Tucson and live music go together like peanut butter and jelly, or in our case, like tortillas and butter.
Hot, cold, day or night, you can find Tucsonans enjoying live music almost any time. As Tucson’s love for live music continues to grow, so does the list of places to check out the best local bands and famous musicians.
Here is our mega list of places to check out live music in Tucson. These spots may not have live music every day, so make sure to check their event calendars before heading out!
Know of more spots that often have live music? Email us!
Hotel Congress/Club Congress/The Century Room
Gia Del Pino moves to the music among the crowd for the night's main event on the Club Congress stage, Xixa, during the HOCO Fest at Hotel Congress, Tucson, Ariz., August 31, 2019.
You can always find fun concerts and other music events happening at this historic hotel. Check out their jam-packed events calendar here. Upcoming events include The Aristocrats, Cowgirl Clue and Jerry Paper. Plus, don’t miss their El Tambo dance party every Friday in the hotel’s plaza.
St. Philip's Plaza
Members of the crowd get up and dance to the live music outdoors on the patio at St. Philip’s Plaza in April 2021.
Enjoy food and drinks from one of the restaurants in St. Philip's Plaza while you take in live music at the plaza’s courtyard. The list of musicians playing at the plaza frequently changes, so check out their events calendar to find a show that interests you.
Monterey Court
Juliana Murphy, left, Stuart Oliver and Luci Figueroa have the stage, the first three solo acts to perform for Thursday Night Live A Singer Songwriter Showcase at Monterey Court, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2020.
Monterey Court is a great place to check out artists from various genres. In addition, the courtyard has live music nearly every single day! Check out their events calendar here.
LaCo
An empty outdoor seating area at La Cocina located at 201 N. Court Avenue, on March 26, 2020.
Sit under twinkling string lights and enjoy a margarita while listening to live music at this Tucson staple, LaCo.
191 Toole
Local Tucson band Goggles, formally known as The Great Citizens, open for the Regrettes on July 20th, 2019 at 191 Toole in Tucson, Ariz.
While 191 Toole doesn’t have live music daily, the concert venue has hosted many prominent names over the years. Keep up with their events calendar here.
The Rialto Theatre
The Rialto Theatre sign lights up downtown Tucson while cars drive down East Congress Street by The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., in Tucson, Ariz. on December 20th, 2019.
This list wouldn’t be complete without including The Rialto Theatre. For decades, The Rialto Theatre has brought some of the biggest names in music to Tucson. Check out the venue’s website to learn more about their new clear bag policy!
Fox Tucson Theatre
Students can get discounts for select shows at Fox Tucson Theatre.
Another iconic Tucson spot for live music is the Fox Theatre. The nearly 100-year-old theatre has hosted everything from The Beatles tributes to a capella and mariachi groups. You can find their events calendar here.
Groundworks
Groundworks is a local nonprofit dedicated to “promoting the youth-driven music and arts community in Tucson,” according to their website. Groundworks is a great place to check out local artists you may have never heard of before. Their monthly event calendar is posted on their website.
Chicago Bar
Chicago Bar, 5954 E. Speedway, reopened in 2021.
The Chicago Bar closed during COVID-19 but reopened two years ago under a new owner. The popular bar’s live music performances include blues, jazz, reggae and western artists.
Sky Bar
Caiden Brewer performs with the rest of his band at Sky Bar on Fourth Avenue on Feb. 11, 2018.
Find live music at this solar-powered astronomy bar on the Historic Fourth Avenue. Sky Bar announces events on their social media pages.
MSA Annex/Mercado San Agustin
A few stray monsoon clouds drift over the diners under the awnings and lights at Agustin Kitchen in the Mercado San Agustin, Tucson, Ariz., August 28, 2020.
If you are on the west side of Tucson, the MSA Annex and the Mercado San Agustin are the perfect places to grab a bite to eat and enjoy live music in their courtyards. Check out the annex and mercado’s Facebook pages for upcoming events.
House of Bards
Zero Miles To Empty warm up for a live-stream show from the stage at House of Bards, March 21, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
The House of Bards on Speedway includes revolving local and national musicians. This venue also offers a dinner menu with a daily chef’s special and vegan dish of the day.
The Hut
The large Tiki head at the entrance of The Hut, 305 N. Fourth Ave., wears a mask in response to the pandemic in Tucson, Ariz., on April 5, 2020.
Start your weekend off right by stopping by The Hut for live music outside in the courtyard or inside the bar. Of course, you can’t miss the humongous Easter Island head towering over Fourth Avenue!
Frog & Firkin
A server talks with customers at Frog & Firkin, 874 E. University Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., April 30, 2021.
A University of Arizona staple, Frog & Firkin has been a go-to spot for both sports and a bite to eat. But the University Boulevard bar also offers live music on its patio. Check out their social media pages for upcoming live music events.
The Rock
The Rock is another Tucson venue offering live music to locals. If rock music is your thing, this is the place to check out. They feature a monthly calendar on their website where you can stay updated on upcoming performances.
The Maverick
The Maverick, 6622 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, Ariz., Oct. 16, 2019.
This Tucson club is the place to satisfy your live country music needs. You can even take dance lessons there in case you want to get your two-step on during the live music events. Check out their events calendar for more information.
Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ
Brother John's Beer, Bourbon & BBQ, 1801 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, on June 17, 2019. The building was home to the Wildcat House from 1977-2012.
Brother John’s may be a barbecue restaurant, but the ample space is home to live music performances. For their full monthly events calendar, visit their website.
Tap & Bottle
The downtown Tap & Bottle location offers a few monthly live music performances. Don’t forget to grab a drink while there! Check out their Facebook page for upcoming events.
MotoSonora Brewing Co.
MotoSonora, 1015 E. Park Ave. in Tucson, Ariz., October 15, 2020.
You can find live music at MotoSonora, located on Park Avenue. Visit their website to stay up to date on live music events.
Three Canyon Beer & Wine Garden
This far-east-side bar and restaurant hosts live music every weekend. Worried about the summer heat or the brisk winter air? Don’t worry. They offer coolers in the spring and summer, and heaters in the fall and winter. Check out their website for their event calendar.
AVA Amphitheater
Families and friends gather on the lawn to watch the Fourth of July fireworks during the 22nd Fireworks Extravaganza at Casino del Sol Resort, at 5655 W Valencia Rd., outside Tucson on July 3, 2016.
Of course, we had to include the AVA Amphitheater on this list. The amphitheater has continued to bring famous musicians to the Old Pueblo. Whether you opt for the general admission seats or the lawn, you’re destined to have a great time here.
Pastiche Modern Eatery — *temporarily closed*
Catch live jazz music at Pastiche seven days a week all while enjoying a tasty dinner. Check out the live music calendar for details!
Hacienda del Sol
Make it a date night and head to Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort for fine dining at their two restaurants. Both have live music, according to the resort's website.
Li'l Abner's Steakhouse
Catch live music on weekends, and sometimes Thursdays and Fridays, at this local steakhouse.
Rockabilly Grill
You can frequently find live music at Rockabilly Grill, alongside daily food and drink specials. Check out their event calendar to see who's playing!
Borderlands Brewing Company (downtown location)
Borderlands Brewing Company, 119 E. Toole Ave., in downtown Tucson, Ariz.
Borderlands’ downtown location offers numerous live music performances each month on its large outdoor patio. Stay updated with the brewery’s upcoming events through its Instagram page or website.
Che’s Lounge
Most of the table remain empty at Che's Lounge on Fourth Avenue following the revocation of COVID-19 related mask orders in the state, Tucson, Ariz., March 25, 2021.
Che’s Lounge on Fourth Avenue is home to live music almost every single week. The bar and lounge have no cover charge to get in, but you must be 21 or up to enter. To find Che’s Lounge’s next live music event, check out their Facebook page.
The Jackrabbit Lounge
Kaitlyn Mills and Chris Vick line up a shot with the backgrounds, tripods and lights set-up in the Instragram hallway after a winning night at Trouble's Trivia Tuesday at The Jackrabbit Lounge, Tucson, Ariz., October 12, 2021. The two also produce and DJ the lounge's Double Diamond Disco night.
The Jackrabbit Lounge offers monthly live music and DJ events, along with disco, drag and burlesque nights. Plus, check out their signature cocktails that are bound to make you *hoppy* (get it?). Find all of their upcoming events on their website.
The Delta
Original art colors the walls over the diners at The Delta, 135 S. 6th Ave., Tucson, Ariz., January 12, 2022.
While there’s occasional live music at this restaurant, you can typically find one of The Delta’s rotating DJs there on Friday nights. Starting at 9 p.m., the restaurant offers $4 Modelo Especial or Powers Irish Whiskey and $5 orange tea shots. Check out The Delta’s list of upcoming events on their website.
Surly Wench Pub
Scott Kerr plays two horns at once during the Grand Opening vaudeville troupe's variety show at the Surly Wench Pub in Tucson, Ariz. on June 26, 2015.
The Surly Wench Pub is well-known around town for its burlesque shows and dance parties, but did you know that they host live music events, too? Stay updated with their upcoming live music events through their Instagram page!
