Cold War Kids at a recent Fingerprints in-store show – Rand Foster.
What’s on your live music menu? Some swampy rockabilly with a tiki twang? A sweet-voiced guitarist providing the soundtrack for your first date? Maybe some salsa, jazz, classic rock, old-school soul, reggae, or funk is what you need to satisfy your musical appetite…
Downtown serves all those styles with a variety of live music offerings. Use this guide to help you discover and support the musicians who add so much flavor to the Downtown scene.
DISTRICT WINE / 144 LINDEN AVE
An East Village mainstay, District Wine attracts wine and beer mavens to its daily tastings, which are often paired with live music that works in harmony with the classy and comfy setting.
Guitarist/vocalist Michael Silvestri is a regular performer at District Wine
It’s a perfect spot for relaxing with some good sounds, enjoying a boutique wine or beer, having something from the small bites menu (the Curry Mac ‘n Cheese is very good!) and finishing with a fine dessert and a cup of gourmet coffee.
District Wine’s live music schedule varies from week to week: Call (562) 612.0411 to stay up to date on who’s playing. Visit the website to order online, make reservations, and learn about hosting a private event. Make sure to follow this fine East Village establishment on Instagram as well.
THE CARVERY / 201 PINE AVE
The beautiful art deco building on the northwest corner of Broadway and Pine is a four-in-one for musical fun! The Carvery, At The Top, Shannon’s, and The Secret Island — four venues under the same roof — all feature live musicians and/or DJs throughout the week.
Lexi Algar’s repertoire is a joy for guests at The Carvery.
The Carvery restaurant, on the ground floor, plays host to such talented musicians as Lexi Algar, who can play and sing everything from today’s now-and-wow hits to vintage classics from the great Edith Piaf. “Downtown has my heart,” said Algar. “The clientele and passersby are positive and lovely to talk to.”
Venture downstairs, walk through a rainforest in a thunder and lightning storm (!), and enter the cave-like and cozy Secret Island, which must be one of the greatest Long Beach tiki bars ever. It’s like a trip to a South Sea island; You won’t want to leave.
The Secret Island, below The Carvery, is the coolest tiki cave in town!
Click here to get the Secret Island schedule for such tiki bar-appropriate bands as The Buckshots (rockabilly) and The Martini Kings (exotica). For details about The Carvery — including its live music schedule — click here.
ROSCOE’S JAZZ LOUNGE / 730 E BROADWAY
From the moment you walk into the domed lobby at Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge, you’ll know you’re in for a great vibe. Gaze at the portraits of such jazz greats as Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, then enter the lounge under the neon sign with its glowing musical notes.
The neon sign in the Roscoe’s lobby promises some musical good times.
Once inside, you’ll join a crowd of true music aficionados. They’ll be enjoying the work of seasoned musicians and singers who provide the finest in blues, soul, R & B, and jazz.
Roscoe’s is a great place to take your music-loving date; Be ready to join an appreciative audience, and be prepared to dance. The singers at Roscoe’s know exactly how to help kindle a romance, old-school style.
Bring your appetite too! Roscoe’s Chicken ‘n Waffles is right across the lobby and is open seven days a week. SO good.
Make sure to follow Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge on Instagram to stay current with their entertainment schedule, and check out the Roscoe’s Chicken ‘n Waffles website for menu options and business hours.
SHENANIGANS IRISH PUB & GRILLE / 423 SHORELINE VILLAGE DR #A
Shenanigans is where you want to go when it’s time to dance to some old or new-school rock ‘n roll, get irie with some funky reggae — or enjoy both on the same day!
The Holloways getting sporty with the Shenanigans crowd on a recent Friday night.
You’ll find live music at Shenanigans Thursday through Sunday. Saturdays and Sundays feature an early afternoon band followed by another musical unit in the evening.
Shenanigans has an extensive food menu: Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the indoor/outdoor patio while digging a great band and watching your favorite sports team on the big screens.
Visit the Shenanigans website for menu details and the monthly entertainment schedule.
THE ORDINARIE / 210 THE PROMENADE N
The Ordinarie opened its doors in 2019 on The Promenade and has been thriving with its amazing food and drink menus, along with live music every day except Monday.
Its timeless tavern atmosphere is a perfect environment for the eclectic musical line-up it presents; You can listen to jazz combos, duos like the Acoustic Soul Express — even a swing band every Wednesday night, which attracts some elite dancers!
The Acoustic Soul Express — Chad Bishop (L) and Ashanti Dykes — play The Ordinarie on the first Friday of every month.
Sundays at The Ordinarie are music-rich: Enjoy your brunch while listening to a jazz band from 1 to 4 PM, then stick around for a set by another band from 4 to 7 PM.
Visit The Ordinarie website for a full live music schedule, menu details, and to make reservations.
L’OPERA / 101 PINE AVE
A cosmopolitan classic at the corner of 1st and Pine since 1990, L’Opera restaurant is proud to feature a musical artist who perfectly complements its sophisticated vibe; Meet Samuel A. Capella, L’Opera’s strolling vocalist, who has serenaded guests since 2008.
Samuel A. Capella serenades L’Opera patrons every Friday and Saturday night.
Every Friday and Saturday night around 7:30 PM, Capella offers up his repertoire of Italian and Italianesque tunes, mixed with operatic arias such as “Nessun Dorma” from the opera Turandot. “I also take requests,” he noted. “I’ll sing anything that doesn’t disrupt the atmosphere of the restaurant.”
Capella mentioned that he has many regulars who visit L’Opera especially to hear him. He probably gains new fans whenever he gifts them with a song on their birthday!
To see photos of L’Opera’s outrageously great food, click here.
THE AULD DUBLINER / 71 S PINE AVE
Six nights a week you can come down to The Auld Dubliner, socialize, check out a band, and hoist a pint of Guinness or a shot of Irish whiskey. It’s one of Downtown’s favorite neighborhood pubs, and some of Long Beach’s favorite musicians play there.
Soul Venture, fronted by Ashley Ventri, entertains the Auld Dubliner crowd with their eclectic playlist.
Sebastian Chang, keyboardist for Soul Venture, a three-piece band that plays The Auld Dubliner regularly, mentioned that on weekend nights the pub gets a great spillover audience from the Laugh Factory comedy club down the block.
“We play party music for all ages,” said Chang. “Our clientele is laid back — but always ready to party.” Another popular Auld Dubliner band is Flogging Seagulls, who put a punky Celtic energy on classic new wave synth songs!
For info on Auld Dubliner’s live music and events schedule, daily specials, and food menu, click here.
FINGERPRINTS MUSIC / 420 E 4TH ST
How many times have you wished you could have your favorite band play in your own living room? That’s what it’s like to attend an in-store show at Fingerprints.
Cold War Kids at a recent Fingerprints in-store show – Rand Foster.
In addition to developing his store’s reputation as one of the finest independent record shops in the country, owner Rand Foster has done a remarkable job with in-store performances. Chrissy Hynde, the Foo Fighters, Prophets of Rage, and many other musical giants have graced the Fingerprints stage over the years.
Just this past weekend, Taking Back Sunday did an acoustic set at Fingerprints, and a week before that, the iconic Blink-182 did a record signing, followed by a surprise show at Denny’s in Bixby Knolls!
Some very exciting in-stores will be happening at Fingerprints soon. Foster mentioned that he prefers not to announce these shows too far in advance, so keep in tune by visiting the Fingerprints website and Instagram.
CAFE SEVILLA / 140 PINE AVE
Cafe Sevilla is a place that really takes you on a journey, and its live music offerings Wednesday through Sunday are a huge part of that. You can hear flamenco, salsa, rumba, and more in an authentic atmosphere that will get you partying like the Spaniards do.
The Robert Incelli Latin Jazz Band packs the dance floor at Cafe Sevilla every Friday night.
On a recent Friday night, the Robert Incelli Latin Jazz Band kept the dance floor full, whether they were playing up-tempo salsa and cumbias or romantic tropical ballads.
Plan on making an evening of it: Cafe Sevilla is also an amazing restaurant. For a memorable pre-dancing feast, try the “Journey Through Spain” dinner for two!
For menu details (including a special Thanksgiving menu) and a live music schedule, click here.