The best live music venues in Miami to catch a sweaty rock show, indie beats and more

Whether you’re into Latin rock or reggae, string quartets or comedy shows, the Miami Beach Bandshell has something for you. This iconic, open-air venue hosts over 100 shows per year, with many rock bands on the 2024 calendar. Snag your tickets early and wear some comfortable shoes—the Bandshell loves a good dance party. 

Kill Your Idol is a rare gem in Miami Beach, partially for its cheap drinks and funky decor, but mostly for its punk attitude and excellent live music. Head over on Wednesdays, when ladies drink free and local rock bands perform big shows on a small-but-mighty stage. 

What more could we say about Gramps that we haven’t already? It’s got great drinks, great programming and—you guessed it—great live music. Grab a slice of pizza and find your spot near the tiki hut stage, where kick-ass rock bands will restore your faith in Wynwood nightlife.

The Fillmore is a historic venue that has been in Miami Beach since 1950, at one point used for the filming of The Jackie Gleason Show. Today it’s controlled by Live Nation and hosts some serious touring acts (Sum 41, Sting and Róisín Murphy are all slated for 2024). The Fillmore is Miami’s live music sweet spot, hosting acts not big enough for an arena but too large for local clubs.

The Ground is what Club Space is calling its ground floor these days, which has been converted into a part-time live music venue. The Ground, naturally, hosts some dance-y acts like Mount Kimbie but will also have artists such as Rhye and Jens Lekman.

Remember Warped Tour? This is where it used to be. Feel old yet? Bayfront Park’s amphitheater has seen a lot of rock bands over the years. Thankfully for us elder emos, a lot of those same bands come back for, what I like to call, “summer nostalgia tours.” Some of the biggest names of ‘90s and ‘00s rock—like Coheed and Cambria, Panic! At the Disco, Third Eye Blind and Brand New—have graced the stage in recent years. Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal announcements, and don’t forget to bring your towels!

Craft beer and live bands go together like croquetas y cafecito. Get a taste of this delicious combo every week at Magic 13 Brewing in Little Haiti. Along with a spacious tap room and outdoor beer garden, this local brewery has a ton of live music, and an impressive food menu with meaty dishes by local butchers Meat N’ Bone.

Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena but known by most locals as the old AmericanAirlines Arena) is the home arena of our dear Miami Heat. But this bayfront venue also pulls double duty as the music venue to the biggest acts rolling through Miami.
Where else are you going to see acts like Blink 182, Shakira or Elton John? Sometimes you’ve got to fight traffic and crowds for that amazing show.

“Bougies” is a classic neighborhood bar tucked inside of an old, cozy cottage in South Miami. But don’t let looks fool you: this place gets down. Bougie’s is bumpin’ almost every night of the week with affordable drink specials and fun music programs. Swing by Friday through Sunday, when local bands perform rock, reggae and classic covers in the “living room,” or pop in Thursday for emo night DJs. Need a break from headbanging? The backyard patio offers respite with old-school hip-hop and a separate outdoor bar.

Once a New York-style piano bar, The Anderson has maintained its chaotic 1980s flair in the best way possible. Red pleather couches, New Wave posters, and lots of animal print adorn the retro lounge, while local bands and rising DJs keep the music alive with weekly rock concerts, disco-fueled sets, karaoke and more. Take time to explore the venue while you’re there. The outdoor taco bar is pretty bomb.

Rock music in Doral? Yes, it exists! Copper Blues is a massive pub-slash-clubstaurant with live music seven nights a week, including weekend rock bands and weeknight acoustic sets during happy hour. Just make sure to check the schedule first, or you might end up at a DJ Laz party instead. (We call that a “happy accident.”) 

One of the best cocktail bars in Little Havana, Bar Nancy is a sure bet for great rock music, too. From ‘60s cover bands, to local songwriters, to post-punk musicians, all types of artists are welcome at this nautically-inspired neighborhood spot—even the goths.

If classic rock and ice-cold beer is what you crave, head toward the University of Miami and find Titanic Brewery. This family-owned Gables spot has been serving craft beer and gastropub fare since 1997, before most current UM students were even born. Stop by on Saturdays, when local rock bands perform new originals and old classics from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and beyond.

Though Lagniappe is known more as a wine bar, the music programming here is no joke. Some of Miami's best local jazz and indie musicians perform living room-style concerts in Lagniappe’s cozy indoor space. The outdoor patio is equally charming and much more spacious, perfect for catching up with friends. Get there early to save a seat and browse the wine selection, before all the mid-priced bottles get snatched.