Music venues
With so much music in Western North Carolina, it’s impossible to fit everything into one article. Here’s a comprehensive list of where to check out live music in the region.
For schedule and box office, visit www.wcu.edu/fapac
Soul Infusion Tea House and Bistro
Eclectic restaurant/bar/coffee shop in an old farmhouse dishes up great food and tunes from the local music scene. For schedule, call 828.586.1717.
Balsam Mountain Inn
Best known for the Songwriters in the Round series. For tickets and information call 1.800.224.9498.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
National acts grace the stage at Harrah’s, which will soon complete its glitzy new Entertainment Showroom, featuring a bigger stage. Tickets and information, www.harrahscherokee.com.
O’Malley’s
Sylva pub offers taste of the diverse local music scene. Details at www.omalleysofsylva.com.
Guadalupe Café
Downtown Sylva eatery also features local artwork and local music. 828.586.9877 or www.guadalupecafe.com.
553 Restaurant
Fine dining with music every Friday and Saturday. 828.631.3810 or www.restaurant553.com.
Housed in an old warehouse, this popular local watering hole features live entertainment every Saturday night. Details by calling 828.488.9880.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot
Bring a chair or blanket, and come hear everything from Celtic to Bluegrass at 6:30 p.m. every Saturday, year-round, at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in downtown Bryson City. The best part? It’s free. www.gsmrr.com
The Inspirations
Check out this legendary Southern Gospel group’s Singing in the Smokies series from their home base in Inspiration Park. Tickets and information at www.theinspirations.com.
Bluegrass Jam at Marianna Black library
Held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. 828.488.3030 for more information.
Fontana Village
This remote mountain resort is home to a couple well-known musical gatherings, including recording artist Matt Stillwell’s Stillwell Shinefest and the Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Festival. For dates and ticket information, visit www.fontanavillage.com/events.
Tickets, schedule and information at www.greatmountainmusic.com.
T.M. Rickman General Store
Hear the “Pickin’ on the porch” jams Friday afternoons during the summer months. For schedule, visit www.rickmanstore.com.
Pickin on the Square
One of Franklin’s most popular, this event is held every Saturday night from Memorial Day to October. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy some great country, bluegrass and gospel acts. Details and schedule at www.franklinnc.com/pickin.html
Rathskellar
A restaurant/bar/coffee house featuring local acts. For information, call 828.349.0598.
Mulligans Bar and Grill
A new addition to the scene, this sports bar and restaurant offers live music every Thursday until midnight. Information at www.mulligans-bar.com.
Various concerts staged in an outdoor setting. Schedule at www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.org.
Maggie Valley Opry House
Home of bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild, performing seven nights a week May through October. www.raymondfairchild.com.
Eaglesnest Entertainment
National country, bluegrass, gospel and classic rock acts in a 900-seat venue. Tickets and information at www.eaglenestnc.com.
Diamond K Dance Ranch
House act the Deep South Band plays up top 40 and classic country tunes for line dancers every night May through October. A different local bluegrass band is featured on Friday night each week. For information, visit www.diamondkdanceranch.com.
Maggie Valley Stomping Ground
Home to the World Clogging Championships, this barn-style venue features live country and bluegrass music Saturday nights May through October. More information, 828.926.1288.
Carolina Nights
Musical dinner theater serves up USO-themed show with 1940s tunes and dancing. Reservations and information at www.maggievalleyusa.com.
O’Malley’s on Main Pub and Grill
A favorite local hangout featuring local acts. For schedule, 828.246.0898.
Headlights Bar and Grill
Another favorite local bar on downtown Waynesville’s Main Street. Information at http://headlightsbarandgrill.com.
Ceviche’s
Restaurant and bar with music on select nights. 828.246.0800
Jackson County
Western Carolina University Performing Arts CenterFor schedule and box office, visit www.wcu.edu/fapac
Soul Infusion Tea House and Bistro
Eclectic restaurant/bar/coffee shop in an old farmhouse dishes up great food and tunes from the local music scene. For schedule, call 828.586.1717.
Balsam Mountain Inn
Best known for the Songwriters in the Round series. For tickets and information call 1.800.224.9498.
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
National acts grace the stage at Harrah’s, which will soon complete its glitzy new Entertainment Showroom, featuring a bigger stage. Tickets and information, www.harrahscherokee.com.
O’Malley’s
Sylva pub offers taste of the diverse local music scene. Details at www.omalleysofsylva.com.
Guadalupe Café
Downtown Sylva eatery also features local artwork and local music. 828.586.9877 or www.guadalupecafe.com.
553 Restaurant
Fine dining with music every Friday and Saturday. 828.631.3810 or www.restaurant553.com.
Swain County
Across the TraxHoused in an old warehouse, this popular local watering hole features live entertainment every Saturday night. Details by calling 828.488.9880.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot
Bring a chair or blanket, and come hear everything from Celtic to Bluegrass at 6:30 p.m. every Saturday, year-round, at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad depot in downtown Bryson City. The best part? It’s free. www.gsmrr.com
The Inspirations
Check out this legendary Southern Gospel group’s Singing in the Smokies series from their home base in Inspiration Park. Tickets and information at www.theinspirations.com.
Bluegrass Jam at Marianna Black library
Held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month at Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. 828.488.3030 for more information.
Fontana Village
This remote mountain resort is home to a couple well-known musical gatherings, including recording artist Matt Stillwell’s Stillwell Shinefest and the Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Festival. For dates and ticket information, visit www.fontanavillage.com/events.
Macon County
Smoky Mountain Center for Performing ArtsTickets, schedule and information at www.greatmountainmusic.com.
T.M. Rickman General Store
Hear the “Pickin’ on the porch” jams Friday afternoons during the summer months. For schedule, visit www.rickmanstore.com.
Pickin on the Square
One of Franklin’s most popular, this event is held every Saturday night from Memorial Day to October. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy some great country, bluegrass and gospel acts. Details and schedule at www.franklinnc.com/pickin.html
Rathskellar
A restaurant/bar/coffee house featuring local acts. For information, call 828.349.0598.
Mulligans Bar and Grill
A new addition to the scene, this sports bar and restaurant offers live music every Thursday until midnight. Information at www.mulligans-bar.com.
Haywood County
Maggie Valley Festival GroundsVarious concerts staged in an outdoor setting. Schedule at www.maggievalleyfestivalgrounds.org.
Maggie Valley Opry House
Home of bluegrass legend Raymond Fairchild, performing seven nights a week May through October. www.raymondfairchild.com.
Eaglesnest Entertainment
National country, bluegrass, gospel and classic rock acts in a 900-seat venue. Tickets and information at www.eaglenestnc.com.
Diamond K Dance Ranch
House act the Deep South Band plays up top 40 and classic country tunes for line dancers every night May through October. A different local bluegrass band is featured on Friday night each week. For information, visit www.diamondkdanceranch.com.
Maggie Valley Stomping Ground
Home to the World Clogging Championships, this barn-style venue features live country and bluegrass music Saturday nights May through October. More information, 828.926.1288.
Carolina Nights
Musical dinner theater serves up USO-themed show with 1940s tunes and dancing. Reservations and information at www.maggievalleyusa.com.
O’Malley’s on Main Pub and Grill
A favorite local hangout featuring local acts. For schedule, 828.246.0898.
Headlights Bar and Grill
Another favorite local bar on downtown Waynesville’s Main Street. Information at http://headlightsbarandgrill.com.
Ceviche’s
Restaurant and bar with music on select nights. 828.246.0800
