A Music Lover’s Guide To Beacon, NY
Discover Beacon’s Thriving Music Scene
The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon.
A Victorian library, a diner, auto repair shops, a Great Depression–era bank, and an old high school. In some cities, they’d be torn down or left to stand as crumbing relics of a bygone era. But here in Beacon, NY, they’ve been reimagined as cultural venues; unlikely stages anchoring the city’s thriving live music scene.
While Beacon may be best known for its vibrant visual arts community, its live music scene is striking its own powerful chord. Today, 15 or more venues program an eclectic mix of genres — with at least three new stages opening in the past year alone.
Hit The Right Note
Love jazz, pop, indie, rock, prog rock, folk, electronic, Latin, maximalist fusion, Broadway tunes, 90s cover bands, or vintage revival? Or maybe you prefer an open mic night where anything goes? There’s a place for it in Beacon whatever the genre.
The third Beacon Bonfire Music + Art Festival showcased more than 100 local and Hudson Valley acts in 20 indoor and outdoor venues over the course of five days last November. What began during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021 as a series of small underground music-and-art fueled outdoor gatherings has flourished over the years into a popular music, art, and film festival, with music its primary driving force.
Lucky for us, the music doesn’t stop when Beacon Bonfire ends. Here’s a roundup of music venues in Beacon and what to expect. Bookmark our Events Guide and check it often to keep up with what’s on in the city.
From Contemporary to Chamber
The stunning High Victorian Gothic former library that’s now home to the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) offers excellent acoustics and a historic, intimate setting for any type of music, from folk and contemporary pop to classical chamber. There’s a good view whether you sit upstairs or downstairs. And although there’s no bar, you can buy drinks and snacks in the refreshment area in return for a donation.
A Mainstay Of The Hudson Valley Music Scene
The Towne Crier Café (379 Main Street) has been a mainstay of the Hudson Valley music scene for more than 50 years, hosting performers like Judy Collins, Tom Chapin, and Pete Seeger. Inspired by the Greenwich Village venues of the 1960s and 1970s, founder Phil Ciganer first opened in 1972 in a former stagecoach stop in Beekman, NY.
More than 30 years later, the Towne Crier eventually landed on Beacon’s Main Street in 2013 by way of Pawling, NY. It’s become a regional institution since then, hosting local as well national and international talent. Choose from the Salon Stage where the music is free with a dinner reservation, or the Main Stage which requires tickets for entry. Coming up soon is SoulShine-The Allman Brothers Experience, Zydeco with C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band (on Sunday, February 22nd), and Latin Dance with Beacon Dance Beat.
And head to the Towne Crier on any Thursday evening if open mic is your thing. Be sure to follow the rules for sign up. This is a popular one, so competition for the stage can be tough.
A One-Of-A-Kind Improvised Musical Gathering
Zohar & Adam host The Everything Jam on most Sundays at Savage Wonder Arts Center.
Savage Wonder Arts Center (139 Main Street)—housed in the majestic former Mechanics Bank—is one of Beacon’s newest and most dynamic performing and visual arts spaces that showcases work created by the veteran community. On Sunday evenings you’ll often find the rapidly ascending post-jazz stars Zohar and Adam hosting an improvised and often packed musical gathering called The Everything Jam in The Parlor.
Christopher Meyer, founder of Savage Wonder, who leads the charge on programming explains, “You definitely don’t have to be a musician to come to The Everything Jam. You just have to be a music lover. Of course, musicians show up—and often jump in—but it’s just as much for anyone who wants an escapist, high-level musical experience on a Sunday night.”
When we asked Meyer what he thinks the popularity of The Everything Jam says about Beacon’s music scene, he says, “The Everything Jam really reflects the bubbling, ambitious, experimental energy that defines Beacon’s music scene right now. There’s a willingness here to take risks, to collaborate across genres, and to prioritize world-class musicianship without ego. That combination—serious chops with an open, exploratory spirit—is incredibly emblematic of this city.”
To complete the experience, order a glass of carefully curated wine and dessert bites from the Grape Rebellion, the center’s cozy basement wine bar conveniently located right next to The Parlor. Visit our Events Guide or the Savage Wonder website to keep up with the multitude of music events and performances there.
Genre-Defying Acts
It’s always worth keeping an eye on what’s happening at The Yard (4 Hanna Lane). Musical performances there tend to skew indie and interesting. Coming up soon is The Vibeke Saugestad Band, a Beacon power pop ensemble led by the band’s namesake, followed by Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Liz Cooper who plays a blend of psychedelic rock, indie grunge, and folk-rock.
The Newest Kids On The Block
You’ll find Lucky Dog, Beacon’s newest music venue, inside Beacon Music Factory (333 Fishkill Avenue), the city’s hugely popular music education center. Launched by BMF founder, music aficionado and songwriter, Stephen Clair, the name Lucky Dog is a nod to Beacon’s much loved and missed Dogwood music scene (now Cooper’s Beacon, 47 East Main Street). The walls of Lucky Dog even feature posters from some of the Dogwood past shows.
Daria Grace & The Pre-War Ponies performing recently at Lucky Dog, 333 Fishkill Avenue.
We asked Stephen what music lovers can expect from Lucky Dog. “Lucky Dog is a listening room. Like a concert hall in miniature. With beer, wine, and a whole lot of atmosphere and heart for the music makers—and for fans of music,” he shares.“What you’ll see here are pros with a sense of adventure. My radar lights up for charismatic weirdos.”
Events are ticketed and every artist who plays at Lucky Dog gets paid. “I’ve been telling musicians to stop playing for free since I got here in 2007. It doesn’t help anybody,” he adds.
Stephen goes on to talk about how Beacon’s music scene has evolved in recent years, “Five years ago, Dogwood and Quinn’s were the leading players in the live music scene. Today, Industrial Arts Brewing Co and Happy Valley have picked up some of it and the scene is, thankfully, forever changing. I’m glad to see more and more active younger artists and bands here.”
See Stephen Clair, with special guest Frank Viele from Connecticut, performing this Saturday, February 21st at Lucky Dog. You’ll find tickets here.
While Saint Rita’s Music Room (85 Eliza Street) is temporarily closed for upgrades, watch this space for news of its reopening in the next few weeks. Opened in 2025, Saint Rita’s Music Room is a charming, cabaret-style venue with lots of twinkly lights and excellent acoustics that offers every kind of music from indie pop and prog rock to experimental jazz and French Chanson. And if you didn’t know, it’s housed in the original music room of Beacon’s old high school at 211 Fishkill Avenue.
Jazz & Dinner
To accompany drinks at the bar or dinner at a table, Lyonshare (246 Main Street)—2025 winner of Chronogram magazine’s best new restaurant in the Hudson Valley—features live music (often jazz) on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays starting around 8 PM.
A Most Atmospheric Venue
Not only is Quinns Restaurant (330 Main Street) a destination for bowls of steaming ramen, specialty hotdogs, and sake, it’s also one of the most atmospheric music venues in the city. Step inside to be transported to an intact 1970s old school dinner, but one with moody lighting and Tiffany-style hanging lamps. A perfect first date destination for music lovers. Sign up to their email for the latest music news and make a note that there’s Jazz Jam every first Monday of the month, and various jazz ensembles every other Monday. Plus, local trio Cosmokaze currently play each “Third Thursday” of the month.
From Cars To Cocktails & Chords
While many might associate Happy Valley Arcade Bar (296 Main Street) with its more than 30 retro arcade games, trivia nights, and more, it also makes space for a dynamic live indie music scene. Follow them on Instagram for the latest updates.
Like Happy Valley Arcade Bar, Dennings Point Distillery (10 North Chestnut Street) is also housed in a former auto repair shop and former car dealership space. During the week, it’s a busy, bustling distillery creating Dennings Point Distillery’s fine artisanal spirits. On weekends it comes alive with a variety of events including live music. From Black Coffee Blues Band to The Costellos—who are launching their new CD, Everything Reminds Me, on Saturday 21st—there’s also emerging talent, Dreaming of Delphi, playing in March to mention just a few.
Breweries & Beats
Domina Tricks & Trois Cat Sank at Industrial Arts Brewing Co, 511 Fishkill Avenue.
The Workshop at Industrial Arts Brewing Company (511 Fishkill Avenue) is host to music of all genres including indie, electronic, emo karaoke, and those that defy genre entirely. It’s also currently the largest music venue in the city. Plus, every Monday is Vinyl Night where music lovers come together to listen, chat, and exchange records. While it’s not live music, it is “in real life interaction,” which is always a good thing.
Two Way Brewing Company (18 West Main Street) hosts a multitude of events each week, including live music. Follow them on Instagram for announcements, or check in to our Events Guide for updates.
Plus, Broadway Tunes
Broadway In Beacon musical theater’s open mic comes to a Beacon venue each month. Expect Broadway hits galore, talented performers, and high energy all the way. February’s show takes place at St Andrew & St Luke’s church (15 South Avenue).
While infrequent, St Andrew & St Luke’s Church hosts musical events like Broadway In Beacon as well as last year’s Elysium Furnace Works jazz concert season and Beacon Bonfire. With acoustics built for a choir, it’s a beautiful spot to take in a performance.
A Latin Touch And More
Wine bar, Estilo & Vino (173 Main Street) celebrated its first anniversary on Main Street this week. Owner Elizabeth Rodriguez announced a “night of Latin music and nonstop dance” to mark the occasion. Step in and enjoy a glass of vino and some tapas while listening to guest sets on the bar’s tiny main stage Fridays and Saturdays.
Finally, self-described as Beacon’s “best damn dive bar,” the Barking Frog (436 Fishkill Avenue) provides a stage for local bands to play on. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.
A Seasonal Experience
From May to October, Pollepel Island—AKA Bannerman Island—comes to life with outdoor theater, films, and live classical and contemporary music. This eccentric jewel of an island in the middle of the Hudson Highlands is a must-visit with or without music. But isn’t life always better when it’s accompanied by a tune? The Estuary Steward tour boat will ferry you there from Beacon’s waterfront. The organizers will announce details of their 2026 season soon, so watch this space.
If you enjoyed this feature and feel you know more than you did before reading it, sign up to our weekly newsletter and be sure to share it with a fellow music-lover. Plus, bookmark our free Events Guide and Events Hub on WhatsApp to keep up at all times with what’s on in Beacon, NY.
For everywhere to eat and drink, shop, and find lifestyle and essential services, be sure to explore our Directories for more about Beacon’s local businesses.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡
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