Sitting just a couple hours south of Music City and an hour east of Muscle Shoals, Huntsville has grown its own music heritage. The city’s Von Braun (Civic) Center was a regular stop for major acts from the 1970s to the '90s. Elvis was in the building - twice. Willie Nelson. Elton John. Tina Turner. Kenny Rogers. AC/DC. MC Hammer. Garth Brooks. If musicians had a hit, they were here. Places such as the Tip Top Club, Geno’s On (and Off) the Square, the Plush Horse, and the Carousel Lounge were the places to be on the weekends.
And today, we are living in a music renaissance.
Huntsville has a music office and is the first city to have a music officer. You can go from a casual night at a local bar to a full-scale show at the Von Braun Center or under the stars at the Orion Amphitheater, all in the same weekend. So, with that cue, here is a sampling of Huntsville’s live music scene, from the cozy bars and dives to microbreweries to unique midsize venues and the big stages.
Cozy and Cool
Tip Top Cafe - The legendary Tip Top Cafe rocked Huntsville in the ‘80s and ‘90s before the day the music died when it closed its doors. Leon Russell, Bo Diddley, Widespread Panic, and Collective Soul all took the stage at the Maple Avenue music hall. Now, Tip Top is reborn and continues its legacy of Huntsville live music and great food.
Voodoo Lounge - A hidden cornerstone of downtown Huntsville nightlife for decades, the Voodoo Lounge is the city’s original underground bar - literally. From blues and rock to local favorites and late-night jams, the cozy atmosphere begins as you descend the winding staircase to the up-close and personal stage where the crowd is part of the show.
The Note Jazz Lounge - If you’re a jazz connoisseur or neophyte, this is the place to be. From Jazz Sundays to local and regional performers, you’ll catch a vibe here.
Stella’s Elixir Lounge - Catch a great downtown vibe from the rooftop or inside Stella’s 4,000-square-foot lounge with cabanas, fire pits, and a chic bar that serves specialty cocktails for every taste.
Maggie Meyers Irish Pub - Don’t be fooled by the name. This is not your average Irish pub. Maggie Meyers hosts bands ranging from metal and rock to pop. There are also traveling DJs, along with drag shows, pageants, and dart tournaments.
The Sports Page Lounge and Deli - "The Page" is a dive in the best definition of a dive. And it’s a great neighborhood hangout. The staff and regulars make you feel welcome while you rock to the music, eat French fries, and drink cold beers and highballs.
Something’s brewing
Campus No. 805 - This refurbished school campus offers a variety of multi-use spaces, including craft breweries Straight to Ale and Yellowhammer, as well as restaurants and entertainment venues. As one of the city’s Arts & Entertainment Districts, patrons can purchase a beer or drink and take it outside when they leave.
Green Bus Brewing - Local music, cold beer, familiar faces. This fresh take on nanobreweries is in a 150-year-old building just off the Courthouse Square.
Old Black Bear Brewery - In historic downtown Madison, the brewery features a lively yet cozy atmosphere with great beers and, of course, live music.
Mad Malts Brewery and Taproom - Known as Huntsville’s “best-kept craft beer secret,” Mad Malts features live music every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The unique layout includes a beer garden for outdoor enjoyment and, for those who prefer the indoors, there is a loft with a view of the stage and a downstairs “cave” for a more intimate setting.
Mid-size, major tunes
Furniture Factory Bar & Grill - A bar in the front and party in the back. Despite its name, this is actually a dive bar/diner/outdoor music venue in one location. You can even catch a game or two or three on the big-screen TVs throughout.
Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment - A former cotton mill transformed into the largest, privately owned arts facility in the South, Lowe Mill features artists’ studios, galleries, and its Concerts on the Docks seasonal concert series on a historic loading-dock-turned-stage.
Mars Music Hall - With its flexible, open-floor design and mezzanine-level balcony, this venue at the Von Braun Center is the perfect space for a high-energy concert or a relaxed night out with friends. The stage setup promotes clear sightlines from every angle, and the sound system delivers crisp, powerful acoustics that bring every performance to life.
Stovehouse - Built on the bones of the century-old Martin Stove Factory, the reimagined Stovehouse features several stages - including the Electric Belle and the Booth - for live, local music. It is also a destination for eats, drinks, shopping, and leisure.
The Camp at MidCity - For the eclectic taste, The Camp at MidCity is a bar and restaurant with live music and entertainment every night. This vibrant, seasonal outdoor venue also features vendors with fresh produce and crafts.
The big stage
The Orion Amphitheater - The 8,000-seat outdoor venue boasts major acts, unique architecture, best-in-class food and beverages, with more than a dozen niche bars with carefully curated offerings. For the music fan, the acoustics are unsurpassed, and parking is included in the price of the ticket.
Mark C. Smith Concert Hall - Where legendary performances take center stage, the 1,955-seat Concert Hall is a premier venue for live performances. Every seat in the house is designed for exceptional acoustics and sightlines, creating an immersive experience whether you’re in the front row or the balcony.
Von Braun Center Propst Arena - The Propst Arena provides an immersive entertainment experience with excellent sightlines, modern seating, and top-tier acoustics. Concessions, bars, and accessible seating ensure comfort for every guest.
And there you have it. Whether you’re a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, or all that jazz, you can catch a vibe in the “rock-it” city.
