Experience Durham Region’s Vibrant Local Live Music Scene

Simple icon of two tall buildings. Downtowns of Durham

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 & Cafcae in front of OpenStudio Art Café with their guitars.
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 music at Drums N Flats.
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 music the Biltmore Theatre.
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 guitar and singing at the Old Flame Brewery.
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 guitar and singing at Banjo Cider.
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.

 

Col O’Grady’s Pub and Grill
44 Brock Street West., Uxbridge

Pair your dinner and drinks with live music by visiting Col O’Grady’s Pub and Grill in Uxbridge.

 

Second Wedge Brewing Co.
14 Victoria Street, Uxbridge

For an amazing night out with craft beer and good tunes, visit The Second Wedge Brewing Co. to enjoy their live music nights. Visit their website for more details.

Bonus – if you like farmers markets, visit the Uxbridge Farmer’s Market on Sundays at the Second Wedge Brewing Co. from May to October and enjoy live music 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.

 

Wixan’s Bridge Restaurant
65 Brock Street West, Uxbridge

Enjoy live music in the heart of Uxbridge at Wixan’s Bridge Restaurant. Visit their website for details on their live music nights.

 

Downtown Whitby

Tim Zerf playing guitar and singing at The Thirsty Jester Public House
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.


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.