live music and libations
Ithaca is…..
….. known for its abundance of talented musicians — and there is usually no shortage of live music taking place around town.
It’s mostly a question of knowing where to look.
The main place to look for live music happening in and around the region is the concert-promoter-par-excellence Dan Smalls at DSP Presents, who offers a spectacular lineup at various venues throughout the northeast, such as Ithaca’s famous State Theatre.
You can usually catch a live show most nights at Ithaca’s newest nightlife venue Deep Dive (formerly the Dock, Castaways, Max’s among other incarnations) and the Argos Warehouse is a stylish lounge & event space featuring a regular schedule of live music shows, dance parties and other events, but there are also some more off-the-beaten-path venues where you might just luck out and find legendary banjo player Richie Stearns playing an acoustic set.
Here are some venues in the area that host live music:
South Hill Cider, Ithaca
Brookton’s Market, Brooktondale, NY
Deep Dive, Ithaca
Bar Argos at the Argos Inn
The Argos Warehouse (next door to the Argos Inn)
Two Goats Brewing in Hector, NY
Hector Wine Co., Hector, NY
Bike Bar, Ithaca
The Range, Ithaca Commons, a bar/club with a state and regular live music performances
Smith Opera House, Geneva, NY
Stonebend Farm has live music every Saturday from 5-7pm
Ellis Hollow Community Center puts on some great weekend concerts, check their schedule online
Every Tuesday night from 6-8 during warm weather, Firelight Glamps at La Tourelle offers live music at their magical outdoor bar.
Brookton’s Market in Brooktondale is a fine place to catch a show like local goat farmer and musician Endres Kinkaid accompanied by Joe Hayward on the upright bass
Libations in and around Ithaca:
Whether it’s a craft beer or cocktail, cider or wine that you prefer, here are some of my favorite venues to enjoy a libation:
• Bar Argos at the the Argos Inn - a beautifully renovated boutique hotel - famous for their expertly-crafted cocktails. Ample patio seating and private cabanas as well as private fire pits out back.
•. Bike Bar. A really cute little downtown bar.
•. Salt Point Brewing in Lansing just opened a brand new tasting room and restaurant.
• The Westy in Ithaca is a popular west end neighborhood speakeasy style bar with an outdoor beer garden
•. The Watershed. Delicious craft cocktails, wine, beer, tea, snacks. A civilized place to enjoy drinks, especially before or after a show at the State Theatre (it’s right next door.)
•. Liquid State Brewing - some of the best beer in Ithaca, ample indoor and outdoor seating, a very fun trivia night
•. Ithaca Beer - a favorite spot with a giant outdoor patio area where kids can run around
•. The bar at Coltivare is a sophisticated and attractive space for a cocktail.
•. Agava has a nicedeck for enjoying one of their large selections of margaritas. Wednesday nights the whole place turns into Salsa night (check schedule to see if this is happening or still on hold from the Rona.)
•. The Boatyard Grill is a nice place to enjoy a glass of wine - they have a large waterfront outdoor bar area with lawn chairs to watch the boats coming in and out of the Inlet
•. The Rhine House is a west end neighborhood bar and beer garden, popular with locals.
• The Chanticleer - Ithaca’s favorite dive bar. Look for the iconic rooster out front.
• Pete’s Cayuga Bar - an Ithaca institution. Dive bar. Pool tables. Been around forever.
•. The Fall Creek House, or “the Creeker” if you’re local. Fall Creek neighborhood dive bar with a certain je ne sais que.
•. Garrett’s Brewing Co. in Trumansburg (formerly the legendary Rongovian Embassy)
•. Brews and Brats at Autumn View in Trumansburg