Downtown and midtown Wilmington have a wealth of entertainment options, so we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite places to catch live music! Whether you’re into Americana, folk, jazz, bluegrass, rock, punk, or metal, somebody in town is jammin’ tunes just for you. Be sure to check out the venues’ websites for their concert calendars, showtimes, and ticket purchasing information.
All of our properties are centrally located in Downtown and Midtown, but we’ve noted our homes that are especially close!
Live at Ted’s (2 Castle St.)
Located in a quaint little house by the Cape Fear River, Live at Ted’s is a hidden gem and a unique music experience. It’s a listening room style venue with an array of local and regional songwriters, folk music, and jazz artists. They serve beer, wine, kombucha, and coffee. Expect to buy your concert tickets in advance since it is a small capacity venue, and plan to go for the music rather than for socializing.
Nearby Properties: The Garden District Flat, The N’awlins House, Savannah Suite on Front, Fredonia on Front, Condo Riviere, The Wilmingtonian on Front, Manhattan on Front
Bourbon Street (35 N. Front St.)
The party is always going in this usually packed New Orleans themed venue, with good bands, reasonable cover charges, great cajun and creole food that goes late on weekends, and classic NOLA cocktails. One great thing is that since the stage is at the front of the venue, you can hear the band from the street before you decide if you want to go in.
Nearby Properties: Savannah Suite on Front, Fredonia on Front, Condo Riviere, The Wilmingtonian on Front, Manhattan on Front, The Garden District Flat, The N’awlins House, Riverview Penthouse, High Tide Historic Duplex, Peaceful Downtown Escape
Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern (1415 S. 42nd St.)
This rock club packs a punch with regional and national metal, rock, and punk bands most nights of the week. It’s a classic dive with a full bar and big patio. If you’re there early enough on weekends, you can also pop by next door to Reggie’s Veggies and Plants for indoor and outdoor plants and accessories.
Nearby Properties: Ada’s Midtown Garden, Relaxing Zen Garden
Burnt Mill Creek (2101 Market St.)
Casual atmosphere with open mics, jams, and local bands. Great beers on tap and a well-stocked bar.
Satellite Bar and Lounge (120 Greenfield St.)
They occasionally have local live music, including a long standing Sunday Night Bluegrass jam starting at 6:30 pm. Great cocktails, a fully stocked bar, a taco truck, and patio with cornhole.
Nearby Properties: Greenfield Gathering Place
The Eagle’s Dare (420 N. 3rd St.)
This is a big live music venue inside a coolly converted gas station. They kept the vibe, with a polished concrete floor, garage doors, and gas pumps inside. You can expect to see string bands, rock bands, DJs spinning country & western vinyl records, and occasional swing dance and line dance lessons. Curt, the owner of Wilmington Vacation Homes, plays here every 4th Thursday with the Wilmington Big Band.
Nearby Properties: The Palm, Historic Downtown Duplex, Peaceful Downtown Escape, Riverview Penthouse
The Rusty Nail (1310 S. 5th Ave.)
A charming hole in the wall, blues bar. They have a long standing blues jam on Tuesday nights at 8 pm and also have live music many other nights of the week.
Nearby Properties: Greenfield Gathering Place
Bourgie Nights (127 Princess St.)
They bring in regional and national jazz, rock, Americana, bluegrass, and cover bands in an intimate venue. Bourgie Nights is operated by the fine dining establishment Manna, so you can make a night of elevated fare and live music.
Nearby Properties: The Garden District Flat, The N’awlins House, Riverview Penthouse, High Tide Historic Duplex, Peaceful Downtown Escape
Brooklyn Arts Center (516 N. 4th St.)
This multi-use event center occasionally pulls in bigger national acts, so it’s well worth keeping an eye on the calendar.
Nearby Properties: The Palm, Historic Downtown Duplex, Peaceful Downtown Escape, Riverview Penthouse
The Harp (1423 S. 3rd St.)
This Irish Pub is a relaxing spot to enjoy occasional live Irish and Celtic music, in addition to local songwriters and acoustic musicians. Their food and drink menus set the vibe with classic Irish fare.
Nearby Properties: Greenfield Gathering Place
Duck and Dive (114 Dock St.)
Hole in the wall English style pub with cheap drinks and sporadic live music. You can expect local bands, cover bands, and songwriters.
Nearby Properties: Savannah Suite on Front, Fredonia on Front, Condo Riviere, The Wilmingtonian on Front, Manhattan on Front, The Garden District Flat, The N’awlins House, Riverview Penthouse, High Tide Historic Duplex, Peaceful Downtown Escape
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (111 Grace St.)
You’ll find lots of specialty and inventive cocktails here and live music on the weekends.
Nearby Properties:The Garden District Flat, The N’awlins House, Riverview Penthouse, High Tide Historic Duplex, Peaceful Downtown Escape
The Opera Room (119 Grace St.)
An intimate room with occasional live local and regional bands.
Nearby Properties: The Garden District Flat, The N’awlins House, Riverview Penthouse, High Tide Historic Duplex, Peaceful Downtown Escape
