Literally everyone enjoys live music. The vibe generated by live music is totally different from the one brought about by a recording. It causes your energy to rise, and makes you either want to sing-along or dance to the beat. In almost every case live music penetrates your being and makes you feel alive.
Top 10 Live Music Venues in NWA
Bella Vista
JJ’s Grill
12 Cunningham Corner, (479) 802-6455
JJ’s Grill supports local talent by providing them a venue where they can play most nights during the week. Check the schedule at jjsgrill. com/live-music. This down-home bar has happy hour from 3 – 6 PM, Mon – Fri. The varied menu features appetizers, salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches, grilled burgers, tacos, sides, and serious meals. A cool place to enjoy local music, visit with friends and chow down on some great food.
Bentonville
The Momentary
507 SE E St, (479) 367-7500
The momentary has regularly scheduled live music during the good weather season at their Courtyard Sessions and On The Greens concerts. Additionally, live performances are also scheduled indoors during the winter months.
Meteor Guitar
128 W Central Ave, (479) 268-1500
Located in downtown Bentonville, the Meteor Guitar is a musical instrument store, event and concert venue. It’s a restored 100 yr old movie theater that is perfect for parties and concerts. Inventory includes more than one thousand musical instruments, amplifiers, and pieces of art from local artists. One of the best things about the place is Leslie Key, one of the owners. He is a walking, talking history book on guitars and people who play them. If he is around, you might be able to persuade him to tell you about some of his guitars.
Eureka Springs
Gotahold Brewing
409 W Van Buren, (479) 363-4187
Gotahold Brewing has regularly scheduled music weekly. Upcoming events can be found on their Facebook page. The large beer garden on three levels is a great place to kick back, taste some delicious craft beer, and listen to some great music. You may also rent the beer garden for your special event.
Gravel Bar at Wanderoo Lodge
216 W Van Buren, (479) 363-6755
Within walking distance to downtown Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Gravel Bar features craft beer, cocktails, wine, food, and a regular schedule of heart-thumping live music on the weekends. For fun and good times, you can’t beat the Gravel Bar.
Fayetteville
George’s Majestic Lounge
519 W Dickson St, (479) 527-6618
Being the oldest and longest running music club in Arkansas, George’s has heard many music acts perform on its stages including Little River Band, Cate Brother, Oteil Burbridge, and many more. Upcoming acts include Shooter Jennings, Funk Factory, and Martin Sexton. The popular night spot has a full bar, and Yazzetti’s Homemade Pizza Pasta Salads is located within the club. George’s is a Fayetteville institution, if you’ve not been, you’re missing out. Get tickets here.
JJ’s Live
3615 Steele Blvd, (479) 435-6502
Formerly named JBGB, it is located in the uptown District of Fayetteville, JJ’s Live now has an enclosed patio, and offers food, drinks, games and lively entertainment. It’s a true music destination featuring well-known as well as up and coming artists and groups. You can expect great food, drinks, entertainment and fun times at JJ’s Live. Get your tickets here.
Nomads Music Lounge
1431 S School Ave, (479) 443-1832
Featuring a great combination of rotating live, mostly local music; 19 beers on tap; wicked drinks whipped up by talented mixologists; laid back, friendly atmosphere; and fresh, healthy food; this place is a one-of-a-kind music lounge experience. People drive from miles around just to enjoy a night at Nomad’s Music Lounge.
Prairie Street Live
509 W Prairie St, (479) 236-2404
Prairie Street Live in Fayetteville, AR is a premier outdoor music event venue. Located in South Fayetteville’s Mill District on Prairie Street, it primarily offers a space to relax and have fun. It’s a cross between your favorite park and your favorite music venue. Food, beer, cocktails are served, and there’s live music on the weekends.
Six Twelve Coffeehouse & Bar
3980 W Wedington Dr, (479) 856-6382
With a mission to support live music and dance, Six Twelve Coffeehouse & Bar offers food, beer, cocktails and live music 7 days a week. There’s also a daily happy hour. It’s a great place to relax, have fun, have some food and drinks, and know that you are helping to support live music and dance in the community.
Rogers
Railyard Live
101 E Cherry St, (479) 621-1186
Railyard Live is a beautiful new outdoor music pavilion at the newly revamped Rogers, AR Railyard. Beer, wine and food can be purchased from Lo Intervention by Onyx. There are tables and chairs under a covered seating area to keep you weather safe during concerts.
Walmart AMP
5079 W. Northgate Rd., Rogers, AR 72758
(479) 443-5600
The Walmart AMP or Arkansas Music Pavilion is situated across from the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers, AR. It seats up to 10,000 for its hit concert lineup including such upcoming acts as Jason Aldean, Ellie Goulding, Journey and the Doobie Brothers, Kenny Chesney, Sammy Hagar and Miranda Lambert. Offering amazing acoustics and magnificent views of the horizon, the AMP is definitely the place to go to enjoy big time concerts in the region. Get your tickets here.
Springdale
Tontitown Winery $$
335 N Barrington Rd
Springdale, Arkansas 72762
(479) 361-8700
Tontitown Winery makes wine from the recipes of the original Italians who first populated Tontitown and caused it to prosper. Sip and Sing musical events are regularly scheduled, and fun is had by all. This is a unique place to meet friends, relax with a glass or two of wine and listen to some terrific music.
Honorable Mention
Black Apple Crossing
321 E Emma Ave, Springdale
(479) 751-0337
Black Apple Crossing makes and serves hard cider. Bands are scheduled every weekend. The atmosphere is friendly and the other patrons are welcoming too. If you enjoy cider, but have never had hard cider, do yourself a favor and try a flight of this delicious cider brewed right here in NWA. Check their FB event page for upcoming events.
Foghorns
1100 48th Pl, Springdale, AR
(479) 717-2020
Featuring a large patio, great beer selection, fabulous burgers and fries and friendly servers, Foghorns is the place to go to hang out with friends and family and listen to the latest band on deck. Awesome drink specials are available too.
Mojo’s Pint and Pies
1200 N Garland Ave, Fayetteville, AR
(479) 935-3459
Mojo’s Pint and Pies offers great pizzas, Italian food, new American food and live music on Wed, Fri and Sat evenings. The pizzas are off the- charts good, the beer selection is good, and the bar makes some really good drinks including their awesome Whiskey Sour and Long Island Ice Tea. Great place to kick back and have fun with friends.
Chelsea’s Corner Café
10 Mountain St, (479) 253-6723
It’s easy to see why Chelsea’s has remained one of NWA’s best loved waterin’ holes for 20+ years. With live music, an enormous selection of beer, a full bar, great food including some of the best pizza to be found anywhere, and an awesome atmosphere and staff, Chelsea’s has all the elements for a good local music venue.
NOTE: In addition to the venues listed above, there are other numerous places that offer live music intermittently throughout the week. As the weather permits, many establishments will open their patios for live music as well.
Image at top of the page courtesy of Arkansas Tourism
