SLO County Nightlife: Where Live Music, Open Mic, and Trivia Thrive (2024)

Live Music

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For music-lovers, SLO CAL has a variety of open mic nights and live music events where you can immerse yourself in the local music scene. From larger, louder venues like Harry’s Night Club and Beach Bar in Pismo Beach to quieter, more intimate, spaces like Libretto in Paso Robles, there’s a spot for everyone.

• Stop by Pour House in Paso Robles and kick back with a local craft beer while you enjoy live music - every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 7 pm. With a cozy tasting room and an amazing beer lineup, you'll feel like a local in no time. If you're looking to join in on the musical fun, they also have a rock & blues jam session every 2nd and 4th Thursday - everyone welcome!
• The Libertine in San Luis Obispo also features local bands at 8 pm every Thursday and has an array of tasty beers on tap. They host one of the largest tap walls around, stretching 77 taps long and featuring 14 of their own house brewed, barrel-aged sours. In addition to Thursdays, Libertine has an open mic on Tuesdays and entertainment-packed brunches on Saturday and Sunday.

• Bristols Cider founders and siblings Neil and Jackie hail from Bristol in the West Country of England (the cider capital of the UK), and aim to keep their cider-making heritage alive and well on the Central Coast. Their cozy, open-air venue in Atascadero is a wonderful place to hand out, enjoy music and sample some traditional English ciders.

• Schooner's beachfront restaurant in Cayucos has a popular music and poetry night every Wednesday, starting at 7 pm. Sign ups start at 6 pm and tend to fill up fast, so arrive early! Enjoy the music of local musicians on Schooner's patio with the backdrop of ocean views and with one of their delicious fresh-caught seafood dishes.

Jazz & Blues

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Fan of jazz and blues? SLO CAL has you covered. Check out these jazz jams and shows:

• Niffy's Merrimaker in Los Osos has an open blues jam every 1st and 3rd Tuesday (starting at 7 pm). A favorite local diver bar, the Merrimaker has a positive, friendly atmosphere where anyone can have a great time listening to music, playing pool and enjoying the local beers on tap. Check out their website for their other events (happening nearly every night of the week)!
• Barrelhouse in San Luis Obispo also has a blues jam every 1st and 3rd Tuesday. With a cool, speakeasy feel, you can play a round of pool or shuffleboard while listening to the jam and enjoying one of their esteemed small-bath brews.
• If you're a fan of speakeasy bars, had over to the unique and exciting Sidecar in San Luis Obispo. Every Wednesday, Sidecar hosts a jazz show in their swanky basem*nt starting at 8 pm. Enjoy specialtyco*cktails and comfort food as talented jazz musicians play well into the night.

Trivia

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If you want to give your brain a challenge, consider going to one of SLO CAL’s many trivia nights. Thetrivia fun starts on Mondays and goes through the end of the week!

• Wild Field Brewhouse in Atascadero holds trivia on Mondays. You can also try your hand in bowling at their mini bowling lanes or play a round of arcade games, foosball or air hockey at one of their other entertainment tables. This comfortable space for beer lovers and families alike invites everyone to come enjoy a night of fun!
• Trivia night at Milestone Tavern in San Luis Obispo is on Tuesdays. With delicious pints of craft beer and elevated versions of your favorite classic casual bar dishes, Milestone promises an entertaining evening whetheryou win or lose.
• Car Club Bar at the Templeton Mercantile hosts a weekly trivia night on Wednesdays at 7 pm. Be sure to stop by for trivia,vaquero themed food, co*cktails and events that pay tribute to Templeton's unique history as a bustling railroad town in the late 19th century. The winning team receives a bar tab, so the stakes are high!
• You can also find Trivia on Wednesday nights at Bang the Drumin San Luis Obispo, with prizes for the winners. Because of the popularity of this event, to guaranteea table to play at, you'll have to make a reservation (easily done online). You'll find brews and savory pie flightsavailable for brain food. Bang the Drum also holds monthlyopen jams and karaoke nights.
• In Paso Robles, the Backyard on Thirteenth offers a swanky setting for trivia every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. This family-friendly (dog-friendly too) space offers a casual indoor-outdoor space where everyone can enjoy themselves. Trivia kicks off at 6 pm, plenty of time to enjoy a glass of local wine, cider or beer before the festivities begin.

Karaoke

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In addition to live music and trivia, you'll also find karaoke. Get ready to show off your best singing voice, because SLO CAL has karaoke nearly every night of the week!

• On Sunday, Buffalo Pub in San Luis Obispo and Pine Street Saloon in Paso Robles kick off karaoke at 9 pm. And if you fall in love with the rustic western vibe of Pine Street, you'll be happy to know they also have karaoke nights on Tuesdays and Fridays, so you can become a regular!
• SLO Cider Co. in San Luis Obispo hosts karaoke every Tuesday at 7 pm. This local cidery crafts their bold, dry ciders right here in SLO CAL and warmly invites everyone to come in and try one of their unique flavors - like Agave Lime! Their comfortabletasting room is the perfect spot to take the stage (solo or with your whole group).
• On Thursdays, Harry's Night Club & Beach Bar gets the karaoke fun going at 8 pm. Located in downtown Pismo Beach, it's easy to take a sunset beach stroll before singing your heart out at Harry's. They have local draft beer and co*cktails to accompany the entertainment.