Where to see Live Music and Concerts in Virginia Beach

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Where to see Live Music and Concerts in Virginia Beach

You’ve probably heard it said, ‘Virginia is for music lovers’. Its cities, including Virginia Beach, have immensely contributed to the music scene in America, featuring various genres such as rock and roll, hip-hop, jazz, blues, and of course, country music. Virginia Beach is its most populated city, and it has one of the most lively, and thriving music scenes.

From the street stages along the Boardwalk in the Oceanfront area to concert halls, nightclubs and bars, performance theaters, and restaurants across the city, you’ll always find some great music playing. Summer concerts and guest performances from renowned international artists are a top highlight, and you’ll be lucky to be around for one of these.

The locals know how to party, and it’s easy to see this whenever you visit. True music lovers know the thrill of a live music performance, singing along to a local band, or screaming your lungs off to your favorite jam in a concert. We’ve compiled some of the places in Virginia Beach that offer you this experience, so if you’re looking for some amazing live music treats or concert venues in the city, be sure to check them out!

Boardwalk Area

Where to start? The Virginia Beach Boardwalk area is one of the liveliest spots in the city. 28 feet wide, it stretches 3 miles from 2^nd Street through to 40^th Street. Alongside the boardwalk is an array of seafood restaurants, fantastic shopping joints, a popular bike path, and yes, street stages for everything music! There are several oceanfront street stages where you can catch free live music performances all year. These include 5^th Street Park, 24^th Street Park, 7^th Street Oceanfront Stage, and Neptune’s Park on 31^st Street. Summer concerts are the best, no doubt, with large numbers of locals and tourists alike pulling up for the bands along the boardwalk. Check these out.

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5^th Street Beach Stage  

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Located along Atlantic Avenue, just a few meters from the Rudee Inlet Marina, 5^th Street Bench Stage stands majestically on the sandy grounds of the oceanfront. Overlooking the blue Atlantic Ocean, the scenic water views add to the music experience and great energy here. It is home to one of the largest music events at Virginia Beach; the American Music Festival. Various international icons, including The Eagles and Billy Idol, have performed on this stage. It has four reserved General Admission VIP zones at the front, and a ticket is required for these. Seats are not reserved, so it’s on a first come first served basis. 

Practical information

Address: 5^th Street, 500 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

TICKETS

24 Street Park

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Nestled between 24^th and 25^th Streets, this is another fantastic spot for live music on the oceanfront. It encompasses a large outdoor space for crowds who come to vibe to the regular performances from local, regional, and international artists. The stage also hosts plays and movie shows, and wine festivals are a usual occurrence too. The ocean background makes a perfect backdrop for a summer concert, and the cool breeze keeps you rejuvenated as you dance and sing along. You’ll love the fact that food and drinks are allowed, except for alcohol though. Besides the usual, weekly live music treats, you’d have to be on the lookout for international shows lined up regularly to get a ticket.

Practical Information

Address: 2400 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: 757 491 7866

Neptune’s Park

The first thing you see on approaching 31^st Street is a massive bronze statue of King Neptune, rising from the Atlantic Ocean. Neptune is believed to be the god of the sea in ancient Roman history. Neptune’s Park is right there, and it’s a hub of music festivals all summer, and live music from bands on regular nights. It is located opposite the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, covering a vast 72, 000 square feet of outdoor space.

The Park is home to some of the best festivals in the city, including the Free Summer Concert Series, and the Neptune Festival held every summer. It’s no surprise that it is most crowded during summer, as hundreds show up for free summer concerts. On weekends, you’ll find live music, especially at night, and there’s available seating if you just want to sit, relax and vibe to music without much hustle. What’s more, is that you’ll hardly stay hungry when there’s the Catch 31 restaurant across the street. There’s also the option of sitting on the patio as you munch on your oyster dish and listen to the live music from the park. Does it get any better than that?

Practical Information

Address: 3001 Atlantic Avenue, 31^st Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: 757 491 7866

Concert Halls & Music Venues

There’s something spiritually levitating about sitting in a dimly lit hall, lights focused on the orchestra on stage and the symphonies racking your spirits as you marvel at the art of music. If that’s the kind of feeling you relate to most, jazz, opera music, and everything else that sounds exquisite and sophisticated musically, check out these venues in Virginia Beach.

 Sandler’s Center for the Performing Arts

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Away from the oceanfront and right at the heart of the Town Center, this place is a state-of-the-art venue for sensational art performances, including live music. It features an impressive 1,300-seater hall, a studio theater, three beautiful lobbies, and an art gallery. Hosting world-class performances, it is home to the renowned Virginia Symphony, Virginia Musical Theater, Tidewater Winds, and Virginia Arts Festival.

There’s always something musical lined up at the Center, and every June to August, it hosts the now popular outdoor summer concert series; Ynot Wednesdays. It is held every Wednesday from 5 pm to 9 pm, featuring live music from local bands, and all genres of music for free! Check out their website for upcoming events, book your ticket, and show up for the love of music.

Practical Information

Address: 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States

Call: + 1 757 385 2787

Open: Monday-Friday 10 am to 6 pm

            Saturday 10 am to 2 pm

WEBSITE

ONLINE TICKETS

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Veteran United Home Loans Amphitheater

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Imagine a 20,000-seat outdoor concert venue, packed to the brim with energetic crowds, great music performances from your favorite artists, lights, perfect sound systems, and a ticket to all of that! That’s the closest depiction of the experience here. Formally known as the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, it was opened in 1996, and has grown in capacity and target audience over the years.

Its two main seating areas are covered by a canopy and there are seats if you prefer to sit. It has hosted big names in the music industry over the years, including the Spice Girls in 1998, and Bruce Springsteen in 2014. Some of the music festivals held here include Mayhem Festival, Ozzfest, Lilith Fair, and Vans Warped Tour. There’s ample parking, with five parking lots in the area. Parking fees are usually included in ticket fees but always countercheck in case of any changes.

Practical Information

Address: 3550 Cellar Door Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, United States

Call: + 1 757 368 3000

WEBSITE

Zeiders American Dream Theater

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Located at Town Center, this is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting local creativity through art. It hosts amazing musical theatre shows, spoken word performances, concerts, cabarets, and live music performances. If you’re craving fresh, emerging art around Virginia Beach, this is one of your best spaces to experience that in terms of music. There’s hardly any bad seat in the hall from the steep design of the rows, and a thrust stage angle as client reviews have suggested. It is smaller than Sandler’s, making for an intimate venue to spend an evening of entertainment. Quite laid back as well, and the pricing of tickets is affordable, starting at $ 20 for a front-row seat.

Practical Information

Address: 4509 Commerce Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, United States

Call: + 1 757 499 0317

WEBSITE

Elevation 27

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Located in the Hilltop area of Virginia Beach, Elevation 27 brings both national and internationally acclaimed musical arts to the city. It is a creation of Bill Reid, who is also credited for the development of other notable music venues in town, including the Veteran United Home Loans Amphitheater. It features a vast open floor area, a massive sound system, theatrical curtains, and an outdoor patio area for dining. That means you get to enjoy live concerts before or after your meal from their restaurant. Chef Rusty ensures that the food is as good as the music on the other end of an Elevation 27 experience, and the prices are relatively affordable. Check out their website for lined-up shows.

Practical Information

Address: 600 Nevan Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Call: + 1 757 716 4028

Open: Monday-Sunday 6 pm to 2 am

WEBSITE

Bars & Restaurants

Finding a bar, nightclub, or restaurant in Virginia Beach with some great live music performances as part of the experience is easy. Some host themed nights with special invites from artists, both local and international. What else do you need when you’ve got your drink or plate of sushi, and amazing music to go to in the evening? Here are some of the bar and restaurant joints popular for their music treat.

Murphy’s Irish Pub

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Live music every night, authentic, tasty Irish and American delicacies, drinks, and fun trivia nights; that’s the experience at Murphy’s. It has been in operation since 2003, family owned and run. It features a spacious outdoor patio perfect for summer hangouts, and a huge fireplace for the cold months. Most of the live entertainment is Irish and local, and there’s no cover charge. Happy hour starts at 3 and runs until 7 pm. Order some Irish meat and potato pie, a draft beer to wash it down, then sit back and enjoy the local bands in the evening.

Practical Information

Address: 2914 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Call: + 1 757 417 7701

Open: Monday-Friday 11 am to 1 am

            Saturday & Sunday 9 am to 1 am

WEBSITE

Calypso Bar & Grill

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Suitably located on the oceanfront, Calypso is one of the best beachside spots for a hearty seafood meal, great drinks, and scenic views of the Atlantic. Add live music to that, and the experience can’t get any better. In addition to the regular live music evening sessions on Fridays and Saturdays, the bar hosts music events once in a while, featuring local bands. There’s a patio overlooking the beach, and the breeze blends perfectly with the sound of music at night. If you’re looking for such a laid-back music and dine-in experience, try Calypso!

Practical Information

Address: 1101 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Call: + 1 757 228 1972

Open: Monday-Friday 2 pm to 1.30 am

            Saturday & Sunday 11 am to 2 am

WEBSITE

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South Beach Grill

South Beach Grill is a local’s favorite when it comes to fresh seafood and burgers, live music, and tasty drinks. The place hosts live bands and musicians, and there’s always a fantastic lineup on its website. The music treat is one of the best-reviewed features of this spot. The atmosphere is generally laid back, and thus perfect for a relaxed evening, sipping cocktails and musing over some live jams. Should you be in the mood for dancing, there’s an open dance floor for that and more. Get to socialize and unwind as you move to the beat. Fun times, always.

Practical Information

Address: 1091 Norfolk Avenue #101, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States

Call: + 1 757 428 0820

Open: Monday-Thursday 3 pm to 2 am

            Friday-Sunday 12 pm to 2 am

WEBSITE

The list of music venues in Virginia Beach is hardly exhaustive. We’ve barely scratched the surface! There’s always something going on, whether at the theater, or pub, and all you’ve got to do is stay in the loop, show up and have fun.