Best Live Music Venues in Wheeling, WV

Wheeling, WV has a thriving night life. While a lot of live entertainment entails cover bands and DJs, several local establishments have original music and big-name acts every week. With options from country to metal to pop, the Wheeling music scene is alive and well. Here are a few venues to check out.

The Capital Music Hall

The Capital Music Hall is a grand theater located in the heart of downtown Wheeling. It sits next to the famous Suspension bridge and is within walking distance of Downtown's two hotels. Known for housing WWVA, one of the oldest radio stations in the country, the Capital hosts mostly country music acts. Once the home of the Grand Old Opry-esque Jamboree, the Capital has fallen on hard times in recent years. While many big name acts still pass through the weekly Jamboree has fallen to the wayside. The Capital also hosts the Wheeling Park High School Choir's Festival of Sound, a compilation of choral Christmas music. It's worth it to take in a show at the Capital if just to admire the architecture. The auditorium was designed to let performers be heard throughout the large space without the aid of a microphone.

Yesterday's Draught House & Stage in Downtown Wheeling

Appealing to the younger crowd, Yesterday's is a two-story club like one might find lining Sansom Street in Philadelphia, PA. The bottom floor is a standard bar with a jukebox and pool tables, but the upstairs features an open dance floor and stage for local and national acts to perform on. While the musical selections generally lean towards heavy metal and punk rock, Yesterday's has been known to host jam bands, acoustic acts, and even a Frank Sinatra-style crooner. The crowd tends to be in their early-to-late- twenties, and can get quite rambunctious. Patrons who get near the stage during a metal show do so at their own risk, as mosh pits often break out and people leap from the stage on occasion. Drinks are reasonably priced, and the House Special is the $1.00 Pabst Blue Ribbon bottle. Located across the street from the Capital Music Hall, Yesterday's is convenient to all major interstates.

Generations Restaurant and Pub

Formally known as The Swing Club, Generations is one of the most popular bars in Wheeling. Several nights a week you can find live music. An open-mic/jam is hosted every Sunday night by local cover band New American Groove. You can often find country music acts performing downstairs, and if you want to dance the upstairs has a well-worn dance floor with music supplied by local radio personalities. The kitchen is open late for the late-night munchies. On occasion Generations hosts' bigger name acts such as The Clarks and Buffetman. The crowd ranges from under-aged college kids looking to slip under the radar to older married couples on a night out.

There are many options for live entertainment in Wheeling, WV. To find out who is playing where and when one need only pick up a Wheeling, WV newspaper and look in the TGIF section.