August 10, 2021

14 Best Concert Venues in Maryland

With summer weather here, many of us are excited at the prospect of getting out to enjoy some live music! And as usual, the Old-Line State has something for everyone.

You’ll find concert venues in Maryland for music lovers of all kinds.

Here are the 14 best places to see live music in Maryland.

1. Merriweather Post Pavilion

10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044

Situated on 40 acres of parkland, Merriweather Post Pavilion is the largest designated outdoor concert venue in Maryland. The covered amphitheater has seating for up to 1,800, while the graded lawn can accommodate another 18,000!

Merriweather Post Pavilion was originally built to be the summer home of the National Symphony Orchestra in 1969, but quickly became one of the favorite music venues in Maryland.

In the 50+ years since it’s construction, famous artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, Green Day, and Led Zeppelin have graced the stage.

If you want to see big names in music, Merriweather is definitely the place to be.

New acts are added to the schedule often, and tickets go fast! If you’re considering a concert here, make sure you purchase yours ASAP!

2. Rams Head Live!

20 Market Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202

This 26,000 square foot indoor music venue, club, and bar is another favorite in the Baltimore area.

With five bars and three different viewing levels, everyone is sure to love the show at Ram’s Head Live! Music venues in Maryland are often standalone structures with few businesses nearby.

Rams Head is different because it’s located in the Power Plant Live and surrounded by a variety of other entertainment options. This makes it a great place to see live music before (or after) exploring more of the Baltimore nightlife scene.

Ram’s Head Live! is played by some of the most notable local musicians around, such as the Regan Years (80’s music), Get the Led Out (Led Zeppelin Cover Band), and the Drive-By Truckers (classic rock and roll).

3. The 8×10

10 E Cross St, Baltimore, MD 21230

The 8×10 is among the local concert venues in Maryland with a dive bar vibe. It is where bands and fans connect through music and art and is the epitome of a long standing, community business.

That sense of intimacy and connection is present in all that they do. With 8:00 PM shows on most Wednesdays through Sundays, the diversity of shows ranges from Jam and Tribute bands like Better Off Dead, to EDM shows featuring such performers as Hydraulix, and even Bluegrass tunes from Fireside Collective, and so much more!

4. Ottobar

2549 N Howard St, Baltimore, MD 21218

In 1997, Ottobar opened in downtown Baltimore as an intimate showroom for live music and occasional performance art. Here you can experience music from bands like Jimmy Eat World and Bright Eyes along with performances along the lines of “Death of Vaudeville Night.”

But the venue was small! They closed the doors to their original location in 2001 and moved down the street to a considerably larger space which has hosted performers such as All Time Low and events like a Butcher Knife Throwing Contest!

Ottobar is a venue like no other that provides unique experiences year round.

5. Baltimore Soundstage

124 Market Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202

This live music and entertainment space is located in the heart of Baltimore’s famous Inner Harbor and is one of the most eclectic concert venues in Maryland. Most shows can accommodate 1,000 guests, and are standing room only.

The Baltimore Soundstage puts on some amazing shows! The upcoming Emo Show features awesome Maryland bands playing legendary emo and pop funk covers.

Or maybe you’d prefer the sound of Trombone Shorty’s funky New Orleans soul. Whatever your musical taste, you’ll find something to love at the Soundstage.

6. Lurman Woodland Theatre

Bloomsbury Ave at Hilltop Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228

This one’s a little different! Lurman Woodland Theater is an outdoor community amphitheater, and while there are a variety of free outdoor concerts in the area, Lurman Woodland Theater is the only designated music venue in Maryland to offer weekly outdoor concerts at no charge.

Big Bands, Reggae, Cajun, Rock. You name it, and they’ll have it.

What’s even better is the location. This venue is nestled in a beautiful, naturally wooded setting, perfect for summer picnics combined with music of all kinds.

This year’s lineup features the Magical Mystery Girls – an all-female Beatles Tribute Band, New Orleans Funk + Swing music from Junkyard Saints, and the Classic Rock covers of Remains of Radio, to name a few.

7. The HALL at Live! Casino

7002 Arundel Mills Cir, Hanover, MD 21076

From a rustic outdoor amphitheater in Catonsville we head just a few miles down the road to a 75,000 square foot, three story concert and entertainment venue at the Live! Casino in Hanover.

The HALL features some of the nation’s best touring acts in addition to comedy shows, boxing matches, and other extraordinary experiences. The space holds 4,000 seats for concerts, plus there’s the option to upgrade to VIP boxes with balcony views.

8. The Fillmore Silver Spring

8656 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Quite a few of Maryland’s live music venues can be found in the northern suburbs of Washington, D.C. Located in one such suburb, The Filmore Silver Spring has been a local favorite for more than 40 years.

Performances here have linked some of the country’s most influential artists with their biggest fans. The state-of-the-art lighting, impressive sound system, and 2,000 stadium style seats make for a concert like no other.

Over the years the Fillmore has hosted No Doubt, Radiohead, the Cure, Dave Chapelle, and so many more big names.

In fact, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have graced the Fillmore stage a total of 27 times! If that doesn’t convince you to check this venue out, we’re not sure what will.

9. Hammerjack’s

1300 Russell St, Baltimore, MD 21230

“There are music venues, and then there are institutions, the kinds of places whose lore and legacy live on long after their doors have closed.” This quote perfectly describes Hammerjack’s, which opened its doors in 1977.

For rock and roll lovers, it was the live music venue in Maryland. And it’s easy to see why, with performances from Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, and the like. Joan Jett even filmed part of the I Love Rock and Roll video at Hammerjack’s.

In 1997 Hammerjack’s moved to make room for the construction of Ravens Stadium, but they didn’t go far. The venue has been reimagined and reopened twice since then, and today is home to the ultimate Ravens Tailgate parties as well as a 2,500 person concert space, club, and beer garden.

10. Powerplant Live!

34 Market Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202

Power Plant Live! isn’t technically a concert venue. It’s more of an entertainment district, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention it, as they host some stellar, often free, outdoor concerts.

This summer is full of entertainment including Hot Country Nights – featuring local country artists, Friday Night Live! – a weekly concert spotlighting a different artist and different musical genre each week, and even a 90’s themed bar crawl.

In short, there’s something for every music lover at Power Plant Live!

11. The Music Center at Strathmore

5301 Tuckerman Ln, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Beautiful natural light and wood-accented walls at the Music Center at Strathmore create ambiance different from most other concert venues in Maryland. This 2,000 seat hall hosts nearly 400 events each year and performances run the gamut.

Sometimes Strathmore puts on world-class talent, and sometimes they act as a launch pad for local artists. From rock, to opera, and everything in between, you’re sure to find music for any taste at this favorite Maryland concert venue.

12. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

1212 Cathedral St, Baltimore, MD 21201

Known throughout the area as a preeminent place to experience musical excellence, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has a devoted following.

In recent years, the artistic vision of Maestra Marin Alsop, the first woman to head a major American orchestra, has helped to create a new generation of classical music lovers.

The BSO hosts over 350,000 guests per year, all of whom come to experience the sounds of Baltimore’s Grammy Award winning symphony orchestra. For those looking to enjoy a gorgeous concert venue without a late-night bar vibe, the BSO is for you!

13. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

8270 Alumni Dr, College Park, MD 20742

Located on the University of Maryland Campus inside the College of Arts and Humanities, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, also known as “The Clarice,” is another unique venue for music lovers to visit.

Originally the facility was solely intended to be an academic center, but the plan evolved to include performance spaces for non-students, as well. The Clarice focuses on showcasing local, regional, and national talent throughout every performance season.

14. The Horse You Came In On Saloon

1626 Thames St, Baltimore, MD 21231

Known to locals simply as “The Horse,” The Horse You Came in On Saloon has been around since 1775. You read that right. At nearly 250 years old, The Horse is by far the oldest Maryland live music venue on our list.

Not only is it notable for its age, but The Horse is the only bar in Maryland to exist before, during, and after prohibition; and it is said to be the final Baltimore destination of great American writer, Edgar Allen Poe, prior to his mysterious death.

With such a lengthy history, it is no surprise that the Horse You Came in on Saloon has undergone a few renovations over the years, and one of them took it from local tavern to local bar & concert venue.

Maryland-based artists like Jimmy Solesky, Aaron Hawkins, Rod and Real, and Hunter Rich are all frequent performers at The Horse.

Book Your Stay at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve for Your Next Concert

Your concert adventure doesn’t have to end when the music does. Make the most of your experience by ending the evening in style.

The Hotel at Arundel Preserve is located quite close to each of these live music venues in Maryland, making it the perfect spot to retire, post-concert.

Enjoy a nightcap at George Martin’s Grillfire, located just inside the Hotel’s lobby.

Your stay in Maryland doesn’t have to end right away, either. Take advantage of our convenient location and spend time visiting some of the best historic sites, waterfront restaurants, and charming towns in the area.