Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Tennessee Pelham The Caverns
AO Edited

The Caverns

An ancient cave system in Tennessee’s Appalachian foothills converted to a 1,200-person music venue.

Pelham, Tennessee

Added By
Luke Fater
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Michael Weintrob
  Michael Weintrob
  lcn620 / Atlas Obscura User
  lcn620 / Atlas Obscura User
  lcn620 / Atlas Obscura User
The Maveriks and Sweet Lizzy Project 3/6/22   joshwmcc / Atlas Obscura User
  mandycampbell500 d3d9b209 / Atlas Obscura User
  Michael Weintrob
  Michael Weintrob
  Kat Brown
  Kat Brown
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

There are famously over 10,000 caves throughout the state of Tennessee—but only one of them is home to “The Greatest Show Under Earth.”

Yes, The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, is a giant hole in the ground, but it’s a hole that after much time and effort has been transformed into an industry standard, 1,200-person subterranean music venue with everything you’d expect from its terranean counterpart: There’s beer, state-of-the-art lighting, a topline sound system, bathrooms, coat check, and concession stands. It’s a natural amphitheater millions of years in the making.

In 2017, Big Mouth Cave was stuffed with silt and soil and used as little more than a four-wheeler circuit by local riders. But when Todd Mayo—the man behind the PBS program Bluegrass Underground—sought a larger venue for the show’s growing fanbase, he bought the cave and got to work

Over an 18-month period, a fleet of earth movers excavated 30,000 square-yards of debris from the 500 foot deep, 180 foot wide cave. A team of geologists and hydrogeologists ensured that the “living cave” (tiny, moving waterways are still reshaping the cave very, very slowly) was stable enough to host concerts; archeologists ensured no artifacts were disturbed; and herpetologists ensured that the venue’s mascot—the Tennessee Cave Salamander—would be safe in its renovated home.

With the cave cleared and the stage set, the Caverns began hosting an array of live music in 2018, from the Flaming Lips, to Keb’ Mo’, John Butler Trio, Old Crow Medicine Show, and more. The acoustics are striking, the beer is cold, and no matter the weather, it’s a steady 59°F down there all year round—a perfect place to get your funk on, and your spelunk on.

Related Tags

Venues Performances Music Caves Nature

Community Contributors

Added By

lukefater

Edited By

lcn620, juliekraut, joshwmcc, mandycampbell500 d3d9b209

  • lcn620
  • juliekraut
  • joshwmcc
  • mandycampbell500 d3d9b209

Published

March 1, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
The Caverns
555 Charlie Roberts Road
Pelham, Tennessee, 37366
United States
35.331732, -85.825045
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

High Point Restaurant (RyeMabee Mansion)

Monteagle, Tennessee

miles away

The Templeton Library

Sewanee, Tennessee

miles away

Sewanee Natural Bridge

Sewanee, Tennessee

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tennessee

Tennessee

United States

Places 175
Stories 15

Nearby Places

High Point Restaurant (RyeMabee Mansion)

Monteagle, Tennessee

miles away

The Templeton Library

Sewanee, Tennessee

miles away

Sewanee Natural Bridge

Sewanee, Tennessee

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tennessee

Tennessee

United States

Places 175
Stories 15

Related Places

  • The front signage of Third Man Records.

    Nashville, Tennessee

    Third Man Records

    Jack White's record store is the only place in the world that records live shows direct-to-acetate.

  • These days, performers rock the space where the pulpit once stood.

    Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Paradiso

    Rejoice at Amsterdam's ‘pop temple,’ a former church reborn as a raucous music venue.

  • Shanghai, China

    Peace Hotel Jazz Bar

    This bar is home to what's likely the oldest living jazz band in the world.

  • Fingal’s Cave

    Isle of Staffa, Scotland

    Fingal's Cave

    This astonishingly geometric cave has inspired everyone from Jules Verne to Pink Floyd.

  • Meridian, Mississippi

    Jimmie Rodgers Museum

    This small museum showcases the Singing Brakeman's yodeling prowess, railroad roots, and country music stardom.

  • Henry Turner Jr. rejects the notion that the blues should be frozen in time.

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana

    Henry Turner Jr’s Listening Room

    There's no booze at this juke joint—just some of the best blues in Baton Rouge.

  • California Condor sunning itself in Pinnacles.

    Paicines, California

    Pinnacles Condor Sanctuary

    When California condors were hovering on the brink of extinction, this recovery program was charged with helping the birds thrive again.

  • A heart behind the bar at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul.

    Austin, Texas

    C-Boy's Heart & Soul

    This Austin music venue is an homage to a legendary figure in the local blues scene.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.