Live music, warm ocean breezes, and good vibes are at the forefront of a perfect summer vacation to North Carolina's Brunswick Islands. Not only do our beautiful beach and mainland towns host free summer concerts from May through September, but many of our area's restaurants and bars host live music throughout the summer. Ready to enjoy that carefree island feeling from listening to a band play while sipping a cold drink on a patio? Below are some of the best spots to enjoy live music in the Brunswick Islands.

*Music schedules are subject to change. Visit the bar's/restaurant's website or Facebook page for its latest live music and event schedule. 

Restaurants, Bars, and Pubs  

  1. KoKo Cabana – Join the fun, enjoy the food, and soak up the view at this oceanfront restaurant and bar on Oak Island with live music on Wednesdays and other select nights throughout the summer. 

  2. The Pub of Southport – Indulge in traditional Irish cuisine, a whiskey collection of over 90 different bottles, and live music on Friday nights.  

  3. Castaways Raw Bar & Grill –  Relax in this tiki hut atmosphere across from the ocean on Holden Beach with open-air dining while listening to live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

  4. Inlet View Bar & Grill – Enjoy stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Shallotte River at this hidden gem where the drinks are delicious and the seafood is caught by local fishermen and served fresh on site. Live performances accompany the amazing views on select nights. 

  5. Jinks Creek Waterfront Grill – This local favorite on Ocean Isle Beach offers live music on select nights throughout each week that guests can enjoy with a drink at the covered outdoor deck bar perched on the top patio with sweeping views of Jinks Creek.

  6. Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar – Snack on succulent local oysters and shrimp at this popular chain's location in Leland and enjoy live music on the weekends.

  7. 49th Street Grill, Bar, & Patio – Check out this casual island-vibe establishment in Oak Island with live music in the spring and summer Thursday through Sunday.

  8. Lazy Turtle Oceanfront Grille – Relax at this waterfront, family-friendly eatery that offers a dog-friendly patio and tiki bar, along with live music and karaoke each weekend during the summer.  

  9. Second Wind – Enjoy a weekly rotation of live music, open mic nights, and karaoke at this fun local hangout on Oak Island.

  10. American Fish Company – Heading to Southport’s historic Yacht Basin? This waterfront bar is the perfect place to catch the sunset with a cocktail, and their weekends are filled with live music.

  11. Rusty Hooks Dockside Grill – Dine on fresh local seafood and enjoy live music from the Sunset Tiki Bar and Big Deck on weekends at this waterfront restaurant in Southport.

  12. Coastal Wine & Tap – An Ocean Isle Beach hangout spot serving wine, craft beer, and small plates is also host to local live music on Tuesdays and Fridays. Come summer, live music moves to Thursdays and Sundays. 

American Fish Company in Southport

Breweries and Taprooms 

  1. Brunswick Beer & Cider – Indulge in a diverse menu with fresh ingredients and delicious brews that capture the essence of the area's coastal heritage at this Leland brewery where live music takes place each Saturday starting in summer. 

  2. Carolina Crab Brewing – Located minutes from Oak Island, the newest brewery and taproom in the Brunswick Islands is host to live music on weekends. 

  3. Scapegoat Taproom – Enjoy great food from local food trucks, a wide selection of beer on tap, and live music on Saturdays at this taproom in Leland.  

  4. Solar Brewing – Oak Island's very first brewery, Solar Brewing offers a large selection of draft beer and delicious wings and pizza that you can enjoy with live music on select nights. 

  5. Southport Tap & Cellar – Located in historic Southport, this craft beer and wine bottle shop offers 22 taps and over 150 bottles and cans of beer, and live music on select nights.

Southport Tap and Cellar, Southport NC

Ocean Piers

  1. Ocean Crest Fishing Pier – Spending the day on the beach in Oak Island? You may not even have to leave the beach to enjoy live music! The 893-foot Ocean Crest Fishing Pier hosts a variety of bands and local artists during the summer on the pier deck, with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.  

  2. Sunset Beach Pier – Over in Sunset Beach, live music is scheduled each Thursday from late May through the end of August at the Sunset Beach Pier. Bring your beach chair or blanket to sit on the beach and watch the band play, or you can sit on the pier for $1 per person.  

  3. Ocean Isle Beach Pier – Catch live music right from the beach at the Ocean Isle Beach Pier Backyard on select nights. From dueling pianos to open-mic nights, the OIB Pier Backyard is perfect for enjoying a beautiful view with a wide variety of live entertainment

Live music at the Ocean Isle Beach Pier

Photo courtesy of Ocean Isle Beach Pier.  

North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands has an endless supply of live music happening throughout the summer to provide you with the perfect soundtrack to your beach vacation. Visit ncbrunswick.com to plan your trip and get exploring! 

Updated April 23, 2025