House of Blues is an American chain of live music concert halls and restaurants. It was founded by Isaac Tigrett, the co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, co-writer and co-star of the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. The first location opened at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on November 26, 1992 (Thanksgiving Day). The chain has been a division of Live Nation Entertainment since July 2006, and there are 11 locations throughout the United States as of 2025.
Overview The first House of Blues opened on November 26, 1992, in the Harvard Square commercial district and retail area of Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a live music concert hall and restaurant. The company was financed by Dan Aykroyd, Aerosmith, Paul Shaffer, River Phoenix, Jim Belushi, John Candy, and Harvard University, among others. This location closed in 2003 as the company sought a larger Boston venue. However, the hands-in-concrete driveway where members of the Blues Brothers and others left their mark, remains. Aykroyd is still associated with the brand and attends most openings, performing as one half of The Blues Brothers.
In 1993 House of Blues launched a 501(c)(3) non-profit called International House of Blues Foundation which provided arts programs, resources and musical instruments for youths. The Music Forward Foundation continues to provide services for youth and has generated more than $20 million of support for these programs over its 20+ year existence. Also in 1993, the syndicated program The House of Blues Radio Hour launched in partnership with CBS Radio Hour. The show is hosted by Aykroyd, in character as Elwood Blues, and focuses on the history of blues music and the contemporary artists honoring the art form. Its final episode aired in July 2017. In 2024 The House of Blues Radio Hour was acquired by the U.S. Library of Congress.
"The Library of Congress has acquired the House of Blues Radio Hour spanning 20 years' worth of programs that promoted the blues, introduced new audiences to the popular music genre and showcased emerging talent. Hosted by celebrity actor-musician Dan Aykroyd, the series was a soulful journey through a cornerstone of American music, offering poignant interviews and stories of blues legends past and present, including B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, and John Lee Hooker, among many others."
In 1999, House of Blues acquired Universal Concerts from Seagram. On July 5, 2006, Live Nation acquired House of Blues Entertainment and created the Live Nation Club and Theater Division. As a division of Live Nation, the company operates 11 clubs throughout North America.
Locations Active Metro vicinity Venue location Address Opened CapacityNew OrleansFrench Quarter225 Decatur StNew Orleans, LA 7013019941,000ChicagoMarina City329 N Dearborn StChicago, IL 6065419961,400Myrtle BeachBarefoot Landing4640 Hwy 17 SNorth Myrtle Beach, SC 2958219972,100OrlandoDisney Springs1490 E Buena Vista DrLake Buena Vista, FL 3283019972,600Las VegasLas Vegas Strip(inside Mandalay Bay)3950 S Las Vegas BlvdLas Vegas, NV 8911919992,000ClevelandDowntown Cleveland308 Euclid AveCleveland, OH 4411420041,300San DiegoDowntown San Diego1055 5th AveSan Diego, CA 9210120051,500Dallas–Ft. WorthVictory Park2200 N Lamar StDallas, TX 7520220071,750HoustonDowntown Houston1204 Caroline StHouston, TX 7700220081,800BostonKenmore Square15 Lansdowne StBoston, MA 0221520092,425Los AngelesAnaheim GardenWalk400 West Disney Way #337Anaheim, CA 9280220172,200
Former Metro vicinity Venue location Address OpenedClosedNotes CapacityBostonHarvard Square96 Winthrop StCambridge, MA 0213819922003Replaced by Kenmore Square location in 2009. 180Los Angeles / Orange CountySunset Strip8430 Sunset BlvdWest Hollywood, CA 900691994 20151,100Downtown Disney1530 Disneyland DrAnaheim, CA 928022001 2016Relocated to nearby Anaheim GardenWalk in 2017.1,100AtlantaDowntown Atlanta152 Luckie St NWAtlanta, Georgia 303031996 1997Re-branded as The Tabernacle in 1997.2,000Atlantic CityAtlantic City Boardwalk(inside Showboat Atlantic City)801 BoardwalkAtlantic City, NJ 0840120052014Fully intact, used for private events. 2,380
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See also Live From the House of Blues, A 1995 TBS television series made in conjunction with the chain List of music venues
References
External links
House of Blues official site House of Blues Hits Lansdowne House of Blues Studios - Recording studios in Nashville, Encino, and Memphis