Cities reinvent music halls, theaters and nightlife with new rules and revamps
Stages, Sounds & Nightlife Revivals
Across the U.S. and beyond, cities are reimagining music and theater spaces—from Milwaukee’s new live venue and Billboard-honored Pabst Theater to redeveloped historic theaters in Berkley and Lafayette, and a refreshed plan for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Nightlife concepts like Hawaii’s Limelight venue and MediaCity’s returning ‘On the 7th’ bar highlight new entertainment and food-led experiences. At the same time, local policies are reshaping the landscape: Miami Beach is easing rules to revive live music while Portland weighs extending a moratorium on new venues, and Chicago’s Double Door faces setbacks to reopening in Uptown. Together these moves show how culture, zoning, and economic development are colliding to define the future of urban nightlife and live performance spaces.