Complete Guide to {Live Music Spots} in Jersey City
Here is Jersey City's complete guide to live music. With something to do every day, be sure to add some excitement to your week with some amazing local artists. Bring yourself and your friends, de-stress and enjoy your favorite genre, and find new favorites!
Atlas Public House
Join Atlas not only for the cozy vibe, but for the live rock n roll! Every Wednesday they offer live music, and why not break the week up with some brews and grooves?
130 Newark Ave.
The Brightside Tavern
The Brightside Tavern offers live music throughout the week. Join them on Mondays for live jazz, Thursdays for open mic nights, and Sundays for live cover bands. Be sure to check their Instagram for daily updates!
141 Bright St.
Hudson Hall
Hudson Hall has a large open space perfect for listening to live music. Join Hudson Hall on Thursdays for live music!
364 Marin Blvd.
The Hutton
What could be better than brunch on Sunday? Live Irish music to accompany it! Join the Hutton weekly for live, traditional Irish music with your favorite brunch offerings.
225 Hutton St.
The Lutze Biergarten
The Lutze not only bolsters amazing views of the city skyline, is dog friendly, and has great drink specials, but also offers live music on the weekends! Check their Instagram daily for updates and be sure to join them for their future event–live music yoga!
3 2nd St.
Porta
Porta not only has amazing pizzas, but also transforms into the ultimate concert and nightclub venue at night. Join them Monday and Saturday nights and Sunday brunch for live music ranging from rock to jazz.
135 Newark Ave.
Talde
The downstairs of Talde has a speakeasy-themed bar, Miss Wong's. Join them for their summer series, and upstairs for live jazz happy hour. Give them a call for weekly occurrences.
8 Erie St.
Cellar 335
Step inside and be transported to the tropics within Cellar 335. With beachy drinks and great steel drums, you sure will not remember that you're still in New Jersey.
335 Newark Ave.
Corgi Spirits
Although a relatively new venue, Corgi Spirits has made quite the impression with their distillery. Corgi Spirits now not only has some of the best spirits around, but also food trucks and live music.
1 Distillery Dr.
Corkscrew Bar
Corkscrew Bar offers brunch with live music on Saturdays from 1pm-4pm, as well as open mic nights on Tuesdays from 9pm-12am weekly.
61 Congress St.
Departed Soles
The most unique and
only brewery in Jersey City has some of the best weekly live music events. Get a flight of beer, bring your favorite food and companion (K9 or human), and enjoy some of NJ's finest local music. Check their Instagram for updated daily events. 150 Bay St.
The Factory Restaurant & Lounge
The Factory is located in a refurbished….wait for it…. factory. This huge space is not only great for partying on the weekend, but offers live music almost every day! Check their website for artists and times. 451 Communipaw Ave.
FM Restaurant, Bar & Lounge
FM is the perfect place for live music, offering diverse cover and karaoke bands throughout the week. Check their calendar and Instagram daily for live music offerings.
340 3rd St.
Fox and Crow
This Pub and Parlor has live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visit on Wednesdays for some incredible jazz, as part of the Riverview Jazz Fest!
594 Palisade Ave.
Groove on Grove
Groove on Grove is a public showcase of local and non-local bands each Wednesday on the Pedestrian Walkway right outside of the Grove Street Path. With such a prime location, and diverse music offerings, brighten your Wednesdays during the summer with their offerings.
Grove St Pedestrian Plaza.
Grove Corner Bar
With numerous restaurants and bars located within the building, Grove Corner is your perfect stop for all of your live music wants. Monday: Piano Bar 7pm-12am; Tuesday: Open Mic Night 7pm-12am; Wednesday: Anything Goes 7pm-12am; Thursday: Live band following comedy 9pm-12am; Friday: Live musician 7pm-11pm; Saturday: Big Bruce and the Messengers 7pm-11pm.
116 Newark Ave.
GP's Restaurant
GP's Restaurant, located within Hamilton Park, transforms into a late night piano bar
Friday and Saturday nights. Music starts at 9pm and continues on well into the wee hours of the morning. Be sure to bring your singing voice and dancing shoes and be prepared for a great time! 236 Pavonia Ave.
Harry's Daughter
Harry's Daughter is not your typical gastro pub, it's Caribbean themed. YUM! Join them for live music, tropical eats, and a delicious cocktail (or two!). Check their website or give them a call for the latest schedules.
339 Communipaw Ave.
Kitchen Step
Located within the Historic Van Vorst District, the Kitchen Step has become a local hot spot for its Italian-American fare and live entertainment. Join them for their #TuesdayVibes acoustic set list, and check their Instagram daily for entertainment updates, food specials, and even BYOB nights.
500 Jersey Ave.
Liberty House Restaurant
One of the most popular venues for celebrations and weddings, it is no surprise that Liberty House Restaurant would offer live jazz music during their meals during normal business hours. Located within Liberty State Park, come for the decadent atmosphere and views, and stay for the music.
76 Audrey Zapp Dr.
Light Horse Tavern
Nestled in the cozy Paulus Hook neighborhood, Light Horse Tavern provides live music multiple days during both dinner and brunch. Call ahead to check for daily confirmation of their entertainment.
199 Washington St.
LITM
LITM has a great selection of not only cocktails, but live events ranging from comedy, to themed karaoke, as well as live music. Check their Instagram for live music performances, including some of the best songwriters in Jersey City!
140 Newark Ave.
Lucky 7s
Lucky 7s offers DJs and a jukebox, but they also offer exclusive events with local live music. Check their calendar for updates on when these special events happen, including their Beach Party Weekend!
322 2nd St.
Madame Claude Bistro
Madame Claude Bistro is one of the best hideaways in JC. It offers authentic French food, amazing cocktails, and gypsy jazz music every Tuesday and Thursday!
390 4th St.
Moore's Place
Moore's Place is the ideal place for jazz lovers. Partnering with the RiverviewJazz.org, as well as Winard Harper's Meet the Artists, Moore's has become a staple in the jazz scene. Come see for yourself everyday Friday at 8pm, and Sundays at 6pm.
189 Monticello Ave.
Monty Hall
Run by WFMU, Monty Hall is another staple location to see live bands. Check their website and Facebook for monthly event lists.
43 Montgomery St.
The OAK on Pine
The OAK on Pine is a neighborhood spot with some great Southern eats, and a cozy atmosphere. Loved by the locals for not only that, but for the live piano music as well. Check their Instagram for updates!
196 Pine St.
O'Hara's Downtown
O'Hara's has karaoke every Wednesday night, but come early for live music! Check their Instagram for updates on performances.
172 1st St.
Oralé Mexican Kitchen
In Jersey City, brunch goes hand in hand with live music. Visit Oralé during their weekend brunch for live music, to sip some margaritas, and bask in the glory of the weekend.
341 Grove St.
Pet Shop
This neighborhood bar comes with an eclectic, rock feel. Serving "booze, food and tunes," Pet Shop is the local spot to see rock and alternative bands. Pet Shop also has PS Wine Bar in its basement, which offers live concerts monthly, check the website for more.
193 Newark Ave.
PJ Ryan's Squared
PJ Ryan's Squared is an Irish-American Sports bar and grill located in Journal Square. Go for the beer and pub food, stay for the live music. Check their calendar on their website for monthly scheduled artists.
4 Path Plaza.
Razza
Razza has some of the best pizzas around, but did you know they have live music too? Join them on Thursdays for Jazz Night and check their calendar for special live music events.
275 Grove St.
Riverview Jazz
Riverview Jazz Festival brings "music to the People." Join Riverviewjazz.org during June on the Harborside Atrium for lunchtime performances. Every Thursday, enjoy Jazz at the Pier at Exchange Place from June-August 2
nd. It also offers live jazz at Magnolia Landing on the 1st, and 3rd Saturdays at Journal Squared from April-November. Check riverviewjazz.org for more events and dates around JC!
Rooftop at Exchange Place
The Rooftop is a JC highlight for some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. Offering unobstructed views, indoor and outdoor viewing, this restaurant will sure not disappoint. The Rooftop provides live music during some of their daily happy hours and events, but check their website for more details.
1 Exchange Pl.
SOUTH HOUSE
South House offers new and upcoming artists a stage to perform that was influenced by the iconic greats. The restaurant has partnered with Pinetop Perkins Foundations and collects donations during each Juke Join Session. Check their Instagram and calendar for monthly events. 149 Newark Ave.
Surf City
Surf City is the only bar in Jersey City that has actual sand. Close your eyes, put your toes in the sand, sip a daiquiri, and on Sundays from 2pm-6pm listen to live Steel Drum Music and take a mini vacay.
1 Marin Blvd.
White Eagle Hall
White Eagle Hall is one of the oldest and most fun places to go see live music. With some of the best acoustics in the city, it will sure not disappoint when your favorite bands come around.
337 Newark Ave.
Zeppelin Hall
Zeppelin Hall is an authentic Biergarten in JC, with both indoor and outdoor seating. A stage is located inside, perfect for traditional German bands to play, as well as versatile genres of music. Check out their calendar for a detailed weekly view of their live music.
88 Liberty View Dr.
Written by
Angela Ashman
Angela is a graduate student of cultural anthropology. While living in JC for the past two years, she has developed quite a taste for champagne, eclectic bars and exploring dog parks with her adorable cardigan welsh corgi, Olive. Follow her adventures with Olive on her Instagram @angie_ash!