Venue Guide: 10 Incredible Places to See Your Favorite Artists

Every city has a place that dance fanatics can call home for the night. These should be at the top of your list.

Between the stunning décor, three floors, five separate music room with their own bars, video water wall and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, it’s no wonder 1015 Folsom is a top EDM pick in the San Francisco Bay Area. Previous acts have included Trippy Turtle, Alison Wonderland, Paul Oakenfold and Dada Life, but you can also catch hip hop artists like Wyclef Jean or Big Boi and the weekly, Latin-focused Pura Nightclub.

Barley House in Cleveland’s Warehouse District leads a double life. By day, it’s a popular sports bar with happy hour specials, more than 20 big-screen TVs, 20 craft beers on tap and a tasty menu. By night, the space becomes a nightclub complete with DJs and VIP seating. In 2015, Barley House made it to Nightclub & Bar’s Top 100 list, the only establishment from Ohio to make the cut.

Beta is one of those nightclubs that should be on every EDM fan’s bucket list. The Denver venue features a coveted Funktion-One sound system to pump deep bass beats and also boasts a slew of awards: #1 Nightclub in North America (DJMag, 2011), #1 Dance Club (Rolling Stone, 2013) and named one of the Greatest Dance Clubs of All Time (Billboard), just to cite a few. From dubstep to techno to the occasional Hip-Hop chart-topper like Lil Jon, Beta’s lineup is always a crowd-pleaser.

Located in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District in New York City, Cielo is an established presence known for a truly dance-oriented atmosphere. This no-frills club delivers techno, house and deep house onto an open, sunken dance floor in an intimate space. Major DJs and EDM stars from the United Kingdom and Ibiza perform here regularly.

If you like lots of room to move, unobstructed views, a jaw-dropping light show and top DJs like Dada Life, Eric Prydz and Diplo, Echostage is a can’t-miss stop in the Washington, D.C., area. It’s only been open since 2012, but Echostage has already been ranked  #8 in DJMag’s Top 100 Clubs in the World and #1 in the USA for 2017. This is definitely a spot to add to your nightlife agenda.

Historic, scenic and legendary – these five fantastic outdoor venues are made for big-name acts and large crowds. They’re also in beautiful destinations you’ll want to explore.

Picturesque views of the Columbia River in Washington serve as the backdrop for this large concert venue about 2.5 hours east of Seattle. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful venue that hosts top performers and huge music festivals. For EDM fans, the electronic music-focused Paradiso Festival in June as well as the mixed-genre Sasquatch! Festival in May both take place at Gorge.

Open since 1922, performances at the Hollywood Bowl have featured everyone from the Beatles to Prince and Kanye West. Set within a natural “bowl” of the surrounding hills with the famous Hollywood sign in the background, the Hollywood Bowl is a Los Angeles icon hosting top-notch EDM acts throughout the year. Allow extra time before the concert to browse the Hollywood Bowl Museum inside. There are 14 picnic areas and multiple restaurants on-site.

In Chicago’s Millennium Park, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion is a work of art. The stainless-steel headdress and sweeping steel pipes were designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry. In the summer, a twice-weekly free concert series brings in big crowds to hear artists from every musical style, from rock to jazz to EDM. When it comes to location, the Pritzker Pavilion can’t be beat. You’re within steps of the downtown Chicago's many famous attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago, Willis Tower, the “Cloud Gate” aka The Bean sculpture and much more.

Red Rocks is another bucket-list music venue consistently rated among the best in the world. Set within ancient red sandstone formations in Colorado, the site is known as the only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world. If you’re into electronic music, notable performances have included deadmau5, STS9, Tchami, Kygo and the Global Dub Festival, but every genre is represented in this storied place. Check out the summer concert series under the stars, Yoga on the Rocks, the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and the hiking trails in the surrounding park.

In the winter, Deer Valley is a snow-lover’s paradise with outstanding skiing amid the Wasatch Mountains. In the summer, it’s a popular place to enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing and outdoor concerts at Snow Park Amphitheater in Park City. The venue hosts several summer concert series, including the Grand Valley Bank Free Community Concert Series, the Utah Symphony and Big Stars, Bright Nights, where you’ll hear anything from EDM to rock to bluegrass.