Discover Columbia’s Best Live Music Venues

Has it been a while since you’ve heard a live band? Are you looking for a place to discover new sounds? If you enjoy live music, you can find many great spots to listen to your favorite band or check out new groups to add to your playlist in nearby Columbia, Maryland. Come along with our team at Koons Clarksville Chevrolet Buick GMC as we explore some of the best live music venues in the area, where you can always find talented musicians playing.

The Hall at Live!

Inside the Live! Casino and Hotel, you’ll find the expansive live music venue, The HALL at Live! It features three stories of seating for up to 4,000 attendees. Every seat offers a great view of the stage, and the state-of-the-art sound and lighting system ensures the bands all sound and look incredible, even from the balcony. You can enjoy headliner bands, such as Flogging Molly, a staple in the punk genre, and international artists, such as K-pop star Im Chang Jung.

To make it an even more special event, consider getting tickets for a private VIP box with plush seating that’ll keep you comfortable for the entire show.

Location: 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Suite 7777, Hanover

Jim Rouse Theatre

Named after Columbia’s founder, the Jim Rouse Theatre is affiliated with Wilde Lake High School. You can often see the high school band and choir performing here. It’s a great place to attend a show that’ll help you feel more connected to the local community and show your support for the youth here. Of course, the facility is available to anyone who wants to use it, so you never know what might be coming across the stage. You’ll need to contact the vendors who put on events directly to purchase tickets.

Location: 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia

Sonoma’s Bar & Grill

In addition to getting some delicious food, you can also catch some of the area’s best live entertainment and music at Sonoma’s Bar & Grill. Almost every weekend, you’ll have a chance to hear live music or participate in trivia nights and other fun events. Sonoma’s has indoor seating for up to 200 people and an outdoor seating area for over 50. If you need a place to host a meeting or event, this is the place to go.

On the menu, you’ll find lots of palate-pleasing options that make listening to your new favorite band even more enjoyable. For starters, get the four-cheese mac and cheese, garlic pretzel bites, mozzarella sticks, or Buffalo chicken wings. Main course options you’ll love include the CSK Bimbo Burger, Cajun fish sandwich, bacon cheeseburger quesadilla, and Merriweather chicken sandwich. It’s always a good time at Sonoma’s Bar & Grill.

Location: 7284 E. Cradlerock Way, Columbia

Lakefront Live

Entertainment of all kinds happens at Lakefront Live, an outdoor stage on the banks of Lake Kittamaqundi. You can take in live music shows put on by local artists and headline bands. You’ll hear a wide range of music demonstrating Columbia’s diversity. Whether you’re a fan of Motown and R&B or lean more toward ’90s rock and alternative, you’re sure to find your favorites here.

The venue is outside, so it’s ideal to see a show when the weather is nice, and the Columbia Association ensures that events are fun for all who attend. You can often find food vendors offering local cuisine crafted especially for the live music events. Be sure to check the schedule to find out when the next one is happening so that you don’t miss your chance to discover a new band.

Location: 10275 Wincopin Circle, Columbia

Union Jack’s

If you’re looking for a weekend music venue that features live bands, then Union Jack’s is for you. The atmosphere here is always top notch, and the food is too. Every Friday and Saturday night, you can hear music that’ll put you in good spirits. The venue also hosts other fun events, such as karaoke nights and ping-pong tournaments, with a DJ who sets the mood perfectly. On the menu, you’ll find weekly specials with great prices and tasty offerings that ensure the music isn’t the only thing to love about Union Jack’s.

Some of the most popular menu items include appetizers such as the Maryland crab dip, fried pickles, and house pretzels. Or try a salad, such as Jack’s garden salad or the Southwest salad. Mouthwatering entrees include the London steak sandwich and seafood pasta. You might go to Union Jack’s for the bands, but you’ll keep coming back for the food.

Location: 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia

Merriweather Post Pavilion

Another outdoor live music venue in Columbia, the Merriweather Post Pavilion has been a place for people to gather and enjoy nature and live music for over 50 years. Throughout the year, you can head to Merriweather Post Pavilion to hear a variety of music from artists such as Louis Tomlinson, the Goo Goo Dolls, Shania Twain, and many others. No matter your favorite genre, you’ll find a band playing at Merriweather to suit your style.

It has hosted famous bands and those that are up-and-coming, so you never know what will be playing on the speakers in Symphony Woods Park. Bring a blanket and stretch out on the lawn or get a little closer to the stage by grabbing a spot in the conventional seating area. The venue recently added a balcony that gives you a good view of the stage. Some events bring in food vendors so you can enjoy local eats after taking in the show.

Location: 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia

If you’re looking for somewhere to discover your new favorite band or want to listen to some old classics, we hope you’ll check out one of the live music venues on our list. Do you know of other sweet spots to listen to great music in or around Columbia? We’d love to hear about them if you do, so drop us a line and we’ll check them out.

Image by Diego Sulivan is licensed with Unsplash License

Tags: Columbia, Live Music
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