Lexington happens to be the perfect place for live music and live music lovers– below are just a few of the best venues in town.
The Burl
375 Thompson Road
https://theburlky.com/
The Distillery District has something for everyone, from Goodfellas pizza and Crank ‘N Boom ice cream to bourbon, beer, and spirits of all kinds. The Burl is quite the sonic entertainment hub, featuring live music acts of both the national and international variety. Upcoming shows like Lucy Dacus, Wednesday, and Matt Pryor will perk up indie rock fans, and country fans will appreciate the likes of Morgan Wade and Jesse Daniel. There’s also an Emo Night coming up, if you’re feeling nostalgic for the days of side-swept bangs and My Chemical Romance.
Manchester Music Hall
899 Manchester Street
https://manchestermusichall.com/
Also located in the Distillery District is Manchester Music Hall. What was once a distillery warehouse is now a joint known for hosting all manner of celebrated music acts. A few upcoming highlights include Everclear, Twista, and 311. On occasion you’ll find food trucks near the venue if you’re feeling hungry (although the Distillery District location definitely helps in that regard.) Keep in mind that the venue is 18+, so make sure to have your ID handy when you arrive.
Red Barn Radio
161 North Mill Street
https://redbarnradio.com/
The acts featured on Red Barn Radio, a radio show broadcast from right here in Lexington, skew towards folk and Bluegrass– but beyond simply providing good music, Red Barn allows visitors to sit in on the shows. The venue is small and cheerful, with plenty of refreshments to go around. The perks of smaller venues like Red Barn, of course, are the opportunity to meet the artists behind the music, as well as mingle with like-minded music lovers. Admission is just eight bucks a pop and includes food and drink for all ages.
Southland Jamboree
1152 Monarch Street
https://southlandjamboree.org/
Southland Jamboree is an outdoor concert series taking place at the Moondance Amphitheater each Thursday evening. You can take a look at the concert schedule here, as well as an archive of past performers that took the stage at Jamboree. The outdoor venue has ample seating and plenty of space for dancing and socializing. The best part is that it’s all free; community donations help keep the Jamboree going, and you can donate on their website to support Lexington’s vibrant local music scene.
Central Bank Thursday Night Live
251 West Main Street
https://www.downtownlex.com/signature-events/central-bank-thursday-night-live/
Tandy Park’s Fifth Third Bank Pavilion is home to Central Bank Thursday Night Live, a weekly concert series hosted in a spacious (but shaded, fortunately for summer attendees) outdoor setting. The event has become nothing short of iconic in the Lexington area, drawing in hundreds each Thursday evening with spectacular live shows and food and drink vendors galore. You can take a look at or download the Thursday Night Live band schedule here.
Lynaugh’s Irish Pub
384 Woodland Avenue
https://lynaghs.com/
Lynaugh’s is first and foremost the location of great food and a wide selection of drinks– but the pub periodically hosts all manner of music acts, typically of the rock and blues variety. Lynaugh’s alumni include local favorites like Johnny Conqueroo and Sour Cream. Give their Facebook a look to look through past shows and keep an eye out for future ones (as well as check out mouthwatering photos of their menu items.)