St. Matthews

A city in the Louisville area

St. Matthews keeps its live-music calendar full year-round, anchored by two venues on opposite ends of Shelbyville Road and Frankfort Avenue, plus a free outdoor series the city runs in Brown Park each summer. The Fox Den, on Frankfort Avenue in the heart of St. Matthews, pairs 11 billiards tables with live music seven nights a week. Seating around 400 inside and out, it books all genres, from covers to originals, with acts including Radiotronic, Soul Circus, Elephant Room, and Matt Moore. The room draws nationally touring acts alongside local ones. For the most part, bands play late-night sets, with some happy-hour slots as well. Tin Roof sits at 3921 Shelbyville Road and is built around giving musicians a place to play. Live bands from Louisville, Nashville, and beyond play cover sets, followed by a late-night DJ dance party. The venue holds 300-plus and programs acoustic sets, country, and DJ nights. Weekend nights draw a predominantly college-aged crowd.