Wondering where to find the best music venues near you?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable music venues in St. Louis, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to satisfy your cravings.
1. Venice Cafe
Topping the list is Venice Cafe, located at 1903 Pestalozzi St. in Benton Park. The pub and music venue is the highest-rated cheap music venue in St. Louis, boasting 4.5 stars out of 155 reviews on Yelp.
Yelper Jonnathan J., who reviewed Venice Cafe on Sept. 4, wrote, "Really funky place... there's so much history on those walls. Really interesting. The place is cash only (which means, really good prices)."
Adam R. noted, "One of the quirkiest bars in STL and Soulard. Love walking around digesting all the knickknacks everywhere! Swing by, you won't be disappointed!"
2. The Heavy Anchor
Next up is Bevo Mill's The Heavy Anchor, situated at 5226 Gravois Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 40 reviews on Yelp, the dive bar and music venue has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a budget-friendly option.
If you're looking for more, we found these details about The Heavy Anchor.
"Opened in 2011 by Jodie Timbrook (Whitworth) and Josh Timbrook," according to the history section of the business's Yelp profile.
Want to know more?
"Jodie & Josh Timbrook own the bar and you'll catch us bartending most nights!" the business notes in the bio section of its Yelp profile.
Furthermore, we found this about the business's signature items: "South City Neighborhood Dive Bar & Music/Comedy/Event Venue," it writes on Yelp in the section explaining specialties. "Stop in for a beer or stay for a show. We have a full bar with over 40 beers and a weekly rotating schedule of new craft brews."
3. Foam
Benton Park West's Foam, located at 3359 S. Jefferson Ave., is another top choice. Yelpers give the budget-friendly music venue, which offers coffee, tea, beer, wine, spirits and more, four stars out of 73 reviews.
The site has lots more information about Foam.
"Foam is a community gathering place that seeks to re-establish Cherokee Street as a primary entertainment and shopping destination," the business states in the history section of its Yelp profile. "We started as a low key coffee shop and bar, but we have risen to the neighborhood's call for bustling 80 capacity music venue."
Curious about who's behind the business?
"I've worked in coffee shops for over ten years, played in dozens of prolific local/touring bands, been booking and promoting shows at Foam and learning the bar business for the past 5 years..," the business explains in the bio section of its Yelp profile. "I have a passion for independent music and culture in general. I come from the community oriented DIY music scene, so that's who Foam caters to primarily."
As to what the business is known for, "A coffee shop, a bar, and a music venue...We specialize in innovative coffee and booze concoctions...beverages and atmosphere," it states on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties.
4. Crack Fox
Crack Fox, a lounge, music venue and karaoke spot located downtown, is another inexpensive go-to, with four stars out of 35 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1114 Olive St. to see for yourself.
We turned there to learn more about Crack Fox.
"Crack Fox opened in 2009 and became the premier venue for alternative events and lifestyles," the business says in the history section of its Yelp profile.
Curious to know more?
"Carrie saw an opportunity to bring together her love for music, dance, alternative culture and passion for libations and customer satisfaction," per the bio section of its Yelp profile. "Bringing her wildly successful event, CONSPIRACY, to Crack Fox, it paved the way for her to become a partner and eventually sole owner. Now, Crack Fox is consistently proving itself to be a viable and solid spot for the scene."
Regarding signature items, "Crack Fox is a live music venue and art bar catering to the subculture of Saint Louis," it writes on Yelp in the section about specialties. "Hosting a variety of shows from comedy, burlesque, dance parties, theme nights and art receptions. This is not a top forty bar, the genre of music heard can be anything from rockabilly, alt country, punk, industrial, drum n bass, to electro."
5. The Way Out Club
And then there's The Way Out Club, a Fox Park favorite with four stars out of 22 reviews. Stop by 2525 S. Jefferson Ave. to hit up the bar and music venue next time you're in the mood for cheap eats.
Federico V. noted, "Went for a beer and hear live rap on a Saturday night and was very fun and interesting. Pretty cool local bar. Lots of crazy antique unique collector items and art. I'm a fan."
Yelper Pat T. wrote, "Hands down my favorite bar! And I don't even drink, great stuff to look at everywhere and Bob is the BEST."
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
