10 Best Places to See Live Music in Phoenix

The Musical Instrument Museum is among the largest of its kind in the world, and it has a concert hall on the ground floor for after-hours performances. The collection of instruments, memorabilia, and ephemera here encompasses over 15,000 objects from over 200 countries, showcasing many types of music including folk, tribal, and ethnic traditions.

The concert hall seats 299 people and has seen such notable events as Joshua Bell recording an album here in 2011. The museum also offers a café with indoor and outdoor seating to grab a light snack and drink before or after your show. It's located just about a 30-minute drive to the north of central downtown.

The Crescent Ballroom is an iconic venue where you can enjoy fantastic food from a full kitchen while catching nightly shows from local and national acts. Local acts in the lounge area are free nightly, while paid showcase performances take place on an intimate stage in the concert room. The entire venue is a renovated warehouse with an industrial, exposed brick, vaulted-ceiling aesthetic.

The Crescent Ballroom is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix and has become one of the city's most popular venues. It draws both acclaimed touring acts and local up-and-coming acts. Don't forget to order a meal while you're here; the food is gourmet-level good.

Valley Bar is a hip and trendy downtown bar that offers a basement showcasing various genres of music, plus drinks and games on a nightly basis. You catch unique and eclectic acts from a wide range of indie genres, and you can also play pool, throw skee ball, play some vintage arcade games, sit down with a board game, or relax in the Rose Room lounge.

The décor here features original woodwork and has a clean and hip vibe. The music acts are unique and you might just discover your next favorite band or artist. Whether you're here for a craft cocktail in the lounge or to check a new act, you're sure to have a great time.

The Marquee Theatre is a 1,000-seat venue in Tempe that offers festival seating and a diverse lineup of hip hop, rock, indie, and other artists. The venue is an intimate one that feels large and yet keeps you never far from the stage. Drinks are available, and you can smoke on the outdoor patio area. It offers outstanding acoustics and a scenic location.

It's just about 20 minutes to the east of Phoenix and is the place to catch the biggest names in national hip hop and rock acts. You'll find plenty of parking available, and even if the lot is full, you can easily park across the bridge and walk over.

The Nash Jazz Club is among the only venues in Phoenix dedicated solely to blues and jazz, attracting local and international acts every night of the week. Here you can hear everything from modern soft jazz artists to big band swing artists, experimental, progressive, and avant-garde jazz. It's named after the legendary local drummer Lewis Nash and offers quality music in an intimate setting.

The club is run by a nonprofit whose mission is to raise the visibility of the jazz scene across Arizona. It also hosts educational and community programs. It's a BYOB venue, so bring your favorite libations along for the ride. This eclectic jazz and blues bar is right in the heart of downtown.

Yucca Tap Room is not just a great place to catch the latest live acts from local and international artists but is a full local brasserie with great beer. You can enjoy solid craft brews as well as craft cocktails from knowledgeable bartenders and kick back with popular acts from your favorite stars. Between performances, don't forget to check out the art exhibit featuring stunning works from a wide variety of creators.

The Yucca Tap Room is in the heart of downtown Tempe, AZ, just about 20 minutes east of downtown Phoenix. It's a laid back venue that still manages to be hip even after nearly 50 years of offering entertainment to the local crowd.

The Rebel Lounge is a live music venue and bar at the location of a former legendary rock club, offering eclectic lineups of up-and-coming indie and established big-name acts. The club’s acts run the gamut of genres from indie rock to heavy metal, pop and dance to hip hop and electronica. It offers state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and all shows are general admission.

The club is in the heart of midtown Phoenix and features no dress code, so wear your tour-damaged t-shirts and jeans. It offers nightly drink specials and even open mic nights for new acts to strut their stuff.

The Nile Theater showcases rock shows in a legendary concert hall venue and is a go-to spot for established and up-and-coming local and national acts. The hall has had its share of problems with a rough-and-tumble reputation that led to its temporary shutdown but is renovated, cleaned-up, and has hosted popular indie acts like BrokeNCYDE, The Aquabats, and a range of local power pop acts.

The historic building has been here since 1924 and has served as a theater for most of its existence, save a brief stint as a bookstore and church. It's in the heart of Mesa, about 30 minutes from downtown Phoenix to the east. If you're a music fan, it's a must-visit venue.

Bourbon Jacks is a family-owned bar and restaurant showcasing the latest local and national country and western music acts in down-home, comfortable, and welcoming surroundings. It's famed for its combination of contemporary atmosphere combined with traditional values and charm. It has a full menu with a wide range of classic southern fare and has graced many local "Best of" lists over its years of operation.

Bourbon Jacks is located in Chandler, AZ, just about a half-hour to the southeast of downtown Phoenix. It's very much a family-friendly place where you'll enjoy great food, good music, and good company.

Symphony Hall offers classical and opera performances with a classy and upscale venue that brings the feeling of "a night at the show" to the forefront. A range of legendary contemporary acts have also graced the stage, like Robert Plant, as well as Broadway touring shows. Whatever act you're going to see here, whether a Pink Floyd tribute or a symphony orchestra performing a Mozart suite, you'll feel in the lap of luxury.

Symphony Hall is in the heart of downtown Phoenix in the Convention Center, so it's easy to reach. It's been offering entertainment to the locals for over 50 years and counting and is home to the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the Arizona Opera, and Ballet Arizona.