Water Street Tavern

The Kent Stage, without question.

What makes a good place to hear live music? For me it is a venue that values the music and musicians. Bob and Monica at Riverside Wine & Imports have a variety of artists every Saturday and support those artists with a decent deal. They plan ahead, do publicity on the shows, encourage their customers to come hear the music, and clear a nice space for the stage both inside and outside. When a venue just wants musicians to show up and have a "jam-for-free jamboree" it devalues the music and the listening experience. Setting up the venue so the performers are compensated raises the standards with regard to the listener and the quality of the music.

The Kent Stage!!!

Without a doubt, it's The Kent Stage.

Stone Tavern

Ohio Guitar Shop and Stage! (AKA Ohio Music Shop and Stage)
The big jazz orchestra, Danjo, and Azjazz are world class. For real jazz, there is no place like it. They also feature an eclectic mix of more traditional bands and up and comers.

Rays Place
Kent Stage
Water Street Tavern

So many great places for live and local music in Kent.

Kent Stage is great. Enough said.

Ohio Music has a nice stage and stadium seating. You can get a beer and also look at instruments and amps for sale. The jazz bands are great, and sometimes you get to hear Reil Young rehearsing. Stop by on a Tuesday and catch the Danjo jazz ensemble.

Zephyr is a good intimate setting, especially on Tuesdays with Blues by Ian Penter. Music is good, crowd is a mixture of all ages. Zephyr makes you feel welcome.

Checkers and Trophies is off the beaten path. They have a decent stage and a lot of good local music.

For some of the best acoustics not just in Kent, but anywhere: Kent Stage.

Kent Stage! Good music, good times.

Ohio Guitar Shop and Stage is number one in my book! I enjoy Danjo on Tuesdays for an evening of jazz. Thursday's open mic night is always full of surprises! It's great to have a beer, shoot the breeze with musicians and shop, too.