What’s a Florida vacation without the sound of live music while you sip a rum cocktail, beer, or glass of local St. Augustine wine and feel the warm Florida breeze through your hair? If that’s what you’re looking for, then you’ll be happy to know there’s plenty of opportunities to hear live music in St. Augustine, FL, both indoors and out. If this coastal location, close to beaches and many fine attractions, and believed to be the “oldest city in the U.S.,” is your next vacation spot, then get ready to hear the best in St. Augustine live music.
From St. Augustine bars with live music to theatres and lounges, you’ll find there are many music venues in St. Augustine where you can hear rock, hip hop, jazz, country, and more. You’ll find some big-name musicians who bring their familiar sounds to this Florida coastal city as well as up-and-coming locals with their distinct sounds and cover as well as original songs.
So, line up your beachfront St. Augustine vacation rentals, arrange your daily activities and be sure to take a few evenings and let your favorite music complete your day.
St. Augustine Amphitheatre
Known affectionally as “The Amp,” the 4,000-seat outdoor St. Augustine Amphitheatre is a draw for major musical and other acts. The theatre is located on Anastasia Island, with a backdrop of trees, the waters of Salt Run, and the ocean beyond.
This world-class theatre has drawn such recognizable names as ZZ Top, Foreigner, Steve Miller Band, Counting Crows, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Blondie, and Duran Duran. Upcoming shows for late 2021 – early 2022 feature Pat Benatar, Brantley Gilbert, Trace Adkins, and Barenaked Ladies.
Built in 1965, The Amp placed in the top 50 in Pollstar Magazine’s rankings of worldwide amphitheater venues. Ticketmaster or other ticket sales sites can purchase tickets to shows at the theatre’s Box Office.
Colonial Oak Music Park
Another outdoor music venue, Colonial Oak Music Park, is found in historic downtown. The venue is set beneath its namesake: a sprawling 300-year-old oak tree. Both local and touring artists are featured during shows held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings (6 p.m. – 10 p.m.) in addition to Sunday afternoons (12 p.m. – 7 p.m.).
Though a much smaller and intimate arena than The Amp, Colonial Oak Music Park still packs a punch when it comes to live music in St. Augustine. The stage has presented such acts as Country Night at the Oak, Sing Out Loud Festival, St. Augustine’s Songwriter’s Festival, and shows filled with artists from across Florida.
Want to make more of an evening of it? Have dinner at the park’s St. Augustine Seafood Company and then head over to the old oak tree.
Hilltop Tavern
How about delicious food and your favorite drinks paired with the fine sounds of local musicians such as Jim Lamb, Damon Slaughter, and Josh Tennessee Worthy, where you could hear covers of such artists as Waylon Jennings, Tom Petty, Ed Sheeran, and Lynyrd Skynyrd as well as original tunes?
The Tavern, located in historic downtown St. Augustine and housed in an old 1880s gristmill, is open seven days a week: Sunday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday till 1 a.m. Music shows play at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays and Sundays; live music can also be experienced 9 p.m. – midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
Hilltop Tavern, renovated in 2016, offers daily food specials in addition to fish and chicken tenders, baskets, sandwiches, nachos, burgers, salads, and munchies such as pretzel bites and wings.
Stogies Jazz Club
A cigar bar and daily live music site, Stogies Jazz Club has operated in St. Augustine for 23 years. Like the Hilltop Tavern and Colonial Oak Music Park, the club is also found on Charlotte Street in historic downtown.
The club is open Monday – Friday 2 p.m. – 2 a.m. and weekends 1 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Reservations are needed, so be sure to call Stogies and make yours before heading over. Once you’re in, kick back, enjoy your favorite stick and drink (from craft beers to fine wine to espresso/coffee), and let the soothing tones of jazz enhance your relaxed mood!
Tradewinds Lounge
For the most part, weekends are the time for live music at Tradewinds Lounge, though shows are also presented during Happy Hour (5 p.m. – 8 p.m.) on weeknights. Special events, such as Bike Week, are marked by early performances from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. a few nights per week. There are also special shows celebrating notable dates like the 4th of July and Halloween.
The Lounge, which opened in the mid-1940s, is located on Charlotte Street and is among the most recognized St. Augustine bars with live music. Over the past ten years, Troy Locke and Matanzas have been the house band performing Sunday – Thursday nights over the past ten years. Lending full support to local musicians, the Lounge has other acts to entertain crowds during Happy Hour.
An all-the-time party atmosphere, cozy setting, and friendly staff make the Lounge a must-visit if you want to experience live music in St. Augustine, FL. With good reason, Tradewinds Lounge boasts the “very best live entertainment in North Florida.”
Café Eleven
Proclaiming to be “North Florida’s #1 Live Music Concert Venue”, the original Café Eleven is a waterfront restaurant found on Beach Boulevard in St. Augustine. The establishment offers both an eclectic menu, including vegan and gluten-free choices, and live music events.
The music you might hear on stage at Café Eleven ranges from blues and folk to southern rock and the dance-inducing, lyrically humorous “Siberian Surf Rock” delivered by the independent band Igor & the Red Elvises. Some artists featured at Café Eleven have produced and released albums and have toured throughout the country and worldwide. Some names set to perform or performed at this locale include Richard Shindell, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Cheryl Wheeler, and Griffin House.
Showtimes and days vary but typically start at 8 p.m. You can order tickets on Café Eleven’s website or pay on the day of the show.
Plan Your Next Stay
Let St. Augustine’s live music events, top accommodations, and many attractions and activities make this your best vacation yet!
The Cellar Upstairs
With a distinctly memorable name, The Cellar Upstairs Bar and Restaurant at San Sebastian Winery hosts top live jazz, blues, and R&B shows on its open-air deck (indoor seating also available), offering wonderful views as well as sounds. Performances are presented Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, between 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Artists appearing monthly include Vinny Jacobs, Tony Scozzaro, The Carpetbaggers, and Bread & Butter.
Indulge in some light appetizers and wine or beer—imported or domestic—while you enjoy the tunes.
A huge plus to visiting any of these fine live music venues is that you’ll never be far from any St. Augustine rentals, whether you’re renting one of many beachfront condos or homes. From personalized service to loads of outdoor activities to enjoy, these St. Augustine vacation rentals offer a long list of amenities that could include, depending on the rental type: full gourmet kitchens, wraparound decks, rooftop decks, washer/dryer, direct ocean views, high-end TVs, barbecue grills, lanais, balconies, and even private beaches.
