Top 10 Live Music Venues in NWA
Opportunities to hear live music in Northwest Arkansas are increasing every day. Quality, live music can be found in many different types of venues including music pavilions, wine bars, pizza joints, pubs, bars and traditional restaurants. The venues we’ve listed are those that are offering music in the winter months and do not include those that offer music beginning in the spring and going forward. Those venues will be listed in our spring edition.
bentonville
Meteor Guitar 128 W Central Ave, (479) 268-1500 Located in downtown Bentonville, the Meteor Guitar is a musical instrument store, event and concert venue. It’s a restored 100 yrold movie theater that is perfect for parties and concerts. Inventory includes more than one thousand musical instruments, amplifiers, and pieces of art from local artists. One of the best things about the place is Leslie Key, one of the owners. He is a walking, talking history book on guitars and people who play them. If he is around, you might be able to persuade him to tell you about some of his guitars.
Bella Vista
JJ’s Grill 12 Cunningham Corner, (479) 802-6455 JJ’s Grill supports local talent by providing them a venue where they can play most nights during the week. Check the schedule at jjsgrill. com/live-music. This down-home bar has happy hour from 3 - 6 PM, Mon - Fri. The varied menu features appetizers, salads, soups, wraps, sandwiches, grilled burgers, tacos, sides, and serious meals. A cool place to enjoy local music, visit with friends and chow down on some great food.
Eureka springs
Chelsea’s Corner Café 10 Mountain St, Eureka Springs, AR 72632 (479) 253-6723 It’s easy to see why Chelsea’s has remained one of NWA’s best loved waterin’ holes for 20+ years. With live music, an enormous selection of beer, a full bar, great food including some of the best pizza to be found anywhere, and an awesome atmosphere and staff, Chelsea’s has all the elements for a good local music venue.
fayetteville
George’s Majestic Lounge 519 W Dickson St, (479) 527-6618 Being the oldest and longest running music club in Arkansas, George’s has heard many music acts perform on its stages including Little River Band, Cate Brother, Oteil Burbridge, and many more. Upcoming acts include Shooter Jennings, Funk Factory, and Martin Sexton. The popular night spot has a full bar, and Yazzetti’s Homemade Pizza Pasta Salads is located within the club. George’s is a Fayetteville institution, if you’ve not been, you’re missing out. Smoke and Barrel Tavern 324 W Dickson St, (479) 521-6880 Located just behind JJ’’s on Dickson Street, this tavern and local hot spot features live music, fine whiskey and a rotating selection of Arkansas and out-of-state brews. Come for the entertainment, stay for the brews, whiskey, camaraderie and fun.
fayetteville (Cont.)
Lightbulb Club 19 N Block Ave, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 (479) 587-9512 This local nightclub features live music, a jukebox with an extensive selection, guest DJs and a huge selection of beer. In business since 1988, the Lightbulb Club is one of Fayetteville’s longest running bar and music venues. It’s known for its cheap drinks, local art shows, live music and great people. They also have some terrific specials like their Wild Turkey Wednesday’s where you can order $3.30 shots of Wild Turkey and hear some great music at the same time. Willy D’s Dueling Piano Bar 230 W Dickson St, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 (479) 443-7700 Located on famed Dickson Street within walking distance to Walton Arts Center and the U of A, Willy D’s Dueling Piano Bar is a popular nightspot for locals, college students, and visitors to the area. Its talented entertainers play music across Rock, Pop and Country genres. You may request your favorite song and sing along. The entertainers are expert at engaging the crowd, which makes Willy D’s a perfect place to have fun with friends or celebrate that special occasion. Mojo’s Pints & Pies 1200 N Garland Ave, (479) 935-3459 Mojo’s Pint and Pies offers great pizzas, Italian food, new American food and live music on Wed, Fri and Sat evenings. The pizzas are offthe-charts good, the beer selection is good, and the bar makes some really good drinks including their awesome Whiskey Sour and Long Island Ice Tea. Great place to kick back and have fun with friends. Nomads Music Lounge 1431 S School Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 443-1832 Featuring a great combination of rotating live, mostly local music; 19 beers on tap; wicked drinks whipped up by talented mixologists; laid back, friendly atmosphere; and fresh, healthy food; this place is a one-of-a-kind music lounge experience. People drive from miles around just to enjoy a night at Nomad’s Music Lounge.
Oklahoma (West Siloam Springs) Cherokee Casino 2416 US-412, (800) 754-4111 Cherokee Casino is located on US - 412, just over the Arkansas/ Oklahoma line in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. The Casino always has a great lineup of regional as well as nationally recognized entertainment Thur - Sat in their Seven Lounge, which features a full bar and one of the largest dance floors in the region. Great place to dance, gamble and have fun.
rogers
Aloft W XYZ Bar 1103 S 52nd St, (479) 268-6799 Aloft WXYZ is located within the Aloft Hotel in Rogers, AR. The bar features live acoustic music every night, comfortable, cheerful ambiance, specialty cocktails, good selection of cold ones, and
lighting to fit your mood as the day changes to night. There’s also a snack-attack menu just in case you get hungry, and they stay open until midnight. Great place to meet new people and party with friends.
52 NWA Travel Guide l
Top Ten