Sometimes you want a beat with your beer or some blues with your bourbon. Whatever your musical tastes are, Tucson probably has a bar or restaurant that fits the bill.
In alphabetical order, here are 25 bars and restaurants that regularly feature live music.
Grab a Sunday brew while listening to Americana band Kevin Pakulis and Friends. For other musicians on other days of the week, view the Borderlands event calendar. Don't miss out on the German Chocolate Cake Porter or Toole Avenue IPA.
For more information, visit borderlandsbrewing.com.
Fridays are home to Latin dance music with Zona Libre, while Sundays feature the Tucson Jazz Society. The Smoked Short Rib Fritters are killer.
For more information, visit brotherjohnsbbq.com.
Every Thursday and occasionally on Fridays, you'll find Connie Brannock, a powerhouse R&B singer with a ton of energy. If you're also there for dinner, get the Southwestern Short Rib Poutine.
More info at conniebrannock.com.
Catalina offers multiple genres of music ranging from jazz to acoustic classic rock covers from 6 - 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
For more information, visit catalinacraftpizza.com.
This neighborhood bar has live music at the weekends, with no cover charge, and during the week a huge jukebox selection. On Sundays, there's sometimes music at sunset on the patio, so get there early. There isn't a regular schedule, though, and occasionally there's music or a DJ during the week, so check their Facebook page. The bar features work by local artists too, and they serve cocktails, beer, and even fresh fruit juice.
Keep up with Che's Lounge on Facebook.
Not to be confused with restaurant chain Old Chicago, Chicago Bar has music almost every night of the week, ranging from DJs and karaoke to local favorites like the Ronstadts. Wednesday regulars The Bad News Blues Band are sensational, and there's no cover charge Sunday through Thursday. Chicago Bar also features nightly specials on drinks, pool tables, and a dance floor too.
For more information, visit chicagobartucson.com.
Culinary Dropout features live music with upbeat vibes multiple nights a week. Order the Soft Pretzel Bites & Provolone Fondue for the table to be a hero.
For more information, visit culinarydropout.com.
This historic spot, located across the street from the TCC, regularly features jazz on both Friday and Saturday nights.
More info at cushingstreet.com.
The club at the Hotel Congress has music most nights of the week, and sometimes live acts twice a night. The music styles are eclectic but mostly contemporary and club music, with artists from all over the country. Some nights it's karaoke or a DJ, and there's room for dancing too.
For more information, visit hotelcongress.com.
Coffee shop by day and cocktail bar by night on weekends, Exo Bar features a wide range of genres ranging from jazz to flamenco with Flamenco Aquí. Enjoy a mezcal flight, carajillo coffee cocktail, and exceptional small plates of food.
Keep up with Exo Bar on Instagram.
Formerly Plush and in a state of limbo — but still open — with the controversial housing project set to take its place (or incorporate it into the ground floor), Flycatcher hosts regular acts both local and touring.
For more information, visit flycatchertucson.com.
Used as one of the stages for the Tucson Folk Festival, La Cocina has music most nights, sometimes two acts a night. Festival favorites like Mitzi Cowell and Nancy McCallion play there, and there's music at their Sunday brunches too. They favor folk and Americana but occasionally throw in a few surprises. You can hang out in the bar or have a meal as well, with a menu ranging from sandwiches to full entrées. Sister bar Dusty Monk Pub regularly features piano jazz and other performers.
For more information, visit lacocinatucson.com.
Not strictly a bar, Hacienda Del Sol's Terraza Garden Patio & Lounge is one of the best spots in the city to kick back on the patio and listen to live music nightly with fine wine and food. They have an annual Zin, Blues & BBQ event and other regular blues shows.
For more information, visit haciendadelsol.com.
Southwestern restaurant Hifalutin features Americana duo Kenny Erickson & Greg Rogan every Sunday for brunch, while Friday nights feature blues and bluegrass arrangments from the Lost Hombres.
For more information, visit hifalutintucson.com.
House of Bards likes to take a chance by booking any genre of music, including musicians not so well-known. Mondays serve as open mic night and industry night.
For more information, visit houseofbards.com.
The Loudhouse calls itself a rock and roll bar "too rough around the edges for downtown," and there's live music till late on Wednesday through Saturday. Tuesday night is comedy night with an open mic, and the place is closed Sunday and Monday. Plenty of local bands play here, and it's mostly loud rock/punk/indie/blues music.
For more information, visit loudhousetucson.com.
This is Tucson's main country music club and has been going for over fifty years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There are a couple of house bands playing live music Tuesday through Saturday, except for Wednesday when it's DJs. Plenty of country dancing, and you can have dance lessons too. Fridays are $1 Beer Night.
For more information, visit tucsonmaverick.com.
Monterey Court deserves a special shout-out for its collection of shops and galleries, support for local brewers and food suppliers, and of course its live music. There's a café and a patio bar, and the courtyard stage has live music Tuesday through Sunday, with a Sunday Music Brunch in the café as well. There's a cover charge for some bands but mostly it's free, with visiting acts as well as local musicians like Wally Lawder, Heather Hardy, Nancy Elliott, and Petie Ronstadt. The musical flavor is mostly folk/rock/Americana.
For more information, visit montereycourtaz.com.
Formerly just "Boondocks," this Roadhouse-esque bar and restaurant features, rock, country, and more.
More info at Nancy's Boondocks on Facebook.
Thursday through Sunday, this Oro Valley hot spot offers a variety of live music with its breathtaking views of Pusch Ridge.
More info at noblehops.com.
Three days a week, New Orleans gastropub The Parish hosts a variety of genres, such as blues, gospel, Americana, country, and more. On the late night menu 10 p.m. - close Tuesday - Saturday, order Guedry's Gumbo, Pork Rind Nachos, or any of chef Travis Peters' creative concoctions available.
More info at theparishtucson.com.
Rockabilly Grill typically features live music four nights a week with rock and blues acts. Regulars love the original wings and grilled steaks.
For more information, visit rockabillygrill.com.
This old Tucson favorite has been sitting outside the Saguaro National Park East since 1956, so you can hike up an appetite before kicking back for some casual dining, drinking, and live music. Musicians play nights Wednesday through Saturday and there's an acoustic Sunday brunch as well. The music's mostly folk/country/singer-songwriter but with more upbeat stuff from time to time. The ranges from soups and salads to burgers and New York strip. They also have a creditable 22 rotating craft beers on tap, at least half of which from Arizona.
For more information, visit saguarocorners.net.
Even though Saint Charles is an inconspicuous bar, it features quite the talented bar staff and beer selection. Live acts such as Miss Olivia & the Interlopers and Shrimp Chaperone perform on weekend nights.
Keep up with Saint Charles Tavern on Facebook.
You can see stars from the patio at this café, bar, and music venue. Local indie bands play Thursday through Saturday with no cover charge, while live jazz performs every Tuesday. Other events include DJs, karaoke, open mic, and pool tournaments. Order food from the café menu or Brooklyn Pizza Company next door, and don't miss out on the signature house ginger whiskey cocktail.
For more information, visit skybartucson.com.
Opened in 2004, you never know what to expect at Surly Wench, except usually something outrageous. Live music, usually punk/indie, is loud along with nights of comedy, open mic, DJs, dance, karaoke, and burlesque shows. Food is simple but filling: burgers, tacos, corn dogs, and nachos. Go for the hangover tots.
For more information, visit surlywenchpub.com.
