Ventura: SoCal’s “Best Kept Secret” Music Destination
The United States’ 4th largest music scene boasts hotspot after hotspot full of lively tunes – some local, many free, and all a guaranteed treat for the discerning ear
According to a 2007 study by the Martin Prosperity Institute, Ventura has the 4th highest concentration of music industry in the United States, following only the big three; Nashville, Los Angeles and New York. Whether the desired scene is a local band playing up a storm in one of the rockin’ eateries or wine bars on Main Street, a concert at the retro Majestic Ventura Theater or a lively festival at the famous Ventura County Seaside Park & Fairgrounds, there are sweet sounds mingling with the ocean breezes just about every night of the week.
Ventura Haunts with Live Music
First up we have the local talent – Ventura is a treasure trove of taverns, bars and saloons that showcase live music on a nightly basis.
The Majestic Ventura Theater
26 South Chestnut Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music from big name artists nightly. Check online calendar or contact box office for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 653-0721
Zoeys
185 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music nightly. Check online calendar for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 652-1137
Watermark Restaurant & W2O Lounge
598 East Main Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music Tuesday-Saturday in the W20 Lounge and the main dining room from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 643-6800
Beach House Tacos
668 Harbor Blvd, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music Saturday and Sunday. Bands start to play at 12 p.m. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
www.facebook.com/pages/Beach-House-Tacos
(805) 648-3177
El Rey Cantina
294 East Main Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live (local) music Thursday through Saturday evenings. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 653-1111
Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music weekly. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
www.facebook.com/pages/Margarita-Villa-Ventura-CA
(805) 654-7906
Andres Wine & Tapas Bar
1575 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music on weekends. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
www.facebook.com/andreswineandtapas
(805) 642-9463
Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live local music Sunday through Thursday. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 643-4404
Amigos Surf Cantina
546 East Main Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music nightly. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 874-2232
Good Bar & Grill
533 Main Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features free live music nightly. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
www.facebook.com/pages/Good-Bar-Grill
(805) 642-9951
Café Fiore
66 California Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music nightly from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 653-1266
Billy O’s
2819 East Main Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music nightly. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 652-0327
Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road, Ventura CA 93004
Features live music nightly. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 647-9390
The Tavern
211 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura CA 93006
Features live music Thursday through Saturday. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 643-3264
Red Room at Peirano’s
204 East Main Street, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music on weekends (occasionally mid-week). Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 648-4853
Rhumbline Restaurant
1510 Anchors Way Drive, Ventura CA 93001
Features live (often acoustic guitar or piano-based) music on a weekly basis. Contact for upcoming performance schedule & events.
(805) 642-1200
Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 East Thompson Blvd, Ventura CA 93001
Features live music Saturday and Sunday with an open mic every Thursday evening. Contact for upcoming schedule & events.
(805) 641-1025
Festivals and Special Events
Ventura’s special events and festivals feature everything from popular local talent to international stars – the result? Stand out shows that make Ventura a destination for first-class performances.
Ventura Music Festival
May 2-11, Recurring each May
Various venues around Ventura, CA
Lead by violinist & conductor Nuvi Mehta, the Ventura Music Festival offers an annual dose of world-class performers and eclectic programming. The festival focuses on a specific theme each year, amplified by Mehta’s diverse choice of artists and repertoire and highlighted during concert talks, lectures and interviews.
(805) 648-3146
Steel Drums at Ventura Harbor Village
Saturdays, July & August, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Steel drums bring tropical tunes to Ventura each Saturday this summer while patrons shop, dine or relax in the village starting July 7th.
(805) 477-0470
Ventura CityFest
3rd Saturday of Each Month
651 East Thompson Blvd, Ventura CA 93001
CityFest is a once monthly celebration of everything local in Ventura County. Held at Plaza Park in Downtown Ventura, VCF features the best of music, food, art and shopping from local businesses each month. Each month new up-and-coming musicians as well as local favorites will play live on the CityFest Pavillion Stage.
(805) 233-7594
The Concert Series at the Winery
Saturday & Sundays, May 18-September
4517 Market Street, Ventura CA 93003
Before the concert, relax and enjoy a wine tasting and visual art exhibit. Tickets are $14.95 in advance or $20 at the door, and dinner show tickets are $26.95 in advance or $32 at the door. Contact for more information and reservations.
(800) 350-7787
“Rock of Vintages” at Four Brix Wines
May 24-27
2290 Eastman Avenue, Ventura CA 93003
Experience this one-of-a-kind four-day celebration of wine and music this Memorial Day weekend. Drink wine from 8 great local wineries and wonderful live music in the wine cellars once the sun goes down. Contact for more information and reservations.
(805) 256-6006
BBQ Series at iconic Pierpont Inn
Thursdays, May 30-TBD, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
550 Sanjon Road, Ventura CA 93001
All ages, family-friendly and FREE local music featured at Ventura’s own Pierpont Inn on Thursday evenings during the summer. Contact for more information.
(805) 643-6144
Ventura Music Week
June 7-16, 2013
Ventura’s 3rd annual music week returns to put on display the best Ventura has to offer. The 10-day “week” will host 100 bands in 30 venues and a plethora of rockin’ events, from screenings of indie music industry films to local band album releases to wine-and-jazz nights at the Grape, culminating in a huge festival dedicated to the late, great Johnny Cash. Contact for more information and specific event schedules.
(805) 641-1090
“A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash” Festival at Seaside Park Ventura
Saturday, June 15, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura CA
Southern California’s best and biggest recurring rockabilly/outlaw country/Man in Black music festival, featuring a classic car showcase, pinup girl pageant, 15 stellar musical acts and more. General admission is $25 and available online.
(805) 558-1618
Vans Warped Tour at Seaside Park Ventura
Sunday, June 23, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura CA
Rock music’s traveling summer festival comes to Ventura featuring 100’s of various sub-genres of rock bands as well as extreme sports demonstrations and pop-culture entertainment. Tickets are $35 and are available online.
Island Packers Dinner Cruises
Select Saturdays, June 29-October 26, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
1691 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura CA
Tickets are available for cruises from Ventura Harbor with Island Packers through October on select Saturdays. Relax and enjoy live music and savor food from local Ventura restaurants and cruise through Ventura Harbor and the Ventura Keys. Fare is $56 (adult), $52 (senior 55+) or $43 (child 12 & under) respectively. Contact for performance information and menu.
(805) 642-1393
“Music under the Stars” at the historic Olivas Adobe
Saturdays, July 13-September 7, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura CA
Dine, dance & delight to great performances at Ventura’s most historic party site. Put on your dancing shoes and listen to top recording artists perform irresistible sets of music. Concerts sell out regularly so make reservations ahead of time. Seats are $20. Contact for more information and reservations.
(805) 658-4726
Concert Series at the Ventura County Fair
Wednesday, July 31-Sunday, August 11, 11:00 a.m.-11 p.m.
10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura CA
Featuring various music acts in the afternoons and evenings for the duration of the Ventura County Fair. Price is included with admission to county fair. General admission tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and children. Children under age 5 admitted free.
“Blues and BBQ” Festival at Mission Park
Sunday, September 22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
East Main & Figueroa, Ventura CA 93001
Bring blues, chairs and blankets to this family friendly event. Sample amazing BBQ from teams from all over the state and get marinated by an amazing Blues lineup with Ana Popovic, Carolyn Wonderland and local Blues/Funk band the Bomb. Admission is $30, tickets available online. Contact for more information.
www.californiabeerfestival.com
(805) 351-5650
Pier under the Stars
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Beachfront Promenade near the Ventura Pier
A food and wine tasting benefit for the Ventura Pier featuring live music and dancing under the stars. Ticket prices include food and wine tastings plus complimentary parking and a commemorative glass. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Pier under the Stars website (see below).
(805) 797-7544
Ventura Hillsides Music Festival
2013 date TBA
Arroyo Verde Park, Ventura CA
Championed by the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, for 10 years the Hillsides Music Festival has celebrated the Conservancy’s goal of acquiring and reclaiming land in Ventura County. This intimate festival provides an avenue for families and friends to raise money for a good cause while enjoying a great musical lineup each year. Dates for 2013 have not been announced yet, so keep an eye out.
(805) 643-8044
All this and more can be found on any given evening in Ventura. No matter the budget, taste, or desired vibe of the music lover in question, the city’s music scene has a good fit for their ear. For information on specific concert schedules, events or venues, click-through above to each venue’s respective websites.
For information on Ventura accommodations, attractions and events visit www.ventura-usa.com or phone 800-483-6215. A non-profit organization, the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau enhances tourism and the economy by positioning the City of Ventura as a visitor and conference destination. The Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
