 125 - class - honest-to-god construction . The former Ajax blank space is now decked out as a trendy music hall : a renovated Volkswagen passenger vehicle betray merchandise , and there ’s a repurposed American flag wall painting and delicate clean chandeliers in the master medicine hall , which houses approximately 2,500 standing room visitant . The locale ’s blueprint , at least so far , has been able to deflect the problem of overcrowding , usual at some older Philly venues .

11.MilkBoy

Market EastIf you want to skip the high - profile musicians in the thick of a billion - stop globe tour , take a break at MilkBoy . The second - flooring microscope stage ’s laid - back vibration and easy accessible streak ( not to cite tatty ticket ) make for a expectant spot to see a sampling of dedicated local band or rising acts from other cities slowly work a name for themselves . When the show is over , just move downstairs to keep the fun going at MilkBoy ’s chief bar .

10.Johnny Brenda’s

FishtownSomething about the dour corner , ambient inflammation , and rotating pool tables make JB ’s an instant comfort beguiler when you take the air in , and that ’s without even manoeuver to the second floor where the medicine is . There are shows on a higher floor almost every dark , hosting a range of local and touring musician , as well as experimental operation creative person . The intimate outer space also add itself to great view : park by one of the upstair bars , grab a spot on the standing room trading floor , or take a seat from the balcony and bask the gamy production value , both acoustically and aesthetically , that JB ’s pack into such a relatively small venue .

9.Boot & Saddle

Passyunk SquareOver the last duet years , Boot & Saddle has risen as a go - to stop for littler indie human activity on go , and the unpretending , divey venue accommodates in a homey blank that still has some external respiration room . The reservation is in the same vein as Union Transfer , with an vehemence on indie stone bands . During showtime , you may also expect some solid drinkable special , like $ 3 cocktail and half - price drafts .

8.The Trocadero Theatre

ChinatownThe Troc has a little something for everyone , which makes it the perfect bric - a - brac of new and onetime Philly ’s many quirks . The GA space is intimate inside ( 1,200 people at standing way capacitance ) , offering what feel like easy availability to your favorite band , but the interior reflects its past as a historic theater date back to 1870 . When not hosting euphony act , it has been known to feature headlining comedian , burlesque shows , and weeknight celluloid screenings of cult classic .

7.The Mann Center

Fairmount ParkThe indoor - outdoor Mann Center creates the ideal congeal for watch a live show , particularly in the warm months . The venue gives off the ambience of a musical festival without having to actuallygoto a euphony festival . GA entree signify you could arrive betimes to park up front in a stern that will protect you from the element , but you could also bring a cover and notice your stead in the grass . Depending on the act , the open space does n’t always make for the best acoustics , but rest assured it will always look moderately when the sunshine sets and you could see the city apparent horizon in the distance .

6.Tower Theater

Upper DarbyThe Tower Theater has the same regal ambiance within as it did when it opened in 1927 , even as the expanse surrounding its location at 69th St has changed a set . If you need to finger old - mankind fanciful in a venue that hosted David Bowie during one of his first - ever execution in the US , then look no further . The mellow ceilings lead to some stunning acoustic and a nostalgic feel that lingers no matter who you ’re seeing live . Plus , it ’s just across the street from the El .

5.First Unitarian Church

RittenhouseIt ’s funny to consider “ The Church ” one of the hotbed for host alternate euphony ( if you liked an emo dance band in the zero , you probably witness them here ) . The church building cellar ( Griffin Hall ) continues to be home to many punk and indie acts while still go as a residential area mall in day . The venue does n’t fall prey to high booking fee , in part thanks to locally belovedR5 Productions . Just beware : all dependable concert might get sweaty , but they are extra overheat in the church building .

4.Kimmel CenterandThe Academy of Music

boulevard of the ArtsAs much as Philly loves its grainy GA music venue , there ’s no deny the beauty of a show at The Academy of Music . The venue ( which , having opened in 1857 , may or may not behaunted ) has been known to attract indie superboy Sufjan Stevens on more than one social occasion , as well as other modern music acts . Within a mental block of The Academy is the Kimmel Center . The two have a lot in vulgar when it occur to ambiance and highbrow execution . The Kimmel Center is much New – it open up its door in 2001 – and is known to host touring theatre productions as well as orchestra , bedchamber music , and jazz . The vaulted ice ceiling – not to mentionVolvérnext door – make it a grade - A locus worth a visit even if you ’re shy whether the events are your style or not .

3.Union Transfer

CallowhillSince gap in 2011 , Union Transfer has become a go - to for emerge and top - rated artists on the indie tilt flight ( returning artists include Courtney Barnett , St. Vincent , and spat Your Hands Say Yeah , who gave the venue ’s inaugural performance ) , though M83 , Aesop Rock , and other artists outside the indie rock bubble are also known to make appearance . Besides attracting what seems like every voguish creative person who ’s on tour , it also host a generous bar you could hide out in if you ’re not feeling the opener – plus it ’s just across the street from beer gardenLlama Tooth , so basically you have access to music + beer = a great night .

2.World Cafe Live

University CityTwo stages sharing a edifice with Philly ’s most loved and most quintessential radio place –WXPN– easily make World Cafe endure one of Philly ’s good venues ( the Friday Free at Noon shows do n’t hurt either ) . The primary point downstairs has on the dot zero bad views – the space is at once intimate and roomy , making you feel unaired to the performers , but not while also getting all sweaty and clamor between other concertgoers . Local musicians and rise ring tend to take over the upstairs stage , so whether you ’re looking for emerging creative person or well - lay down indie turn , World Cafe Live has it .

1.TLA

South StreetThis long - running South Street staple has seen a heap of change over the years , starting in 1908 , when it was opened as the Crystal Palace . Today , it ’s been heralded for its enceinte acoustic , create it one of the effective locale in the res publica , even if renovations over the last decade think you ca n’t rest your cubital joint and your swallow on the stage any longer . The set - up is exchangeable to the open space at venues like The Fillmore , but on a pocket-sized , more intimate scale , and with splendid strait no matter how near you get to the stage .

Sign up herefor our daily Philly email and be the first to get all the intellectual nourishment / drink / playfulness in town .

The Fillmore Philadelphia