From its humble beginnings in 2014 in a small storefront location on North Grand Boulevard, to its current state-of-the-art home inside The Grandel, The Dark Room has provided a unique space for St. Louis musicians and photographers to hone their craft and for patrons of the arts to experience new sights and sounds in an intimate setting while supporting the mission of KAF.
A premiere live music and art venue and a staple of the Grand Center Arts District, The Dark Room features a variety of musical performances each weekend by top local musicians and rotating photography exhibits that capture the true essence of St. Louis. Enhancing the experience, the full-service bar offers a creative cocktail menu and select shows feature a delectable menu of food by Michele C Catering.
As the home of KAF’s Music Artist in Residence Program for over a decade, The Dark Room stage provides a safe space and opportunity for St. Louis musicians to grow, build their audience and perform without the stressors of a typical venue setup. Artists are paid a professional guarantee, offered bonus structures, provided with a backline and professional sound operators, and even fed before performances, with KAF covering all overhead and gaps — allowing them to focus solely on developing their music and performance skills.
The Dark Room is also home to the Wednesday Night Jazz Jam—a free, family-friendly weekly event hosted by Bob Deboo that brings the joy of jazz music within reach for people of all ages and backgrounds. Taking place from 6-9 p.m. each Wednesday evening, Deboo and a rotating roster of special guests kick off the evening with standards and originals, followed by a jam session open to all in attendance (even the kids!) for a true community experience.
“The Dark Room was created to be a true gathering space for musicians, artists and patrons of the arts in St. Louis, where they can be close to the action and fully immerse themselves in the work of some of the best talent our city has to offer,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “I’m truly proud to see how it has grown and evolved over the past decade while remaining true to the values and mission of the foundation at all times.”
In addition to supporting local artists, The Dark Room employs dozens of talented staff members, helping foster their careers on the operations side, as well as generating valuable tax revenue for the City of St. Louis.
The Gallery at The Dark Room is open to the public each Wednesday from 6-10 p.m. and during events. Regular monthly programming includes:
- Lou Vibes (First Friday of the month: Enjoy fresh sounds from emerging and established artists across all genres.
- KAF Presents: Soul of the City (First Saturday of the month): A night dedicated to showcasing core local artists and rising stars who are making waves in our music scene.
- Saturday Night Spotlight (Fourth Saturday of the month): Highlighting local heavyweights with their incredible talent and unique sounds, creating an unforgettable night of music that celebrates the artists who shape our city’s vibrant scene.
For a full calendar of events and more information, visit The Dark Room page on the KAF website and follow The Dark Room on Facebook and Instagram.
