New Hampshire Acoustic Music Venues - Concerts, Jams, Open Mics
Below is a list of venues in New Hampshire that frequently hire acoustic musicians, host jam sessions or open mics, organized alphabetically by venue name. Click on a column heading to sort the list by that column. NOTE: NHAMA is not responsible for dates and times listed here. Please call the venue before an event to double check that the date and times are correct.
If you have an update or correction for your venue's listing, or would like to add your venue to this page of our website, please contact the webmaster. Venues listings should include venue name, a paragraph description of the venue, contact e-mail address, phone number and website, if appropriate. Be sure our webmaster has the most current information about your venue.
| Venue Name | Description | Area | Details | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 603 Lounge | Sports bar venue in Nashua | Merrimack Valley | Open Mic - Every Tuesday night from 8pm-12am, hosted by Steven DeLong | 14 West Hollis Street Nashua 603-821-5260 akustikkid@hotmail.com |
| The Acoustic Cafe | Library-sponsored program showcasing regional acoustic musicians. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts - monthly performances beginning at 7:30pm | 49 Nashua Street Milford 603-673-2408 www.acousticcafenh.com wadleigh@wadleigh.lib.nh.us |
| Acoustic Outfitters Music Store |
Mix of bluegrass, Irish, folk jams and occasional concerts in area connected to the acoustic instrument store. | Seacoast | Jams - 1st and 3rd Sundays 2-5pm (from October to May) Beginner jams led by Ellen Carlson June 25th |
72 Portsmouth Ave Stratham Plaza Route 108 Stratham, NH 03885 www.aomusicshop.com aoms@aomusicshop.com 603- 603- 778-9711 |
| Adagio Trattoria | Adagio Trattoria provides a casual elegance in which to enjoy Chef Erik Craw's exciting cuisine. | Monadnock | Open Mic - Every Thursday 7:30 - 11pm Concerts - call or stop by to find out who is playing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. | 132 Main Street Brattleboro, VT 05301 http://www.adagiotrattoria.com/ (802) 254-6046 |
| Armadillo’s Burritos | Live a coustic music almost every weekend sponsored by Orange Earth Productions. | Monadnock | Concerts | 82 Main Street Keene NH www.orangeearthproductions.com |
| Armadillo’s Burritos | Weekly bluegrass jam every Monday Hosted by John Meehan, dome@copper.net | Monadnock | Jam - Mondays from 7-11pm | 82 Main Street Keene NH Phone 603.358.3700 http://www.armadillosburritos.com/ |
| Barley Pub |
Mostly bluegrass jams, hosted by Steve Roy. Some acoustic acts on the weekends, bluegrass jams Thursdays, college bar atmosphere. | Seacoast | Jams - Thursday nights, 9pm till midnight | 328 Central Avenue Dover NH 03820 www.barleypub.com entertainment@barleypub.com 603-742-4226 |
| Black Cat |
Friday & Saturday nights, blues, folk, or bluegrass. Light fare, coffee & desserts. | Lakes Region | Concerts | 17 Veterans Sq Laconia, NH 03246 www.blackcatcafe.com info@blackcatcafe.com 603-528-3233 |
| Blue Mermaid |
Jams hosted by Duke Mandell and Rob Cunningham. A Caribbean inspired restaurant with full bar. | Seacoast | Jams - 8:00 - 11:30 pm every Wednesday | 409 The Hill Portsmouth, NH 03801 www.bluemermaid.com thebluemermaid@cs.com 603-427-2583 |
| Boynton's Taproom |
Nationally known recording artists and local showcases on "Acoustic Experience" saturday nights. Sumptuous light fare & full bar | Merrimack Valley | Concerts | 155 Dow Street (3rd Floor) Manchester, NH 03101 www.boyntonstaproom.com 603.623.7778 |
| Canterbury United Community Church | Jam in Canterbury NH on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Located at the Canterbury United Community Church on the town square. | Merrimack Valley | Jam third Tuesday of the month from 7 - 9 PM. | For info call Kit Morgan at 603-224-9723. |
| Canterbury Shaker Village | An actual shaker village preserved as a national historic landmark and museum. It has many events through out the year, some featuring local music. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts | 288 Shaker Road Canterbury, NH 03224 www.shakers.org (603)783-9511 |
| Chandler's Grille and Bar | Bar and restaurant | Merrimack Valley | Acoustic Music - Sunday nights | 1181 Elm St. Manchester, NH, 03101 Call 836-5115 for details. |
| Chip and Run Pub & Grill | Pub and restaurant at Nippo Lake Country Club | Merrimack Valley | Bluegrass Concerts -Sunday nights, 6:00 – 8:00 pm (September through May) | 550 Province Rd., Barrington, NH 03825 (603)664-2030 |
| Claremont Opera House |
A restored grand building from the late 1800’s, currently seats 766 people. | Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee | Concerts | PO Box 664 Claremont, NH 03743 www.claremontoperahouse.com info@claremontoperahouse.com (603) 542-0064 |
| Common Man | Mostly acoustic acts Friday & Saturday, all in the upstairs pub. All very rustic, dining room on the first floor, and full bars. | Lakes Region | Open Mic - Every Thursday, 8:00pm Hosted by Jim McHugh and Dave Walker | 60 Main St. Ashland, NH 03217 visit website (603) 968-7030 |
| Corner House | A variety of music, acoustic & not, on Friday nights. Several dining rooms serving full dinners, pub fare, & full bar. |
Lakes Region | 22 Main Street Center Sandwich, NH 03227 www.cornerhouseinn.com info@cornerhouseinn.com 603-284-6219 |
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| Crackskulls Coffee and Books | Monthly acoustic open mic in book store/coffee shop. | Seacoast | Second-Tuesday open "mic" 6:30 to 8:45pm. Call 682-6375 to sign up. Walk-ins welcome, too. Totally acoustic. | 86 Main Street Newmarket, NH 03857 Phone: 603.659.8181 Email: michelle@crackskulls.com |
| Cu ne mara | No surprise, plenty of Irish music, Friday nights and an annual August festival. Also bluegrass in the Tiki bar. Irish & standard food, bar, Guinness of course. | Lakes Region | 11 Hobart Rd Bristol, NH 03222 (603) 744-6336 |
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| Deb's Chesham House Concerts | Join us ahead of time to meet and mingle with new friends and old with a pot-luck dinner. These concerts often sell out in advance and advanced reservations is required. | Monadnock | House Concerts - see website for schedule | For information about the pot-luck, directions and reservations email deb@pfmsconcerts.org or call 603-827-2905. |
| Del Rossi's | Occasional all acoustic concerts & jams. Amazing handmade Italian food served in several rooms in a remodeled old farmhouse. Bar and cozy stage. Upstairs is well stocked acoustic instrument shop. | Monadnock | Jams - Celtic Every Wed., beginner's start at 6:30, open jam 7:30 - 9:30 | Route 137N. Dublin, NH 03444 delrossi4@verizon.net 603-563-7195 |
| Dolphin Striker | Music downstairs in the Spring Hill Tavern, variety of acoustic and electric music. Pub fare & bar downstairs, fancier grub upstairs. | Seacoast | 15 Bow Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 www.dolphinstriker.com (603) 431-5222 |
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| Dover Brickhouse | Seacoast | Open Mic - Every Tuesday, 8:00 pm | 2 Orchard St. Dover, NH. Hosted by Anthony Fiandaca |
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| East Concord Community Center | Call the Recreation Department at 225-8690 to rent this venue. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts, Contra Dances | 18 Eastman Street Concord, NH. 03301 City of Concord website |
| Elysium Arts Folk Club | Music, dance or poetry, storytelling, and visual arts developing a community of artists working together with the "folk" of the community. | Seacoast | Lower Mills at Salmon Falls Rollinsford, NH 03869 603.743.4700 |
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| First Friday Coffeehouse | First Unitarian Society in Exeter | Seacoast | Coffeehouse - Sign-up at 6:30, music, poetry, story telling begin at 7:30. First Friday of every month, year-round. | 12 Elm St. Exeter bmoore628@comcast.net 642-4648 |
| Garrison Players Art Center | Bluegrass Jam and Coffeehouse | Seacoast | Jam & Coffeehouse - 6:30pm monthly, either Thursday or Friday nights | Route 4 Rollingsford, NH bluegrassworkshop@gmail.com |
| Granite Grange | Coffeehouse/Open Mic | Merrimack Valley | Sign-ups at 6:30 or email StrumMA@aol.comOpen Mic 7:00 - 9:30 and there's likely to be a short jam session at the end for all. | 23 Webster St. Milford, NH StrumMA@aol.com |
| Graverobbers Coffeehouse | A community hospitality project of Loudon Congregational Church, an evangelical, Christ-centered fellowship in Loudon, NH. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts | 7018 Church Street Loudon, NH Visit Website |
| Franklin Opera House | A remodeled 1800’s building with a 675 seating capacity. A variety of entertainment on stage here, with occasional acoustic acts. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts | Franklin City Hall, 316 Central Street, Franklin, NH www.franklinoperahouse.org info@franklinoperahouse.org 603-934-1901 |
| Great Waters Folk Festival | National acts, several acoustic ones in this 900 seat outdoor summer pavilion, including the annual 3 day Folk Festival in August. | Lakes Region | Festival | 58 North Main St. Wolfeboro, NH 03894 info@greatwaters.org |
| Harlows Pub | Lots of weekend acoustic acts, Monday bluegrass jam, Wed. acoustic jam. Dinners, pub fare, bar in a renovated 1800’s building. | Monadnock | Jams - Bluegrass jam hosted by The Birch Benders bluegrass band every other Thursday, 8-11pm | 3 School Street Peterborough, NH http://www.harlowspub.com |
| Henderson’s Picking Parlor | Weekly bluegrass / country jams | Merrimack Valley | Jams - Weekly on Thursdays, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
179 Raymond Road Candia, NH, 03034 483-5001 |
| Idlewild North Steakhouse | Off Rte. 114, across from Pat's Peak ski area. Music on Saturdays, local acoustic bands. Dinners & full bar. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts | 35 Flanders Road Henniker, NH(603) 428-4353 |
| May Kelly's Cottage | Irish Session | White Mountains | Session - 3:00 – 7:00 every Sunday | North Conway, NH., 03860 Search for it on www.folkjam.org for details |
| Johnny Bads Sports Bar and Grill |
every Wednesday from 8PM-11PM. Originals & Covers. All you need to bring is your instrument- vocal, acoustic guitar, bass, harmonica. Friendly hosts and very convenient. | Merrimack Valley | Acoustic jam | 542 Elm St,(across from the Verizon) Manchester, NH 03101 DTBAD020308@Yahoo.com (603) 222-9191 |
| Lebanon Opera House | A grand 80 year old venue with a seating capacity of 800. It features a variety of entertainment, and very supportive of acoustic music. | Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee | Concerts | 51 North Park Street Lebanon, NH 03766 www.lebanonoperahouse.org info@lebanonoperahouse.org (603) 448 0400 |
| Liberty Music Gathering | Lakes Region | Open Mic - Every other Saturday, 6pm | 5 Highland Ave. Milton Mills, NH. Contact Gordon & Wendy Parsons |
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| Mocha Rizing | A coffee/tea house specializing in organic gifts, coffee, teas, deserts, and smoothies. | Lakes Region | 25 Main Street Center Sandwich, NH 03227 mocha_rizing@yahoo.com (603)284-9995 |
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| Mont Vernon Congregational Church | The Round Room Coffee House offers an Open Mic/Feature/Open Mic format. Open Mic is a 3 song/15 minute set. The Feature gets twice that. | Merrimack Valley | Coffeehouse/Open Mic | Route 13 Mont Vernon NH (603) 759-1885 info@roundroomcoffeehouse.com Visit Website |
| New Moon Coffeehouse | Monthly acoustic music, dedicated to supporting the creative talents of up-and-coming acoustic performers. Tickets are on sale from 6:30PM the day of the show at the church. Doors open to the public at 7:30 and shows start at 8:00. Advance purchase at the website. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts | Universalist Unitarian Church 15 Kenoza Avenue Haverill, MA www.newmooncoffeehouse.org 617-327-0542 |
| Old White Church in Center Tuftonboro | Country, gospel & bluegrass jams | Lakes Region | Jams - Wednesdays from 6 to 9:30 pm | Route 109A across from the Tuftonboro General Store & Post Office Contact Joe at 569-3861 |
| Orchard Street Chop Shop | Seacoast | Open Mic - Every Monday 8:00 pm Hosted by Dave Ogden | 1 Orchard St, Dover, NH. 603-749-0006 |
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| Pat’s Peak Ski Area | Sled Pub, upstairs at Pat's Peak. | Merrimack Valley | Open Mic - Every Friday 8pm during the winter, hosted by Loose Change | 24 Flanders Rd. Henniker, NH. 603-428-3245 http://www.patspeak.com |
| Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival | Featuring national & local bands, largely traditional bluegrass. Held the first weekend of August. | White Mountains | Festival | Branch Brook Campground off I-93, Exit 28, Route 49 West Campton, NH http://pemivalleybluegrass.com |
| Peterborough Folk Music Society | An all volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the most innovative, entertaining and diverse musicians to the Monadnock Region since 1996. | Monadnock | Concerts | PO Box 41 Peterborough, NH 03458 603/827-2905 www.pfmsconcerts.org |
| Prescott Park Arts Festival | Site of the annual Folk Festival featuring local artists, and a concert series favoring national acoustic acts. | Seacoast | Festival | Marcy Street and Mechanic Street Portsmouth, NH www.prescottpark.org nfo@prescottpark.org (603)436-2848 |
| Press Room | Usually jazz, blues, Irish or acoustic acts. Performance space upstairs & down. Light pub fare & full bar. | Seacoast | Concerts | 77 Daniel St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 www.pressroomnh.com (603) 431-5186 |
| Rochester Opera House | Another of NH’s grand venues, this one 100 years old, hosting a variety on acts. | Lakes Region | Concerts | 31 Wakefield Street Rochester, NH. 03867 www.rochesteroperahouse.com (603)332-2211 |
| Round Room Coffeehouse | Monthly open mic, (except summer), with a feature act. Held in a half round room off the Congregational Church in town, great acoustics. | Monadnock | Open Mic - 2nd Saturday of the Month (usually). Music Begins at 7:30pm Musician Sign-In at 7:00pm |
4 South Main St. Mont Vernon NH 03057 Visit Website info@roundroomcoffeehouse.com |
| Shaskeen Pub | Traditional Irish music & sessions Sundays & Mondays. Full restaurant and Irish pub & properly pulled Guinness. | Merrimack Valley | Session - Traditional Irish Music Mondays at 7pm | 909 Elm Street Manchester, NH http://www.theshaskeen.com shaskeen@theshaskeen.com 603-625-0246 |
| Silver Arts Center | Performing arts center at Plymouth State University | White Mountains | Check website for concerts | 17 High Street Plymouth, NH 03264-1595 Phone: 603-535-ARTS Email: silver-center@plymouth.edu http://www.plymouth.edu/silver/ |
| Simple Gifts Coffeehouse | Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua. Roughly bi-monthly concerts, regional & national artists. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts | 58 Lowell St. Nashua, NH. 03064 Visit Website 603 882-1091 |
| Songpull - The Shaskeen | Merrimack Valley | Open Mic - 7:30 first Monday of every month specifically for songwriters who are inspired to write new songs and perform them live. | Shaskeen Pub 909 Elm St. Manchester, NH http://www.juicerocks.com |
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| Stone Mountain Arts Center | Just over the border in Maine. Mostly national acts 2 or 3 nights a week, way out in the boonies in a beautiful timber framed building. Dinner, wine, beer available. | White Mountains | Concerts | 695 Dug Way Road Brownfield, Maine 04010 Visit website info@stonemountainartscenter.com (866) 227-6523 |
| Strawbery Banke | A restored colonial neighborhood in this historic port. Many events, some using local musicians. | Seacoast | Concerts | 14 Hancock Street Portsmouth, NH 038301 www.strawberybanke.org/museum info@strawberybanke.org (603) 433-1100 |
| Studio 99 Nashua | An inspirational setting for music performance and collaborations | Merrimack Valley | Jams - Bluegrass jam 3rd Wednesday of each month (starting April 15th), 7pm - 10pm. Eclectic Acoustic Jam - 2nd Wednesday (traditional and contemporary folk) 7 pm - 9 pm Participants: $5 cash in the hat; audience members free Open Mic - 4th Saturday of each month at 8. Sign-up at 7:45. |
115 Main Street Nashua, NH (603) 562-5179 http://www.studio99nashua.com |
| Sunapee Community Coffeehouse - Sunapee Methodist Church | Encourages professional and amateurs musicians alike in a listening room enviroment where performers can offer up their songs and stories to an attentive audience. Original songs encouraged but not required. | Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee | Open Mic - Fridays at 7pm, weekly scheduled acts, except for monthly open mics. | 17 Lower Main Street Sunapee, NH info@sunapeecoffeehouse.org http://sunapeecoffeehouse.org 763-2668 |
| Tamworth Arts Council | The arts council puts on shows from international to local musicians, using different local venues, including the org Barnstormers Theatre at 100 Main Street, Tamworth | Lakes Region | Concerts | PO Box 1, Tamworth, NH 03886 http://www.artstamworth.org/ juno@artstamworth.org (603)-323-8104 |
| The Mill, Ice Cream & Fudge Factory | An intimate venue (40 seats) perched on a rushing river, where acoustic acts can perform without amplification. Open mic on Friday, local acts on Saturday. | Lakes Region | Open Mic - Every Friday 7:00-10pm.
Just show up, or call or email ahead to sign up for a 15 minute time slot. Concerts by local acts Saturday nights. |
2 Central Street Bristol, NH 03222 http://www.themillbristol.com/ themill21@yahoo.com (603) 473-2522 |
| Tuftonboro Music Open Mic | Held at the White Church in Center Tuftonboro. Proceeds go to local charities. | Lakes Region | Currently scheduled dates are 3/20, 4/10, 5/20, and 6/17. Show starts at 7:00. Artist sign up starts at 6:30. Donations greatly appreciated. | White Church is located on 109-A right across from the Center Tuftonboro General Store. Contact Natalie Hebden at tuftonboromusic@gmail.com 860-729-5268 |
| Tupelo Music Hall | This 150- 230 seat venue is mostly acoustic, with national acts 4 nights a week. Light fare available and BYOB. | Merrimack Valley | Concerts & Open Mic 1st Thursday of the month, 6pm. Each night will have a feature act, who will perform a 1/2 hour set @ 8:30, and will be paid by "passing the hat" for collections. |
2 Young Road Londonderry, NH 03053 www.tupelohall.com info@tupelohall.com (603)-437-5100 |
| Unitarian Church in Durham | Mostly Canadian fiddle tunes, Swedish, American, contra dance tunes | Seacoast | Jams - 7:30 – 10:30 Wednesday evenings | Durham, NH. 03864 Contact David Masury dmasury@groupe-innova.com Peter Yarensky peter.yarensky@unh.edu |
| Vermont Instruments School of Lutherie | Concerts and instruction by nationally touring guest musicians. | Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee | Concerts | http://www.vermontinstruments.com/ (802) 727 4311 |
| Wildcat Tavern | A rustic inn offering music & pub fare in the tavern and a classier dining room. A variety of music 3 nights a week year round, and a Tues.hoot night. | White Mountains | Concerts | Route 16A Jackson Village, NH 03846 www.thewildcatinn.com (603) 383-4245 |
| Wolfeboro Folk | Mostly national acts, locally grown, organic dinners available before the show, BYOB. Shows often sell out. |
Lakes Region | Festival | Fall - Spring concerts at Tumbledown Farm, Rte. 109, (295 Governor Wentworth Road), Brookfield, 03872 Summer concerts: Moody Mountain Farm's historic barn, 100 Pork Hill Road (just off Route 28), Wolfeboro, 03894 www.wolfeborofolk.com (603) 522-8697 |