The Best Folk Music Venues in the U.S.

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

The United States is home to some of the best folk music venues in the world. From the historic Troubadour in Los Angeles to the intimate Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, there are plenty of great places to see folk music live. Here are some of our favorite venues for folk music in the US.

The Best Folk Music Venues in the U.S.

Folk music has been a part of the American musical landscape for centuries, and there are still many places around the country where you can enjoy this unique genre. From small clubs and bars to large concert halls, there are plenty of great venues to check out if you’re a fan of folk music.

Here are just a few of the best folk music venues in the United States:

The Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
This legendary venue has been a staple of the New York City music scene for decades, and it’s still one of the best places to see folk music in the city. The Bowery Ballroom has hosted everyone from Bob Dylan to Mumford & Sons, and it’s sure to be a great place to catch a show no matter who you’re seeing.

The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA
Another iconic venue, The Fillmore has been hosting musical acts since the 1960s. The venue has seen its fair share of folk music over the years, and it’s still one of the best places to see a show in San Francisco. If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, this is definitely the place to go.

The Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
If you want to experience true southern hospitality, there’s no better place than The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. This world-famous venue is known for its great acoustics, and it’s definitely one of the best places to see folk music in the country. You’ll feel like you’re part of history when you see a show at this legendary venue.

These are just a few of the many great places to see folk music around the United States. Whether you’re in New York or California, there’s sure to be a venue near you that offers this unique genre of music.

The Best Folk Music Venues in the Northeast

There are many great folk music venues in the Northeast United States. In this article, we will be discussing the best folk music venues in the Northeast. We will be focusing on the following states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. These are all great states for live music.

Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, New York

Caffe Lena is one of the most iconic and beloved folk music venues in the country. The small, intimate venue has hosted some of the biggest names in folk music over the years, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Pete Seeger.

The venue is located in the historic Saratoga Springs City Center, and has a capacity of just 99 people. Despite its small size, Caffe Lena has a big impact on the folk music scene. The venue is known for its supportive and welcoming atmosphere, and for giving up-and-coming musicians a chance to perform on its stage.

If you’re a fan of folk music, Caffe Lena should definitely be on your list of places to visit.

The Stonecoast in Portland, Maine

The Stonecoast is one of the best places to see live folk music in the Northeast. The venue has a great selection of local, national, and international talent, and the sound system is top-notch. The staff is always friendly and helpful, and the prices are very reasonable. If you’re ever in Portland, Maine, be sure to check out The Stonecoast!

The Iron Horse in Northampton, Massachusetts

The Iron Horse in Northampton, Massachusetts has been a go-to spot for live folk music since it first opened its doors in 1974. The venue has seen everyone from up-and-coming artists to legends grace its stage, and it remains one of the most popular places to see a show in the Northeast. If you’re looking for a great folk music experience, the Iron Horse is definitely the place to be.

The Best Folk Music Venues in the Southeast

The southeast has some of the best folk music venues in the country. If you’re looking for a great place to see some live music, here are a few of the best venues in the southeast.

The Station Inn in Nashville, Tennessee

The Station Inn is Nashville’s best and most famous bluegrass music venue. The intimate setting and excellent acoustics make it a great place to see a show, and the roster of artists that have played there is impressive.If you’re a fan of bluegrass music, or just want to experience some of the best live music in the Southeast, the Station Inn is a must-visit.

Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, Georgia

Eddie’s Attic is one of the most popular folk music venues in the Southeast. Located in Decatur, Georgia, Eddie’s Attic has been hosting folk musicians from all over the country for over 25 years.

Eddie’s Attic is known for its intimate setting, excellent sound system, and passionate folk music fans. The venue has a capacity of only about 200 people, so every seat in the house is a good one. And because folk music is typically acoustic-based, the sound quality at Eddie’s Attic is always top-notch.

If you’re a fan of folk music, or just looking for a great live music experience, Eddie’s Attic is definitely worth checking out.

The 5 Spot in Atlanta, Georgia

The 5 Spot in Atlanta, Georgia is one of the best folk music venues in the Southeast. This intimate venue has a rich history and has played host to some of the genre’s most influential musicians. The 5 Spot is known for its excellent acoustics and intimate setting, making it the perfect place to enjoy a folk music performance.

The Best Folk Music Venues in the Midwest

The Midwest is home to some of the best folk music venues in the country. If you’re a fan of folk music, you’ll definitely want to check out some of these venues. From intimate coffeehouses to historic theaters, there’s a venue for everyone.

The Hideaway in Chicago, Illinois

If you love folk music, then you need to check out The Hideaway in Chicago, Illinois. This cozy little club is one of the best places to see folk music in the Midwest. The Hideaway has a great lineup of folk musicians that play everything from traditional folk to contemporary folk. You can also find a variety of other genres at The Hideaway, including bluegrass, country, and Americana.

The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Ark is a non-profit, listener-supported music venue located in downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan. The club presents folk and traditional music concerts over 300 nights a year. It is one of the most highly respected folk music clubs in the United States. The Ark has been voted “#1 Folk Club” by the readers of both Performing Songwriter and Folks magazines and has been nominated for a GRAMMY award.

The Ark was founded in 1965 as a coffeehouse by four University of Michigan students. The original Ark was located on the second floor above a local bookstore. In its early years, the club presented a wide variety of musical styles, but soon began to focus exclusively on acoustic and folk music. In the 1970s, the Ark relocated to its current location on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor.

The Ark is internationally known for its intimate concert setting and excellent acoustics. The stage is set up in the round, with dining tables surrounding it on three sides. The fourth side is open to standing room only. The club has a capacity of 450 people.

The Ark presents concerts by both well-known and up-and-coming folk musicians from all over the world. Past performers include Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Indigo Girls, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Earle, Loudon Wainwright III, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Joan Baez, Ani DiFranco, and many more.

If you love folk music, The Ark is definitely worth a visit!

Club Passim in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Club Passim is a small, intimate music venue in the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The club has been a staple of the folk music scene in the Northeast for nearly 60 years, and has played host to some of the biggest names in the genre, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Simon & Garfunkel.

Passim is known for its excellent acoustics and superb sound system, making it one of the best places to see a folk show in the region. The club also has a full restaurant and bar, making it the perfect spot to spend an evening enjoying some great music.

The Best Folk Music Venues in the Southwest

The southwest region of the United States is home to some of the best folk music venues in the country. From the historic theaters of Santa Fe to the intimate clubs of Austin, there are plenty of places to enjoy live folk music in the southwest. Here are some of the best venues in the southwest for live folk music.

The Cactus Cafe in Austin, Texas

The Cactus Cafe is a intimate music venue on the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. The venue has a rich history of folk music, and has hosted many well-known folk musicians over the years. The Cactus Cafe is known for its excellent acoustics and friendly atmosphere.

The Blue Door in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Blue Door is an intimate live music venue located in the historic Stockyards district of Oklahoma City. This venue has a rich history, dating back to the early 1900s when it was first established as a saloon. The Blue Door has been renovated and updated over the years, but it still retains its old-world charm.

This venue is known for its great acoustics and its intimate setting. The Blue Door hosts a variety of folk acts, both local and touring, and is a great place to see a live show.

If you’re in the Oklahoma City area, be sure to check out The Blue Door!

The Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas

The Saxon Pub is a music venue in Austin, Texas, that specializes in folk music. The pub has a long history of hosting folk musicians, and recent years have seen a resurgence in popularity for the genre. The pub is known for its intimate atmosphere and its dedication to quality folk music.

The Best Folk Music Venues in the West

If you’re a fan of folk music, you’ll want to check out some of the best folk music venues in the United States. The West Coast is home to some of the most iconic folk music venues in the country. From the Fillmore in San Francisco to the Troubadour in Los Angeles, there are plenty of great places to see folk music on the West Coast. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best folk music venues in the West.

The Tractor Tavern in Seattle, Washington

Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and there are now folk music venues popping up all over the country. If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll want to check out some of the best folk music venues in the West.

The Tractor Tavern in Seattle, Washington is one of the premier folk music venues in the region. The venue has a great selection of folk musicians performing regularly, and it also hosts a variety of other genres of music. If you’re looking for a great place to see live folk music, this is definitely the place to go.

The Crooked Way Coffeehouse in Los Angeles, California is another great option for folk music lovers. The coffeehouse has a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, and it features some of the best folk musicians in the area. If you’re looking for a relaxed and fun place to see live music, this is definitely the place to be.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, Utah is one of the most unique and interesting places to see live folk music. The choir is made up of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they perform a variety of traditional and contemporary folk songs. If you’re looking for something truly unique, this is definitely the place to go.

The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California

The Great American Music Hall is a concert venue in San Francisco, California. It is located on the top floor of a building at 859 O’Farrell Street in the Tenderloin district. The hall has a long and varied history, having been used as a vaudeville theatre, a movie theatre, and a nightclub, among other things.

The Great American Music Hall was built in 1907 by architect B. Marcus Priteca, and was originally called The Maisonette. It was one of the firsts San Francisco buildings to be made entirely of steel-reinforced concrete. The building was later converted into a vaudeville theatre and then a movie theatre, before being closed in 1937.

The hall remained closed for nearly 30 years, until it was reopened in 1965 by new owners who converted it into a folk music venue. The Great American Music Hall has been hosting folk music concerts ever since, and has become one of the most popular folk music venues in the country.

Some of the most famous folk musicians in history have played at the Great American Music Hall, including Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan. Today, the hall continues to host many talented folk musicians from all over the world.

The Largo in Los Angeles, California

Largo is an intimate theatre, music club and restaurant nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, just a few blocks east of Melrose on Fairfax. The Largo has been a haven for artists and performers since it opened its doors in 2002.

The Largo features a variety of genres including folk, bluegrass, country and Americana. The stage has hosted such notable acts as John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Nickel Creek, Steve Martin and many more. The Largo also features a small restaurant with a menu that changes daily.

The Largo is one of the best places to see folk music in Los Angeles. The acoustics are excellent and the intimate setting allows for a truly personal experience.

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