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. Below are some of the best spots to enjoy live music in the Brunswick Islands.
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*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 with Live Music
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Inlet View Bar & Grill – Enjoy stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Shallotte River at this hidden gem in Shallotte 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 Saturdays and Sundays.
5. 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 Saturday.
6. 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.
7. 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.
Bars & Pubs with Live Music
1. The Pub of Southport – Indulge in traditional Irish cuisine, a whiskey collection of over 90 different bottles, and live music on weekends and most Thursday nights.
2. Second Wind – Enjoy a weekly rotation of live music, open mic nights, and karaoke at this fun local hangout on Oak Island.
3. 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.
4. The Mullet Bar – Also located along Southport’s Yacht Basin, The Mullet Bar features live music most Thursday through Sunday evenings.
Wine Bars & Taprooms with Live Music
1. 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.
2. Water Tower Wine – “Wine down” on Wednesdays with a glass of wine and live music at Water Tower Wine in Southport.
3. Scapegoat Taproom – Enjoy great food from local food trucks, a wide selection of beer on tap, and live music on Thursdays at this taproom in Leland.
4. 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.
5. Salt + Wine – Located in Sunset Beach, Salt + Wine is a local favorite wine bar that hosts live music on most Fridays and other days during the weekend.
Breweries with Live Music
1. Cape Side Brewing – Southport’s newest craft brewery brings live music to its outdoor stage on most weekends.
2. Leland Brewing Company – One of Leland’s favorite breweries hosts live music on Friday and Saturday, with select performances on Sunday.
3. Makai Brewing Company – Ocean Isle Beach’s first and only brewery hosts live music on Tuesdays in combination with their weekly Taco Tuesday promotion.
Ocean Piers with Live Music
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. Select performances also happen on weekends. 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.
Photo courtesy of Ocean Isle Beach Pier.
3. Ocean Isle Beach Pier – Catch live music right from the beach at the newly revamped 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
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 May 29, 2026