If live music is your entertainment of choice, we have some excellent live music venues for you in San Luis Obispo County! Here is the list of the best live music venues on the central California coast, all located just an easy drive from Pismo Beach...
SLO Brew Rock, San Luis Obispo: For nearly three decades SLO Brew has offered music lovers authentic and intimate performances from local bands and world-famous musicians. Their stage has been graced by the likes of Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Sublime, and countless other celebrated artists. The SLO Brew Rock Event Center features full concert lights, exceptional acoustics and one of the largest LED screens from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Expect world-class entertainment, a warm atmosphere and rockin’ good time from the Central Coast’s finest music venue.
The Fremont Theater, San Luis Obispo: Located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, CA, the Fremont Theater is a historic movie theater, built in 1941. Throughout its early years it served both as a moving picture theater and a live entertainment venue. In the late 20th century, developers wanted to raze the building to install a new multiplex, but public outcry saved the theater. Full of rich, art deco charm, this theater has hosted everything from war bond shows to Adam Ant and Yes.
Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: Located on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo, the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo (PAC) is a world-class event venue hosting over 150 public performances and over 200 private events annually. More than a dozen in-residence arts organizations perform at the PAC each year, along with national and international touring acts presented by Cal Poly Arts and other event promoters. The Performing Arts Center complex encompasses a variety of venues including the Christopher Cohan Center and the 498-seat Alex & Faye Spanos Theatre. The individual venues found within the Cohan Center include Harold Miossi Hall, the stunning 1,286-seat fully equipped and maintained acoustic theater with state-of-art sound and lighting systems, and the multi-purpose Pavilion holding up to 200 people.
Oak & Otter Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo: Oak and Otter Brewing Co. is located in San Luis Obispo in the heart of the California Central Coast and they are passionate about well-made, craft beer. In their small batch brewery, you will find a variety of traditional styled beers as well as innovative twists; their restaurant includes a full food menu for lunch and dinner, ranging from light bites to elevated pub fare. Their brewery provides a relaxing community hangout spot where all are welcome and live music and music trivia are scheduled weekly. Embrace your inner otter, sit back, and enjoy a local brew on Saturdays from 2-5pm with various live musicians.
Humdinger Brewing, Arroyo Grande: Located in the Village of Arroyo Grande, Humdinger Brewing offers great food, great beer, live music and trivia with outdoor seating and a huge bar inside. They also feature a tasty brunch with mimosas, beermosas and micheladas on Saturday and Sundays. Humdinger Brewing has a full onsite brewing facility and they are cranking out exxcellent upscale pub fare with ample seating both inside and outside. Their events calendar has live solo musicians, bingo, trivia, and bands on the schedule.
Clark Center for the Performing Arts, Arroyo Grande: At the Clark Center for the Performing Arts in Arroyo Grande, they bring you the shows and acts you know you love, and invite you to try something new! Enjoy the finest performances from around the globe, located just minutes from Pismo Beach. Whether it’s a tribute band that takes you back to your glory days, a comedian who makes your sides hurt, or a toe-tapping musical whose songs stay stuck in your head, the diversity of their shows offers something for everyone. If you can sing to it, laugh at it, be amazed by it, or tap your feet along with it, you will find it on their fun-loving stage!
The Great American Melodrama & Vuadeville, Oceano: Located in Oceano, just 3 miles south of Pismo Beach, the Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville opened its doors in the summer of 1975 and has been operating year round since 1976. The Melodrama is fun for all ages, producing top-notch musicals, comedies, and melodramas in a lively cabaret setting at very affordable prices. When guests arrive, they’re ushered to their seats by the actors as live, honky-tonk-style piano music plays. The lively snack bar is open prior to the show and during intermissions, while the actors performing in the show sing and serve stadium-style fare such as soda, beer, wine, nachos, hot dogs, and popcorn. Audience members are encouraged to cheer the hero and boo the villain throughout the show. All in all, it’s a totally unique and hilarious experience!
Avila Beach Golf Resort: The Avila Beach Golf Resort has been a destination for mainstream entertainment for over 20 years. The Resort hosts a yearly concert series from May through October with a variety of entertainment to fit a wide age demographic. Their “Concerts at the Cove” provides the audience quality entertainment with views overlooking beautiful Avila Beach; the most scenic view to watch a concert on the Central Coast. Their venue, Paradise Cove, provides guests with a lasting memory of top-of-the-line entertainment, a comfortable, intimate venue, local fun vendors with creative merchandise, a great selection of beer, wine, and specialty drinks, and fresh local cuisine from Mulligan’s Bar and Grill.
The Siren, Morro Bay: The Siren is Morro Bay’s hottest live music spot, sports bar and grill offering dancing, billiards and good eats. This vibrant and historic venue is the perfect unpretentious hangout where you can hear a variety of local artists as well as some of the nation’s hottest touring bands. Catch a great show in their kickback beachy atmosphere, enjoy a generous signature cocktail or a local draft favorite, the outdoor patio with fire pit is a great place to chill and listens to the rhythms.
Vina Robles Ampitheater, Paso Robles: With its opening in the summer of 2013, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre became one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. Featuring a style reminiscent of the California missions, guests immerse themselves in a unique and intimate concert adventure as they enjoy modern amenities and first class hospitality. The concert season runs from April through November and features top tier acts from around the world in all genres. Various seating options all within 150 feet from the stage, including regular, VIP and general admission lawn seating, make events accessible to anyone in the community.
Sensorio, Paso Robles: Sensorio is a self-guided walking experience set across 35 acres of rolling Paso Robles hills. You’ll explore multiple light-based installations at your own pace, with pathways that offer different viewpoints throughout the evening. Exhibits begin glowing at dusk and continue all night, so your visit will feel different depending on when you arrive. Experience live performances from local artists spanning a diverse range of musical genres, including folk, funk, rock, and blues. Visitors are invited to unwind with acoustic music in the main lawn area, where a selection of food and drinks is available, complementing their exploration of the exhibits either before or after their tour.
Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden, Paso Robles: Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden has combined wine and art with a distinctive line-up of wines, a beautiful wine country setting and a magnificent sculpture garden to create a truly unique wine country experience in Paso Robles. Sample their award-winning wines and picnic amongst the sculptures, and listen to live music from various artists every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Buy a bottle or glass of wine and enjoy an afternoon listening to tunes in the stunning gardens filled with breathtaking art displays.