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Can't decide where to go to support Miami's homegrown talent? That's a good problem to have. There's something for everyone each night of the week across this sprawling, humid place we call home. New Times factored in musical styles, cover charges, and overall vibes to produce this roundup of the best venues to catch live local music in the Magic City. Get out there, support your local music scene, and start uncovering the wealth of talent residing right here in the 305.
Talking throughout the show and recording the entire concert on your phone are only two of the unforgivable concert crimes you can commit at a performance. If you're that person, do us all a favor and stay home. But if there's one thing we can count on from one of Miami's best suburban live music venues, affectionately known to locals as Bougie's, is a fun and engaging crowd. Catch live music ranging from rock and reggae to hip-hop Thursday through Sunday, and be sure to take advantage of the generous drink specials.
No matter how hard you might need to scrub down to freshen up after a night of sweat-soaked debauchery at Churchill's Pub, trust us, it's worth it. This famous dive is the long-standing home of Miami's music scene; depending upon the genre, playing Churchill's is considered a rite of passage for many local bands. What's more, this Little Haiti punk sanctuary helped jump-start the careers of acts such as Marilyn Manson and the Mavericks. On any given night, Churchill's hosts local and touring artists performing a whole range of music — jazz, punk, metal, hip-hop, hardcore, it's all there. Whether you're there to grab a cold pint at the bar or go buck wild in the main room, you'll feel a familial vibe among the patrons that keeps them coming back for the weirdness. Here's to many more years, Churchill's. Don't change one bit — or clean your bathrooms (too much).
New Times readers singled out this Wynwood cornerstone as Miami's best bar in 2019, and for good reason. Among all of the new watering holes and late-night hangs popping up in the neighborhood, none feels as authentic as this gem with the bright-orange exterior. Touring acts play Gramps' outdoor stage often, and local bands frequently get the chance to open the performance. In addition to the venue's recurring Miami band-oriented shows held outside, local talent can often be found playing in the intimate backroom, Shirley's. The venue-within-a-venue has a capacity of about 100 standing and an elevated built-in stage, so if the tallest person in the room decides to park right in front of you, make a beeline to the booths and climb atop. Be sure to stop by Gramps’ back patio Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. for Haute Happy Hour, which offers bargain-priced drinks and performances by emerging live acts. As the name implies, the night is hosted by Haute Tension, one of Miami's best-loved local bands.
If you're looking for a cozy spot to catch local acts every night, look no further than Lagniappe. This charming wine bar on NE Second Avenue regularly presents local jazz artists. Sunday through Thursday, you can listen to live music at the idyllic venue from 9 to midnight. Friday and Saturday, opening bands play from 7 to 9 until the main act takes the stage at 10 and generally plays till 1 a.m. Though Miami has no shortage of great jazz nights, in 2018, New Times dubbed Sundays at Lagniappe the best jazz night in town and proclaimed, "It's a great way to cap off the weekend and still make it to work Monday without a hangover." The secret to a successful night at Lagniappe is arriving early to beat the crowds.
Birthed in 2016 by Wood Tavern Group owner and founder Cesar Morales, Las Rosas has quickly earned its reputation as “Miami’s new beacon for live local music.” The Allapattah hangout stands just west of I-95 and tends to draw an energetic crowd. Equipped with a decent-size stage, along with great lighting and sound, this cover-free bar offers a platform for some of the Magic City's best homegrown talent. Locals can be found getting down at one of the city's best music venues daily from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m., and drinks are half off from 3 to 8 p.m.
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