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There are many great places to see live musical performances throughout Orlando, Florida, ranging from intimate venues that accommodate just a few hundred people to full-fledged stadium-sized concerts for tens of thousands of fans. Here we touch on the 13 best concert venues in the city; try to catch a show while you’re in town!
House of Blues Orlando
Music Venue
The House of Blues Orlando, located in Disney Springs, is an awesome live concert venue. World-famous performers and local artists alike have taken the stage here, and every Sunday there is a Gospel show to accompany brunch. With a Southern-food inspired restaurant and official gift shop on-site, the House of Blues Orlando makes for a great night out.
The Hard Rock Live in the CityWalk complex at Universal Orlando Resort™ is one of the best venues for seeing a concert in the city. Orlando’s “Coliseum of Rock” hosts musical acts of all genres from all over the world as well as live comedy shows. The auditorium is attached to the largest Hard Rock Cafe in the world, and it can accommodate up to 3,000 concert-goers.
The home of the NBA’s Orlando Magic also serves as a 20,000-seat arena for large-scale musical performances. The Amway Center, located near the heart of downtown Orlando, is unmistakable as a striking piece of modern architecture. The venue hosts music acts of every genre and boasts state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment for putting on a big show.
The Social is a local favorite for seeing indie musical acts from all over the world, as well as comedy shows and other special performances, on a nightly basis. The brick-walled venue is your typical concert hall that’s big enough for a few hundred standing fans to enjoy a show, and it’s home to the nation’s longest-running Acid Jazz/Indy Hip-Hop weekly.
Since 2002, BackBooth has been hosting local and national musical acts at its downtown Orlando location on a near-nightly basis. BackBooth is a spacious venue, able to accommodate 350 guests, with an Old English, pub-style interior that also hosts comics, art shows, and dance parties on nights a concert isn’t scheduled.
One of Orlando’s oldest theaters is one of the best venues to see a concert in the city. The Plaza Live, originally a cinema and theater space, offers two different halls for acts of various sizes, which have ranged from local bands to national talent. The theater, also known as “The Rocking Chair Theater” and currently owned by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, remains a favorite venue among the locals to see comedians and musicians.
The Beacham started out as a cinema theater, built in 1921, and since then, it has become one of the best places to see a concert in downtown Orlando. The local landmark is a cultural icon and has a long history hosting a variety of musical acts from all over the world, including Ray Charles, The Police, Pink, Slayer, The Ramones, and others. When a concert isn’t scheduled, The Beacham transforms into a late-night dance hall.
For a memorable, intimate experience, The Abbey in downtown Orlando is a fantastic venue for watching live music, a comedian, a play, or a cabaret performance. Located on the ground floor of the Sanctuary high-rise building and featuring modern décor, The Abbey presents live entertainment every night.
Bombshell’s Tavern is one of Orlando’s go-to venues for local musicians looking for a gig. It can accommodate up to 450 concertgoers and offers an extensive beer selection, billiard games, and karaoke on off-nights.
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a modern, state-of-the-art performance center in the heart of downtown Orlando, and it’s one of the best places to take in a live show. In addition to hosting symphonic orchestras and other family-friendly musical acts, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts hosts ballets, comedians and improv groups, Broadway performances, and other shows.
Will’s Pub is a low-key space that’s a favorite among locals for its extensive selection of international beer, including more than 16 craft beers on tap, billiards, and live music scene. The venue plays host to local and international acts to the delight of locals and traveling fans alike.
Since 1989, Tanqueray’s has been providing a space for local musicians to play in its unique, underground location: the cellar of the old Metcalfe Building in downtown Orlando. Today, it’s one of the few bars in town where you can catch a live band every night of the week.
Formerly known as the Firestone Live, Venue 578 is a music venue that was once a tire store, and the spacious interior is perfect for seeing a live concert or other special events. Venue 578 hosts a range of talents, ranging from hip-hop to rock bands and country music to electronic parties.
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