Yelp, Vivid Seats celebrate top trending outdoor venues in all 50 states

Same vibes, new atmospheres.

As the world continues to adapt to changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, music venues have been evolving to allow concert lovers the chance to see their favorite artists safely in-person. In fact, Yelp data shows that in Q4 2021 music venue new business openings were up 129% from 2020, and 17% above pre-pandemic levels (2019). 

Yelp and Vivid Seats have teamed up to recognize the top trending outdoor music venue in each state, celebrating the unique and reimagined locales that allowed live music to continue to entertain us amid restrictions during the pandemic. The venues themselves are a vital part of the local economic engine for many communities across the country, bringing much needed traffic to the surrounding businesses. 

Music is an industry teeming with creativity, and that was clear in the variety venues that thrived hosting live music in 2021. The top trending outdoor music venues in the U.S. included parks, racetracks, museums and even caves – showcasing a diverse array of open-air venues that we expect to continue to be popular into 2022. 

SEE ALSO: Top Small Music Venues Across the U.S.

The venues recognized were popular prior to the pandemic but carved out an even larger role in the entertainment space, even as traditional theaters and indoor venues continue to reopen.

Bernie’s Beach Bar (New Hampshire), The Wharf Amphitheater (Alabama) and The Amphitheatre at the Oklahoma City Zoo are just some of the unique venues on the list.

“These unique destinations for live music allowed fans the chance to enjoy concerts at a time when in-person entertainment was scarce,” said Stephen Spiewak of Vivid Seats. “We’re proud to celebrate these top trending venues and grateful for the opportunities they’ve provided to lovers of live music.”

“It is exciting to see people safely returning to music venues in their local communities,” said Tara Lewis, VP of Community Expansion and Trends at Yelp. “Yelp data shows music venues are rebounding from pandemic lows, and new venues continue to open across the country as concerts return.”

Music venues of all kinds continue to rebound from the devastating, lingering effects of the pandemic. Which makes efforts like the Save Our Stages Act by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) increasingly important to ensure funds for these important cultural and economic hubs.

Check out the full list of venues in the interactive map below:

Read more at Vivid Seats.

Methodology

Music venues selected based on largest growth in ticket sales, according to Vivid Seats data, from 2019 to 2021 over equivalent time frames. Yelp ratings data also factored into the selections. Only outdoor venues were considered.