Live music is great, but these Pittsburgh music venues have the power to take the experience from good to phenomenal.

The Mr. Roboto Project

5106 Penn Avenue
Locate in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood, Roboto is, to me, the most important venue in the city as its mission “…as a ‘safer space,’ meaning racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or any other types of oppressive language are considered inappropriate and are not tolerated.” This DIY, all-ages, alcohol-free venue presents the cutting edge in touring and local bands. 

Thunderbird Café & Music Hall

4053 Butler Street
Lawrenceville welcomed back the Thunderbird in 2019 after a three-year-long renovation that turned the once cozy venue into a beautifully spacious three-level stage that can “adjust” the capacity of any given show. Come for the slammin’ Black Sheep BBQ and stay for the weekly, rotating, stripped-down lineup on the Front Porch Stage. 

Roxian Theatre

425 Chartiers Avenue
Like its sister space, the Thunderbird, this McKees Rocks venue opened in 2019 after a stunning renovation, incorporating the latest state-of-the-art tech to satisfy any music lover’s audio/visual experience. Featuring an open-area GA “pit” section for those who need to be close to the action, there are also seating options for anyone who is in a more relaxed mood. 

Story by Hugh Twyman, HughShows

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