Events

Winston-Salem’s Secret Live Music Scene Is Wild & Here’s Where To Find It

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Winston-Salem might be the best live music city you’ve never heard of, and there are many good reasons why locals are keeping it a secret.

On any random Thursday night, you might stumble into a brewery packed with people two-stepping to live bluegrass. Or find yourself in a neon-lit dive bar watching a guitarist shred like he’s headlining Bonnaroo, but he still lives down the street.

That’s Winston-Salem’s live music scene: intimate, electric, and criminally underrated.

Most people can’t name more than a few local venues, but there are over 20 where the music’s flowing almost every night of the week. From jazz on rooftops to punk in old warehouses, this city hits way above its weight class.

I’ve pulled together the ultimate guide to the most unforgettable spots for live music in Winston-Salem, including bars, breweries, patios, pizza joints, and secret show series locals swear by.

Scroll on to see where to go, what to hear, and which band you might want to follow before they blow up on Spotify.

Old Crow Medicine show performing live at The Ramkat.
Old Crow Medicine Show performing live at The Ramkat
Photo by Michelle Schenker for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media Inc, 2020

Winston-Salem’s Bars & Breweries With Live Bands

Where Winston-Salem’s Craft Beer Meets Its Music Scene

Winston-Salem doesn’t do boring beer or boring nights out. These breweries and bars double as some of the best live music venues in North Carolina.

Think IPAs and indie rock, pilsners and bluegrass, and patios that turn into dance floors when the amps warm up. Whether you’re sipping solo or out with friends, these spots are pure vibe.

Pro Tip: Several of these venues offer free live music most weekends, and yes, some are dog and kid-friendly, too. Scroll on.

Foothills Brewing Tasting Room

Big tanks, bold flavors, and live music in Winston-Salem every weekend. This is the spot for laid-back vibes, long communal tables, and rotating bands you’ll want to Shazam halfway through your beer. Bonus: food trucks park out front like clockwork.

Foothills Brewing Tasting Room presents live music on Friday and Saturday nights, 6 pm – 9 pm, and Sundays, 3 pm – 6 pm. Offering great craft beers, including seasonal releases, limited releases, and occasional releases, you’ll find something you will love.

The Footmobile Food Truck is available 3 pm – 9 pm Mon-Fri, 12 pm – 9 pm, Sat, and 12 pm – 6 pm Sunday.

Crowd vibe: Dog-friendly, beer-lovers, post-hike energy

Foothills Brewing Tasting Room Website

  • 3800 Kimwell Drive, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-997-9484
  • Hours
    • Mon-Thurs, 3 pm – 10 pm
    • Fri & Sat, 12 pm – 10 pm
    • Sun, 12 pm – 8 pm

Foothills Downtown Brewpub

Where local IPAs meet local bands in Winston-Salem’s downtown. Expect acoustic sets during the week and full bands on weekends. It’s more intimate than the Tasting Room, and the food (try the burgers) is surprisingly great.

Foothills Pub presents Jazz every Sunday from 5 pm to 8 pm. It’s a great place for craft beers and delicious food, including appetizers, soups and salads, entrees, burgers, and more. On Thursday nights, they also host Pub Trivia from 8 pm to 10 pm.

Crowd vibe: After-work chill, date-night regulars

Foothills Brewpub Website

  • 638 W 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-777-3348
  • Hours
    • Mon-Sun, 11 am – 12 am

Fiddlin’ Fish

Fiddlin’ Fish is an independent craft brewery named after family vacations in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This place is a go-to Winston-Salem music venue for Americana, folk, and roots acts. They also host community jam nights where anyone can join in.

Their Taproom is a great place to enjoy live music on Friday nights at 7 pm and some other nights. They also host trivia and music bingo and show all the games on their TVs. Check out their events listing to see what’s coming up next.

Crowd vibe: Hipster-adjacent, acoustic guitars, flannel-heavy

Fiddlin’ Fish Website

  • 772 Trade Street NW, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-999-8945
  • Hours
    • Mon-Thurs, 4 pm – 10 pm
    • Fri, 2 pm – 11 pm
    • Sat, 12 pm – 11 pm
    • Sun, 12 pm – 8 pm

Joymongers Barrel Hall

Live music + craft beer + lawn chairs = a Winston-Salem weekend staple. Joymongers’ outdoor stage hosts everything from funk bands to chill jazz trios, often for free. It’s super dog and kid-friendly, too.

Joymongers is rocking every Friday, Saturday, and most Thursday nights from 7 pm to 10 pm. Check out their calendar for who will be playing there, what night, and other events.

Beer on a table at Joymongers.
Enjoying a beer at Joymongers
Photo by Michelle Schenker for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media Inc, 2018

Barrel Hall serves over 17 beers, ever-changing, at its 50-foot bar and tables in a renovated 90-year-old garage in the West End. Food trucks visit for snacks.

Crowd vibe: Young families, beer geeks, chill zone

Joymongers Barrel Hall Website

  • 480 West End Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-608-4290
  • Hours
    • Mon-Wed, 4 pm – 10 pm
    • Thurs, 4 pm – 12 am
    • Fri, 2 pm – 12 am
    • Sat, 12 pm – 12 am
    • Sun, 12 pm – 10 pm

Incendiary Brewing

Inside a converted coal plant with towering ceilings and serious industrial vibes. The live music lineup leans edgy – rock, indie, and even DJ nights. Come for the beer, stay for the reverb. Incendiary Brewing features rotating taps with local favorites and lots of events.

Band members dressed in black and white performing. Three playing guitars, one playing drums, one singing.
Men In Black performing at Incendiary Brewing’s Coalpit in Winston-Salem
Photo by Hugh Sanderford

Music is on Thursday evenings starting at 6 pm. Beginning in May, the Incendiary will feature fantastic Coalpit concerts. They also host a variety of events. Be sure to check their calendar.

Crowd vibe: Alt-rock fans, UNCSA students, weekend warriors

Incendiary Brewing Website

  • 486 N Patterson Avenue, Suite 105, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-893-6714
  • Hours
    • Mon-Thurs, 4 pm – 10 pm
    • Fri & Sat, 12 pm – 12 am
    • Sun, 12 pm – 10 pm

Hoots Beer Co.

Equal parts neighborhood hangout and underground music lab, Hoots is where craft beer meets creative chaos. Expect everything from vinyl-spinning DJ sets to genre-hopping live bands that draw a loyal, artsy crowd. Live rock and roll music is what keeps the taps flowing here.

The vibe is funky, unpolished, and proudly local, basically exactly what you want in a Winston-Salem music venue. What started as a 1930s flour mill is now one of the coolest brewery-meets-music spots in Winston-Salem, thanks to the Hoots family’s creative reboot.

Crowd vibe: Art kids, old souls, vinyl lovers, and people who know every lyric

Hoots Beer Co. Website

  • 840 Mill Works Street, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101
  • Hours
    • Mon-Fri, 4 pm – 12 am
    • Sat, 2 pm – 12 am
    • Sun, 1 pm – 9 pm

East Of Texas

Part honky-tonk, part taco bar, and all about live music Winston-Salem-style. Expect everything from twangy country nights to ’90s cover bands playing on the patio. It’s casual, colorful, and way more fun than the name suggests.

East Of Texas hosts a Jazz Workshop and Jazz Jam Session every Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. Featuring the “Best Tex-Mex BBQ In The Triad,” they are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They serve brunch on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.

Their events also include “Open Mic Comedy” for those 18 and up on Thursdays, 6:30 pm sign-up, and 7 pm show.

Crowd vibe: Boots, beers, and “Wait, this taco slaps”

East Of Texas Website

  • 907 S Broad Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-422-7076
  • Hours
    • Mon-Thurs, 9 am – 9 pm
    • Fri & Sat, 9 am – 10 pm
    • Sun, 10 am – 8 pm
East of Texas in Winston Salem.
East of Texas has yummy food and a big patio for live music, too!
Photo by Sadie Cornelius for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media Inc, 2024

The Tap At West End

This craft beer haven books local bands in Winston-Salem for high-energy nights on its cozy stage. You’ll find bluegrass one night and a funk duo the next. Big selection of NC beers on tap, plus late-night vibes that keep you lingering.

The Tap features live music from 7 to 10 pm on Saturdays and streams live music on Thursdays. The pub has a full bar, darts, games, and a great deck. It is known for being a comfortable neighborhood bar and a fun place to be.

Crowd vibe: Chill regulars, beer nerds, couples on second dates

The Tap at West End Facebook Page

  • 473 West End Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Hours
    • Mon-Sun, 4 pm – 2 am

West Bend Bar

Tucked just outside the city core, West Bend has that “you only know if you know” feel. Their live music events in NC range from acoustic sunset sets to weekend party bands, and their patio is a hidden gem.

West Bend Bar has music almost every day. Performances Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are 6 pm – 9 pm, and Sunday music takes place 2 pm – 5 pm. They serve wine, craft beer, and food and have a Sunday Brunch.

Crowd vibe: Laid-back locals, wine drinkers, dog moms & dads

West Bend Bar Facebook Page

  • 5394 Williams Road, Lewisville, NC
  • 336-946-1173
  • Hours
    • Thurs & Fri, 5 pm – 10 pm
    • Sat, 1 pm – 11 pm
    • Sun, 11 am – 9 pm
    • Closed Mon-Wed

Chill Spots With Jazz, Blues & Acoustic Vibes In Winston-Salem

Laid-Back, Low-Light, and Loaded with Talent

If your idea of a great night out involves candlelit tables, smooth vocals, and a drink in hand, this is your section.

These Winston-Salem live music venues are perfect for date nights, quiet hangs, or just soaking in good tunes. Expect everything from jazz and blues to stripped-down acoustic sets that let the lyrics hit.

Pro tip: Several of these venues also host free or low-cost live music, especially on weeknights. Come early, stay late.

Downtown Jazz Summer Series

Free jazz under the stars in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem? Yes, please. This annual summer series turns the city center into an open-air concert hall with local and regional jazz acts that seriously swing. Bring a chair, a drink, and some friends.

Downtown Jazz Concerts, presented by the city of Winston-Salem, are held at Corpening Plaza from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm on certain Fridays each summer. The dates and weather updates are posted on the Downtown Winston-Salem Facebook page.

Crowd vibe: Blanket squads, date nights, music appreciators

Downtown Jazz Summer Series Website

  • Corpening Plaza, 237 W 1st Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Hours
    • 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm Select Fridays

Footnote

A hybrid bar, coffee shop, and bookstore with an upscale vibe, Footnote is downtown Winston-Salem’s jazz and acoustic hideaway. Think candlelight, classy cocktails, and intimate sets from singer-songwriters and jazz trios. Quiet, cozy, and surprisingly romantic.

Footnote serves coffee and house-baked pastries in the mornings and signature cocktails, wine, beer, and dinner later in the day.

Footnote, Foothills’ coffee and cocktail lounge, hosts the Siren Series Jazz nights every Monday from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. They occasionally host Fiddle and Bow on Sunday afternoons from 2 pm to 4 pm. Check their events calendar for information.

Crowd vibe: First dates, readers, espresso martini drinkers

Footnote Website

  • 634 W 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-602-1087
  • Hours
    • Mon-Thurs, 8 am – 9 pm
    • Fri & Sat, 8 am – 11 pm
    • Sun, 10 am – 5 pm

The Remedy Cafe & Bar

The Remedy is a cozy coffee house and neighborhood pub in the historic West End.

Part speakeasy, part lounge, this spot books local acoustic music in Winston-Salem with a rotating calendar of unplugged sets. You’ll usually catch solo acts, duos, chill vibes, and some seriously creative cocktails.

It features music every Friday night from 7 pm to 10 pm. The Remedy also offers premium craft coffee and tea, local and regional draft beer, wine, cocktails, baked goods, flatbreads, and charcuterie boards.

Crowd vibe: Whisper-level conversations and slow sips

The Remedy Website

  • 492 West End Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-293-8147
  • Hours
    • Mon, 8 am – 9 pm
    • Tues-Thurs, 8 am – 10 pm
    • Fri & Sat, 8 am – 11 pm
    • Sun, 8 am – 8 pm

Summer On Fourth Street Music Series

When Fourth Street begins to shut down for the night, the music takes over. This seasonal series brings free live music in downtown Winston-Salem to the street. Food trucks, drink tents, and a crowd that feels like a Friday block party.

It is family-friendly and easy to stumble into, in the best way. Summer on Fourth Concerts are held on 4th Street in front of Foothills Downtown Brewpub, 7 pm – 10 pm, Saturdays once a month. Truliant Federal Credit Union presents this music series.

Weather updates are posted on the Downtown Winston-Salem Facebook page. Parking is available in the Center City West Parking Deck at 650 W 4th Street. Bring chairs.

Crowd vibe: Everyone from toddlers to retirees and a few dogs

Summer On Fourth Street Website

  • In Front of Foothills Downtown Brewpub, 638 W 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • Hours
    • 7 pm – 10 pm, on select Saturdays

Tanglewood Pizza

Wood-fired pizza, porch swings, and acoustic sets? Tanglewood Pizza hits the trifecta. Just outside the city in Clemmons, this place books live music in a family-friendly setting, usually with mellow solo acts and singer-songwriters.

Tanglewood Pizza is great for early dinners and casual nights out. It features music on Saturday nights from 6 pm to 9 pm and many Thursday and Friday nights as well. The outside covered patio is lovely, and leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome there.

Along with incredibly tasty pizza, the menu also includes other great appetizers and meals. It has a full-service bar with craft beer and 25 beers on draft.

Crowd vibe: Families, neighbors, kids with cheese on their face

Tanglewood Pizza Website

  • 5539 US Route 158, Advance, NC
  • 336-941-3974
  • Hours
    • Mon-Thurs, 11:30 am – 9 pm
    • Fri & Sat, 11:30 am – 10 pm
    • Sun, 11 am – 9 pm

Dive Bars & Indie Venues Winston-Salem Locals Love

Where the Floors Are Sticky and the Music’s Hot

These Winston-Salem music venues are where local legends are made. Think low-cover charges, up-close stages, and bands you’ve never heard of, until you can’t stop talking about them.

If you’re into gritty, quirky, or off-the-beaten-path places that really care about their music, this is your scene.

Pro tip: Some of the best shows happen on weeknights, which are often less crowded, more personal, and still loud.

CB’s Tavern

One of those bars where the lights are dim, the drinks are strong, and live music happens even if no one advertises it. CB’s is an indie favorite with a “bring your own crowd” vibe, and that’s part of the charm.

CB’s is a friendly, fun bar and grill that features live music on some Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. They also have karaoke. They have a wonderful menu of delicious food, a pool tournament every Thursday night, and registration at 7:30 pm, starting at 8 pm.

CB’s Tavern has a screened-in back patio that’s great for summer nights. Sundays are Bike Night. Watch their Facebook Page for events.

Crowd vibe: Off-duty musicians, townies, music-first folks

CB’s Tavern Facebook Page

  • 3870 Bethania Station Road, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-815-1664
  • Hours
    • Mon-Fri, 3 pm – 2 am
    • Sat, 4 pm – 2 am
    • Sun, 2 pm – 2 am

Earl’s

If Johnny Cash and a tattoo shop had a love child, it’d look like Earl’s. Expect outlaw country, alt-rock, and a full bar with an edge. They have an awesome sound system and one of the more “showcase-ready” stages in town.

Earl’s is the place to be for live country and rock music every Friday and Saturday night from 9:30 pm to 12:30 am. They have great food, beer, wine, and special cocktails. Check out what performers are coming up on their website.

Crowd vibe: Americana fans, leather jackets, beer-and-a-shot crowd

Earl’s Website

  • 121 W 9th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-448-0018
  • Hours
    • Mon-Wed, 4 pm – 12 am
    • Thurs, 4 pm – 2 am
    • Fri & Sat, 11 am – 2 am
    • Sun, 11 am – 12 am

Monstercade Bar

Live music meets haunted house energy. This horror-themed dive bar books everything from punk to goth-industrial DJ nights. It’s weird, wonderful, and one of the most underrated live music spots in Winston-Salem.

Monstercade, billing itself as The Legendary Strangest Bar in NC, has something happening almost every night of the week. The quirky bar offers unconventional, outside-the-box music Wednesdays through Saturdays starting at 9 pm. See their Facebook Page for upcoming events.

Crowd vibe: Halloween year-round, misfits welcome

Monstercade Bar Facebook Page

  • 204 W Acadia Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-893-8591
  • Hours
    • Mon-Wed, 4 pm – 11 pm
    • Thurs, 4 pm – 12 am
    • Fri, 4 pm – 2 am
    • Sat, 12 pm – 2 am
    • Sun, 2 pm – 11 pm

Muddy Creek Cafe And Listening Room

Don’t let the name fool you – this place is serious about music. With a dedicated listening room and acoustic shows that get respectfully quiet, it’s a haven for singer-songwriters, folk, and bluegrass.

Bonus: coffee and brunch during daytime sets. Their cafe offers gourmet sandwiches, hot paninis, soup, salad, desserts, and Moravian pies.

Muddy Creek at Old Salem features great music on many Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Enjoy music on their patio. See their website for the dates and times upcoming artists will perform in Old Salem. They also have a Music Hall in Sparta, NC.

Crowd vibe: Music lovers who really listen

Muddy Creek Cafe and Listening Room Website | Muddy Creek Cafe Facebook Page

  • 626 S Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC (in Old Salem)
  • 336-829-7572
  • Hours
    • Wed-Fri, 11 am – 2 pm; 5 pm – 7 pm
    • Sat, 10 am – 4 pm
    • Sun, 12 pm – 3 pm

Old Nick’s Pub Arcadia

This one’s tucked away, and that’s how locals like it. A mix of karaoke, acoustic nights, and Friday cover bands make this spot feel like a small-town stage with a big heart. Cheap beer, loyal regulars, and live music in a no-frills setting.

Old Nick’s is a local pub with craft cocktails, beer, wine, darts, and pool. It has something going on every night! Live music is classic rock on Saturday nights, beginning at 9 pm.

For those who love to sing, karaoke is available on Wednesday and Friday nights starting at 8 pm. They also offer Trivia on Mondays and Name That Tune on Thursdays. Take a look at their Facebook page.

Crowd vibe: Boots, laughter, maybe a dad band

Old Nick’s Pub Arcadia Facebook Page

  • 206 Millers Creek Drive, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-893-5831
  • Hours
    • Mon-Thurs, 4 pm – 11 pm
    • Fri & Sat, 3 pm – 2 am
    • Sun, 1 pm – 11 pm

Village Square Tap House

Technically, it’s in Clemmons, but it’s worth the drive. A neighborhood bar that occasionally transforms into a mini music festival with full bands, DJs, and themed nights. One of the liveliest local music bars near Winston-Salem.

Village Square Tap House has music on Friday and Saturday nights at 9:30 pm and sometimes on Thursday nights at 7 pm. It has a full-service bar with 30 craft draft beers, pool tables, and darts, as well as a variety of music. See events on its Facebook Page for upcoming performers.

Crowd vibe: Suburban party crew, trivia fans who stuck around

Village Square Facebook Page

  • 6000 Meadowbrook Mall Court, #16, Clemmons, NC
  • 336-448-5330
  • Hours
    • Mon, 4 pm – 1 am
    • Tues-Thurs, 4 pm – 2 am
    • Fri, 3 pm – 2 am
    • Sat, 12 pm – 2 am
    • Sun, 12 pm – 1 am

Big Sound, Bigger Vibes: Must-See Music Venues

These Are the Stages Everyone Talks About

These Winston-Salem music venues bring the kind of energy that turns a casual night out into a core memory. Expect top-tier sound systems, crowds that show up early, and artists that tour beyond NC.

These spots book nationally recognized names, local legends, and everything in between, basically where you go when you want to feel the bass in your chest.

Pro tip: Follow these venues on social media and sign up for their email list because some of the best shows sell out fast.

The Ramkat

This is the premier live music venue in Winston-Salem. The Ramkat hosts touring acts, indie favorites, and local openers on a professional-grade stage. Big venue sound, two bars, and a balcony make it feel like a mini music hall while still being intimate.

The Ramkat is a two-level, 1000-person capacity venue with three bars serving beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages.

It hosts live music on Wednesday through Saturday, beginning at 8 pm, featuring a variety of performers. The artists are all rockers and rollers who are legends or legends in the making. Tickets are required for each show.

Crowd vibe: All-ages energy, concertgoers, music scene regulars

The Ramkat Website

  • 170 W 9th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-754-9714
  • Hours
    • Shows start at 8 pm

Bar Nola

New Orleans meets North Carolina. Bar Nola offers jazz, funk, and soul music in a moody, neon-lit setting that screams late night. It’s one of the most atmospheric live music bars in Winston-Salem, and the cocktails slap, too.

Bar Nola, a tap house and venue, has live music every Sunday from 2 to 5 pm. It is also dog, kid, and family-friendly on Sundays and offers some great drink specials. See who is playing next on its Facebook page.

Crowd vibe: Bourbon sippers, jazz lovers, stylish crowd

Bar Nola’s Facebook Page

  • 1151 Canal Drive, Suite 105, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-999-8111
  • Hours
    • Tues-Thurs, 4 pm – 11 pm
    • Fri, 3 pm – 1 am
    • Sat, 12 pm – 1 am
    • Sun, 12 pm – 9 pm
    • Closed Monday

ROAR

Four floors of food, games, rooftop vibes, and, yes, live music downtown. ROAR books everything from cover bands to rooftop DJs. Come early for the eats, and stay late for the bass drop.

ROAR’s Mayfair Club Rooftop is open for the season and offers music from 7 pm to 10 pm on Saturday nights. They also hold an oyster roast on those nights with $2 oysters. ROAR is a family entertainment center with Roarcade, featuring 45 top-of-the-line games and tacos, burgers, and pizza.

Crowd vibe: Birthday parties, bachelorettes, “we’re going out tonight” energy

ROAR Website

  • 633 N Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-692-8990
  • Hours
    • Mon, 11:30 am – 10 pm
    • Tues-Thurs, 11:30 am – 11 pm
    • Fri & Sat, 11:30 am – 1 am
    • Sun, 11:30 am – 9 pm

Wiseman Brewing

Known for their bold beers and community events, Wiseman often books live local bands that lean into rock, reggae, and funk. Great outdoor seating and a loyal local crowd make it one of the more consistent music-meets-brewery spots in town.

Wiseman Brewing exterior.
Wiseman Brewing hosts local live music on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as Open Mic Night and other events.
Photo by Aniya Ellison for MyWinston-Salem.com, © Cover Story Media Inc, 2023

Wiseman Brewing features live music on Friday and Saturday nights, 7 pm – 10 pm, and Open Mic Night on Wednesdays, 8 pm – 11 pm. Their event schedule also includes Trivia on Tuesdays and Music Bingo on Thursdays.

Food Trucks are there every day for your eating pleasure. Wiseman Brewing offers an ever-changing line-up of exceptional beers in their Taproom. Check out their events calendar to see who is playing there next.

Crowd vibe: Chill crews, beer geeks, concert T-shirt folks

Wiseman Brewing Website

  • 826 Angelo Bros Ave, Winston-Salem, NC
  • 336-725-0008
  • Hours
    • Mon-Wed, 4 pm – 10 pm
    • Thurs, 4 pm – 11 pm
    • Fri, 2 pm – 12 am
    • Sat, 12 pm – 12 am
    • Sun, 12 pm – 8 pm

Frequently Asked Questions About Live Music In Winston-Salem

Looking for the best places to catch live music in Winston-Salem but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Whether planning a family night out, hunting for hidden gems, or just wanting to know where the locals really go, these quick answers will help you hit the right notes.

Got a question we didn’t answer? Drop it in the comments; we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Winston-Salem regular, your tips, band recs, and venue stories help keep this guide fresh (and way more fun).

Are There Any Places In Winston-Salem With Free Live Music?

Yes! Several venues and event series offer free live music in Winston-Salem, especially during spring and summer. Check these out:

  • Summer on Fourth Street Series – Weekly outdoor concerts with food trucks and dancing
  • Downtown Jazz Summer Series – Free jazz under the stars downtown
  • Joymongers Barrel Hall – Frequent free shows, often outdoors

What Are The Best Live Music Spots In Winston-Salem For Families?

These venues are family-friendly (and often dog-friendly) with laid-back vibes:

  • Tanglewood Pizza – Outdoor seating, acoustic acts, and great food
  • Muddy Creek Café (Daytime Shows) – Morning bluegrass and brunch
  • Joymongers Barrel Hall – Big outdoor space for kids to run and parents to chill

Are There Any Kid-Friendly Concerts Or Music Events Near Winston-Salem?

Yes! Look for these:

  • Summer on Fourth Street Series – Stroller-accessible and family-ready
  • Tanglewood Pizza – A casual spot with music you don’t have to shout over
  • Downtown Jazz Summer Series – Relaxed, early-evening shows great for kids

What Are The Most Underrated Music Venues In Winston-Salem?

Locals love these lesser-known spots for their authentic atmosphere and surprisingly great lineups:

  • The Remedy Café & Bar – Cozy, moody lounge with acoustic sets
  • East of Texas – Taco bar with country and alt-soul shows
  • CB’s Tavern – Gritty dive with unpredictable live acts
  • Old Nick’s Pub Arcadia – A small-town feel with big sound on weekends

Where Can I Find Quirky Or Unexpected Live Music In Winston-Salem?

For something totally different, try:

  • Monstercade Bar – Horror-themed dive with punk, goth, and metal nights
  • CB’s Tavern – Sometimes it’s karaoke, sometimes it’s a killer blues band
  • The Remedy Café & Bar – Like a speakeasy with surprise singer-songwriters

Music Is In The Air

Winston-Salem has a variety of music that everyone can enjoy, from jazz to classic rock to unconventional music, which can be found in venues throughout the city. For more live music, check out our concert listings. We also have guides on the RiverRun Film Festival and movie theaters in and around Winston-Salem you’ll enjoy discovering.

Have a favorite spot for live music in Winston-Salem? Or have you got a go-to music spot we didn’t mention? Drop it in the comments – we’d love to hear what makes it special.

Kathy Solarino

I am originally from New Jersey but now call Winston-Salem home. I am blessed with 3 sons, their wives, and five grandchildren. My husband is deceased, but I gained his two sons, their wives, and four additional grandchildren. I fell in love with Winston-Salem because of the beautiful area, the arts, the music, and the people. It's a city with a heart and soul.

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