Nightlife in downtown Stillwater, Minnesota never sleeps. Year-round the 30 restaurants and pubs burst with culinary greatness and many also have live entertainment. Downtown is home to 13 live music venues including restaurant lounges, a new live performance theater, a brewery and a speakeasy. River towns like to rock even when the river is closed during the winter but be sure to come back for patio and outdoor music festival season as well. With two new boutique hotels right on main street (Lora & Hotel Crosby), this thriving night life scene has become even better as visitors can walk from their downtown hotel room or loft rental.
Entertainment ranges from live comedy to ukelele open mic jams, acoustic duos to country bands, cover bands belting out top 40 hits to classics of the 70s and 80s, intimate three piece jazz ensembles to local rock band headliners that will make you dance all night.
Romantic date night or “let’s meet for a drink, I had a rough day” friend’s night out, downtown Stillwater’s live music venues offer variety and are easy to get to. Skip the drive into the big city – find free parking on-street year-round or free parking in lots November-April – stroll to find your new favorite live music joint. Create your own live music walking tour as you sample the sounds criss-crossing beautiful historic Main Street! We’ve preserved the beauty of the past while infusing the fun of the present. Check it out!
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram as we broadcast live music samples from each venue this winter.
Check out Discoverstillwater.com/dining-night-life/ for a complete list of dining and nightlife establishments in Stillwater, Minnesota and the calendar for special events.
Share your nights out downtown with #discoverstillwater on Instagram. Life is short, have fun and don’t forget to travel and try new places!
The Tilted Tiki
324 S. Main St.
Stillwater, MN
Open 7 Days a Week. Happy Hour Mon-Friday 3-6pm.
See live music schedule on their Facebook page.
Instagram Story Live Video , FB Live 1/24. Artist: Grant Walker
Venue Type: Tropical-themed bar & lounge with great attitude of fun and relaxation.
Live Music Genre: Weekly live music inside the tropical vacation oasis or outside on the Main Street facing patio. Great local and national acts on our stages, including Tati the Island Boy, Gary LaRue Ratpack Band, and more events like comedy, open mic or purse bingo.
Fare: Bursting with island flavors and house-made sauces, try any of the sharable plates like the coconut shrimp, luao fries with pulled pork/onions/cheese, salads and vegetarians won’t want to miss the new Vegan menu – the tropical pineapple beyond plant-based burger is delightful!
Cocktails: Strong, citrusy and rum-forward – the colorful menu of tropical cocktails is beautiful. It’s especially pleasing to the eye during the winter months. Go big with a classic Mai Tai or just sample a volcano shooter. Excellent happy hour deals on beer and drinks, too!
Claim to Fame: Best place to feel like you are on a vacation or stay-cation year-round.
Portside
317 S. Main St.
Stillwater, MN
Open 7 Days a Week. Happy Hour Wed-Friday 3-6pm.
Find live music schedule on their Facebook page.
Instagram Story Live Video, Facebook Live Video 3/8/19 Artist: The Good, The Bad & The Funky
Venue Type: Huge second story recently renovated brick-filled space with large windows overlooking the St. Croix River. The backdrop of the live music stage are windows to Main Street with an adjacent dance floor, pool table, darts & high top tables for seating near music. Large bar area for seating with sports tvs as well as a back section for private rental with fireplace.
Live Music Genre:. Live music every Friday Night (through April) and live DJ every Saturday night year-round (and Fridays in summer). Check Facebook page for other events as well. Genre tends to be Top 40s, rock, pop, dance and a little country.
Fare: Spicy wings, wood-fired pizzas, burgers and a few Chef Smalley signature dishes like the mac and cheese with bacon and jalapenos or pork tacos.
Cocktails: Signature cocktails include ‘single and ready to mingle’ with strawberry infused vodka but a full bar with beer taps and wine are at your service with great drink specials.
Claim to Fame: Best place in town to dance and huge river view windows.
Marx’s Fusion Bistro & Wine Bar
241 S. Main St.
Stillwater, MN
Open 7 Days a Week. Live music every Tuesday night – see Website.
Insta-Story Live and Facebook Live Video 2/19/19, Artist: Dave Burkhardt and Tim Grady Music
Venue Type: Warm, contemporary atmosphere with a full bar and windows to Main Street where passers by can see the lively atmosphere. Marx Fusion Bistro captures the ideals of a bistro that can have the identity of casual chic.
Live Music: Every Tuesday from 7:30-9:30 the dynamic duo of Dave Burkart and Tim
Grady entertain guest with their incredible voices and performances of constant song
requests. Plus, these guys are pretty fun!
Fare: Fusion is the integration of flavors influenced from Chef Mark’s culinary
experiences. Marx’s flavor profile is known to be bold and eclectic featuring nightly seafood specials and a menu that has a unique blend of Caribbean, Asian, and Italian American cuisine. Try the unique endive and beet salad or the to die for homemade spinach Pappardelle pasta!
Cocktails: Full bar with large wine and martini lists – try our favorite, the blueberry basil martini.
Claim to Fame: Their vibe can teleport guests from Stillwater to a major metropolis like New York or a trendy South Beach, Miami.
The Loft at Studio
214 S. Main St.
Stillwater, MN
See Calendar for Events here and at sister venue, JX.
Instagram Story Live Video 1/11/19 Event: Puppies & Pumps Drag Show, another one is coming up in March but at a larger venue due to the crowds.
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Ziggy’s Street Food & Live Music
132 S. Main St.
Stillwater, MN
Open Tues-Sunday. Happy Hour Thurs-Sat 5-8pm.
Follow on Facebook for live music schedule.
Instagram Live Story Video, Live FB Video on 2/23 Artist: Candy Shop Band
Venue Type: A club-like restaurant with live music every weekend, fantastic street
food, a great selection of craft beers and 7 TVs for sports viewing.
Live Music: Every Thursday – Sunday, featuring Piano Bar Happy Hour on Fridays and
Saturdays, Karaoke nights on Tuesdays and Twin Cities favorite Tim Sigler brings his
acoustic country sound to the stage every Sunday afternoon.
Fare: Order delicious street food from their permanent food truck. Changing food
truck menus rolling in all the time. Specials offered almost every night of the week
including Taco Tuesdays, Wing Wednesdays and Burger Night on Thursdays.
Cocktails: Full bar and large selection of craft beers. Not to be missed, full Bloody Mary
Bar on Saturdays and Sundays.
Claim to Fame: Ziggy’s is one of the top music venues in the Twin Cities and the heartbeat of downtown Stillwater.
Charlie’s Irish Pub
101 Water St. S.
Stillwater, MN
Open 7 Days a Week. Located inside Water Street Inn.
See live music schedule on their Facebook page or website.
Instagram Story Live Video, FB Live 2/1/19, Artist: Bedlam Boys
Venue Type: An intimate authentic Irish pub scattered with Jameson, Guiness and Irish flare as the backdrop for friendly whiskey toasts with the crowd. Located inside a downtown historic hotel, the cozy and vibrant pub is a conventient accomodation for your stay in Stillwater.
Live Music Genre: Sing along with favorites or sit back to admire the variety of Celtic instruments from fiddle to mandolin to accordion accompanying guitar and voices of the British islands.
Fare: Nibble on tasty bites like Irish Egg Rolls with corned beef, cabbage, swiss cheese in a crispy fried wontons, house-braised corned beef brisket, or famous fish & chips using Minnesota walleye of course!
Cocktails: Guiness on tap, Minnesota’s own Two Gingers whiskey concocktions, excellent wine list with great prices or in the winter, we love an Irish Coffee topped with whipped cream. Frequent patrons must consider the Whiskey Club for deals and accolades in the pub.
Claim to Fame: A casual pub you can always count on for live music on the weekends year-round. We are looking forward to their outdoor music continuing on the new riverside rooftop this summer as well!
No Neck Tony’s
231 Myrtle St.
Stillwater, MN
Open Tues-Sunday.
Live music every Wednesday night at 9pm. Follow Facebook.
Facebook Live Video and Insta-Story Live 2/6/19, Artist: Dave Burkhart
Venue Type: This quaint, locally owned bar, has great ambiance and a fantastic vibe. It
is definitely the place to be as a last stop for the night. You can find skee-ball, ping
pong, pull tabs, large TV’s and a juke-box that never quits.
Live Music: Local favorite, Dave Burkart, plays acoustic music every Wednesday night.
Fare: No Neck Tony’s serves pizza and also the most amazing skewer of food you will
ever see on top of their award winning Bloody Marys.
Cocktails: Voted “BEST BLOODY MARY” in the St. Croix Valley, but Bloodys are not
the only thing they do well. They offer unique libations, Tito’s Solid Gold in a take home
disco ball and the $5 chocolate martini is a must!
Claim to Fame: Self-proclaimed “Classiest Dive in town”.
Carlito Lounge (above Lolito)
112 Main St. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
651.342.0972
Open Friday & Saturday nights only. Find out who’s playing on Lolito or Carlito’s Facebook page.
Venue Type: Tequiliaria lounge with cozy couches perfect for date night.
Live Music: Local acts and occassional live comedy shows as well.
Fare: Small appetizer menu but you must dive into the cauliflower fritters with parmesan and basil or chimichurri chicken wings in orange-habanero gastrique- all gluten free items!
Cocktails: Only the very best mixologists on hand with a plethora of flavors to try.
Claime to Fame: Take on your friends for a shuffleboard battle.
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The Velveteen Speakeasy
123 2nd St. N. (underground, unmarked door to the left when you enter JX Event Venue)
Stillwater, MN
Open Wed-Sunday. Live Music Thursdays 7-10pm.
Instagram Story Video 11/6/18 Artist: Miss Myra & The Moonshiners
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JX Event Venue
123 2nd St. N.
Stillwater, MN
See Calendar for Events.
Insta-Story Video FB Live 1/25/19 Artist: The 70s Magic Sunshine Band
Venue Type: This event space offers elegance, rustic charm, brick walls from floor to
ceiling and tons of natural light. The recently renovation of this historic building allows for a versatile layout and can accommodate groups of all sizes. Also located in the building is a photography studio, bourbon room, full-service salon, Stillwater Escape Company and the Velveteen Speakeasy!
Live Music: This venue has many opportunities for the public to enjoy live music. From acoustic nights to large concerts to drag shows, this venue has it all! See upcoming schedule.
Fare: Grab a slice of pizza at the bar if you get the munchies while dancing at one of the many concerts. Walking distance to all downtown restaurants so plan to stop there for dinner first.
Cocktails: The bar area is gorgeous and their selection is awesome! Full bar, beer taps and wine available.
Claim to Fame: JX Venue is the largest event venue in the region with the ability to host events up to 720 guests.
Maple Island Brewery
225 N. Main St.
Stillwater, MN
Open 7 Days a Week. See Calendar for more live music.
Instragram Story Live Video, Facebook Live on 3/2/19 Artist: Richard Mettelstet
Venue Type: Maple Island Brewing is a craft micro brewery/taproom located along the
river on Main Street in downtown Stillwater. The outdoor seating area is great in the
warm weather but even when it is chilly, the huge windows show off stunning views of
the St. Croix River valley. Spacious, casual vibe in the taproom, knowledgeable staff
and really good brew.
Live Music: Every Friday from 6-9, Saturday from 3-6 and Sundays from 3-6 (summers
only). Ukele Lessons Every Wednesday at 6pm, too!
Fare: FREE popcorn and Heggie’s pizza await the customers OR bring in food from
local restaurants and sit in the tap room or the beautiful deck with beautiful views of the
St. Croix River.
Cocktails: An impressive list of full flavored craft beer using unique and often local
ingredients. Flagship brews include Cup of Joe Freakshow, White Butt IPA, Burlesque
Kolsch, Maple Island Bock and I Scream made local ice cream from Nelson’s Ice Cream
shop. The brews are sold in prints and flights and growlers to-go.
Claim to Fame: Craft brew with a view.
PD Pappy’s
422 E. Mulberry St.
Stillwater, MN
Located in the marina, open seasonally. Pappy Hour Wed/Thur 3-6pm & Fri 11-6pm. Live music Thurs-Sunday.
Instagram TV, Facebook Video 9/28/19
Stillwater Zephyr Theater
601 N. Main St.
Stillwater, MN 55082
Instagram TV, Facebook Video 4/4/19
Artist: Ross William Perry Band and John Garden with the Rhythm Roosters.
Venue Type: Set on the north end of Main Street in the old Zephyr train depot right downtown Stillwater, this unique spaces works well for all types of live performing arts.
Live Music: Variety of live performance events year-round from blues to jazz, see calendar.
Fare: Enjoy a nice dinner at any one of the 30 restaurants within walking distance downtown Stillwater.
Cocktails:
Claim to Fame: Recently relocated to Minnesota to help with the future of this soon to be renovated theater, the talented jazz drummer & music producer Chico Rouse (son of Charles Rouse Sr) may be seen running things behind the scenes.
More live music venues, located in the area: Lift Bridge Brewery, Chilkoot Cafe, Thor’s Hard Cider Tap Room, Saint Croix Vineyards, The Outing Lodge, Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter