If music is your thing, there’s a lot to love about Lexington. Venues big and small regularly host local and touring artists of all genres. Live broadcasts bring our sound to the world, major festivals bring the world to us, and independent record stores let you take a piece of the scene home with you to remember the experience forever.
Here’s a few spots around town that every music fan should be sure to check out.
1. The Burl
Located in the historic Lexington Distillery District, The Burl was originally built in 1926 as a loading dock for Texaco Oil. Today, it’s one of the most prolific live music venues in Kentucky, hosting an average of 300 performances a year. For everything from Americana to electronica, The Burl provides an intimate setting to experience the best local and touring talent.
2. Tee Dee’s Lounge
Tee Dee’s Lounge is the East End homebase of Lexington blues legend Tee Dee Young. The guitar virtuoso and vocalist has been dazzling crowds at this laid-back community landmark for over 30 years, often with stellar guest artists. Under the radar and as authentic as it gets, Tee Dee’s Lounge is open on Monday nights only and the show starts around 8 p.m.
3. Railbird Festival
For one weekend each summer, Lexington’s Railbird Festival attracts more than 45,000 fans for a celebration of world-class musicians and Bluegrass culture on the grounds of Red Mile Racetrack. Bourbon tastings, local food that transcends the usual festival fare, and music of all genres make Railbird a true feast for the senses that can’t be found anywhere else.
4. Lexington Opera House
Lovingly restored to its 1887 glory, the Lexington Opera House is one of the region’s premiere performing arts centers and provides a charming backdrop for live entertainment of all sorts. Opera, musical theater, ballet, symphonic orchestras—it’s all on the agenda at this historic venue right alongside shows by contemporary pop artists and other touring talent.
5. Woodsongs & Red Barn Radio
Recorded before a live audience and broadcast around the world, Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour is a showcase of grassroots music hosted by local folk singer Michael Johnathon. Shows are held most Mondays at the Lyric Theatre.
Red Barn Radio, also recorded before a live audience, spotlights Bluegrass and traditional Kentucky musicians on their program at ArtsPlace on Wednesday evenings.
6. Al’s Bar & The Green Lantern
If you appreciate a good dive, you won’t want to skip Al’s Bar or The Green Lantern. These Northside haunts fuel the kind of weirdness diehard music fans crave with flickering neon and a steady stream of cheap drinks. Hardcore, Hip Hop, Psychobilly, Punk—if your taste tends to veer from the norm, these are the spots for you.
7. CD Central
CD Central is Lexington's oldest and largest independent music store. Located on the University of Kentucky campus, CD Central has a huge selection of new and used LPs for your vinyl collection. They also carry posters and other memorabilia. Give them a follow on social media. You never know when a visiting band might pop in for an impromptu in-store performance.
