The Boston area has produced a long line of world-class musicians — from Aerosmith to New Edition to the next generation being trained at Berklee — so it’s no surprise our music clubs are teeming with talent. From community spaces featuring local musicians to hallowed halls of rock and hip-hop, there’s never a shortage of opportunities for those hunting for great live music at more intimate venues than arenas (though if it’s nightclubs you’re looking for, we have a list of those, too).
Brighton Music Hall
Brighton Music Hall. Sophie Park for The Boston Globe
Established in 2010 in the space long occupied by Harpers Ferry, Brighton Music Hall has been bringing rock, roots, hip-hop, and other acts to the heart of Allston since. The standing-room-only venue, with room for about 500 — large enough to make it lively, small enough that everyone has a view — is a sweet-spot stop for national performers who have outgrown more intimate spots and are on the way to bigger things.
158 Brighton Avenue, Allston
Not available
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City Winery
City Winery. Nathan Klima for The Boston Globe
Equal parts wine bar and concert venue, City Winery appeals to the taste buds and the ears. At this 300-seat venue, music is wide-ranging, encompassing R&B, jazz, alternative rock, hip-hop, and more. Enjoy shared plates of risotto balls and duck tacos as well as pizza during the show; table service means you never have to leave your seat to ask for another glass. It’s the best of both worlds for music-loving foodies.
80 Beverly Street, West End
617-933-8047
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Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre. Dylan Ladd
Opened in 2021, this recent addition to Somerville’s live music landscape occupies an upstairs corner of the Somerville Theater, which had served for years as two small movie theaters. With a fancy chandelier and a big, welcoming bar, the room has become a destination for indie rock, world music, and alternative comedy.
55 Davis Square, Somerville
617-245-2900
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The Jungle
The Jungle. Martin Lightfoot
With a capacity of just 85, The Jungle’s footprint may be small, but its roar resounds far beyond Union Square. The independent Somerville club is an affordable gateway to Boston’s music scene for performers and patrons, with offerings ranging from monthly “Bars Over Bars 1st Sundays” hip-hop showcases to lineups stacked with staples from the area’s rock scene. Don’t miss the lively, free karaoke and open mic on Wednesdays.
6 Sanborn Court, Somerville
617-718-0204
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The Lilypad
The Lilypad. Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe
More performance space than club, The Lilypad has a standing-room capacity of 80 (60 seated). But the mural-decorated space hosts some of the best jazz and cutting-edge improvisational music in the area, serving as home base to local masters such such as saxophonists George Garzone (with The Fringe) and Jerry Bergonzi; and hosting notable musicians from New York in addition to estimable locals.
1353 Cambridge Street, Cambridge
617-955-7729
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The Middle East
The Middle East. Jim Davis/Globe Staff
Once the favored haunt of such Boston music luminaries as Billy Ruane and Morphine’s Mark Sandman, Central Square’s Middle East remains a hub of the region’s live music scene. There has been talk about demolishing the complex and building a hotel with performance spaces, but for now, it’s the same intimate Upstairs and larger Downstairs, and wide array of acts including rock and hip-hop.
472-480 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
617-864-3278
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Paradise Rock Club
Paradise Rock Club. Nathan Klima for The Boston Globe
The Police, R.E.M., and U2 all played at the Paradise before they hit the arenas. Its prominent marquee along the Green Line’s B branch has featured the names of thousands of beloved bands since, both indie and soon-to-be superstars. That this no-frills space is still thriving is a testament to the city of Boston’s continually replenishing fan base for rock ’n’ roll.
967 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston
617-562-8800
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The Sinclair
The Sinclair. Ben Stas for The Boston Globe
Part of the constellation of venues operated by Bowery Presents, the Sinclair can host about 500 music lovers of all stripes most nights of the week. Its wraparound balcony provides plenty of sightlines for a compact space. Since opening in Harvard Square in 2012, the club has hosted a steady stream of well-known acts from Yola to Yo La Tengo.
52 Church Street, Cambridge
617-547-5200
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Wally’s Cafe Jazz Club
Wally’s Cafe Jazz Club. Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The history of Wally’s goes back to 1947, when Joseph “Wally” Walcott opened Wally’s Paradise across the street from the Jazz Club’s current location in the South End, then the epicenter of a thriving Boston jazz scene. Programming then included Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. Wally’s, still owned by Walcott’s family, is a rarity today: a neighborhood bar with jazz, featuring local heavyweights as well as student stars of tomorrow.
427 Massachusetts Avenue, South End
617-828-1754
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Boston Globe Best of the Best winners for 2024 were selected by Globe newsroom staff and correspondents, and limited to Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline. We want to hear from you: Did your favorites make the list?
