The Places to Groove: A Guide to Gainesville’s Music Venues

On the road between Atlanta and Miami, Gainesville is a prime one-night-stop for travelling bands that haven’t “hit the big time” yet.

You’re not going to catch Beyonce at a massive amphitheater here, but you’ll still have a damn good time wherever you go. Gainesville music venues aren’t fussy or fancy; they focus on the music, the drinks and the good vibes.

Besides attracting traveling talent, Gainesville is also historically an incubator for budding artists who create awesome music. While some local stages showcase bands from around the country, others foster the local-grown talent that our city is famous for.

The homies who own and run these stages are passionate about the concerts they put on, paying homage to Gainesville’s legendary musical past. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, members of The Eagles, Against Me!, Less Than Jake and Sister Hazel are some of the greats from Gainesville.

Each venue in Gainesvegas is a different type of gem, so here’s a quick breakdown:

The Jam – CLOSED

817 W University Avenue

The JAM is, well, a jammin’ place to be. This hodgepodge hole-in-the-wall venue is a jam-band lover’s paradise. With cheap beer, a cozy stage inside and a spacious outdoor stage out back, it’s a place where your inner hippie can roam free. Artwork and musical instruments line the walls and the demographic is a mix between stoned 50-year-olds and UF’s crop of earth-loving intellectuals.

High Dive

210 SW 2nd Avenue

High Dive is the most well-known of Gainesville’s concert venues. If you’re bellying up to the back bar (they got jell-o shots, y’all!) or drinking a tallboy with friends on the outside patio, you’ll be able to hear the music and watch the band on stage. High Dive is a must-visit for any music lover, as it’s typically the only venue in town to feature some of the bigger visiting names. From KRS-One to Of Montreal to the Ying Yang Twins, High Dive brings in diverse musical tastes and is intimate enough to ensure a high-five from the singer.

The Atlantic 

15 N Main Street

“This cozy little club fits like a fine Italian loafer.” The Atlantic is just that: a cool dance hall in downtown Gainesville. The indoor decor is a love child between a sunken ship and a California thrift shop and the drink specials are always hot. The Atlantic’s Thursday night dance party “Doowhachulike” night is the longest running dance night in Gainesville.

Boca Fiesta Backyard

232 SE 1 Street

With killer visibility, a stage under the stars and as many hipsters in the crowd you could ever want, Boca Fiesta Backyard is an under-hyped venue in downtown Gainesville. Attached to Boca Fiesta restaurant, the playground-style wooden benches along the stage are super-casual, perfect on nights when you want to bring a big group of friends and sketch around at a concert with a PBR in hand.

Hardback Cafe

211 W University Avenue

One of the O.G. Gainesville music spots from the ’80s to the ’90s, Hardback Cafe pays huge homage to all good things local: coffee, beers, art and music. The split-level venue stationed along University Avenue has a great lighting and a solid bar with the second level looking down at the stage on the first floor. Where High Dive and The Wooly serve mainly touring bands, Hardback Cafe provides local music groups with a venue that helps them foster creativity.

The Wooly

20 N Main Street

This intimate little hole-in-the-wall makes it feel as though you’ve got your own private show. Modest on the outside, but spacious and chic on the inside, The Wooly is an awesome downtown venue. The raised stage gives concert goers a great view of everything that’s happening on stage and the acoustics are solid. The Wooly remains true to its Gainesville roots, hosting local events like indie art fairs, cultural dances and record swaps.

Loosey’s

120 SW 1st Avenue

Staying true to its title of “Beer | Burgers | Live Music,” Loosey’s offers a dining and listening experience nestled on a historic corner of Gainesville’s downtown area. They offer craft beer and homemade food specials that are rivaled only by their lovely staff. A compact stage, complete with a sound technician, welcomes you at the front door with a complete wrap-around bar in the back. Thankfully, seating is never a problem. Whether you’re looking for a new regular spot or trying something new, Loosey’s provides consistently great food and entertainment.

Bo Diddley Plaza

111 E University Avenue

Bo Diddley Community Plaza, named after the American R&B and Chicago Blues vocalist and guitarist Bo Diddley, is an outdoor stage located in the heart of downtown. Reserved for performances organized by the city of Gainesville and other community partners, it’s a venue geared towards family-friendly fun. There’s typically food trucks and other local vendors around, so it’s a great spot for first date wandering as well.
 

 

 

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