12 Places to Catch Live Music in Georgia's Blue Ridge

How do you beat the great weather and gorgeous mountain scenery in Blue Ridge, Georgia? Combine it with a great live music scene happening at dozens of venues and outdoor festivals around the area! One of the best things is that you can combine the beautiful scenery with outdoor live music events, or stroll through quaint downtowns in Blue Ridge and McCaysville and grab a bite along with local musical performances. Outside or inside, a weekend or week long getaway to Blue Ridge wouldn’t be complete without checking out one of the performances, concerts and music festivals happening every weekend.

Jacob Davis Martin's video "Young Enough" features spectacular Blue Ridge scenes.

Live Music Outside in Fresh Mountain Air

Grab your blanket or outdoor chairs, a picnic basket, and your dancing shoes; Thursdays are for Pickin in the Park. Each week, from May thru September, locals and visitors gather at Horseshoe Bend Park on the banks of the Toccoa River from 6pm until dusk for live jams. Admission is free. This one is great with the kids and the dog! Great playground and also a dog park!

The biggest music festival weekend of the year happens the 3rd weekend in September with the Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Music Festival. It’s a whole weekend of musical fun beginning on Friday with the Rotary Blues Train (unusual fun… you can ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and hear roving musicians on the ride). Then a whole day of great live blues in downtown Blue Ridge on Saturday at the Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Music Festival. BBQ from the best Que cooks in the South pairs perfectly with down home live blues bands.

Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival

Wineries

Bear Claw Vineyards hosts musicians on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Open a bottle or enjoy a flight while you relax in the vineyard, and on those hot summer days you’re going to love their wine slushies.

Wind down the evening at Kerith House with the Piper’s Serenade. Every Friday and Saturday from 6:00–6:30 pm, sip a glass of vino as the stirring sound of bagpipes closes out the vineyard’s day—a charming, 30-minute tradition to toast the night.

Many weekend music events include food trucks; check their Facebook page for details. You can also purchase a cheese and cracker tray any time. Visiting on a Saturday? Reserve a VIP Tour, which includes seven tastings, a cheese tray and much more.

credit@ridge_blue_ridge

Pubs and Breweries

If you’re feeling more like an IPA than a Chardonnay, head to Grumpy Old Men Brewing for live tunes on Fridays (with Saturday shows also filling the calendar during summer months.) You can also make your own music on Karaoke Thursdays.

On the other side of town, near the Tennessee/Georgia border Buck Bald Brewing schedules periodic live music shows on the patio of their retro gas station location in Copperhill. Follow them on Facebook for updates.

Copperhill Brewing also brings in periodic musical guests at both their Copperhill and Ducktown locations. Cornhole and trivia are regular occurrences, but watch the calendar for music, as well. A new twist on music is SINGO, a fun time for music lovers.

Angry Hops Brewing, Has regular food trucks and music along with a great selection of beers. They are kid friendly, dog friendly and outdoor seating.

Tipping Point Brewing Co. host live music occasionally, be sure to follow their Facebook pages to keep up with their schedules, or be sure to follow our LIVE MUSIC EVENT calendar.

Live Music at Misty Mountain Hops

Restaurants

While you’re in the McCaysville area, plan a stop at Tooney’s Social Club on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for more music fun. Thursdays are Open Mic Night and Fridays & Saturdays are for special guests. Beer and wine flow freely at this location on the river, but if you’re hungry just BYO from Burra Burra or Twisted Tomato (also in the Riverwalk Shops.)

Those who enjoy a Grumpy Old Men beer, but prefer a full dining menu will find local brews, spirits, and delicious eats at Misty Mountain Hops. This music-centric restaurant offers live music several times a week.

One of the best places to see the sunset in Downtown Blue Ridge is from the rooftop of the Hampton Inn, at Hook & Eye. Enjoy a cocktail either inside or out, and enjoy live tunes on Friday and Saturdays and be sure to check out Music Bingo on Thursday nights.

Last but not least, The Vine and Eatery is a small family-owned eatery and wine bar. Amazing food. A large array of wines. Enjoy wine tasting, flights, and bites.
Have lunch or dinner in downtown Blue Ridge's original wine bar. Nice selection of craft beers as well for you non-wine drinkers. Be sure to check out their Wine Slushies to beat the heat. They also have a dog-friendly patio out back.