Music is a major part of the fabric of Nova Scotia’s and specifically Halifax’s cultural life. The city’s deep and lasting love of music is expressed through fantastic live performances at many of the following live music venues within the city. Hazelview Properties has apartments throughout Halifax in some of the most sought-after areas of the city including Bayer’s Lake and in the heart of Clayton Park.
The Alehouse
The Alehouse is one of the oldest pubs in Halifax and a popular live music venue in the city. This bar is a stone’s throw from Citadel Hill and is situated in a brick-fronted historic building that pays homage to the city’s history with it’s traditional wood-heavy décor, live Celtic bands and even the bar-wench costumes for the serving staff. You can often hear the live music playing from down the street and see the bar patrons packed on the cobblestone street out front. The Alehouse offers great live music, lots of beer on tap, delicious food and a friendly staff. There are two patios open all summer long so you can soak up the sun, drinks and great music. Hazelview’s 238 Bedford Highway community is only a ten-minute drive from The Alehouse.
The Lower Deck
What makes this next live music hotspot such a fantastic venue is its stunning location. The Lower Deck is located next to the beautiful Halifax harbour and is a go-to place among locals for great music, good beer and a fun time. This pub features live music every night of the week, with something for everyone including classic rock, retro and even traditional Celtic music. The Lower Deck has been in business since 1974 and features worn wooden and old stone floor that are full of character and marked with the footprints of the thousands of tourists, locals and students. The Lower Deck is a ten-minute drive from Hazelview’s 41 Cowie Hill Road community.
Seahorse Tavern
The Seahorse Tavern is a must-see live music venue in Halifax. There is live music almost every day of the week, with a diverse and impressive lineup of rock, reggae, funk, pop, folk and soul music. The Seahorse Tavern is the place to see live local talent. The tavern also features open mic nights for those interested in sharing their talents and the limelight. This popular venue has been open since 1948 and is a great place to have a few drinks, some snacks and to get your live music fix.
The Marquee Club
The Marquee Club is a relatively new live music venue in one of Halifax’s most up-and-coming neighborhoods. Located next to the Propeller microbrewery, the Marquee Club has a reputation for putting on some of Halifax’s best and biggest shows. Recent acts have included the Trews and Wintersleep. Every Monday the club hosts an open mic night where everyone from classically trained musicians to local amateurs are welcomed with open arms. Hazelview’s 214 Willett Street community is located less than a 12-minute drive from the Marquee Club.
The live music venues mentioned in this article are open year round, with special events and outdoor patios opening in the summer months. With that being said it’s important to mention that for eight days in July the TD Halifax Jazz Festival is coming to Halifax. This is the largest and most well known jazz festival in the Atlantic region. The Festival attracts over 65,000 visitors, involves 500 volunteers and features over 350 local artists. This celebration of all things jazz goes from July 4th until July 12th, with more information available on their website here.