Best Live Music in Carlsbad

Live music options are numerous in Carlsbad (we counted 25+ recently) – especially during the summer months. Many of them are free if you are eating or drinking at the venue – others you have to pay for established artists. So if you love music, why not support local businesses and musicians? Here are our recommended venues and vital information about the Best Live Music in Carlsbad. Many are restaurants, some are bars and one is a campground!

Criteria: Music quality, venue, experience, bar, food

The Landings Gastropub

Neighborhood: Carlsbad West

The Landings in Carlsbad probably has the most unique location – with the restaurant/concert patio sitting right next to the Carlsbad airport. And they often have the best music in Carlsbad – national artists and high-quality cover bands. With outdoor seating and a dance floor, they are cut above all other locations.

Why We Recommend: Best quality and quantity of live music north of Solana Beach – and usually free if you buy dinner and drinks. And if you want to dance, many bands encourage it.

Hints: Some shows have a $30 minimum purchase (a more than fair price), so check the schedule below before you go. Go early.

Crowd: Typically older crowd but depends on the artists

2198 Palomar Airport Rd. Website Map

760-929-0200 Music Schedule

The Camp Store

Neighborhood: Carlsbad West

How about listening to music while you watch the sun set from the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean? You’ll have to walk in from about 4 blocks away – but it’s all free at the South Carlsbad State Beach Camp Store.

Why We Recommend: Free music at one of the top sunset watching locations in Carlsbad – beer, wine and pizza and a few other finger foods. Great for families, kids and dogs.

Hints: Park on the 6900 block of Avenida Encinas. It gets crowded some nights – so go early or bring your own beach chairs.

Crowd: Campers and locals – families and couples

7201 Carlsbad Blvd. Website Map

714-478-2487 Music Schedule

Witch Creek Winery

Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village

This unique location is a combination winery, tasting room and coffee shop. Welcoming, chill environment is perfect for tasting local wines and enjoying live music – usually in the evenings.

Why We Recommend: Interesting venue, dark lighting and just the right amount of music make this a great place to relax and enjoy the music. It is a winery so make sure that you like wine as there isn’t much else.

Hints: Seating is bar stools throughout – either smaller tables for 4 or 5, and the long bar. Cozy and relaxing venue.

Crowd: Chill wine drinkers

2906 Carlsbad Blvd. Website Map

760-720-7499 Music Schedule

Giaola Italian Kitchen

Neighborhood: Carlsbad South

If Italian fine dining and live music in the background sound like the perfect combination, head to Giaola Italian Kitchen. The food is excellent here and they have both indoor and outdoor seating.

Why We Recommend: If you like live music, but don’t want the food to take a backseat – this is the place for you. Great place to have a great dinner with good music.

Hints: If you have a loud group that wants to talk all night, this may not be the perfect venue. Ask to get seated where the music volume level matches your preference.

Crowd: Normal upscale restaurant crowd

2668 Gateway Rd., Suite 180 Website Map

858-400-4555 Music Schedule

Coyote Bar & Grill

Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village

When you walk in the Village and you hear a live band cranking out the music – it’s probably coming from the Coyote Bar & Grill. It’s the nightly hub of outdoor music at a large outdoor patio in the NE corner of the Village Faire Plaza.

Why We Recommend: While there are better bars and restaurants in Carlsbad, the music here is often entertaining and the later it gets, the more the patrons become the entertainment.

Hints: You can walk by and catch a good glimpse of what is going on any night of the week – before deciding if you want to grab a seat. Always worth a walk-by, especially late on weekends.

Crowd: Mostly older tourists with some locals mixed in

300 Carlsbad Village Dr. Website Map

760-729-4695 Music Schedule

La Papagayo

Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village

This is restaurant that offers a very large menu, including appetizers and a full bar – right on the main Carlsbad Village Drive. They now have a super large covered patio area.

Why We Recommend: Inside there are TVs for sporting events and a live music stage in the evenings, or sit out on the patio and soak up Carlsbad life as it passes by. Large seating area.

Hints: Decide where you want to sit as that decision will translate to very different levels of music and crowd noise. The large parking lot is usually full, but nearby street parking is easy to find.

Crowd: Mix of Tourists and Locals – all ages

660 Carlsbad Village Dr. Website Map

442-333-9090 Music Schedule

Museum of Making Music

Neighborhood: Carlsbad West

This unique venue is worth a trip when you visit Carlsbad. It’s a museum during the day, but they also bring in world-class musicians to their small intimate auditorium for charity concerts – usually at night.

Why We Recommend: Unique talented musicians volunteer to perform here to an eclectic crowd of music business insiders and locals. Very intimate venue at very low ticket prices.

Hints: The website sells tickets for the Museum and other venues, so make sure you understand what location you are buying before purchasing.

Crowd: Depends on artist – music first venue

5790 Armada Dr. Website Map

760-438-5996 Music Schedule

Chandlers

Neighborhood: Carlsbad West

Located across the street from the South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, this is an upscale pool-side bar/restaurant with ocean/sunset views. Its part of the Hilton Cape Rey Resort hotel and offers live music Wednesday – Sunday.

Why We Recommend: While service can be hit or miss, this can be a romantic location to listen to music with someone special as the sun sets. Food is pretty good too.

Hints: Great place to stop for a drink at sunset, even if you are not having dinner. It’s a bit pricey, but a unique location for music.

Crowd: Mix of hotel guests, and local couples

1 Ponto Road Website Map

760-683-5500 Music Schedule

Gregorios

Neighborhood: Carlsbad Village

Located in the Village Faire, Gregorios offers a full menu of Italian and other favorites – with music on the patio during the summer.

Why We Recommend: The large menu caters to almost anyone that appreciates Italian food and they accommodate vegetarian and other food preferences. Inside and outside seating is available. The patio overlooks the main Carlsbad Village Drive downtown.

Hints: Check out the volume of the artist before getting a table near them on the outdoor patio – as it can be kind of loud for our tastes at times.

Crowd: Mix of tourists and locals, families and couples

300 Carlsbad Village Dr. Ste. 208 Website Map

760-720-1132 Music Schedule

The Crossings

Neighborhood: Carlsbad West

The Crossings is offers happy hour and weekend brunch music from one of Carlsbad’s top golf courses. They have two restaurants (Canyons & Fireside Room) that share a huge patio with magnificent views.

Why We Recommend: Live music, cocktails, dinner or brunch with a fabulous view at an upscale venue.

Hints: Happy hour events catch the sunset and it’s a beautiful place to enjoy burgers, drinks and a fantastic view. Their famous weekend brunches are even better with music.

Crowd: Happy hour and brunch bring different types

5800 Crossings Dr. Website Map

760-444-1800 Music Schedule

Nearby (But Worth A Trip Outside of Carlsbad)

Belly Up Tavern - Solana Beach

Neighborhood: Solana Beach

Looking for a smaller venue with prominent national artists visiting regularly? The Belly Up Tavern is world famous and one of the best in the US, and the best south of the Sunset Strip in LA.

Why We Recommend: This place only holds a few hundred people so you can’t help but see and hear whatever artist you go to see. Wine, Beer and Basic Cocktails Served.

Hints: Hot tickets sell out quickly so act accordingly or look on Craigslist. There is very limited food options at the venue, so go to dinner before the show. Lineup 30 – 60 minutes early to get better seats – some events are mostly standing only, so check.

Crowd: Music lovers – varies by artist

143 S. Cedros – Solana Beach Website Map

858-481-8140 Music Schedule

About Best Carlsbad

Best Carlsbad was designed to help visitors and local residents find the best experiences using informative, curated lists based on research and on-site visits.

All recommendations and information presented are opinions of bestcarlsbad.com.

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