For your listening pleasure, here’s a list of amazing venues where you can get your groove on while enjoying Durham Region’s downtown music scene.
There’s nothing like vibrant live music to kick your day up a notch. Whether you’re looking to discover a new musician at an open mic night, catch a cover of your favourite artist over appetizers, or try karaoke for the first time, Durham Region has a diverse and booming music scene for you to discover.
Durham Region is home to significant music industry success stories, including acts such as Shawn Mendes, Daniel Caesar, Lennon Stella, and Juno recognized artists, Dizzy, Meghan Patrick, and Protest the Hero. With impressive music industry assets like Durham College’s Music Business Management program, the Oshawa Music Awards (The OMAs) which celebrate music in Durham Region, and the School Alliance of Student Songwriters (SASS) program, you have a pretty good chance of discovering some spectacular shows and new favourite artists.
For your listening pleasure, here’s a list of amazing venues where you can get your groove on while enjoying Durham Region’s downtown music scene.
Pickering Nautical Village
Memphis and Cafcae playing OpenStudio Art Café, Pickering
Source: OpenStudio Art Café
OpenStudio Art Café
617 Liverpool Road, Pickering
The OpenStudio Art Café features live performances and open mic nights. View their website for upcoming events.
Downtown Newcastle
Walsh’s Snug
28 King Avenue East, Newcastle
Enjoy delicious pub fare and live music at Walsh’s Snug in Newcastle. Featuring open stage, Celtic sessions and bluegrass nights, there’s always live music to enjoy at The Snug.
Downtown Bowmanville
99 King
99 King Street West, Bowmanville
Featuring open mic nights, karaoke and live music, there’s always something to see and do at 99 King in Bowmanville. Check out their events calendar for details.
Copperworks Brew Pub
7 Division Street, Bowmanville
Offering live music sets, join Copperworks Brew Pub in Bowmanville to hear some local favourites and see some new faces. Visit their website for details.
Downtown Brooklin
Brooklin Pub
15 Baldwin Street, Brooklin
For great food and fun, visit the Brooklin Pub to enjoy their live music events. View the calendar to see their ever-changing event lineup.
Pickering Village
Ayden Jacobs and Friends playing Drums N Flats, Pickering Village
Source: Drums N Flats
Drums N Flats
60 Randall Drive, Pickering Village
With a never-ending live music lineup, you’ll definitely want to check out Drums N Flats in Pickering Village. Check their website to view show times and purchase tickets.
Downtown Ajax
Hunt Street Tap & Grill
44 Hunt Street, Ajax
Meet your friends at the Hunt Street Tap & Grill in Ajax to enjoy their entertainment lineup, from DJs to open jam nights and karaoke. Check out their website for event details.
The Edge Lounge
250 Bayly Street West, Ajax
A stylish and buzzing venue for billiards, live music and dancing. Visit The Edge Lounge to enjoy a cocktail while catching an entertainment lineup that includes local talent, live bands, DJ sets and more.
Downtown Beaverton
Beaverton Town Hall Players
397 Simcoe Street, Beaverton
The Beaverton Town Hall Players perform a variety of shows throughout the year including musicals, mysteries and comedies. Learn more about upcoming productions and get tickets today.
Downtown Oshawa
L.A. The 2nd playing the Biltmore Theatre, Oshawa
Source: The Troubadour Concert Series
The Atria Bar & Grill
59 King Street East, Oshawa
For more than 30 years, The Atria Bar & Grill has been a live entertainment venue hosting different bands and performers from all over Canada. View their events calendar for upcoming performances.
Cork & Bean
8 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa
Meet friends for a drink and a bite at Oshawa’s Cork & Bean where you can sip and savour while enjoying live acoustic music. Check their website for more details.
Crazy Jack Bar and Grill
19 King Street West, Oshawa
From karaoke to band-backed open mic nights, the Crazy Jack Bar and Grill has a variety of live music options.
General Pub & Grill
21 Celina Street, Oshawa
With open mic nights, live bands and karaoke, there are lots of opportunities to discover new artists at the General Pub & Grill in Oshawa. Check out their Facebook page for event schedules.
Regent Theatre
50 King Street East, Oshawa
Live music lovers unite at Oshawa’s beautiful and historic Regent Theatre where there’s an endless schedule of amazing live performances. Visit their events calendar for an upcoming schedule and tickets.
Robert McLaughlin Gallery
72 Queens Street, Oshawa
Enjoy a free concert at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s RMG Fridays. Featuring live local performances, it’s a wonderful event series for the whole family.
Tribute Communities Centre
99 Athol Street East, Oshawa
The Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa is a great spot for live entertainment. If you want to catch a big-name act, keep an eye on their events calendar for upcoming performances.
Bond|St Event Centre
44 Bond Street East, Oshawa
The Bond|St Event Centre is a unique music venue and event space. From the mainstage music venue to a lower-level intimate venue, there are many different options to catch a concert. Check out their website for tickets to upcoming performances.
Stag’s Head Bar & Grill
22 Bond Street East, Oshawa
If you want to be part of the live music action, drop by Stag’s Head Bar & Grill to sing some karaoke.
Biltmore Theatre
39 King Street East, Oshawa
The beautifully renovated Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa features live music events and concerts. Check out their website for upcoming events.
Kops Records
34 King Street East, Oshawa
This vinyl shop hosts small shows which are give you a “Tiny Desk” feeling in their intimate space. Follow Kops Oshawa on Facebook for the latest in events information.
Downtown Port Perry
JJ Thompson playing at the Old Flame Brewery, Port Perry
Source: Old Flame Brewery
Old Flame Brewing Co.
135 Perry Street, Port Perry
The Old Flame Brewing Co. in Port Perry is a great spot for live music. Keep an eye on their events calendar for upcoming performances and ticket sales.
Town Hall Theatre
302 Queen Street, Port Perry
Since reopening as a theatre in the 1970s, the stage at Town Hall Theatre has been the première spot to enjoy award-winning plays, musicals, live jazz, blues and classic rock. Visit their website for upcoming performances.
Downtown Uxbridge
Tanya Joy playing Banjo Cider, Uxbridge
Source: Banjo Cider
Banjo Cider
614 Sanford Road, Uxbridge
If you like live music, pair it with some cider! Head over to Banjo Cider to enjoy live music and check out their events page for upcoming performances.
Slabtown Cider
4559 Concession Road 6, Uxbridge
Enjoy dinner or a crisp cider at Slabtown Cider while enjoying their live music. View their website events page for details.
The Corner House Pub & Grill
104 Brock Street West, Uxbridge
If your idea of live music involves active participation, visit the Corner House Pub & Grill for karaoke night!
Uxbridge Music Hall
16 Main Street South, Uxbridge
Known for its superior acoustics, the historic Uxbridge Music Hall features original opera chairs and a balcony.
Downtown Whitby
Tim Zerf playing The Thirsty Jester Public House, Whitby
Source: The Thirsty Jester Public House
Thirsty Jester Public House
112 Colborne Street East, Whitby
If you like live music, you’ll definitely want to visit the Thirsty Jester Public House in Whitby. According to Durham Region Eats, they’re famous for their fishbowl drinks, but their live music lineup is also kind of a big deal.
Nice Bistro
117 Brock Street North, Whitby
Enjoy some Mediterranean-French cuisine while listening to live music at Nice Bistro’s live music nights. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming performances.
The Gryphon Pub
114 Dundas Street East, Whitby
For fantastic pub fare and a lineup of live music, visit the Gryphon Pub. From open mic nights, to karaoke and live music, there’s always something to see and do.
The Pearson Pub
101 Mary Street West, Whitby
The Pearson Pub in Whitby features great food and lots of live entertainment. Check out their Facebook page for more details on performers.
The Tap & Tankard
224 Brock Street South, Whitby
The Tap & Tankard is a great place to enjoy live music. From live DJs to live music performances, the Tap is a one-stop shop for a great night out.