Ventura Music Scene

Experience the Eclectic Blend
of the Ventura Music Scene

Click here for this week's live music calendar

W20 Lounge W2O Lounge
598 E. Main Street
(805) 643-6800

This is Ventura’s swankiest nightlife spot. The lounge is popular day or night and the best seats overlook Main Street. Owner, Mark Hatley’s connections in the music biz helps keep top talent booked. The lounge, located above the Watermark restaurant, is good size with couch style and bar seating. But it's popularity can make it crowded. Dress code enforced except on Sundays. Live entertainment, Thurs thru Sat night and Sunday afternoon. First-come, first-serve, no cover charge. Click here for this week's music calendar at W20.

Zoey's Cafe Zoey’s Café
185 East Santa Clara Street
(805) 653-1137

Located next to the historic Clocktowner Inn, Zoey’s Cafe offers the perfect setting to listen to live music performed by talented and diverse singer/songwriters in the styles of Americana, folk, rock, country, pop, soul, blues, lyrical, alternative, latin, reggae, rockabilly and jazz. Click here for this week's music calendar at Zoey's.

Café Fiore
66 South California Street
(805) 653-1266

If you stick around long enough after your meal, the Ventura music scene sometimes comes to you. Café Fiore serves up live music and Top-40 in the fireplace lounge and tree house lounge in the rear. The small lounge up front makes it a tight dancing spot but the atmosphere is fun & low-key. Private cabana-style seating in the tree house lounge is roomier but still cozy. And there’s more dance space to bust-a-move. By the way, the martinis here are delicious. Music: weekend nights. No cover charge. Click here for this week's music calendar at Café Fiore.

Bernadette's On Main Bernadette’s On Main
701 East Main Street
(805) 643-6749

Known for promoting live local entertainment, Bernadette’s offers music on their patio 4 out of 7 nights of the week. They don’t just stick to one genre either. The acts include rock, blues, bluegrass and more. Good menu and never a cover charge.

It's All Good It’s All Good
533 East Main Street
(805) 643-6800

It’s All Good doesn’t wait for the sun to set to start their nightlife entertainment. They get started in the afternoon and continue on throughout the night. Both live bands and DJ’s keep the joint hopping with music ranging from rock to rap and everything in between depending on what night of the week you go. The place tends to draw a lively crowd, especially on the weekends. Monday night is open-mic night. If you’re in search of an original sound you’re sure to find it here. Click here for this week's music calendar at It's All Good.

bombay Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S California St
(805) 643-4404

One of the oldest member's of the Ventura music scene, Bombay has a unique multiple personality - Top 40 cover band playing up front (most weekend nights), sports broadcasting on the TVs above the bar, and a “Vegas” like lounge with DJ spinning House in the back. Open 7 days till 2:00am. Cover charge $8.00 per person Fri & Sat nights only. Click here for this week's music calendar at Bombay.

j's tapas J’s Tapas
204 East Main Street
(805) 648-4853

If your idea of fun nightlife includes listening to world class Jazz, sipping exotic martinis and savoring gourmet tapas, look no further than Js Tapas. This upscale martini bar also offers a fine wine selection and scrumptious dessert menu. J's has also spiced up the entertainment by adding a adding a cabaret style belly dancer to their line-up. Tues thru Sun 5 pm to close (depends on how busy it is). Weeknights usually open till midnight.

El Rey Cantina
294 East Main Street
(805) 653-1111

El Rey gives tribute “the King” with pictures on the wall. The Jukebox plays good tunes (yet oddly enough we have yet to hear Elvis music playing on it). But more importantly, this cozy little bar serves up yummy Mexican tapas and killer margaritas. El Rey gets high marks for fun atmosphere, good food (somewhat pricey) and signature cocktails. The place is usually packed on weekend nights and SRO. DJ on the weekends, after 10pm. Mon thru Sun 11:30am thru 1:30am. No cover charge.

Star Lounge
343 East Main Street
(805) 648-4709

This former "dive bar" has become much more appealing since the entrance got a complete facelift with attractive store front windows that open the place up. Still, it remains a down home bar where the drinks aren’t over priced and the cover band plays good music. If you just want to kick back, shoot some pool and chug a few beers, this is the ticket.

Blackbeard's Seaside BBQ
1591 Spinnaker Drive #115
Ventura Harbor Village
(805) 650-7773

This is a great down to earth place where you can kick back, enjoy BBQ, beer and Blues and watch the boats cruise by in the harbor. And if you decide to get up and boogie a little, you won't be the only one! Click here for this week's music calendar at Blackbeard's.

GiGi's Cocktail Lounge
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411

An all around neighborhood bar with a great night life! GiGi's brings a fun crowd and emits a warm and comfortable ambiance that adults of all ages can enjoy. Though there is never a cover charge, you'll find some of the best local bands playing there every Friday and Saturday night with new bands coming on the scene regularly. There's also a great Karaoke sound system and the best Karaoke host, Steve Luke. Karaoke is every Sunday night from 7pm - midnight. For even more fun, there are two pool tables and a state-of-the art jukebox with nearly every song accessible. Click here for this week's music calendar at GiGi's.

Candlelight Kitchen & Bar Candlelight Kitchen & Bar
211 E Santa Clara St
(805) 643-3264

Located at historic Landmark 78, the atmosphere at Candlelight is like the classic Victorian age meets Vegas, complete with leather sofas, beds on the lawn and cabana deck. The younger crowd sure seems to enjoy the Techno music playing here. The dress code is trendy and strictly enforced meaning nice jeans, shoes and collared shirts for men, and the women dress to impress. Doors open at 4pm for dinner and the club opens at 10pm. No cover charge.

Historic Fact: The two-story Victorian home was built between 1912 and 1914 and designated as historical Landmark 78 in 1991. It is rumored to be haunted by a young Victorian woman. Maybe the Techno music will be enough to finally exorcise the poor thing!