Where to Listen to Live Music This Summer

Virginia Beach is famous for its glimmering shoreline and Oceanfront bars and restaurants where you can kick back and enjoy the view with a drink in hand. What some people don’t realize is that many of the beachside watering holes also offer live music, from beachside bars with live bands to concerts along the Boardwalk all summer long. And it doesn’t stop at the coast. Across Virginia Beach, talented musicians from around the country take the stage in a wide range of venues. Here are some of the best spots to catch live tunes this summer. Here are some of the best spots to catch live tunes this summer.

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Oceanfront

The summer’s most anticipated live music events happen on the stages along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk along the Oceanfront, where everything from indie bands to larger festivals fill the shoreline with sound. The season typically starts in May with the Beachy Music Festival and continues with the popular Oceanfront Concert Series, bringing full-scale shows to the shore on select summer nights, along with a very full weekend for the Point Break Music Festival in June. You’ll also find musicians entertaining the masses along the Boardwalk throughout the summer as part of Live! On Atlantic, bringing a coastal soundtrack to the Oceanfront Beach.

Waterman’s Surfside Grill, Oceanfront 

Waterman’s Surfside Grill is a classic beachfront burger joint that has evolved over its 60+ years into a full-service seafood restaurant, offering an impressive menu alongside its signature Orange Crush cocktail. Grab a table by the beach or head upstairs to The Attic, where you’ll find some of the area’s best local bands belting it out in an intimate space.  

Catch 31, Oceanfront

Technically, the Summer Concert Series — which has welcomed the likes of The Wailers and Vertical Horizon — is open to anyone who wants to pull up a chair. But why not enjoy it with a fish sandwich and cold beer in hand, kicking back at a stageside table at Catch 31? This Oceanfront restaurant has a front-row seat to the stage, so your meal comes with one of the best views in Virginia Beach.

Calypso Bar & Grill, Oceanfront

Rainy day? No problem. The music keeps going at the Calypso Bar & Grill, where live bands and DJs perform under the largest covered patio on the beach. In addition to great music, you’ll find a lineup of standout tacos on the menu, whether you’re feeling jerk chicken, carne asada or fried shrimp.  

Back Bay Beach House Brewing Co., Oceanfront

During the day, Back Bay Beach House Brewing Co. is a great spot to cool off with a cold beer at the Oceanfront. The beach house vibes are strong, with open windows looking out on the ocean, so you never miss the sunshine even when you are inside. Stick around on Saturday nights and you’ll be treated to live bands in The Lounge, creating the perfect blend of craft beer and music for a quintessential Virginia Beach experience.  

Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, Oceanfront

You might do a double take when you walk into Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub and hear live reggae music coming from the stage. That unexpected mix is part of the appeal of this longstanding Oceanfront Irish pub, where they’re happy to regale you with traditional Celtic tunes mixed with some rock and country, too. Their music is best enjoyed on Murphy’s sunny patio, which transforms into an outdoor concert venue in the summer.

Hot Tuna, Chesapeake Bay

Stroll by the boisterous Hot Tuna in Chesapeake Bay on a Friday or Saturday night and you’ll almost always hear music pouring out of open-front garage doors. While the fresh Atlantic seafood draws the crowds during the week, the restaurant’s stage hosts popular local acts on weekends. It’s a great place to get a sense of the Virginia Beach music scene and the spectacular food scene simultaneously.  

HK On the Bay, Chesapeake Bay

HK On the Bay is an unassuming little pitched-roof restaurant just a couple of blocks from the water, but you know what they say about judging a book by its cover; HK serves up some of the best seafood dishes in all of Hampton Roads. The daily catch specials taste especially good when accompanied by local musicians, who take the small stage inside the restaurant on Saturday nights. The space is small, and the music can get loud, but if you’re into that kind of immersion, HK’s is tough to beat.  

Taste Unlimited, Chesapeake Bay

Exploring Chesapeake Bay, you might be tempted to stop into Taste Unlimited for its unique collection of gourmet foods like house-made hot sauces and fresh baked goods. You’ll definitely want to stick around for a sandwich, too. Then savor it a little longer and take in the Live on the Lawn concert series, where happy hour turns into twilight to the sounds of live local bands.  

Froggie’s BBQ, Chesapeake Bay

A great barbecue joint is always a fantastic find, and if you’re searching for brisket and ribs, make your way to Froggie’s BBQ smoke shack just across the bridge from Lynnhaven Inlet. The country-meets-beach atmosphere pairs perfectly with the food and kicks up a big notch whenever a band takes the stage. Blues, bluegrass, country and southern rock sounds fill the room like musical mesquite smoke. And despite being blocks from the water, the place feels like a backcountry roadhouse.  

The Outdoor Plaza of Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Town Center

Wednesday nights in Town Center come alive at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts’ outdoor plaza, where live music fills the air all summer long. That is when Ynot Italian’s Ynot Wednesdays take over the plaza, bringing live concerts that range from rock to big brass and Motown. You can also enjoy pizza and other bites from Ynot Italian, along with beer, wine and cocktails.

Blue Pete’s, Pungo

Set along an idyllic canal a stone’s throw from Back Bay, Blue Pete’s in Pungo is one of the best places in Virginia Beach for fresh seafood and lush scenery. The calm setting lends itself well to the relaxing live bands that play here regularly, adding a serene soundtrack to the outdoor experience.  

Elevation 27, Inland

For something a little larger than the collection of bars with live music along the beach, head Inland to Elevation 27, a 600-person venue for local and touring bands. Named for its elevation 27 feet above sea level, the venue provides an intimate place to catch larger acts and also features a solid on-site restaurant. Summer concerts bring in a mix of artists from bands like Inner Circle, to high-energy tours like Summer Slaughter, alongside tribute performances and crowd favorites across genres.