Where to hear folk music in Los Angeles

This 1,100-seat circular auditorium regularly hosts lectures for mathematicians and astrophysicists. But the temple-like theater and its golden tented ceiling is also home to Caltech's performing arts programs. Since 1981, the Pasadena Folk Music Society (formerly the Caltech Folk Music Society) has programmed monthly sets of acoustic music from around the world, with everything from bluegrass to nueva canción.

If you can pluck it, strum it or hammer it, you'll probably find it at this Santa Monica institution. MacCabe's has been specializing in mostly acoustic and folk instruments since 1958, but on weekend nights it doubles as an intimate performance space for all things acoustic.

On most nights, Largo rounds up a consistently stellar stable of big-name comedy talent. But the 280-seat theater is still L.A.'s home for cultured, bankable singer-songwriters. Loudon Wainwright III, Robyn Hitchcock, Andrew Bird and Jenny Lewis have all swung by and, most notably, Jon Brion performs on a near-monthly basis.

This storied club has a rich musical history: Randy Newman got his start here, and Elton John made his U.S. debut on its stage in 1970. It hasn't lapsed into irrelevance in the time since, often showcasing bands on the rise and—true to its name—acoustic guitar-toting troubadours. The sound is great and the views are decent from almost anywhere in the room—just stay out from under the balcony.

This intimate haven hosts local singer-songwriters, from incubating newbies such as folk-popper Meiko to veterans like Gus Black, as well as touring acts on the verge of hitting it big. When the place is packed—and it often is, especially when a celebrity takes the stage—sightlines aren't great, and the bar chatter sometimes overwhelms the music.

Having expanded its space and upgraded its sound, the 70-year-old Mint is now a pretty comfortable room, compared to its reputation a decade or two ago. The schedule of roots- and blues-oriented acts includes notable touring bands along with more local acts.

Along with Tom Bergin’s, Tam O’Shanter is one of those pubs that has been around forever (more than 90 years, in fact), and with good reason. Representing the Scottish tier of L.A.’s British pub scene, the Tam is the real deal, from the red phone booth outside to the grumpy old men drinking at the bar. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the Atwater Village spot hosts live music—typically traditional Celtic folk.