Where to hear live music in Bowling Green: White Squirrel Brewery and Shake Rag Bar on State Street, Spillway Bar and Grill, The Capitol, SKyPAC and free summer concerts.

Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. Venues are listed from their own pages and the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s listings and live music guide. We do not list individual gigs; each venue posts its own calendar. Plan a sober ride home.

Bowling Green’s nightlife clusters in two places: State Street’s Shake Rag Historic District, home to White Squirrel Brewery and Shake Rag Bar and Lounge, and Fountain Square, with bars and restaurants on and around the square. Out on River Street, Spillway is the big local stage, and SKyPAC and The Capitol bring touring acts downtown.

Before you head out

  • Downtown parking: more than 1,200 free spaces (city parking map, PDF).
  • Under 21? White Squirrel Brewery welcomes all ages; check other venues before you go.
  • Getting home: plan a sober ride. Emergencies: 911. Police non-emergency: 270-393-4000.

Live music venues

Venue What to expect Where Phone
White Squirrel Brewery Craft brewery with two stages, a beer garden, food trucks, trivia and Singo on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.; all ages 302 State St. 270-599-1559
Spillway Bar and Grill Wings by day; live music every weekend night after 8 p.m.; cornhole on Thursdays 2195 River St. 270-842-9397
The Capitol Historic 750-seat theater on Fountain Square, run by the public library 416 E. Main Ave. 270-904-6040
SKyPAC 1,800-seat hall for touring acts and Orchestra Kentucky 601 College St. 270-904-1880
Mellow Mushroom Pizza and craft beer, live music most weekends 1035 Chestnut St. 270-393-1800
Van Meter Hall WKU’s 1,000-seat auditorium: university bands, choirs, the WKU Symphony and jazz WKU, 1906 College Heights Blvd. WKU

The visitors bureau says Spillway’s stage has hosted acts including Chris Stapleton and Black Stone Cherry. The bureau also points to Donna’s, a downtown bar with local and touring bands and DJs (Facebook), and Molotov Skateshop, a skate shop by day and a punk and folk punk venue by night (Facebook).

Bars and lounges

  • Shake Rag Bar and Lounge, 315 State St., in the Shake Rag Historic District: cocktails, mocktails, music and indoor and outdoor seating. BrainBlast Trivia is free every Monday at 6:30 p.m., and Bike Night runs Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. (trivia listing). 270-473-1162.
  • Alley Pub and Pizza, 422 E. Main Ave., Suite D, down Capitol Arts Alley off Fountain Square. 270-904-6027.
  • Hickory and Oak, 705 State St., Unit 54: more than 125 bourbons at the bar, with a patio over Circus Square Park. 270-715-9268.
  • 440 Main, 440 E. Main Ave.: a bar on one side and a dining room on the other, overlooking Fountain Square; open Tuesday to Saturday from 4 p.m. (440 Main). 270-793-0450.
  • Pub by Novo, 2425 Scottsville Road, Suite 127: a sports bar with craft beers, cocktails, big screens and a game room (Pub by Novo). 270-715-6686.

Comedy, dancing and games

  • Line dancing lessons at Spillway Bar and Grill, 6 to 9 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month; children welcome with an adult (listing).
  • Don’s House of Comedy shows at One Roof, 400 E. Main Ave., in the Pushin Building (listing).
  • Conundrum Workshop, 1901 Russellville Road: escape games for groups and couples. 270-282-0792.

Free music outdoors

  • Fountain Row Fridays: free live music on Fountain Square, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Fridays in spring and fall.
  • Concerts in the Park: free Friday night concerts with food trucks at Circus Square Park in summer.
  • Winterfest: local bands at The Capitol on winter Fridays; the 2025 series ran Feb. 7-28.

Dates for each series are on our things to do this month page and summer page.

Wineries and distilleries

  • Purple Toad Winery and Distillery, 6245 Cemetery Road, a tasting room about 10 minutes from I-65 Exit 26, the visitors bureau says. 270-554-0010.
  • Bluegrass Vineyard, 5016 Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road, with events such as Sip and Shop and comedy nights. 270-853-1718.
  • Balance Distilling Company, 3558 Will Bohannon Road, Smiths Grove: tastings and tours Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I hear live music in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

White Squirrel Brewery on State Street has two stages, Spillway Bar and Grill on River Street turns into a live music venue on weekend nights after 8 p.m., and The Capitol and SKyPAC host touring acts. Mellow Mushroom on Chestnut Street has live music most weekends.

Is there trivia night in Bowling Green?

Shake Rag Bar and Lounge, 315 State St., holds free BrainBlast Trivia every Monday at 6:30 p.m. White Squirrel Brewery also holds trivia nights and Singo, music bingo, on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Are there free concerts in Bowling Green?

Yes. Fountain Row Fridays bring free music to Fountain Square from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Fridays in spring and fall, and Concerts in the Park fill Circus Square Park on summer Friday nights.

Where is there line dancing in Bowling Green?

Spillway Bar and Grill, 2195 River St., holds line dancing lessons from 6 to 9 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month. Children are welcome with an adult.