PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROXIAN THEATRE

In the past several years, a number of new music venues have cropped up around the Pittsburgh region — and others that closed for remodeling (or due to the pandemic) have reopened. If you’re craving that one-of-a-kind concert experience, here are some places worth checking out.

Bottlerocket Social Hall

Allentown: 1226 Arlington Ave. | bottlerocketpgh.com

Founded exclusively as a comedy club with ’70s flair in May 2022, Bottlerocket Social Hall has expanded to include a variety of indie musical acts and other entertainment — and it’s quickly become a part of the Allentown community. The team members at Bottlerocket are passionate, priding themselves on handling everything from booking to promoting in-house; they also are dedicated to showcasing their favorite artists, in genres ranging from punk to soul. At Bottlerocket, you’ll also find DJ nights, trivia nights, karaoke, literary events, movie screenings and more.

The Government Center

East Allegheny: 715 East St. | thegovernmentcenter.com

A record store and cafe by day and concert venue and bar by night, The Government Center is a hub for music lovers on the North Side. Owner Josh Cozby wanted to create a welcoming space for people to appreciate and share music, so he opened The Government Center as a storefront in 2019. In 2021, Cozby moved to a larger and more visible location and added a stage. By the next year, he had added a bar and cafe. Many local and out-of-own acts have since played the venue, with several hosting record release shows there. Even dogs are welcome!

Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall

Lawarenceville: 4023 Butler St. | thunderbirdmusichall.com

Though it’s been a bar since the 1930s and part of the Lawrenceville music scene since the aughts, Thunderbird’s renovation in 2016 incorporated both a cafe and a music hall for shows, revitalizing the venue. The hall features state-of-the-art technology and maximum visibility to preserve a sense of intimacy. Artists run the gamut; indie rockers, blues musicians and funk and soul performers have come through Thunderbird, making it a popular destination for touring musicians.

Preserving Underground

New Kensington: 1101 Fifth Ave. | preservingconcerts.com

Preserving Underground began as Preserving Hardcore — a record store in the basement of the magisterial district court office in New Kensington with a room for shows designed to drive foot traffic through the shop. An eclectic mix of punk and metal CDs and records predominantly fill the shelves. With a name change and expansion into a former Presbyterian church next door in 2020, Preserving Underground increased its venue size and added more room for records and memorabilia, becoming a treasure trove for collectors and heavy music fans. If you’re into metal or hardcore, you’ll likely find some of your favorite bands in the record bins — or catch them stopping here for a tour date.

Roxian Theatre   

McKees Rocks: 425 Chartiers Ave. | roxiantheatre.com

Originally a vaudeville playhouse and movie theater built in 1929, the Roxian’s remodel and relaunch in 2019 aimed to fill a need for more mid-sized venues in Pittsburgh. Because of the pandemic, the Roxian had to shutter temporarily before it had a chance to make its mark The renovations give the theater a sleek, modern feel. With a 1,400-person capacity, the Roxian is bigger than many of the places on this list, but still more intimate than venues with larger capacities where it’s easier to feel disconnected from the performance.

City Winery

Strip District: 1627 Smallman St. | citywinery.com

Since getting its start in New York, City Winery has expanded to multiple cities across the U.S. and opened a location at The Terminal in the Strip District last year. In addition to offering wine tastings and dining, City Winery regularly features a variety of performers and touring artists, such as the Billy Price Band, a David Bowie Tribute or Splintered Sunlight (a Grateful Dead cover band). Able to seat up to 220 guests for performances, City Winery frequently features rock and soul artists alongside stand-up comedy and other performances. With events scheduled multiple times a week, you’d be hard-pressed to simply call it a winery.

Crafthouse Stage & Grill

Baldwin: 5024 Curry Road | crafthousepgh.com

If you’ve got a craving for a rock or metal concert but also want to let off some steam throwing axes, Crafthouse Stage & Grill has you covered. Connected to Legacy Lanes and Woodchuckers Axe Throwing next door, Crafthouse feels one part sit-down restaurant, one part concert venue and one part family fun center. Despite the mix of activities under one roof, the stage portion of the venue feels focused enough for intimate concerts. And with a recent upgrade in their sound system, Crafthouse is expanding beyond local acts and inviting touring artists to perform as well.