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 Yellow Racket Records, there’s a stage for any type of tune. Get to know them all with our local guide.

Concert halls

The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave. | After 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. | 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. | This concert hall with a capacity for ~850, 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.

Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. MLK Blvd. | Known for celebrating Chattanooga’s many Black music legends like Bessie Smith and The Impressions, this museum hosts events like the Big 9 Music Fest + The Velvet Chair Experience with Karen Collins.

See performances + a collection of vintage and rare guitars when visiting Songbirds. | Photo provided by Songbirds Foundation

Intimate spaces

Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St. | 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. While intimate in feeling, this spot has a capacity of 500. Bonus: Try out local brews while you're there for a show.

Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum, 206 W. Main St. | This guitar museum doubles as a concert venue — all shows are 18+ and valid IDs must be shown at the door. Bonus: Executive Director John Dooley said this space offers a premiere listening room experience + that he has been told it feels like "stepping off of Broadway in Nashville, but 30 years ago."

Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave. | 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. | This neighborhood venue hosts live music events and live recordings, offering an experience that is up close and personal.

The Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St. | Residing in the Southside, this spot is known to host events like jazz nights + is the host venue to the annual Road to Nightfall competition.

"Artists of all disciplines connect, collaborate, and bring meaningful ideas to life," said Owner Janelle Malone-Drake. | Photo provided by Upper Room Studios

Upper Room Studios, 734 E. MLK Blvd. | Nestled downtown is this creative hub and recording studio that can be booked for tracking, mixing, and full productions. It can also be used for coworking and events — from listening parties to workshops.

Redbud Venue, 2314 E. 13th St. | 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. | 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. | 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.

Cherry Street Tavern, 719 Cherry St. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | This hand-rolled bagel and wood-fired pizza shop hosts live music every Tuesday and Saturday nights, featuring local acts.

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.

Hi-Fi Clyde's, 122 W. Main St. | You can see live music at this restaurant in Southside every Thursday through Sunday. Note: Friday + Saturday becomes 21+ after 8 p.m.

Join the community on Friday nights in the heart of Chattanooga's downtown. | Photo provided by Chattanooga Tourism Co.

Outdoor settings

Chattanooga Market, 1826 Reggie White Blvd. | 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. | 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. | Serving as the heart of the riverfront, this park area features a natural amphitheater used for small festivals, concerts, and more.

Use these helpful tips to keep the party going all weekend long. | Photo by Jenn Devereaux via Moon River Music Festival

Music festivals

Riverbend Festival, Ross's Landing | 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 announced a hiatus in 2024.

Riverfront Nights, Ross's Landing | 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: See this year's guide.

Nightfall, Miller Park and Plaza | 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: See this year's guide.

3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival, Ross's Landing | 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 | 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. Bonus: The organizers have launched Chattanooga Porchfests + will soon bring the fun to Red Bank and East Lake.

St. Elmo Porchfest, St. Elmo | You can expect this new annual event to take place along the streets of the historic neighborhood.

Rock the Riverfront, Ross's Landing | 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 | 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 | 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.