Live entertainment has a special way of bringing people together, whether it’s through a captivating play, a night of laughter at a comedy club, or an unforgettable concert. With many cities offering unique venues and performance styles, it can be tough to decide where to experience the best live show. That’s why we took a closer look at America’s largest urban hubs to find out which cities stand out as top destinations for live entertainment.
At BetMGM, we’re all about creating unforgettable experiences, much like the excitement of a great live performance. To determine the best U.S. cities for catching a live show, we analyzed five key factors—from the number of performing arts companies to the overall ratings of music venues, comedy clubs, and more. Dive into our findings and discover which cities may offer the ideal experiences for your next night out.
Key Findings
- Los Angeles, CA ranks as the number one city for live shows, featuring 8 times more performing arts companies per 100,000 people than the national average.
- San Francisco, CA has the highest-rated performing arts centers, music venues, and comedy clubs among all cities in the ranking.
- Richmond, VA holds the highest average rating across all types of live shows, with its dinner theaters scoring an impressive 4.80 out of 5
- The top 4 cities for the highest-rated performing arts venues are all in California: San Francisco, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Jose.
Los Angeles, CA Ranks as the #1 Best City for Live Entertainment
When it comes to live entertainment, Los Angeles, CA tops the charts. As the heart of the entertainment industry, it’s no surprise that L.A. is home to a high concentration of performing arts companies and venues that cater to every taste. The city offers something for everyone, from prestigious theaters to vibrant music scenes and comedy clubs.
- Number of Performing Arts Companies per 100k Population: 157
- Average Rating of “Performing Arts” Venues: 4.50/5
- Average Rating of Music Venues: 4.00/5
- Average Rating of Comedy Clubs: 4.23/5
- Average Rating of Dinner Theaters: 3.81/5
Nashville, TN
Known as the “Music City,” Nashville is a natural contender for top live entertainment. Its deep musical roots and thriving arts scene make it a go-to destination for fans of all kinds of live performances.
- Number of Performing Arts Companies per 100k Population: 57
- Average Rating of “Performing Arts” Venues: 4.45/5
- Average Rating of Music Venues: 3.85/5
- Average Rating of Comedy Clubs: 4.27/5
- Average Rating of Dinner Theaters: 4.57/5
San Francisco, CA
With a rich cultural history and a passion for the arts, San Francisco stands out as a top city for live entertainment. It boasts the highest average ratings for performing arts venues, music venues, and comedy clubs among all cities.
- Number of Performing Arts Companies per 100k Population: 23
- Average Rating of “Performing Arts” Venues: 4.55/5
- Average Rating of Music Venues: 4.08/5
- Average Rating of Comedy Clubs: 4.46/5
- Average Rating of Dinner Theaters: 4.06/5
Las Vegas, NV
Long known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas delivers a world-class lineup of shows. While its performing arts companies per capita are lower than some other cities, it more than makes up for it with a wide range of entertainment options that draw visitors from all over.
- Number of Performing Arts Companies per 100k Population: 37
- Average Rating of “Performing Arts” Venues: 4.35/5
- Average Rating of Music Venues: 3.83/5
- Average Rating of Comedy Clubs: 4.08/5
- Average Rating of Dinner Theaters: 4.39/5
San Diego, CA
San Diego rounds out the top 5, making it the third California city to earn a spot on this list. With top-rated performing arts venues and a lively comedy scene, San Diego provides an array of entertainment options that attract both locals and visitors alike.
- Number of Performing Arts Companies per 100k Population: 20
- Average Rating of “Performing Arts” Venues: 4.43/5
- Average Rating of Music Venues: 3.98/5
- Average Rating of Comedy Clubs: 4.21/5
- Average Rating of Dinner Theaters: 3.99/5
Cities With the Highest and Lowest Average Ratings by Category
Below are the cities with the highest and lowest average ratings across the four key live entertainment types in our ranking: performing arts venues, music venues, comedy clubs, and dinner theaters.
Performing Arts Venues
Highest Rated
- San Francisco, CA – 4.55/5
- Riverside, CA – 4.53/5
- Los Angeles, CA – 4.50/5
Lowest Rated
- Birmingham, AL – 3.91/5
- Virginia Beach, VA – 4.04/5
- Charlotte, NC – 4.07/5
Music Venues
Highest Rated
- San Francisco, CA – 4.08/5
- Louisville, KY – 4.07/5
- New Orleans, LA – 4.02/5
Lowest Rated
- Baltimore, MD – 3.55/5
- Boston, MA – 3.58/5
- Columbus, OH – 3.59/5
Comedy Clubs
Highest Rated
- San Francisco, CA – 4.46/5
- Milwaukee, WI & Riverside, CA – 4.44/5 (tied)
- Salt Lake City, UT – 4.40/5
Lowest Rated
- Baltimore, MD – 3.55/5
- Boston, MA – 3.58/5
- Columbus, OH – 3.59/5
Dinner Theaters
Highest Rated
- Richmond, VA – 4.80/5
- Sacramento, CA – 4.66/5
- Columbus, OH – 4.60/5
Lowest Rated
- Raleigh, NC – 2.10/5
- Birmingham, AL & Hartford, CT – 2.80/5
- Philadelphia, PA – 2.90/5
For the full city ranking, check out the table below.
Closing Thoughts
While these cities ranked the highest for live entertainment, great performances can be found all over the U.S.—it just takes getting out there to find the perfect spot. After all, whether you’re exploring a new city or enjoying a local show, the thrill of live entertainment can turn any night into something special.
But when the curtain falls, the night doesn’t have to be over; you can keep the excitement going with real-money online slots, table games and more at BetMGM. Explore our ongoing casino bonuses and promotions or try out the industry’s best casino welcome bonus. Just remember to gamble responsibly!
Methodology
To identify the best U.S. cities for a live show, we began with a list of the 50 largest U.S. cities by metropolitan statistical area (MSA). We then ranked these cities using five key factors: the number of performing arts companies per 100,000 people, the average rating of “performing arts” venues, “music venues,” “comedy clubs,” and “dinner theaters.”
Each factor was weighted according to its impact on the overall live show experience of a city. We scored these factors on a scale of 0 to 5, and combined these scores to create a total score ranging from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the best cities for live entertainment.
