Le Mura
This intimate music bar, situated beside the ancient Aurelian walls in buzzing San Lorenzo, has a great calendar of alt-rock and post-punk shows. Most of the artists are Italian, hailing from all over the peninsula, and the crowd is hip and intellectual. Le Mura packs a great atmosphere into a small space: the musicians are always in close proximity to the audience, the amply-stocked bar makes excellent craft cocktails, and there’s a hangout room in the back with a foosball table, books on display and plenty of seating for in between shows. The music bar also hosts All Together Now, a monthly open mic night that welcomes enthusiastic and talented performers onto its stage. Check out the calendar of upcoming shows here.
Le Mura, Via di Porta Labicana 24, Rome, Italy, +30 06 6401 1757
Monk Club
Monk Club is a unique concert hall and social club near Rome’s music-loving Pigneto neighborhood that offers plenty of activities across the board. It has a large indoor stage, as well as an ample outdoor garden area that hosts events, film screenings and music shows in the summer months. You’ll love Monk Club if you’re into indie rock, psychedelic and alternative music, though the calendar covers a variety of genres. Several of the artists that play here are international, though the majority of musicians are Italian. Monk also hosts the Rome Psych Fest, Think Green Eco Festival and the RomeEuropa Festival. Check out the calendar of upcoming events here.
Monk Club, Via Giuseppe Mirri 35, Rome, Italy, +39 06 6485 0987
Auditorium Parco della Musica
Rome’s Auditorium Parco della Musica is more than just a feat of contemporary architecture; it is a progressive, multifunctional music venue that also hosts some of the best events in the city. Designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, the complex has three large ‘floating’ music halls that host everything from contemporary musicians such as Andrew Bird and Imany to the Santa Cecilia Italian symphony orchestra – not to mention a whole array of exhibitions, ballet and theater productions. It also hosts the annual Roma Film Festival each October. Check out the calendar of upcoming events here.
Auditorium, Via Pietro de Coubertin 30, Rome, Italy, +39 0680241281
Teatro Quirinetta
Teatro Quirinetta is a historic cafe-theater from the 1920s that has hosts a select number of events and performances each year in its evocative space. Lying just steps from the Trevi Fountain, it’s extremely central while remaining low-key and local: from jazz and electro-pop concerts to DJ sets and vintage fairs, it’s a favorite venue with the indie crowd. International performers that will play on stage this fall include New Zealand indie-pop band Yumi Zouma, English rock band Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, English singer and musician Peter Murphy and American alternative rock group Nada Surf. Check out the calendar of upcoming events here.
Gregory’s Jazz Club
This cozy jazz club and whisky bar is a hidden gem located in the posh neighborhood of the Spanish Steps. With its premier acoustic system and exposed brick walls, it feels like an underground New York venue and is one of the best places to hear live jazz in the city. Gregory’s Jazz Club welcomes Italian and international musicians to its stage who cover all genres, from dixieland and swing to frequent tributes to jazz masters. It also offers dinner and jazz each evening starting from 7:30pm to satisfy all your senses. Reservations recommended. Check out the calendar of upcoming events here.
Gregory’s Jazz Club, Via Gregoriana 54, Rome, Italy, +39 327 826 3770