Whether you crave swanky sax while you delicately enjoy grilled filet mignon or want to listen to a country cover band while you share fried chicken, Boston has no shortage of restaurants with live music. This list of restaurants focuses on those offering free entertainment, with no or minimal cover charge to enjoy dinner and a show.
Loretta’s Last Call, Fenway
Want a taste of Nashville in Boston? Loretta’s is the quintessential spot to remedy your Southern blues. You’ll find line dancing, country music, and some of the city’s best chicken and waffles!
1 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215
Lily P’s, Kendall Square
Speaking of fried chicken, Lily P’s makes an amazingly crispy pressure fried chicken. They also serve up slurp worthy oysters and you can catch bluegrass bands on Tuesday nights in addition to rotating weekend performances while you dine.
50 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Tall Ship, East Boston
Craving seafood, spectacular views, and live entertainment? Eastie’s infamous Tall Ship has got it all!
1 E Pier Dr, Boston, MA 02128
The Middle East, Central Square
The 3-story mainstay has been entertaining for decades. Catch free or lower fare shows at Zuzu or check out The Middle East downstairs for a splurge. If you want to be the entertainment, they have karaoke on Thursdays from 9 PM-1 AM!
472 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
The Dial, Central Square
The globally inspired menu offers up delicious food in a comfortable setting. Munch on sticky lamb ribs while enjoying live beats every Sunday through September. After, step next door to Toscanini’s for some of the best ice cream in the city! Or check out Blue Owl, the rooftop deck!
907 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
The Dubliner, Downtown
Your trip to Ireland in the heart of Boston. Munch on some of the city’s best fish and chips while enjoying live Irish tunes.
2 Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02108
Scullers, Cambridge
Scullers offers a compelling addition to Boston’s live-music dining scene by combining an intimate jazz club setting with a full dinner menu. Housed on the ground floor of the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in Cambridge, presents a rotating roster of jazz, soul, and blues artists in an elegant yet relaxed space. A highlight at Scullers in The Jazz Room, a musical journey to a New Orleans streetside bar.
Guests can order from appetizers (think shrimp cocktail, calamari, flatbreads, and Mediterranean mezze) to full entrée offerings like New England clam chowder, beef tenderloin, artisan flatbreads, and seafood mains.
400 Soldiers Fld Rd, Boston, MA 02134
Grace By Nia, Seaport
The upscale Seaport spot offers live music Wednesday through Sunday. It’s by Nia Grace the owner of another beloved Boston live entertainment venue, Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen.
60 Seaport Blvd Ste 325, FL 3 Boston, MA 02210
Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, South End
The South End soul food spot serves comforting classics like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and moist chocolate cake. And the beats are just as rich as this southern soul spot.
604 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118
The Beehive, South End
One of the most frequented spots in Boston for live entertainment, The Beehive is perfect for jazz aficionados. The bands are always rotating and the Sunday scaries get replaced by The Beehive’s Sunday Blues!
541 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Capo, South Boston
This Southie supper club takes it back to the 50s with Sinatra Sundays from 5-8 PM. Enjoy Sinatra classics performed by Rich DiMare and Ron Poster Trio. Relax with a bowl of fresh pasta and warm up by the fireplace with a soothing serenade!
443 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127