New music venues here in the Rocket City: an update

Huntsville has some new music venues around town, and is about to have some more. (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

With the opening of The Orion Amphitheater in 2022, Huntsville has grown its reputation as a live music destination. The Orion, it appears, has been a catalyst for the opening of new music venues throughout the Huntsville area.

Here’s a look at the new and upcoming music venues in the Rocket City:

The Lumberyard

PXL 20251019 223940120 — We saw some local acts perform at Microwave Dave Day. (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

The Lumberyard, re-opened and re-imagined, started booking bands again in April, and since then has renewed its standing as a favorite local music venue and event space.

Ben Lovett of The Venue Group (he seems to have a deep interest in Huntsville music) teamed up with Doug Smith to re-open the venue after it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With stages inside and outside, the new venue can accommodate crowds of varying size.

Ditto Landing

A restructuring project at Ditto Landing in South Huntsville, which broke ground in the spring of this year, will include a music venue with a capacity of 1,000 occupants for a seated concert or conference, or up to 1,500 occupants for a standing-only event.

The project is expected to cost approximately $10 million and will be completed next fall.

The entire revamped venue will include:

Interior Space: 31,000 +/- SF
Exterior Amenity Space: 16,000 +/- SF
Exterior Plaza: 12,000 +/- SF
Standing Room for Outdoor Events: 1,700
Commercial New Construction: 13,800 SF
Shell Space #1: First Floor – 2,684 SF, Second Floor – 613 SF
Shell Space #2: First Floor – 4,097 SF, Second Floor – 3,869 SF
Private Dining Room: 1,076 SF
Private Dining and Overlook: 1,473 SF
Exterior VIP Deck: 4,300 SF
Event Center Venue (Renovation of Existing Building): 17,721 SF of conditioned space, including kitchen, restrooms + common areas
Event Floor: 9,465 SF

Back Forty Beer Co.

trivia night — A new music venue is in the works at Back Forty Beer Co. (Hville Blast)

Back Forty Beer Co. is looking to convert a 1.5 acre lot adjacent to the brewery into a venue for concerts, and corporate and private events. Back Forty owner Doug Brown said he is talking with the City of Huntsville Music Office and others about logistics, and will release more details as they come available.

He added that he hopes to launch the new venue with a couple of days of live music in spring of 2026.

Tip Top Cafe

512603218 1293308965739880 2312090845991508428 n — The Tip Top Cafe is being renovated and will re-open soon. (Glenn Warren)

Rumors have been spreading for a few years now about the possible re-opening of the legendary Tip Top Cafe in Huntsville. The local dive bar/music venue closed in 1995, and hosted some up-and-coming artists like Bo Diddley, Widespread Panic, Drivin n’ Cryin, Black Crowes, 311 and others.

However, reportedly Trevar Akins (local musician and the owner of Veloce Pizza) and St. Stephens Music Hall owner John Chamness are working on re-opening the iconic bar at 123 NW Maple Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801.

A definite opening date has not been announced.

Huntsville + tvg plans for a mid-sized venue

Orion amphitheater — The opening of the Orion Amphitheater has increased Huntsville music tourism significantly. (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

The Venue Group announced earlier this year they are expanding on the success of the Orion and teaming with the City of Huntsville on building a new mid-sized venue.

This new venue will have a capacity of 2,500-3,000 people, compared to the Orion’s 8,000 person capacity.

A site and construction date has not been announced.

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