The Troubadour is a 500-capacity music venue at 9081 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California, opened in 1957 by Doug Weston. The club is one of the most historically significant music venues in the United States, having launched the careers of Elton John, James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, the Eagles, Tom Waits, and Guns N' Roses. Rolling Stone named it one of the best rock clubs in America. The venue operates as an all-ages room and continues to book established and emerging artists.
History and Architecture
Doug Weston founded the Troubadour in the 1950s as a 65-seat coffeehouse on La Cienega Boulevard, inspired by a visit to the Troubadour cafe in London. In 1957, the club moved to its current location on Santa Monica Boulevard, expanding to a capacity of approximately 500. The venue consists of a single room with a small stage at one end, a bar area, and a front room where musicians and industry professionals socialized after shows.
The Troubadour became the center of the 1960s folk music scene in Los Angeles. Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, Joni Mitchell, and James Taylor all performed there early in their careers. In 1970, three events cemented the club's place in music history. Neil Diamond, who had just recorded his first live album at the Troubadour, introduced Elton John for his first US performance on August 25, 1970. Don Henley and Glenn Frey met in the front bar and decided to form the Eagles. Cheech and Chong were discovered by Lou Adler at a Monday Hoot Night open mic.
In 1974, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed third on a bill behind Roger McGuinn, going on stage at 1:45 AM. The same year, John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, and Ringo Starr were ejected from the club for drunkenly heckling the Smothers Brothers.
In the 1980s, the Troubadour shifted toward glam metal and hard rock. Guns N' Roses played their first show with the classic Appetite for Destruction lineup at the venue and were signed by a David Geffen A&R representative after a performance there. Metallica, Motley Crue, Poison, and Ratt also played the club during this period. The venue continued booking alternative and indie acts through the 1990s, including Fiona Apple, Radiohead, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
In April 2016, Guns N' Roses reunited the classic lineup for a surprise show at the Troubadour, the first time Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan had performed together on stage since 1993. Doug Weston passed away in 2007. The club has changed ownership several times but remains an active music venue.
2026 Schedule
The Troubadour's 2026 calendar runs year-round with multiple shows per week. Upcoming and confirmed acts include Bleachers Forever in September, Asleep at the Wheel, The Infamous Stringdusters, Alana Springsteen with Erin Kinsey, Carly Pearce, Beth Orton, Hiss Golden Messenger with Sam Amidon, and Joshua Ray Walker. The venue also hosts regular events like the School of Rock Summer Tour, the Rock n' Roll Camp for Girls showcase, and the Sound Collective Showcase. In September 2026, Sean Healy Presents a 30th Anniversary Concert with The Pharcyde and special guests.
How the Venue Operates
The Troubadour operates as a general admission, all-ages venue with a capacity of approximately 500. Shows are typically standing room on the main floor. Tickets are sold through SeeTickets, Ticketweb, and AXS depending on the promoter. The venue does not sell food but operates a full bar for patrons 21 and over. Parking is available at nearby lots on Santa Monica Boulevard and Doheny Drive. The club books through a combination of in-house promotion and external promoters, with artist inquiries directed through the venue's website.
Quick Facts
- Capacity: 500 (general admission, all-ages)
- Address: 9081 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
- Nearest Transit: Santa Monica Boulevard and Doheny Drive. Parking available at nearby lots
- Year Opened: 1957
- Founder: Doug Weston
- Tickets: SeeTickets, Ticketweb, and AXS depending on the promoter
Notable Shows Here
The Troubadour has hosted some of the most consequential performances in American music history. These are among the most widely documented:
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Elton John (August 25, 1970): Made his US debut at the Troubadour, introduced by Neil Diamond. The audience included Quincy Jones, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, David Crosby, Leon Russell, and Don Henley. The Los Angeles Times review declared him "one of rock's biggest and most important stars." No official video footage of the Troubadour show exists, but the performance was dramatized in the 2019 film "Rocketman."
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Don Henley and Glenn Frey (1970): Met in the Troubadour's front bar and decided to form the Eagles that same night.
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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (1974): Performed third on a bill behind Roger McGuinn, going on stage at 1:45 AM.
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Guns N' Roses (1980s): Played their first show with the classic "Appetite for Destruction" lineup at the venue and were signed by a David Geffen A&R representative after a performance there.
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Guns N' Roses (April 1, 2016): Reunited the classic lineup of Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan for a surprise show, their first performance together since 1993. The show kicked off the "Not in This Lifetime" tour. Cameras were banned, but the event was documented in a recap video posted by the band.
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Carole King and James Taylor (November 2007): Reunited at the Troubadour for a six-night residency to mark the club's 50th anniversary, accompanied by their original 1970 band. The performances were released as "Live at the Troubadour" on CD and DVD in 2010 and certified Gold by the RIAA.
Here is Carole King and James Taylor performing "It's Too Late" live at the Troubadour during their 2007 reunion residency:
- Tom Waits (1970s): Performed regularly at the venue early in his career, building the following that led to his Asylum Records signing.
- Fiona Apple (September 10, 1996): Played her first US show at the Troubadour at age 18, performing material from her debut album "Tidal."
Here is Carole King and James Taylor performing together at the Troubadour during their 2007 reunion, with the original 1970 band:
Similar and Nearby Venues
The Troubadour is part of a network of historic small clubs in Los Angeles and beyond:
- Whisky a Go Go - 500-capacity West Hollywood venue four blocks west on the Sunset Strip, with a complementary history of launching rock acts
- The Roxy Theatre - 500-capacity venue on the Sunset Strip, another important West Hollywood room
- The Fillmore - San Francisco's 1,200-capacity historic venue with a similar legacy of artist discovery
- CBGB - New York's legendary downtown club, the East Coast equivalent in terms of cultural impact
- Bowery Ballroom - New York 550-capacity venue serving a similar tier of touring acts
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
The Troubadour is one of the most important small venues in the United States for breaking new artists. A booking at the Troubadour puts an artist in front of Los Angeles music industry professionals, including A&R representatives, managers, and booking agents who attend shows there regularly. The venue's 500-capacity room is a realistic target for independent artists who have built a following in Southern California or are touring through Los Angeles.
The club's history of artist discovery means that a strong Troubadour show can generate industry attention. However, the venue is selective about bookings, and artists typically need a local draw or a support slot on an established act's bill to secure a date. Use our Tour Revenue Calculator to model what different venue sizes mean for your touring income. Read our guide on how to book your first tour for practical steps on building from small rooms to larger venues.
Related Resources
- Tour Revenue Calculator - Estimate earnings from live shows
- How to Book Your First Tour: Step-by-Step Guide - Practical steps for booking live performances
- Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Revenue streams including live performance
- Guarantee Glossary Definition - How venue guarantees work
- The Troubadour Official Website - Current show calendar and ticket information
