Lake County Music Scene Hits the Perfect Note

The mountains really rock in Lake County, a northern California getaway about a hundred miles north of San Francisco. This high-altitude wine country region knows how to hit the right note with a noteworthy ensemble of bars, grills, brewpubs and even elegant wineries that host foot-stomping live music shows.

Even classical music fans can get in on the mix, as the Lake County Symphony kicks off its 2016-’17 season at Lakeport’s Soper-Reese Theatre. But the whole musical range from rock to jazz to soul to blues is appearing live onstage at these great Lake County nightclubs, honky-tonks, juke joints, concert halls and live music venues.

Blue Wing Saloon

Upper Lake’s Blue Wing Saloon is a historic barroom perfectly restored to its 1890s glory, but its live lineup covers a variety of modern musical styles. The Blue Wing’s popular recurring weekly music events include live music Sunday brunch, Sunday supper jazz and Monday night blues. Keep up with the Blue Wing’s calendar of upcoming events, or make special plans for the Concert With Conversation series at the elegant Tallman Hotel that the Blue Wing Saloon calls home.

O’Meara Bros. Brewing Company

O’Meara Bros. Brewing Company in Lakeport is a classic-style brewpub that brews its own craft beers in-house. But the house starts rocking every Saturday night, when live music is performed from 7 till midnight and this beer pub gets hopping.

The Spot Burgers and Beer

Burgers, beer and live music always hit the spot at The Spot in Clearlake, where live bands play right over the oldest lake in North America, Clear Lake. The outdoor stage at The Spot is built on the water, creating a stunning lake-and-mountain backdrop and a live show unlike any you’ve seen at a bar. There’s live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and it’s the only music venue where you can sail right up and be served in your boat!

The Village Pub

Country, blues and funk, along with 20 different beers, are all on tap at The Village Pub in Cobb, a popular watering hole and gathering spot that also has big TV screens for the big games. But the live music on weekends is a big draw here, offering a great lineup of local bands and often charging no cover for the shows.

Moore Family Winery

Moore Family Winery in Kelseyville starts with 120 beautiful acres of mountain range property, adds a sweeping Mediterranean-style event room and dots the land with vineyards, wine caves and two gorgeous ponds. But it’s their outdoor music facility that creates live music parties under the stars. Moore Family Winery will resume outdoor concerts once the rainy season is over, so keep an eye out for their 2017 lineup when announced.

Drinx Bar & Grill

The freshest addition to the Lake County live music scene, Drinx Bar & Grill, is a classic BBQ joint that grooves to the blues, bluegrass, reggae and more every weekend. Drinx does indeed serve mixed drinks, and owner Andre Williams has phenomenal connections for booking top live bands—he sang in and managed MC Hammer’s backup vocal band at the height of Hammer’s success.

Richmond Park Bar & Grill

Kelseyville’s Richmond Park Bar & Grill is also right on the shores of Clear Lake, with boat docking available. That docking is rocking on the weekends when Richmond Park Bar & Grill has live music scheduled, making this scenic waterfront destination a can’t-miss attraction for kids, families and music fans of any age.   

Tune up your week with a wine country night out in Lake County, a great place for live music that marches to the beat its own drum. Keep an eye on the Lake County live music schedule for dates of upcoming live performances, and make plans for a Lake County getaway that’s sure to strike that perfect note.