Monroe County: The Best Live Music Venues For A Great Midwestern Night Out

Photo Credit: Downtown Thursday Nights | Ben Jones Photography

Monroe County: The Best Live Music Venues For A Great Midwestern Night Out

Small-Town Gems

Monroe County’s music scene is unmatched, with gems like Double Barrel bar at Holiday Lodge Resort in Tomah, which offers a summer music lineup May through August on its outdoor stage, along with self-pour taps and food trucks on the weekends. In Sparta, visitors can enjoy the Blue Collar Bar & Grill, which hosts everything from country-rock acts to mental nights and comedy in a high-energy and fun atmosphere with great wings and ice-cold beers.

Taking place on Fridays in Downtown Tomah, “Live at the Brick” offers visitors three hours of regional music, from original performances to fun classic covers. On Sundays, things cool down with acoustic sets and Brick & Bean coffee and pastries. The menu offers an array of locally sourced plates, charcuterie, and pizza to enhance the taste of their wine, bourbon, craft beers, and cocktails.

Outdoor Concerts

There are some great free outdoor music concert venues throughout Monroe County. Grab a lawn chair or a blanket and get ready for some fun summer nights!

Downtown Thursday Nights: Tomah, Wisconsin, hosts a six-week, family-friendly summer street concert series featuring national touring bands. You’ll find food, beverages, and a free kid-zone, too!

Concerts in the Park: May through August at the bandshell in Bosshard Park, Sparta. You will find great music, food, and drink from 6:00 to 8:00 on Wednesday nights.

Americana Music in the Park: The first and third Wednesdays of June, July, and August bring free music in Gillette Park in Tomah. The music starts at 6:00; feel free to bring your own beverages.

Brews and Tunes

What’s more fun than stopping by a local brewery and trying out their offerings? Adding some live music to your visit! Footjoy Farm and Brewing in the small town of Melvina uses products from its farm to brew its beer and create its menu. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for upcoming live music. Just 5 minutes from Footjoy is Alchemy Brewing, with plenty of live music lined up throughout the year.

From being a homebrewer to handcrafting beers on site for you, Bog’s Edge Brewing makes small batches of their beer on tap. Events are here and there; if you’re lucky enough to catch one, it’s a great addition to what is already a fun spot.

Pro Tip for Visitors

Check the Explore Monroe County events calendar or the venue’s Facebook pages ahead of time; lineups can change and fill up fast on very popular nights. Visitors can also book rooms at nearby camping grounds, cabins, or a local hotel to make it a full Wisconsin getaway.