Cool spot, they bring really good artists. Everyone gets snacks and drinks at the restaurant next door. I didn't love the seating, but I guess for the artist we look past that. They are celebrating 50 years in STL this year and have a jam packed May 2025, check out their calendar for sure! read more

Focal Point - Tony McManus - Music Venues Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

Super small intimate space. Very professional. What's cool is that you can see and hear the entire performance from outside on the sidewalk so it's a cool experience for people walking by. It pulls you in. And feels very welcoming. Definitely want to see a show here officially. read more

We went for a Laka concert and I was impressed. Sure the seating reminds me of a 50s-60s high school auditorium (wooden with some padding added later). They are allowed access to the next door restaurants restrooms. The workers are reportedly volunteers. A small cooler sets by the door offering beer or water for the price of a donation. But as a "shoe-string" budget venue - I applaud the place for giving local talent a place to showcase their abilities. The room was big enough to accommodate 5 instrumentalists and the singer. The sound was very good. The view was close enough and unobstructed for enjoyment. This casual event space was a step above my initial high school thought... or maybe Laka and her band was better than the wooden seats. Go and enjoy with few expectations. read more

Super FUN! Great place for an intimate musical experience. The crowd is the best part of the whole experience.

Unique, cozy venue to check out folk, bluegrass, jazz, blues and world music. Enjoyed a free show featuring lots of the best local STL musicians for Maplewwod's Stringfest... all for free with free beer! The acoustics are dope and the venue is oozing with charm and character. One of my favorite places in STL to see live music. Check out their website for upcoming shows. read more

Focal Point - a group of people sitting in a room with a stage in the background - Music Venues Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

See all

A great listening room for outstanding (mainly acoustic) artists. Like a house concert but on a much larger scale, The Focal Point offers both local and national acts in a casual, intimate setting. Staffed and operated entirely by volunteers, guest are made to feel welcomed at every turn! Nothing fancy. Small room, small stage. Very good sound system. There are cushions available (gratis) for the folding chairs. Shows are videotaped and made available to stream so you can revisit your concert (also gratis)!! Drinks are available at the attached, but independently operated, Mexican restaurant and bar (not gratis ... but very reasonably priced!!) Street parking only. You can buy tickets in advance on the Focal Point website. Love it!! read more

The Focal Point will always hold a special place in my heart. My first boyfriend and I used to go there all the time when they were located in Webster Groves. We'd take swing dancing lessons and then participate in open dancing. It was the most fun I'd ever had in my life. The classes were fun and easy to understand and it didn't cost much at all. They advertise the dance lessons on their site, which also include English Country dancing and Zydeco/Cajun dancing. They even have poetry readings and all manner of musical performances. It's in a super location and it's really a lovely venue, fun for the whole family. read more

Focal Point - a red car parked in front of a store - Music Venues Near Me - Maplewood, Missouri

Great place to see a show! This has a mom-and-pop feel, with volunteers taking tickets, checking lists, and welcoming everyone (several times) to help themselves to cushions for the repurposed vintage wooden seats. When I've seen live music there, seats were in rows. It was easy to slip in to a back row after the show started. It's not the sort of venue where you'd talk through a performance; it's a concert, not a band in a bar. That said, feel free to go through the side door to the restaurant next door for a cocktail or carry-out appetizer. The sound is always great - except for once, when Tommy Halloran played, and there was a persistent feedback problem. Tommy dealt with it experty, and the staff pressed upon all attendees several discount coupons - five bucks off a future performance. very classy. All in all, Focal Point is a comfortable, welcoming place. Go. read more

Hands down the best sounding room in STL in its class. Not even the Sheldon concert hall-holds a match to this place. . It's a listening room not a talking room. So if ur looking for a place to totally geek out on some good tunes played masterfully by expert musicians for a reasonable price, this is the place for you! If you wanna chatter, go to a bar. Really the Focal Point is a rare gem . Check it out. Ps. They are a 501c3 non profit volunteer run venue. The money they take in from sales, grants and tax deductible donations primarily goes into musicians pockets ,keeping the lights on and perpetuating the programming. These people are truly in it for their love of the arts. read more

The acoustics are great. I've heard of the Focal point for years, but I've never been to see any music there. Boy was I missing out. Great atmosphere and they always have some great musicians playing. Bring your own Wine/Beer and there is public off street parking very near. read more

I've been trying to think about how to write this review for a little while now. Reason being, is that I'm not sure what to think of this place. It's a bit on the small side, but I bet most performances don't nearly pack the whole place like the time I went recently. It is a neat place overall. There are a number of rows of chairs that look to be from an old theater or something that they can easily move around for different events. There are also extra folded chairs that are placed in the back for additional seating as needed. The place provides cushions to offer more support with seating, though they are pretty worn so maybe consider bringing your own cushions if you have any. There is a bar next door that you can easily wonder over to get food and drinks from to enjoy during the shows. Biggest thing about this place before anyone starts hating on it too much is that the people who run this place are a non-profit group. So a lot of the stuff is needed to last a while. This means that people need to also do their part in taking care of this wonderful place. read more

This place is cute in a retro kind of vibe. A friend invited us to see a friend of hers band play, they where awesome! The seats where crazy rickety and old, but like I said the place was very retro. You have to go to the bar next door for a drink, but really who would mind that. If you get a chance to go and check out a band, do it it will be fun! read more

Never had anything but a great time here! Charming & intimate little rustic venue. if you appreciate a wide variety of lesser known, but often amazingly talented (frequently folk) musicians and vocal artists, then do not hesitate to check this place out and their upcoming performances & activities can be viewed online @ www.thefocalpoint.org/ No lines, no bad seats, and parking within the block..tickets range from $10.00-&15.00 for approx. 2 hrs. of phenomenal recording artists that are always engaging the audience with interesting stories, i.e. history of the band, it's members or origin of a song. read more

The first date I ever went on when I moved to St. Louis was at the Focal Point so it will always be remembered as a good spot to spend some time. Thank god it was a good date or maybe this review wouldn't be so shining. What I love most about this venue is that you can pick music to your taste and plan a night, or just show up and learn about some new style you haven't given much thought to. Oh yeah, and if you're gonna wing it make sure you bring some canned goods as sometimes that's the preferred payment option. read more

I walked in well after a band had started. I think they must have thought I was outside for a smoke because I wasn't charged. Two people popped out of their seats in the front row so we plopped down there. This place is small, intimate, but the sound is decent and the vibe is cool. read more