Whether it's a big headliner on a national tour or a local group booking its first gig at the neighborhood bar, summer brings beaucoup opportunities to experience excellent live music in Portland. Check out these 19 venues where you can get your groove on — and where the food and drink is not just an overpriced afterthought.
This map is updated to include The Thirsty Pig and One Longfellow Square.
Shake your rump on the patio of this Dana Street dive, where live music acts entertain the crowd on weekend nights. The housemade margaritas are strong and so is the energy level, so come prepared for a good time.
Despite its tourist-trodden Commercial Street location, Andy's maintains a distinct neighborhood bar feel. Order a basket of fried seafood (or take advantage of free popcorn) to go with your local draft beer and darts game while you listen to the acoustic acts that play here nightly.
Recently expanded, this small bar in the Arts District bills itself as a jazz club with every Saturday dedicated to the genre. But the live acts that play nearly every night of the week at Blue are diverse, ranging from open mic to Irish session — there's even the occasional comedy night. Enjoy tapas-inspired small plates and a good wine selection.
This Old Port Irish pub hosts Celtic rock band The Squid Jiggers every Wednesday night in the cozy downstairs bar, where you can enjoy a draft or a dram chosen from what's reportedly the largest Scotch selection in Portland. On weekend evenings, cover bands rock the second floor, which has an additional bar.
Now that it's settled into its new location on Free Street, El Rayo has begun hosting live music on the weekends again. Summer brings live music and DJs on the patio.
While we miss the $5 burger, beer, and bourbon special at the former Empire Dine and Dance, we love gorging on dumplings at Empire Chinese Kitchen before heading upstairs to see a show. Local and national acts pass through this small club, and of course it's home to the long-running Clash of the Titans series.
The food isn't the main draw at Geno's (if you try one of the club's mythical Hot Pockets, let us know), but this rock/metal club has character in spades. The theater-style set up makes every spot in the house a good one, and the whiskey's good neat or in basic cocktail form.
This mid-size venue attracts fantastic artists from across the country and supports the local scene, too. Rock out to Blackalicious one night and a Queen tribute the next. The beer selection offers many locally brewed options like Bunker, Oxbow, and Allagash.
This new music venue from the former manager of the Big Easy showcases local music acts in a recently renovated space downtown, with acts occasionally taking up residence on the sidewalk. The extensive menu offers salads, sandwiches, small plates, and even a strong Happy Hour to fuel your night of dancing.
Many an evening has been spent cracking lobsters, drinking Allagash White, and listening to live local acts on the busy deck of the Portland Lobster Company. This popular spot fills up fast, so arrive early for live music every night of the week (and Saturday afternoons) during the summer.
This eatery is well known for its smoked meats, classic comfort food, and extensive bar selection. The Southern hospitality is extended to the live music acts hosted on weekend evenings, when local bands jam on banjos and slide guitars.
This Congress Street arts center hosts documentaries, community events, and music acts. Whatever the format, it's sure to be something that makes you think. Enjoy the evening's quirky performance with a locally-made Urban Farm Fermentory cider or draft beer from Bunker Brewing Company.
The State Theater could easily force its captive audience to buy overpriced macrobrews. But this mid-sized venue keeps its beer selection local, so you can enjoy your favorite Maine brew while you listen to the national acts that visit this historic theater.
This outdoor venue overlooking the Fore River is brand spanking new, but has all of the makings of a good time. Food trucks like Fishin' Ships and PB&ME will keep you rockin' out at the point all summer long.
Slab's outdoor patio is the perfect spot for live music — or even a movie every Monday when classics and 80s throwbacks are screened. Tunes pump throughout the week, like the 90s R&B dance party on Wednesdays, though how much can anyone dance after stuffing themselves with pounds of pizza?
The deck of The Porthole is one big party when live bands entertain the crowds in the evenings. Check out local acts while you enjoy nachos and local draft beers al fresco.
The dog-friendly patio (ok, parking lot) at this brewery is well known for a good time, with delicious beer accompanying cornhole boards and picnic tables. The fun gets turned up to eleven every Sunday afternoon through September, when a rotating food truck cooks from 12 to 4 p.m. and live music kicks from 1 to 4 p.m.
The Pig has live music on weekends (and on the deck when seasonally appropriate) and always has a great selection of craft beer on tap. A menu of housemade sausages offers creative options for a filling dinner.
There's not a bad seat in the house of this intimate club on Longfellow Square. Hosting acts from all genres, One Longfellow Square is a great place to hear old favorites and learn new artists. A recent bar renovation brings expanded options for drinks from local draft beers to cocktails made with local spirits.
Shake your rump on the patio of this Dana Street dive, where live music acts entertain the crowd on weekend nights. The housemade margaritas are strong and so is the energy level, so come prepared for a good time.
Despite its tourist-trodden Commercial Street location, Andy's maintains a distinct neighborhood bar feel. Order a basket of fried seafood (or take advantage of free popcorn) to go with your local draft beer and darts game while you listen to the acoustic acts that play here nightly.
Recently expanded, this small bar in the Arts District bills itself as a jazz club with every Saturday dedicated to the genre. But the live acts that play nearly every night of the week at Blue are diverse, ranging from open mic to Irish session — there's even the occasional comedy night. Enjoy tapas-inspired small plates and a good wine selection.
This Old Port Irish pub hosts Celtic rock band The Squid Jiggers every Wednesday night in the cozy downstairs bar, where you can enjoy a draft or a dram chosen from what's reportedly the largest Scotch selection in Portland. On weekend evenings, cover bands rock the second floor, which has an additional bar.
Now that it's settled into its new location on Free Street, El Rayo has begun hosting live music on the weekends again. Summer brings live music and DJs on the patio.
While we miss the $5 burger, beer, and bourbon special at the former Empire Dine and Dance, we love gorging on dumplings at Empire Chinese Kitchen before heading upstairs to see a show. Local and national acts pass through this small club, and of course it's home to the long-running Clash of the Titans series.
The food isn't the main draw at Geno's (if you try one of the club's mythical Hot Pockets, let us know), but this rock/metal club has character in spades. The theater-style set up makes every spot in the house a good one, and the whiskey's good neat or in basic cocktail form.
This mid-size venue attracts fantastic artists from across the country and supports the local scene, too. Rock out to Blackalicious one night and a Queen tribute the next. The beer selection offers many locally brewed options like Bunker, Oxbow, and Allagash.
This new music venue from the former manager of the Big Easy showcases local music acts in a recently renovated space downtown, with acts occasionally taking up residence on the sidewalk. The extensive menu offers salads, sandwiches, small plates, and even a strong Happy Hour to fuel your night of dancing.
Many an evening has been spent cracking lobsters, drinking Allagash White, and listening to live local acts on the busy deck of the Portland Lobster Company. This popular spot fills up fast, so arrive early for live music every night of the week (and Saturday afternoons) during the summer.
This eatery is well known for its smoked meats, classic comfort food, and extensive bar selection. The Southern hospitality is extended to the live music acts hosted on weekend evenings, when local bands jam on banjos and slide guitars.
This Congress Street arts center hosts documentaries, community events, and music acts. Whatever the format, it's sure to be something that makes you think. Enjoy the evening's quirky performance with a locally-made Urban Farm Fermentory cider or draft beer from Bunker Brewing Company.
The State Theater could easily force its captive audience to buy overpriced macrobrews. But this mid-sized venue keeps its beer selection local, so you can enjoy your favorite Maine brew while you listen to the national acts that visit this historic theater.
This outdoor venue overlooking the Fore River is brand spanking new, but has all of the makings of a good time. Food trucks like Fishin' Ships and PB&ME will keep you rockin' out at the point all summer long.
Slab's outdoor patio is the perfect spot for live music — or even a movie every Monday when classics and 80s throwbacks are screened. Tunes pump throughout the week, like the 90s R&B dance party on Wednesdays, though how much can anyone dance after stuffing themselves with pounds of pizza?
The deck of The Porthole is one big party when live bands entertain the crowds in the evenings. Check out local acts while you enjoy nachos and local draft beers al fresco.
The dog-friendly patio (ok, parking lot) at this brewery is well known for a good time, with delicious beer accompanying cornhole boards and picnic tables. The fun gets turned up to eleven every Sunday afternoon through September, when a rotating food truck cooks from 12 to 4 p.m. and live music kicks from 1 to 4 p.m.
The Pig has live music on weekends (and on the deck when seasonally appropriate) and always has a great selection of craft beer on tap. A menu of housemade sausages offers creative options for a filling dinner.
There's not a bad seat in the house of this intimate club on Longfellow Square. Hosting acts from all genres, One Longfellow Square is a great place to hear old favorites and learn new artists. A recent bar renovation brings expanded options for drinks from local draft beers to cocktails made with local spirits.
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