Summer Bucket List: Visit Local Cape Cod Music Venues

Welcome to CapeCod.com’s Summer Bucket List series, brought to you by the good folks at Cape Cod Calling. Each week, we will bring you a new idea for you to enjoy your summer here on Cape Cod.

The music scene on Cape Cod seems to ebb and flow like the tides. There are so many incredibly talented musicians here, but the question is, where can you see great music? Here are a few “must visit” spots for great music this summer on the Cape.

Grumpy’s Pub – Falmouth. Located off the Main drag and on the side of a dirt parking lot, Grumpy’s Pub is considered one of the coolest dive-bars on the Cape with a New England honky-tonk vibe. From local favorites to touring regional bands. It’s not fancy, but the beer is cold and there is always a reason to dance! Local acts like Johnny Hoy and The Bluefish and Crooked Coast make appearances throughout the year.

British Beer Company – Sandwich. One of the 3 British Beer Companies across the Cape. Located on the Hill just up from the intersection of 130 and Rte 6A in Sandwich, you will enjoy music from local performers like Daniel Byrnes or Sara Leketa while you sip a bear and chow down on some of the best burgers and pub food on the Cape!

Cotuit Center For The Arts – Cotuit – This is one of the newer musical venues on the Cape. Located between Hyannis and Mashpee on Rte 28, this multi-use theatre welcomes Grammy winning performers like Lori McKenna to regional greats like Twisted Pines and more. Other highlights include the Provincetown Jazz Festival and the “Kami Lyle Sit A While” performances… And don’t miss their “Wine & Music Wednesdays” the third Wednesday of every month!

Cape Cod Melody Tent – Hyannis – This seasonal venue, which really IS a tent, dates back to 1950 and welcomes national touring acts every summer. One of the many unique features of the Cape Cod Melody Tent is the rotating stage, which ensures all patrons have a great view (front and back) of each performance!

Harvest Gallery & Wine Bar – Dennis – Lock up the breakables and turn up the music. This unique spot located walking distance from the Cape Playhouse and the Cape Cod Museum of Fine Arts showcases a rotation of work from local artists, micro brews, tapas, wine and local musicians

O’Shea’s Olde Inn – West Dennis – If you ever wanted to sit around the fireplace with the family to sing songs while swapping stories over your grandfather’s Irish Stew, this is your spot! Located on rte 28 in what must be a haunted captain’s home, O’Shea’s Olde Inne is a home away from home for many local songwriters and hosts open mic nights and songwriting circles well as traditional Irish music

Cultural Center of Cape Cod – Yarmouth – Another gem of a multi-use center, the Cultural Center was once the old Bass River Savings Bank and still features the old vault as a display room for fine works of art. On any given weekend you can dance to favorites like Sarah Swain and the Oh Boys or dance the night away at one of the regular “sober social” music nights!

Wellfleet BeachComber – Wellfleet – Located at the end of a long winding road and perched on top of a sand dune – literally – The Wellfleet beachcomber is soaked in sand, sweat and Cape Cod history! Originally one of the Coast Guard look-outs, the venue began hosting bands back in 1978 and became known around the world for ska and reggae nights as well as the ever popular Sunday afternoon spots on the Cape. If you like slurping oysters and mudslides between sets, this is a MUST visit for all!

The Wood Shed – Brewster – Sure, you could call it a “dive bar”, but if you skip the chance to visit The Woodshed, you are missing out on an institution for locals in Brewster. One reviewer summed it up in just a few words: “Mosquitos, marguerites, beer and bands”! And yes, it really is an old shed. It can get hot in the summer, but that’s part of the charm!