Columbus Live Music Trail 2023 - 2024
Expiration: Feb 8th 2025
The music scene in Columbus has a one-of-a-kind vibe with lots to discover. Whether you’re a die-hard music lover or just looking for a fun night out, we’ve mapped out music venues in Columbus where you can experience the sounds of our city.
When you visit and check-in at participating venues, you’ll earn points toward local prizes. Rewards include gift cards to Donatos, Crunchwerks, a Gateway movie pass and a local music T-shirt that’s exclusive to the trail! Plus, every month that you check in at a participating venue, you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift card to a local restaurant (think Barrio, The Sycamore, Forty Deuce and more).
Use #CbusMusic to share your journey with us. Brought to you by Experience Columbus in partnership with Music Columbus.
Included Venues
See locations on an interactive map.
A&R Music Bar
Small live music joint featuring a full bar and a stage for local and national bands.
Ace of Cups
Hangout for craft beers, house-infused liquors and live music. Catch local and national acts.
Black Brick
Black Brick is located inside Donatos ‘Short North location. Serving up hand-crafted cocktails, local craft beer and more daily, live music is scheduled every Friday and Saturday evening.
Blu Note Jazz Cafe
Blu Note Jazz Café is an upscale jazz club. Dine in Tuesday thru Saturday, and enjoy the finest in local as well as international jazz. Pick a cozy table for two or grab a seat at the bar – there isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Bristol Republic
Nestled in the heart of the thriving Short North, Bristol Republic is a locally owned, Nashville inspired restaurant and bar serving up competition quality BBQ smoked in-house daily, ice cold craft beer, over 150 rare Bourbon and Whiskeys and live music (Thursday- Saturday) from local and national bands! We're currently open Thursday – Sunday and feature our famous Southern Brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-3pm. Stop and experience a taste of the South in the Short North!
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Cafe Bourbon Street
This long-standing dive bar features the best of underground music in Columbus.
Dick's Den
Laid-back bluegrass & jazz bar with drink specials, a jukebox & live local & national acts.
Dirty Dungarees
This live music venue in a laundromat features a full-service bar and vintage arcade machines.
Double Happiness
A thoroughly modern bar with a familiar feel, Double Happiness features live music from local and national acts and invites visitors to come in, have a drink and feel the happiness.
Edison Brewing Company - Gahanna
Discover a uniquely European experience with unmistakably American music. At Edison Brewing Company we feature brews with a view and an ever-expanding music lineup.
Eldorado's
Open since 1994, this mother-and-daughter-owned hotspot has become a Columbus favorite, offering up the very finest in food, spirits, sports, live music, and entertainment. El Dorado’s is the perfect place to relax and unwind or sing and dance your heart out!
Fenders
This music-focused pub offers cocktails, comfort food and live bands in a simple, convivial setting.
Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge
Ginger Rabbit is a cocktail bar and lounge featuring live jazz. In addition to becoming your favorite place for drinks and music any night of the week, Ginger Rabbit also hopes to serve as a hub for local musicians seeking to play and collaborate with each other.
Howl at the Moon Columbus
Howl at the Moon offers a total entertainment experience. Their high-energy live music show is centered around dance hits and party anthems that will get you dancing in no time.
Kafe Kerouac
This laid-back hangout with a neighborhood vibe offers live music, drinks and poetry.
KEMBA Live!
KEMBA Live! is the first indoor and outdoor concert venue in America. They feature state-of-the-art lighting, acoustical systems and an innovative, one-of-a-kind reversible stage.
Land-Grant Brewing Company
Land-Grant brewing Company is a local brewery and taproom located in a former elevator factory at 424 W. Town Street in the historic Franklinton neighborhood of Columbus. They feature events and live music during the spring and summer on an outdoor stage.
Lincoln Theatre
First opened in 1928, the Lincoln Theatre is a landmark in African American and jazz history. The Lincoln is a multi-use, state-of-the-art performing arts and education center providing a bustling hub of activity 365 days per year with performances, rehearsals, classes, and a wide variety of community events.
Mershon Auditorium
Nestled just off High Street within The Ohio State University campus, Mershon Auditorium is a historic performing arts venue known for its elegant architecture and superior acoustics. The 2,400+ capacity theatre serves as a cultural hub, hosting a diverse array of live events.
Natalie's Grandview Music Hall and Kitchen
There are two distinct music spaces at Natalie’s Grandview that offer inspired cocktails and food and a variety of entertainment from across the street and around the globe - The Music Hall Stage and Charlie's Stage. Wednesday – Sunday, you can join us for our free daily happy hour shows held on Charlie’s Stage before our evening ticketed shows in both music spaces.
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Nationwide Arena
Located on the corner of Nationwide Boulevard and Front Street in downtown Columbus, Nationwide Arena is the centerpiece of the downtown Arena District featuring an exciting mixture of restaurants, business, entertainment and residential space that attracts visitors from across the country.
Newport Music Hall
A musical mecca of the Midwest, Newport Music Hall holds the honor of being the longest continually running rock club in the country. Originally built in 1923 as a movie theatre, the facility was converted into The Agora Ballroom in 1970 and was purchased by PromoWest in 1984 and reopened as Newport Music Hall.
Ohio Stadium
Nestled on the banks of the Olentangy River, iconic Ohio Stadium is home of the The Ohio State Buckeyes football team - a local and nationally recognized landmark. Seating up to 102,000+, the Shoe has also hosted concerts from Pink Floyd to Taylor Swift – from Beyonce’ and Jay-Z to the annual Buckeye Country Superfest.
Ohio Theatre
The world's best artists come to the 2,791-seat historic Ohio Theatre. The breathtaking details (including the 21-foot-high chandelier) of its opulent, Spanish-Baroqe architecture make any night at the Ohio an event to remember.
Palace Theatre
Designed in the spirit of France's Palais de Versailles, the 2,695-seat Palace Theatre is adorned with chandeliers, a grand staircase, mural, hall of autographed pictures, and a fountain. A delightful destination for an evening with the arts. Originally a vaudeville house, special attention was paid to the theatre's acoustics when it was built, making it a great spot to see and hear live music!
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Park Street Tavern
Park Street Tavern has been a staple of the Columbus music scene for more than 17 years. They offer live music throughout the week. Depending on the night, you can hear anything from jazz to funk/R&B to alternative to rock ‘n’ roll to bluegrass to reggae.
Rambling House
Rambling House is truly a magical place where you can see your favorite live music, comedy and entertainment. They provide a welcoming space to enjoy craft beer and cocktails made with delicious sodas while you soak in the sounds of talented local artists. All ages are welcome.
Ruby Tuesday Live
Ruby Tuesday is a nightclub and entertainment center established in Columbus in 1973.
Rumba Café
Rumba Café is Columbus' premier intimate rock ‘n’ roll venue, featuring world-class sound and great sight lines. Rumba Café hosts more than 200 national acts each year, with artists like Jason Isbell, Future Islands, The Front Bottoms and more making their Columbus debut here.
Shadowbox Live
This unique performance-arts venue with a full bar and menu stages rock musicals and sketch comedies in the daytime and evening.
Short North Stage
Short North Stage is a professional non-profit regional theater company located in the heart of the Short North Arts District. We produce musicals, plays, and occasional special performances throughout the year. We love to feature exciting new takes on classics, edgy and provocative new works, and stories that will truly resonate with our audiences while providing them a unique theatrical experience. Join us and grab a drink at Ethel's Bar!
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Skully's Music-Diner
Voted the #1 dance club and best mid-sized venue in Columbus, Skully’s Music-Diner has brought the best entertainment, music and drinks to Columbus for more than 20 years! They offer a variety of entertainment, including live music and dance parties. Please keep in mind that their hours depend on their show schedule.
Southern Theatre
The oldest surviving theatre in Central Ohio, and one of the oldest in the state, the Southern Theatre opened in 1896. The 925-seat jewel box of a theatre provides an intimate, acoustically pristine entertainment experience.
Standard Live
Standard Live is a live music venue with a rock and roll/country vibe in the heart of the Short North. Standard Live has a full-service bar, local and national cover bands every Friday and Saturday, dart boards, and a Thursday karaoke night.
The Athenaeum Theatre
This vibey, historic 100-year-old downtown stage, which hosted their first concert in 2018, has since had over 100 other top-tier shows, including artists like Mitski, Big Thief, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and more.
The Basement
This celebrated bar and concert venue features local and national rock acts in an intimate basement setting.
The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar
Columbus' Big Bang dueling piano bar offers one of the best entertainment experiences in the city. Hosting live band karaoke and sing-alongs, this spot is sure to offer a rocking good time!
The Bluestone
Country concerts dominate at this music and event hall set in a 19th-century former Baptist church.
The Forums
The Forum Columbus is an experience like no other, creating an atmosphere for all kinds of events and live music that makes a lasting impression.
The King of Clubs
The King of Clubs is an all-inclusive event facility conveniently located just one minute from I-71. They host all styles of music from rock to reggae, as well as events like wrestling, burlesque and more. The King of Clubs is where everyone is treated like royalty!
The Rock Syndicate
The Rock Syndicate was created to offer guests extraordinary customer service, exclusive music lifestyle merchandise, and unique events from local listening room style concerts, to a private membership program.
The Schottenstein Center
Located on the campus of The Ohio State University, The Schottenstein Center located at the corner of Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road opened in the Fall of 1998 and has played host to hundreds of top touring performers and tours.
The Spacebar
The Spacebar is a classy music venue and bar. It hosts concerts by renowned bands as well as promising local talent.
The Summit Music Hall
Columbus' hottest music venue featuring national, regional and local artists.
Threes Above High
This campus bar is located in the hear of The Ohio States University District. They feature live music, cold beer, a great booze selection and a food menu to please everyone.
Woodlands Tavern
Woodlands Tavern has been the heartbeat of the Columbus music scene for over 13 years. Known for presenting larger music acts in a smaller concert room, Woodlands Tavern has created a name for itself on a national scale. Boasting two stages with class leading sound and lighting production, Woodlands Tavern offers nationally touring and local talent up to 7 days a week.
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