Forget the idea of dusty exhibits and quiet halls; these museums come to life. We’ve set up Sofar stages in places where dinosaur bones and whale replicas are just part of the show. From Victorian bathhouses to literary landmarks, these Sofar venues prove that history has quite the stage presence.
1. The Kreeger Museum | Washington, D.C., US
Modernist architecture, Monet masterpieces, and live music? It’s giving a triple threat. The Kreeger Museum’s nostalgic 1960s design and sculpture-filled gardens already offer plenty of inspiration, and Sofar shows here only take it further. Where else can you hear live music with a Picasso over your shoulder?
2. Crocker Museum | Sacramento, California, US
California’s oldest art museum meets some of its newest talent. The Crocker Museum’s ornate Victorian-era architecture blends with contemporary artist exhibitions, creating a timeless backdrop for intimate Sofar shows. You’ll leave inspired, and with a new artist to follow, that’s a promise.
3. Oxford Museum of Natural History | Oxford, England, UK
Live music under a dinosaur skeleton in an Institution founded in the 11th century? Sign us up. Oxford University, naturally, boasts a museum that hosts fossils, gemstones, and occasionally, a Sofar crowd soaking up the acoustics. At these sets, the only thing older than rock is the fossils. (see what we did there)
4. Royal Pump Room Museum | Harrogate, England, UK
Once the go-to spa for Victorian high society, the Royal Pump Room now hosts a different kind of restorative experience: live music. This unexpected, history-soaked venue proves that a little mineral water and a lot of melody can go a long way. And you could take a dip too.
5. Whales of Iceland Museum | Reykjavik, Iceland
Enjoy a Sofar show–with life-sized whale replicas in the audience with you. This deeply immersive oceanic museum in Reykjavik sets the stage for music that echoes like sonar. Trust us, it’s a vibe you’ll never forget.
6. American Writers Museum | Chicago, Illinois, US
American literature features some of the greats—from Maya Angelou to Ray Bradbury—and these walls whisper with their legacy. Enter the American Writers Museum in Chicago, a literary dreamscape celebrating the power of the pen. Surrounded by ‘word waterfalls’ and the hum of fresh new voices, which on occasion, includes Sofar Artists, because where better to hear the next great voice?
