Hear that? It’s the scintillating sound of Chattanooga’s live music venues beckoning you to a performance you’ll never forget.
The concert scene is truly unmatched in our area — from The Signal to Moon River Music Festival, there’s a stage for any type of tune. To get to know them all, you must do three things.
Put your hands in the air, wave ‘em like you just don’t care, then lay your eyes (and ears) on our guide.
Concert halls
The Signal | 21 Choo Choo Ave.
Capacity: 2,000
After recently moving locations, this venue now offers an event space and concert hall, bringing in a range of acts. Think: Local musicians, nationally-known artists, and themed DJ nights.
Memorial Auditorium | 399 McCallie Ave.
Capacity: 3,866
Dedicated in 1922 as a living memorial to those who served in the armed forces, this space puts on theatrical performances, concerts, comedy shows, and community events.
Walker Theatre | 399 McCallie Ave.
Capacity: 851
This concert hall, located inside of Memorial Auditorium, hosts more intimate shows. With acts like the Indigo Girls, Mac DeMarco, and “Weird Al” Yankovic, you’re bound to see a great performance here.
Head to these spots to have a more intimate viewing experience.
Photo by @thewoodshoppresents
Intimate spaces
Barrelhouse Ballroom | 1501 Long St.
Capacity: 500
Located in a shared space with Five Wits Brewing Co., this venue hosts local and regional acts, themed nights like Grateful Dead Mondays, and all-day festivals. Bonus: Try out local brews while you’re there for a show.
Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum | 35 Station St.
Capacity: 230-350
This guitar museum doubles as a concert venue with two stages for live music — all shows are 18+ and valid IDs must be shown at the door.
Barking Legs Theater | 1307 Dodds Ave.
Capacity: 76-150
Acting as a community hub that showcases anything from theater to comedy shows, you can see intimate musical acts inside this cozy spot. Programming includes Wednesday night jazz sessions.
The Woodshop | 5500 St. Elmo Ave.
Capacity: 50
This neighborhood venue hosts live music events and live recordings, offering an experience that is up close and personal.
Redbud Venue | 2314 E. 13th St.
Capacity: 150-200
There’s a variety of options that come with this space, whether it’s seeing a live show, recording music, or even renting it out for rehearsal.
Yellow Racket Records | 2311 E. Main St.
Capacity: 125
Spend an evening listening to live music acts inside of a local record store.
Poor Taste | 61 E. Main St.
This vintage clothing store doubles as a venue hosting live music, typically of the rock and alternative genre.
Enjoy your food or beverages with a live soundtrack comprised of local and regional musicians.
Photo by @omgsunnyd
Restaurants/Bars/Cafes
The Boneyard | 26 Station St.
Capacity: 150-400
You can listen to different genres from this bar’s stage including jazz, blues, and punk rock. Songwriters in the area are also welcome to join in on the songwriter circle nights.
Wanderlinger Brewing Co. | 1208 King St.
Capacity: 40-150+
Sip on a beer made by this local brewery while listening to live music in this historic building.
Cherry Street Tavern | 719 Cherry St.
Capacity: 99
Offering its stage to local and regional musicians most days of the week, you can always find live music happening inside this spot.
Gate 11 Distillery | 1400 Market St.
Capacity: 50-100
Every Monday evening you can listen to this distillery’s blues jam sessions featuring local acts.
The Feed Table and Tavern | 201 W. Main St.
Capacity: 80-110
Dinner and a show anyone? Enjoy your meal with live music in the background when sitting outside in the tavern side of this restaurant every Thursday night. Bonus: This is a covered patio area for the colder months.
JJ’s Bohemia | 231 E. MLK Blvd.
Capacity: 150
Host to primarily punk rock acts in the area, this 21+ spot has been “Chattanooga’s favorite weird little venue since 2006.”
Honey Seed | 1705 Market St.
Capacity: 120
This hand-rolled bagel and wood-fired pizza shop hosts live music every Tuesday and Saturday nights, featuring local acts.
The Dark Roast | 208 Frazier Ave.
Capacity: 100
Located inside of Stone Cup Café in the heart of NorthShore, this venue is home to various music events that are suitable for a mixed range of all ages and adults.
Backstage Bar | 29 Station St.
You can hear music from local artists every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on this bar’s covered patio area.
Chattanooga Brewing Co. | 1804 Chestnut St.
Musicians in the area can test out their material to the crowd every Thursday for Open Mic Night starting at 7 p.m.
Hi-Fi Clyde’s | 122 W. Main St.
Capacity: 366
You can see live music at this restaurant in Southside every Thursday through Sunday. Note: Friday + Saturday becomes 21+ after 8 p.m.
Outdoor settings
Chattanooga Market | 1826 Reggie White Blvd.
Capacity: 500-5,000
Listen to free live music from the Lodge Cast Iron Sizzle stage under the First Horizon Pavilion while shopping the seasonal weekly market that features local vendors and artisans.
Miller Plaza | 850 Market St.
Capacity: 200-275
This public park in the heart of downtown features a stage and pavilion that hosts a variety of community events throughout the year.
Ross’s Landing | 100 Riverfront Pwky.
Capacity: No capacity limit
Serving as the heart of the riverfront, this park area features a natural amphitheater used for small festivals, concerts, and more.
Music festivals
Moon River Music Festival | Coolidge Park
Capacity: 11,000-12,000
Put on by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors each September, you can come out for a weekend of nonstop music. Headliners have included Hozier, Leon Bridges, and Brandi Carlile.
Riverbend Festival | Ross’s Landing
Capacity: 15,000
This festival has been rocking the riverfront for 40 years, marking Chattanooga’s premier music festival. Over the years, acts across genres have been welcome like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Cage The Elephant. Note: The festival has announced a hiatus for 2024.
Riverfront Nights | Ross’s Landing
Capacity: 1,000+
Typically happening every Saturday from July through August, you can enjoy this free music series that features local musicians. We recommend bringing your favorite chair or blanket. Bonus: The festival will be expanding in 2024.
Nightfall | Miller Park and Plaza
Capacity: 2,500-3,000
Every Friday from May through the beginning of September, folks can listen to free live music from local musical acts, shop from artisans, and grab a bite from food trucks. Bonus: Any local acts out there? Be sure to keep an eye out for the Road to Nightfall competition.
3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival | Ross’s Landing
Capacity: 5,000+
Another free concert series staple in the Scenic City, this two-day festival is held every October and hosts various bluegrass acts.
Highland Park Porchfest | Highland Park
Capacity: 200-250+
Getting its start in 2022, this newer music series was adopted from an idea that first began in Ithaca, NY — where porches become stages and lawns become seats. You can see local acts take over this neighborhood in October.
Rock the Riverfront | Ross’s Landing
Capacity: No capacity limit
Brought to you by River City Co., this month-long festival is free and open to the public. Featuring a new international interactive art installation each time, you can spend the weekends listening to live music and enjoying local vendors.
Noontunes | Broad Street
Capacity: No capacity limit
Another one of River City Co.'s annual events comes in the form of lunchtime jams. You can check out local vendors, food trucks, and music put on by local acts when this is in session.
Campfire Concert Series | Reflection Riding
Capacity: 50-100+
You can listen to live music campfire side at this nature center when they host its annual concert series — just bring your blanket or chair. Bonus: You can camp overnight.
Did we miss your favorite spot to jam out? Let us know.
