Outdoor live music is the pitch-perfect summer soundtrack to a Carolina Beach vacation filled with good times and good vibes. Music lovers of all ages can sway to tunes ranging from reggae to rock in our vibrant, laid-back beach town. Whether sitting al fresco at a restaurant or jamming out at an outdoor bar, these melodies are sure to get your toes tapping.
A Bite of Live Music
No trip is complete without a mouthwatering meal. Luckily, many restaurants in Carolina Beach offer live music all season long. Enjoy upbeat beach tunes while you drink, dine and dance at SeaWitch Café & Tiki Bar, which features live music performances throughout the summer and at most other times of the year. The dog-friendly outdoor patio allows furry family members to join in on the fun. Check out the full schedule of concerts and daily drink specials on their website.
Lounge the evening away on a pier at Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar, a casual beachfront spot named one of “America’s Best Beach Bars” by Thrillest.com. Sip beach drinks and dig into fresh coastal cuisine while taking in panoramic views and live summer tiki shows on select Thursdays.
Reggae fans can rejoice in an evening at Lazy Pirate Island Sports Grill, which hosts local artists year-round. The family-friendly restaurant boasts indoor seating, a wrap-around bar, sprawling outdoor deck and a gigantic Tiki Hut. Choose from a menu of delicious drinks and bites like the Coconut Shrimp and Calabash Feast, then get lost in a game of checkers or darts as you breathe in the ocean breeze.
At Carolina Smokehouse along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, taste outstanding barbecue and hardwood-smoked meats previously featured on PBS and Food Network. Groove to regularly occurring live music while soaking in ocean views. Just steps from the Boardwalk, local musicians perform at nearby Nauti Dog most weekends year-round. As you sit outside and take in the tunes, relish a classic Carolina Dog or build your own vegan combination, and cool off with summer cocktails like the Knot So Nauti Margarita. Check their social media channels for upcoming dates.
Rockin’ Nightlife
If you prefer to be the one holding the mic, channel your inner rockstar during a karaoke outing. Head to Silver Dollar or Buzz’s Roost at the Beach for a casual night of drinks, light eats and karaoke fun on the Boardwalk.
Enjoy light snacks, local craft beers and beachy beverages at Hurricane Alley’s on the large rooftop deck overlooking the ocean. During the summer months, rock out to seaside entertainment every weekend. Make sure to check out their social media channels for daily food specials and details on performers and show times.
Annual Events
Carolina Beach kicks off the classic summer fun with the Fireworks by the Sea & Boardwalk Blast. This free, family-friendly event series begins the Friday before Memorial Day and continues every Thursday evening until the final show the Friday before Labor Day. Stroll along the vintage Carolina Beach Boardwalk to the beach strand, where you’ll find live tunes at the Gazebo stage, and witness a colorful fireworks display from the shore.
Some of the South’s hottest beach music bands grace our shores during the annual Carolina Beach Music Festival, one of the country's longest-running beach music festivals and one of North Carolina's only held right on the shore. This year, the event has been extended to two days for the first time! On June 2-3, shag dance to local bands and this year’s headliners including Jim Quick & Coastline, The Band of Oz and Cat5live.
Plan your summer escape to Carolina Beach, where you’ll experience a laid-back live music vibe in a range of unique and unpretentious venues.
