Local Venues 101 

The Domino Room/Midtown Ballroom/The Annex

From the outside, you wouldn't suspect the Midtown Ballroom to house three different venues, including the largest indoor music venue in town. The Domino Room, a mid-sized space that falls somewhere between the size of Midtown Ballroom and the upstairs Annex, is a minimal space with the feel of a black box theater. Like that quiet punk rock kid in high school, The Domino Room doesn't try too hard, but is super cool anyway. Seemingly unfinished and unpolished and with a hard-grunge edge, you'll feel right at home at The Domino if DIY rock and a tightknit music community is your style. 

According to Midtown's website, the 16,000 square-foot building is over 100 years old. Beginning as the home of Bend Dairy, over the years the space has also hosted a roller rink before more recently becoming the music hub that it is today. — Keely Damara

The Domino Room/Midtown Ballroom/The Annex
51 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend
541-408-4329
midtownbend.com

Les Schwab Amphitheater 

The Les Schwab Amphitheater is Bend's iconic music venue, sitting on the bank of the Deschutes River. The grass-hilled spot can hold 8,000 people at a time, and has some of the best sunset views in town—and great music. Dave Matthews played this year, and has in the past.  There are plenty of food and drink options, but make sure you check the regulations on what you can bring in for each show. At the DMB show, no chairs or blankets were allowed. At Willie Nelson, people could bring in low-backed chairs. Remember this is Central Oregon, so dress accordingly. — Chris Miller

Les Schwab Amphitheater
344 Shevlin Hixon Dr.
541-318-5457
bendconcerts.com

The Capitol

It's late, you've had a few, and you're ready to bust a move. If it's the weekend, there's a very good chance The Capitol is hosting a DJ who'll be happy to oblige. Located in the basement on the same block as Patagonia Bend and Wild Rose, The Capitol hosts a variety of house music, hip-hop, dub and other danceable bands and DJs. If there's no live or DJ'd music, go there to play one of the spot's many arcade and pub games, or check out their proper cocktail menu. — Nicole Vulcan

The Capitol
190 NW Oregon Ave., Bend
541-678-5740
thecapitolbend.com

Silver Moon Brewing

What's better than a pint of beer, something to nosh on and live music? At Silver Moon's pub, you can find it all. The tall ceilings lend to just about any form of music—from heavy metal to some smoothed out funky jazz. And there's a great patio if you want your tunes with a view. — Chris Miller

Silver Moon Brewing
24 NW Greenwood Ave.
541-388-8331
silvermoonbrewing.com

Astro Lounge

Sometimes a draw for the roving bar patrons of downtown Bend; other times a home for open mic nights, singer-songwriters and other troubadours looking to make their stamp on the music lovers of Bend. — Nicole Vulcan

Astro Lounge
939 NW Bond St., Bend
541-388-0116
astrolounge.com

Crow's Feet Commons

Walking down Brooks Street has a bit of that French Quarter feel, with patio restaurants and bars lining the street. At Crow's Feet Commons, you can get wine, beer or a coffee and sit under the bright blue sky and listen to some live acoustic tunes—or check out one of their Apres Ski shows throughout the winter months, complete with firepits. The view of Mirror Pond is excellent, too. — Chris Miller

Crow's Feet Commons
875 NW Brooks St., Bend
541-728-0066
crowsfeetcommons.com

Oregon Spirit Distillers

We named this outdoor venue, located in the Maker's District, the "Best Silver Lining on a City Council Decision" in this year's Best Of issue, after a City Council decision earlier this year made hosting more than three shows at the Century Center on the west side next to impossible. The sold-out Shakey Graves show there this summer felt busy, but not overly sardine-packed.

Its outdoor space is expansive, its location offers east siders and west siders alike a place to easily bike or walk to an outdoor show, and the lineup thus far has been varied for a range of audiences. Plus, since it's a distillery, the drinks are good, too. — Nicole Vulcan

Oregon Spirit Distillers
740 NE 1st St., Bend
541-382-0002
Oregonspiritdistillers.com

The Belfry

While other spots in Sisters host live music—especially when the Sisters Folk Fest rolls around—The Belfry is a proper venue, with a dedicated stage and plenty of room for dancing. True to form for Sisters, The Belfry hosts its fair share of Americana and bluegrass bands, but you can also see rock, folk and other genres on regular rotation, as well as other community events. With a full bar and friendly crowds, expect a fun night out on the town when you see a show here. — Nicole Vulcan

The Belfry
302 E. Main Ave., Sisters
541-815-9122
belfryevents.com

The Athletic Club of Bend

By day it's a club with swimming pools and exercise classes—but some nights, The Athletic Club also plays host to the Clear Summer Nights outdoor concert series, hosting a wide range of indie, jam and rock shows in its grassy outdoor space. — Nicole Vulcan

The Athletic Club of Bend
61615 Athletic Club Dr., Bend
541-385-3062
athleticclubofbend.com

Volcanic Theatre Pub

With comfy, mismatched couches, tables reminiscent of what you'd find in your favorite coffee shop and burlap sacks utilized as a backdrop to a modest corner stage, you might picture an intimate cafe rather than a concert venue.  

But take those elements and plop them in a warehouse with industrial fixtures and you're left with a well-loved and well-lived-in hangout. Volcanic was just voted "Best Indoor Venue" in the Source Weekly's Best of Central Oregon 2018 readers' poll. In addition to a ton of live music that owner Derek Sitter lines up, the venue hosts theater and community events throughout the year. — Keely Damara

Volcanic Theatre Pub
70 SW Century Dr., Bend
541-323-1881
volcanictheatre.com

Tower Theatre

The Tower Theatre was built in 1940 and its neon sign, emblazoned with "Tower," can be seen as a beacon lighting up downtown Bend.

The art deco theater is a historic landmark in Bend, offering a curated lineup of musical and variety acts each season. Don't let the retro building fool you — the sound system is state-of-the-art and while the theater can project old celluloid films as well as digital. — Keely Damara

Tower Theatre
835 Wall St., Bend
541-317-0700
towertheatre.org

Want more venues?

Check 'em out in our calendar, every week.