Live Music Venues in Woodstock and the Hudson Valley
18 rooms, from a 100-capacity bar in Midtown Kingston to a 1,500-seat theater, with 344 shows on the calendar right now.
Most guides to music around here are written by someone with a hotel to fill, and they stop at the same five names. This one is the list we actually keep, because we track every one of these rooms night by night. Each entry below has the address, what the room is genuinely like, what to know before you turn up, and how many shows it has coming.
They are grouped by town, Woodstock first. If you are pointed further afield, there are five bigger rooms within driving distance on the road trips page.
Woodstock
Colony
A 1929 landmark on Rock City Road, restored into Woodstock's rowdiest little music hall — indoor stage, a back Garden, and the Patio for early sets.
What makes it special: From Dylan-era folkies to today's indie acts, everyone passes through this 1929 art-deco landmark, and the tree-lit back garden is one of the best summer hangs in town.
Before you go
- The tree-lit back garden shows are the summer move.
- Two rooms: the main stage and a smaller front bar, check which one your show is in.
- Food and full bar on site, so you can make a whole night of it.
Bearsville Theater
Built as part of Albert Grossman's Bearsville complex, this 16-acre spread on Tinker Street has hosted the Hudson Valley's favorite touring acts for decades.
What makes it special: Part of the original Bearsville studio complex where Dylan, The Band, Janis Joplin and countless legends recorded, stayed and played, set on 16 wooded acres with an album walk of historic records and an outdoor music park on the stream.
Before you go
- Walk the album path of historic records made here, then catch a set.
- There's an outdoor music park on the stream for warm-weather shows.
- Sightlines and sound are excellent, and bigger names sell out, so book early.
Levon Helm Studios
'The Barn' on Plochmann Lane — Levon Helm's home studio and the birthplace of the Midnight Ramble, still one of the most intimate rooms in America.
What makes it special: This is literally Levon Helm's barn, home of the Midnight Rambles, where you sit a few feet from the players in the round.
Before you go
- An intimate, in-the-round experience unlike anywhere else in the area.
- Shows are seated and often sell out fast, plan ahead.
- You're on hallowed ground, this really is Levon's barn.
Maverick Concerts
America's oldest continuous summer chamber-music festival, in a hand-built wooden hall in the woods since 1916. Jazz, family Saturdays, and Friday nights too.
What makes it special: The oldest continuous summer chamber-music series in America, running since 1916 in a hand-built wooden music chapel with remarkable acoustics.
Before you go
- The wooden chapel acoustics are the whole point, no amplification needed.
- Rustic and remote: bring a layer and don't expect a bar scene.
- Saturday family concerts are a lovely low-key intro for kids.
Pearl Moon
A family-run restaurant, bar, and music room on Mill Hill Road serving dinner shows, brunch sets, and late-night grooves.
What makes it special: A real dinner-and-a-show room where the kitchen matters as much as the nightly local bands, brunch sets and DJ nights.
Before you go
- Come hungry, it's a dinner show as much as a concert.
- Reserve a table for the popular acts, seating is limited.
- Brunch sets and late DJ nights round out the live bands.
Woodstock Playhouse
A summer-theatre landmark at the gateway to Woodstock since 1938 — Broadway-style musicals, concerts, and the Woodstock Fingerstyle Guitar Festival.
What makes it special: A summer-stock landmark since 1938 staging full Broadway-style musicals right at the gateway to Woodstock.
Before you go
- Best for fans of Broadway-style musicals and family shows.
- Open-air feel with a roof, comfortable on summer nights.
- Right at the edge of the village, easy to pair with dinner in town.
Saugerties
Opus 40
Harvey Fite's six-acre bluestone sculpture park in Saugerties, doubling as one of the Northeast's most magical outdoor stages.
What makes it special: Six acres of hand-laid bluestone sculpture double as one of the most jaw-dropping outdoor stages in the Northeast.
Before you go
- The setting is unreal, come early to walk the sculpture at golden hour.
- It's outdoors on uneven bluestone, wear sturdy shoes and check the weather.
- Bring a low chair or blanket for lawn-style seating.
The Local
An intimate, all-ages listening room on John Street in Saugerties — good wine, local beer, and up-close sets.
What makes it special: A tiny all-ages listening room whose booking punches far above its size, from Ukrainian folk to jazz trailblazers.
Before you go
- Genuinely all-ages and intimate, a listening-room vibe.
- Buy in advance, it's $5 more at the door and shows sell out.
- Great natural wine and local beer, no big-venue markup.
Kingston
Assembly
Kingston's newest concert hall, in the historic Uptown Stockade District.
What makes it special: Kingston's newest purpose-built concert hall, a rare mid-sized room in the historic Stockade district.
Before you go
- A comfortable mid-size hall, good sightlines throughout.
- Uptown Kingston location means dinner and drinks are steps away.
- Newer room, so expect clean sound and modern amenities.
Old Dutch Church
A historic 1852 church in Uptown Kingston, an occasional home for Maverick's chamber-music series.
What makes it special: Chamber music inside an 1852 stone church, one of Maverick's most atmospheric off-site homes.
Before you go
- A gorgeous, resonant stone church, dress a little warm in shoulder season.
- Chamber programming, so arrive on time, latecomers wait for a break.
- Limited dates, it's an occasional Maverick offsite.
TEMPO Performing Arts Center
An 1867 church in Kingston's Rondout district reborn as a community performing-arts center — concert hall, lounge, world-music festivals and roots-music jams.
What makes it special: An 1867 Rondout church reborn as a community arts center, big on world music and roots jams.
Before you go
- Strong on world music and roots, a welcoming community feel.
- Historic church space with character and good acoustics.
- Rondout district, so pair it with the Kingston waterfront.
Tubby's
A beloved Midtown Kingston bar with a fearless underground booking — indie, experimental, punk, global and DJ/dance nights, plus great cocktails and natural wine.
What makes it special: A fearless Midtown Kingston spot with a nationally respected underground booking: punk, experimental, global and DJ nights, plus great natural wine.
Before you go
- The booking is fearless, this is where the underground plays.
- Small and can get packed, go early for the buzzed-about shows.
- Excellent cocktails and natural wine, plus a solid kitchen.
UPAC (Ulster Performing Arts Center)
A grand 1,500-seat 1927 theater in Midtown Kingston, run by Bardavon — the area's biggest room for national touring acts, from indie and rock to jazz, folk and comedy.
What makes it special: The area's grand room, a restored 1927 theater where 1,500 seats fill for the biggest touring names to reach Kingston.
Before you go
- The big room in Kingston, best for national headliners.
- No elevator, contact the box office ahead for ADA seating.
- Metered street and lot parking nearby, free after 6pm.
Catskill
The Avalon Lounge
A 100-capacity Catskill music room with a Korean-inspired kitchen — indie, experimental, folk, jazz, punk and dance nights.
What makes it special: A 100-capacity Catskill room with a Korean kitchen and a booking that swings from noise to jazz to dance parties.
Before you go
- Adventurous booking plus a Korean kitchen, an easy full evening.
- Small capacity, so tickets can move fast for touring acts.
- Catskill's Main Street is worth arriving early for.
Hudson
Hudson Hall
The restored 1855 opera house on Warren Street — New York State's oldest surviving theater, now home to concerts, opera, and the Hudson Jazz Festival.
What makes it special: New York State's oldest surviving theater, beautifully restored, and home to the Hudson Jazz Festival.
Before you go
- A jewel-box historic theater, every seat feels close.
- Strong classical and jazz programming, home of the Hudson Jazz Festival.
- Warren Street location is perfect for a pre-show stroll.
The Half Moon
A beloved little bar and pizza joint on Hudson's waterfront with a packed calendar of indie bands, karaoke, and dance parties.
What makes it special: A beloved little waterfront bar and pizza joint with a packed calendar of indie bands, karaoke and dance parties.
Before you go
- Unpretentious, fun, and cheap, with pizza and a waterfront patio.
- Karaoke and dance nights are a scene, not just concerts.
- Small room, so it fills up on big nights.
Basilica Hudson
A cavernous repurposed 1880s factory by the river — big, atmospheric concerts, Basilica Soundscape, and the annual 24-Hour Drone.
What makes it special: A cavernous 1880s riverside factory built for big, immersive sound, home to Basilica Soundscape and the annual 24-Hour Drone.
Before you go
- Built for big, immersive sound and ambitious one-off events.
- Cavernous and industrial, it can run cold, bring a layer.
- Watch for festival weekends like Soundscape and the 24-Hour Drone.
Phoenicia
Phoenicia Playhouse
Phoenicia's historic community playhouse (since 1887) — musicals, film nights, and the roots-and-Americana Flying Cat Music concert series.
What makes it special: A tiny 1887 community playhouse in the mountains with a warm roots-and-Americana concert series.
Before you go
- A charming small-town playhouse, warm and welcoming.
- Best for the roots-and-Americana Flying Cat series.
- Deep in the Catskills, make an afternoon of the drive.
Frequently asked questions
How many live music venues are there around Woodstock, NY?
We track 18 rooms across Woodstock, Saugerties, Kingston, Catskill, Hudson and Phoenicia, with 344 shows currently on the calendar. That covers listening rooms, bars, theaters and outdoor stages, not just the well-known names.
Which Woodstock venue should I go to first?
It depends what you want. Colony on Rock City Road is the easiest to walk into and has the back garden in summer. Levon Helm Studios is the one people travel for, and the Midnight Ramble sells out early. Bearsville Theater is the bigger touring room.
Do I need tickets in advance?
For the listening rooms and theaters, yes, and often well in advance. Bar shows are usually walk-up. Every venue page here links straight to that room's own ticketing, since we do not sell tickets.
What is the biggest venue in the area?
UPAC in Kingston, at about 1,500 seats. The smallest rooms we track, Tubby's in Kingston and The Avalon Lounge in Catskill, hold around 100, which is most of the appeal.
Is there live music in Woodstock year round?
Yes, though the shape changes. The indoor rooms run all year; the outdoor stages, Opus 40 and the Colony garden, are a summer thing, and Maverick Concerts runs a summer chamber season.