For so long I have heard about this little music venue on Lemp Ave and how it's considered one of the best in St. Louis. I also heard about how this place had no smoking, had awesome music and cold drinks at a decent price. Needless to say I wasn't disappointed I went to Off Broadway for a show. This place reminds me of a dive bar. It's not a place that's amazing to look at. The focus is and always on the music on stage. Not saying the place is ugly, but if your here then you really could care less on how this place looks. If you get there early enough you can get a table and enjoy a show. Or join the people near the stage and enjoy some quality music. The sound quality is also very good. Not too loud but not too soft either. There sound guy(s) know the place and get the most of out it. Not a lot of lighting if any for this place. Then again this is a concert venue and you usually don't need a lot of light. Just enough to get around and not run into people. The bartenders are pretty good here. Not the best I've seen but they do the job quite well. The drinks here aren't too bad either. And before you ask, no...there are no AB products served at OB (read the sign when you get there). And most of the time the cover price is reasonable ($5-10). Also you can just order tickets online as well. St. Louis is a music city through and through and Off Broadway is one of those mid-size venues that shows how unique this city is music wise. Now I will say Off Broadway does not have as diverse of a line up as say The Gramophone but it has a charm and attitude that makes the venue stand out from many others in the city. read more

Great place to watch shows and relax with friends. The floor is open enough to pack right up to the stage or back off around 30 feet to linger against the wall or poles. Regardless of where you're standing the sets feel pretty intimate. There's even a second level, which is cool although it doesn't have the best views. Drinks are cheap and plentiful. They have some decent things on tap, but, come on, if you're coming for a typical show you should be drinking the good stuff. They even have an outside patio area that often has a guy grilling on it. Great place to relax in between bands. Also, it's not far from Cherokee Street so there's plenty to do in the area before shows. Basically, this is one of my favorite places to watch touring bands in STL. read more

I had the pleasure of spending my New Years Eve at Off Broadway. It was my second time at the venue, the first time being the night before to see Ransom Note and Magic City. I love that you have to stand. It forces people to be engaged with the band and music. And if you really wanted to sit you could go outside on their patio where there are seats (heat lamps this time of year) and a full bar. On NYE they even had a grill going and a full menu of late night food (I didn't try/buy anything as there was a large bucket of lard on display). The bar service inside was friendly and speedy even on NYE when the place was PACKED. I loved that the crowd was a nice mix of young, old, hipster, nerds, and all of the stuff in between. My only complaint was that the place smells awfully musty. I suppose you stop noticing after a few drinks. Will be back for more awesome shows. read more

Friendly and cozy venue to hear the Funky Butt Brass play a holiday concert. When I say cozy, I mean crowded but not too uncomfortable. There were few seats so if you head out this way, wear comfortable shoes. We watched the band from upstairs. Several groups of people hogged all of the seats by "saving" them with homemade "reserved"signs. I'm not sure what THAT was all about, but I luckily was able to stand on a chair to see the band perform. Bathrooms were clean, beer wasn't too expensive, and the smokers were outside, so all was well. read more

If ever I am asked about music venues in St. Louis, my response is always, "Off Broadway is my favorite!" I have been going to shows here for about 6 years now and I love it. First of all the sound is almost always great. I have been once or twice where the sound was mediocre or maybe a little off but those times are few and far between. The owner is extremely nice and always seems to be willing to listen to customers comments and/or concerns. I know that from experience. The drinks are not overpriced and the bartenders are pretty darn good at mixing a whiskey drink. The staff members are nice and attentive. The patio area is a great place for smokers and even good for non-smokers to step outside for a minute. Last time I was there they even had a second bar set up outside. My favorite thing about seeing live music here is that its a very intimate place to see music and the ticket prices are awesome for the quality of bands that play here. I would definitely recommend seeing a band at Off Broadway. My only advice is try to park on Lemp Ave. or if they have someone taking money in the Lemp Brewery lot, definitely park there! Try to avoid parking on President St. My car got broken into on that street before. Please don't let that scare you away from going to Off Broadway though, its an awesome place and I don't consider it a bad area. As much as I love Off Broadway, its not perfect which is why I am not giving it 5 stars. I am always excited to go to a show here. I love this place! read more

Great concert venue, 2 bars, tons of space and upstairs seating. We had a lot of fun!

Off Broadway is one of my favorite small venues in St Louis. Friendly person plus an intimate setting and great music always make for a great time! I love the tall ceiling as it makes for great acoustics and a room that feels far from small. Off Broadway recently redid the outdoor patio area and it's a really neat place to hang before the show or in between sets. They always have a good beer/drink selection and usually have a one or two specials on the craftier beers. As someone who comes here both to perform and to listen, Off Broadway remains my favorite place in STL to give much deserved attention to the local music scene! read more

Great venue! I was here the first time to see my friend Chad play with the Hibernauts, and was surprised to see how the place was somehow energized and laid-back all at the same time. Once you make your way down the Lemp neighborhood roads and shell out your cover, the place has a great feel, like the inside of a barn. A small balcony overlooks a sizable ground level and dance floor, with a long bar off to the side. There was an interesting crowd here, mostly concert-going types with plenty of neighborhood locals in the mix. I didn't get a drink, so I don't know how good the service at the bar was, but let me compliment the sound system instead -- those speakers put out a WALL of sound! My ears were satisfyingly buzzy for hours after I left. Would come back. Off Broadway was hip, yet welcoming enough so a newbie like myself didn't feel completely unwelcome. Thanks for the great show! read more

I like that this place is smoke free inside! It made the show more enjoyable. I also liked that there were fans and good ventilation of air so you were not smelling all the BO in the room constantly. This place was a decent size, not too small or big. It has an upper level where you can sit at tables and enjoy the music. The bar takes cash and we paid cash to get in as well. We couldn't find parking on the street so we paid to park across the street for $5 which is not bad at all considering the streets are kinda sketchy! The atmosphere was a good mix. You had your wanabee hipsters and the younger generations in one group and an older generation of people on the other side. The concert I went to was allowing 18+ in and was happy to see that it was not a bunch of college students acting like fools! Good place overall. read more

Walked up to Off Broadway last night for a Christmas show and wasn't disappointed! Off Broadway was collecting cans and coats for local charities - as long as you brought one or the other, you got a free Fat Tire at the door. Snaps to that! If you have time, check out a few local bands worth listening to: - Dear Vincent: Bohemian pirate rock - Jon Hardy and the Public: Elvis Costello meets Randy Newman - Jumbling Towers: Yoda as a circus ringmaster with backup tunes But if these guys aren't playing, just stop by Off Broadway and see what else is playing. They guarantee a good time! read more

Great place, came for New Years Eve and had a blast. Can't beat no cover on NYE! They also had 3 great bands playing. Booz was at a good price. The atmosphere is casual, divey, but the fact that they are non-smoking got them the fourth star. read more

Best grungy attitude of this place... Across the street from the Lemp Brewery so you know this area has history of all sorts of crazy! The venue is relatively small, with an upstairs sitting area. It's more of a separate lounge because the window doesn't have that great of a view. The tables up there have fun clippings from newspapers and magazines and are worth a short while before a concert. The concert I went to was Diamond Rings, which unfortunately didn't attract a large crowd. I guess indie electropop isn't catching on yet in the STL. However, it was a small enough venue to give a dominating show with roughly 10 people. He hung out before and after the show, and the atmosphere was very friendly. The staff was super friendly even though they didn't have their stuff together when doors opened. Also, the acoustics kind of suck if you have a large-piece band (such as the opener, who rocked but you couldn't hear the lyrics well). I will be back to Off-Broadway for an even larger, rocking show regardless! read more

Attended an evening show with a friend and found the experience toe-tapping and energy-filled. The night had three bands and plenty of Midwestern talent. From the hidden gem atmosphere to the musical endeavors filled with personality and upbeat city vibes, definitely worth a gander. Music venues listed online, ticket prices reasonable (I paid $10 for my evening) and the small bar was happily supplied with STL beverages for the age-appropriate seeker. Downstairs seating was sparse so be prepared to stand if the show is booked. An outdoor area filled with charm and a view of the old haunted Lemp brewery is also on the premises. Enjoy! read more

Off Broadway - Attended a night show filled with Midwestern roots and big city inspirations. Beer is good and the atmosphere on point. - Music Venues Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

I honestly have no complaints about this place. I came here last weekend for The Blind Eyes show. It was my first time visiting Off Broadway, and I was really impressed. I LOVE smaller venues like this. The building itself had lots of character, and when I walked inside, I couldn't help but smile. I felt like I was in hipster heaven. Yes, I love hipsters. There...I said it. The sound quality was great (although I think the sound at The Firebird is sliiiiightly better), and the drinks were reasonably priced and delicious. There were a couple of barstools over to the side of the place, where me and my friend rested our tired feet for a bit in between sets. Overall, I'm kind of in love with Off Broadway. I can't wait to come back for other shows. read more

4 stars for music quality, 3 stars for production (small venue working with what they got - sound is either way on or just so so), 1 star for bar service, ticket service, overall attitude and behavior of venue staff. its hard to enjoy a show when looking for a complete experience, its been way to many years of this type of bad service by venue staff, i hear the owners are always there; like a slap in the face. The venue contacted me after this review and wanted to know a bit more about my experiences and offered some insight for some of thier decisions. It's great they care enough and hope things go well. read more

FAVORITE MUSIC VENUE IN ST. LOUIS!!! Thanks for the great atmosphere, great bands, friendly staff and unforgettable memories!! read more

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Sure this venue has more than its fair share of wannabe hipsters but what can you expect when the average show does not take the stage until after the fully employed are going to bed. I harbor no grudges; I was once angry and confused as well. The main difference between me and the two ultra-cool guys I was behind was not age or politics, but, rather it was hygiene. FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR FELLOW PEOPLE, BATH OR WIPE BETTER BEFORE GOING TO A CONCERT. Either way, the venue should not be held responsible for the occasional *&%$# in the audience. I watched Frank Turner last night and had a blast. True, he works a crowd well, but the Off Broadway vibe added to the night. You feel like someone broke into an abandoned building and held an impromptu concert. I will return regularly. Hats off to the owner/manager/whoever did not f-it up. read more

I have been to Off Broadway twice now... both times have been to see the TFDI Tour shows. A year apart, but same basic experience. The big difference is the bar! It has lost nearly half of it's girth. I don't know why, nor do I really mourn the loss, but it is different. I have to remember that this review is about the establishment, and not about the show, because I could just go on-and-on about Matt Duke and Jay Nash who are 2/3 of the TFDI Tour. Their other compadre, Tony Lucca, was unfortunately unable to make this show, but the other men surely did him proud. It was a great show. The audience? A little odd & varied. I really am happy that Off Broadway is smoke-free. It means this little girl gets to go! Yay! This visit, I got rock-star parking. Actually, I got the Mick Jagger of rock star parking. Right in front of the door. Awesome. It's a good little venue. It makes the whole experience much more intimate. All of the employees I've interacted with have been exceptionally friendly. The beer selection is interesting, and all were described easily and well by one of the bartenders. I tried the Blue Paddle, and really enjoyed it. Good experience. Happy Show Going read more

Off Broadway is a great place to watch live music, quite possibly my all-time, top-five favorite place in STL to see a show. It's a pretty cheap cover price to see live music (about $7-10 normally) and they actually get some mid-level names to play there. I love that Off Broadway doesn't have a bad seat in the house and there are lots of different seating options- up front in chairs, in the middle at a table, in the back at a booth, or in the balcony in all three of the aforementioned options. The drink prices are pretty cheap for a venue and they have a wide selection of beers and spirits. Off Broadway also holds several mini-festival type shows, featuring several local bands. What a great reason to check out Off Broadway and great local music! read more

Off Broadway - Music Venues Near Me - Saint Louis, Missouri

Came here to see tUnE-yArDz. Great venue. Really small and intimate with a good sound system and cool vibe. The balcony upstairs was a nice place to sit down and get away from the crowd. There's a bar outside, too, on the patio where you can smoke and get some air. The tickets were cheap, so were the drinks and the music was great. Only thing is parking was difficult to find. I would love to come back here and see another show! read more

Went to Off Broadway to see the THE MONADS! This was a younger crowd...college kids mostly, but we still had a great time. There really isn't much seating, so get there really early if you want to sit. We sat on a bench near the sound guy. There is a balcony that looked nice too. Smoking was outside (yeah). read more

This is a no-frills music and drinking establishment. Do not come here to be fancy. Come here to enjoy some musical acts trying to make it big. Put all your crazy cocktail dreams aside and just order a simple brew, stand and listen to music, and maybe dance if the mood strikes you. This place doesn't try to be more than it is, and you should still appreciate it for what it offers. For the St. Louis Blues music scene, this is a must-visit. read more

I like this venue. It's intimate. Great sound quality, good drinks reasonably priced. There's street parking. The bathrooms are clean. They have an outdoor patio for smoking. read more

The bartender was the most rude chick I have EVER encountered. Even though my friend started a tab, the horrible blond bartender kept asking for id's. We are in our thirties! And she stated she didn't care. I understand asking once, but repeatedly? And then to specifically say to a patron "I DON'T CARE". The manager was the RUDEST. He said he didn't care either. Really bad bad bad business. read more

I was very excited to attend this concert and even came in town from Chicago to attend it. I had a wonderful time, except the unfortunate event of one of the bartenders being extremely rude. It was a sold out show which I understand can be overwhelming but her attitude did not reflect the way a bartenders should. She was yelling at several people and even pushed past me to get to the bathroom instead of a simple 'excuse me'. I guess you can't teach manners to everyone. read more

Off Broadway is the friendliest place to see a show. The staff is welcoming and kind, and you'll most likely get to watch a great band in a surprisingly intimate setting. A few months ago I stood about four feet from Janet Weiss while Quasi played. Apparently there were some problems with car break-ins at one point, so Off Broadway set up a special parking lot for attendees. The lot is usually free and supervised, which was a super smart and responsible move on their part. As a musician who has played there dozens of times, the sound technicians are skilled and accommodating. OB is good to their bands, and to my knowledge they don't mess with weird promoter/ticket selling bullshit. If you're looking to play, just be respectful and make sure you bring a crowd. read more

Off Broadway sits behind the semi-deserted Lemp Brewery, which is where you park to check out a show there. The parking lot is watched during shows, so you don't have to worry about your car. It's a great place to see a show- intimate, but it also pulls some great acts. We checked out a Dawes show there last month and I was impressed by how good the sound was. It also has a lot of character and feels well played in. The balcony upstairs offers seats if you don't want to stand on the main floor, there are 2 bars to keep the drinks flowing, and a great patio outside to relax between sets. Check out a show if you haven't been. read more

Music venue for the 30 and under crowd featuring Americana artists for the 60ish crowd such as James McMurtry and Tom Russell--there is absolutly NO seating in the lower level and the balcony sells out quickly. It is impossible for me to enjoy a show when I cannot plop my fanny in a chair or bar stool to take the strain off my lower back. This is a pretty normal situation for someone like myself in their early 60's. McMurtry has been my favorite performer for about a dozen years and whenever he is in the area where I happen to be, I go see him but NEVER again at this venue unless I'm fortunate enough to get balcony seating read more

The best rock'n'roll-friendly music venue in St. Louis for local and touring bands that haven't quite hit the big-time, which, for me, is about all I go see anyway! And the non-smoking atmosphere is perfect for my post-smoking self. It's nice to go home after a show and not smell like an ashtray. The owners are great people, too, and the sound system, stage and lighting are perfect for the room. They also carry a great selection of beer, have a balcony, and a nice outside patio area for escaping a band you don't care to hear or to just catch a smoke (for those of you who still have that nasty habit). Kudos to Steve for the work he's put into this venue because it's really paid off! read more

Here to listen to a band. They have the balcony closed off for no apparent reason, so there's no place to sit and listen, and the beer is overpriced. Won't be back! read more

We had the audacity to move a chair from the outside to sit against the wall inside the venue and were berated for not arriving early enough to claim one of the handful of chairs available. Apparently management believes "general admission" means "you have to stand for hours and what the hell is your problem with that?" Great wine selection at the bar too, you know, they have a white one and a red one. We'll just see the bands anywhere but Off-Broadway. read more

I'll up my 1 star to a 2 star. Unfortunately, Off Broadway continues to slide downhill a little bit, but still seems to get all of the bands I want to see. We recently saw the Turnpike Troubadours at Off Broadway. Despite the tickets being printed to say the doors opened at 6 PM, and Off Broadway's own website saying the same thing, we arrived at 6 and were told the doors would not open until 7 PM, and that the tickets were printed wrong. I suppose their website was wrong too. Kind of unprofessional, and frustrating to leave work early to make the show, then find that it has been rescheduled on a whim with no notice. We did finally arrive at 7, and stood in the cold for 15 minutes or so in the line. The ticket-taker, on the other hand, conveniently sat in a running car to check tickets. Kind of disrespectful - the least they could do is stand out in the cold like the rest of us. Once we got inside, we realized the bar had been shrunk to fit in more seating. The cost of beer had gone up. The upstairs balcony is now reserved. More little things that go to show the place is going downhill. It used to be a friendly little venue to go see some awesome acts at. They still get the awesome acts, but their focus has obviously shifted from being the premiere indie venue in St. Louis to being a profit-making machine. It is starting to have the feel of a corporate music venue (e.g. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater) masquerading as an dependent, local venue. Hopefully my favorite bands start going somewhere else. This place has been sliding downhill over the past few years. I don't know if the management changed, or what, but it just isn't the experience it used to be. read more

I think this is one of the best places in town to see live music. The staff is friendly, the drinks are cold, the room has good sound and light--not too big or too small, and it's non-smoking indoors. Whats not to like? read more

Great little spot. Decent beer list relative to other places in StL. Strong weekly lineup. Good sound.

Dig. Great sound, space and vibes.

Extremely hot inside, the place could use AC. Half hour late for doors, half hour late for the opening band Tops which sucked and left before I got to see the real band the Allah-Las which are great. Make the climate control bearable and open on time. Makes the 5 dollar can of Budweiser more enjoyable. read more

Saw REK here last night. Great show but what's up with the lack of visible recycling efforts/containers? The bottles & cans went right in the trash. Unless it's all being sorted one is left to assume it's winding up in the landfill. For a venue that leans progressive on the music they are way behind in regard to recycling. Also no toilet seats or doors for the stalls in the men's room...? That is way tacky & low brow. Plus it makes a somewhat decent spot seem more like a dive dump, although maybe that's what they're going for. read more

While the venue is good'; the staff sucks. Rude and for no reason. I was standing near the bar and while being pushed and pulled by those in between, the staff went out of their way to keep pushing me away and when I asked them how far I need to go, they said the back of the room, which is not even near the best view. The show crew was great and so was the show, but the venue sucked. I will not pay a penny of my money to go there again. But the bartenders and bouncer lack a lot, and mainly the need to understand the concept of seek first to understand.... they just started harping with no explanations. Screw em. If this is what they owners want from their staff, they don't deserve to be in business. read more

Very cool venue I think (although, better dress warm on a cold night). Went to see Jill Andrews but liked all 3 acts that night (Cassie Morgan and Jailbox also). Good to get there early if you want good seating, otherwise you will likely be standing. Smoking area set aside outside. read more

Came up from Springfield to see Screaming Females with Aye Nako and Bruiser Queen. Had a good time, great venue for a concert. Smaller venue but no bad seats. Only compaint was the sound levels on Aye Nako, but they consistently requested it that way (messy as hell and way out of balance). Both of the others were clear and amazing. Drink prices were nothing out of the ordinary, but the selection was better than average for beers at least. I'd definitely go here again. read more