Gainesville may be home to the University of Florida gators, but this college town celebrates more than just football. The city is actually a major music destination in North Central Florida where many big names and rising stars make tour stops. In fact, Gainesville was late legend Tom Petty's hometown! With such a strong music community, there's no shortage of places to see performances big and small, so head to one of the best live music venues in Gainesville for a rockin' good time!
Located in Downtown Gainesville, High Dive has brought plenty of live music to Gainesville for decades hosting major artists including Dave Matthew's Band, Kenny Chesney, Green Day, Black Keys, and Paramore. The bar and live music venue was once more of a dive bar, but after their recent renovation, the stage and atmosphere are better than ever featuring an outdoor beer garden, the perfect place to talk with friends and grab a drink before the show. Check out their list of upcoming shows on their website to see if your favorite bands are coming to Gainesville soon!
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The Atlantic is a great place for rock music fans, and typical performers include local and smaller bands touring the area. The genre is usually alternative rock and heavy metal, but this live music venue also hosts DJs for more club-like nights. The Atlantic also has themed dance parties with live DJs, so take a look at their website to see upcoming shows and events.
Rockey's Dueling Piano Bar has a different style of live music as their stage is set with two "dueling" pianos and a drum set. The performers play a mix of genres from current hits to old classics, and te live show offers a comedic angle as the two pianists joke back and forth and challenge each other. If you're looking for more than music, this live music venue also has a comedy night every Wednesday.
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A large outdoor concert venue, Bo Diddley Plaza is the heart of downtown Gainesville and recently underwent a 1.8 million-dollar renovation, so it's definitely a beautiful spot for a night out. The plaza is also the center for a variety of events during the day including yoga classes, farmers markets, and festivals. At night, this venue turns into the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors and live music in a family-friendly space. You can see their upcoming music events on their website and plan a fun night out with family and friends.
Tall Paul's Brew House is a large bar in Downtown Gainesville with a large selection of local Florida brews and a full bar. They regularly have live music being performed by a local artist on the stage, so it's more of a relaxed venue great for hang out with friends while listening to music. Check their Facebook page to find scheduled events coming to this live music venue.
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In such a musical area, a night out on the town in Gainesville isn't complete without heading to one of its best live music venues.
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Cover photo courtesy of William Iven on Unsplash
