🎶 Nightlife & Music
Live Music in Salem
Salem has a stronger live music scene than its size suggests — neighborhood bars booking original acts on weeknights, waterfront venues on weekends, and a circuit of local bands that rotate through the same rooms year-round. Below: every live music venue in our directory, plus the full events calendar for what's playing tonight and this weekend.
New here? Our guide to where to see live music in Salem breaks down the reliable venues and weekly music nights.
Upcoming live music in Salem
All shows →- Mon, Sep 21 Jorgan Trio Gulu-Gulu Cafe · 7:00 PM
- Tue, Sep 22 Karaoke with Maxine Harrison Gulu-Gulu Cafe · 7:00 PM
- Tue, Sep 22 Live Jazz: Steve Lacey & Pat Dole The Babe · 7:00 PM
- Wed, Sep 23 Open Mic with Mike McGeown Witch City VFW · 7:00 PM
- Thu, Sep 24 Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs The Cabot · 7:00 PM
- Thu, Sep 24 Open Mic Night Village Tavern · 7:00 PM
- Thu, Sep 24 Music Video Bingo Brodie's Seaport · 8:00 PM
- Thu, Sep 24 Arcade Era Karaoke Thursdays Bit Bar Salem · 9:00 PM
- Fri, Sep 25 The Robert Cray Band – 2026 All Amped Up Tour The Cabot · 7:00 PM
- Fri, Sep 25 David Wilcox Off Cabot Comedy & Events · 7:00 PM
- Fri, Sep 25 5th Annual PANCAN Benefit Concert Koto Asian Fusion · 7:30 PM
- Fri, Sep 25 LGBTQ+ Glow, Throw & Dance Party at Wicked Axe Wicked Axe · 8:00 PM
- Fri, Sep 25 Terror Ticket: Raveyard The Lost Library · 8:00 PM
- Fri, Sep 25 Calling For Heathcliff - Live Music No Cover Gulu-Gulu Cafe · 8:00 PM
- Fri, Sep 25 Live Music at Mercy Tavern Mercy Tavern · 9:00 PM
Updated daily — showing the next 15 shows.
Where to see live music in Salem
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Bit Bar Salem
★ 4.4278 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Bit Bar opened in Salem in 2016 at 278 Derby Street, blending a classic arcade and pinball hall with a full restaurant and bar. The lineup mixes 50+ vintage games, craft cocktails, local beer, creative comfort food, and live programming including music nights and drag shows. Accompanied minors welcome before 8pm; 21+ after.
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Brodie's Seaport
★ 4215 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Brodie's Seaport at 215 Derby Street is a Salem waterfront restaurant serving char-grilled seafood, pasta, and classic comfort food (burgers, meatloaf), backed by a full bar with beer, cocktails, and wine. Live music weekends — Saturday with Danny Mac (7–10pm) and Sunday's Chris Fitz Blues Jam. Open daily noon–1am with kitchen service until 10pm.
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East Regiment Beer Company
★ 4.630 Church St #B1, Salem, MA 01970, USA
East Regiment Beer Company at 30 Church Street is a Salem brewery and taproom with a heated, dog-friendly four-season covered patio. Crazy Good Kitchen runs the food side from inside the taproom, slinging American comfort food — burgers and chicken sandwiches. Live music, trivia, and community events on the calendar throughout the year.
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Far From The Tree
★ 4.6108 Jackson St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Far From The Tree is a craft cidery on Jackson Street, established in 2013, specializing in hard cider made from local apples. The taproom also pours beers, wines, and non-alcoholic options, and runs live bands, food pop-ups, trivia, and craft nights on a regular calendar.
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Gulu-Gulu Cafe
★ 4.3247 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Gulu-Gulu Cafe at 247 Essex Street is a bohemian Salem café running an extensive crepe menu alongside artisan sandwiches, craft beer, and coffee. Established 2005 and at this address since 2007, the venue hosts live local bands and singer-songwriters throughout the week. Building history connects to the original Salem Gas Light Company HQ from 1850.
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Koto Asian Fusion
★ 4.390 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Koto Asian Fusion at 90 Washington Street serves specialty sushi rolls, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai dishes, plus sake and cocktails. Late-night menu Friday–Sunday 10pm–midnight, with live events including punk shows, karaoke, DJ nights, and trivia.
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Mercy Tavern
★ 4.6148 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Mercy Tavern is a neighborhood gastropub at 148 Derby Street with food, drinks, and live music. Full menu for dine-in or online ordering, extended hours on weekends until 1am.
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O'Neills Pub & Restaurant
★ 4.1120 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Lively, casual Irish bar with eclectic pub grub & imported beers, plus live music & DJ nights.
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Salem State Center for Creative and Performing Arts
★ 4.7352 Lafayette St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Salem State University's Sophia Gordon Center is a 432-seat performing arts theater on the Lafayette Street campus, hosting faculty and student productions plus public-facing programming. The venue includes a balcony, rehearsal spaces, and serves as the university's theater home.
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The Babe
★ 4.5268 Washington St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Restaurant and cocktail bar in Salem's Point neighborhood — craft drinks, sandwiches on bread from Virgilio's in Gloucester, and live programming most nights of the week: jazz, drag trivia, karaoke, and a B.Y.O. vinyl night. It works as a community gathering spot as much as a dinner room.
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The Cannery
2 Bridge St Rear, Salem, MA 01970, USA
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Village Tavern | Bar & grill
★ 4.3168 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Village Tavern is an American tavern in the heart of downtown Salem serving classic comfort food alongside three full-service bars, with a spacious patio that fits families and groups. Located at 168 Essex Street.
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Witch City VFW
★ 4.695 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Salem VFW Post 1524 at 95 Derby Street has been serving Salem's veterans and community since 1927. The establishment is open to both veterans and the general public — daily food service with rotating specials, plus regular live music on Thursday nights and monthly meetings.
Live music in Salem — FAQ
Where can I see live music in Salem, MA?
Salem has live music at neighborhood bars, waterfront restaurants, cafés, and pubs. Regular rooms in our directory include Bit Bar Salem, Brodie's Seaport, East Regiment Beer Company, Far From The Tree, Gulu-Gulu Cafe. This page lists every live-music venue plus the upcoming shows, updated daily.
Is there live music in Salem tonight?
Often, yes — from open mics and Irish sessions to local bands and DJ nights. Check the "upcoming live music" list above, or see everything happening today on our live music tonight page.
What bars in Salem have live music?
Several Salem bars and pubs book live acts through the week, especially on weekends. Regulars include Bit Bar Salem, Brodie's Seaport, East Regiment Beer Company, Far From The Tree, Gulu-Gulu Cafe. See the full directory below for addresses and details.
Does Salem have live music on weeknights?
Yes. Beyond weekend shows, Salem's smaller rooms run weeknight open mics, trivia-with-music, and rotating local performers year-round — not just during Haunted Happenings in October.