Live Music Venues in Hoboken and Jersey City

The best live music venues in Hoboken and Jersey City range from the newly restored Loew’s Jersey Theatre on Journal Square, which reopens in November 2026 with touring headliners, to free Thursday shows at Pet Shop and late night bands at Willie McBride’s and River Street Garage. Our team checked every venue below on its own website this week, so you can pick a stage by night, budget and neighborhood.

Hudson County has always had a bigger music scene than its size suggests, and you do not need to cross the river for a good night out. Some of these rooms sell tickets to national acts, some put a band in the corner on weekends, and a few run piano and acoustic sets over dinner. Lineups change often, so treat the dates here as a starting point and check each venue’s calendar before you go.

At a glance

• Biggest stage: Loew’s Jersey Theatre, Jersey City (ticketed touring acts, reopening November 2026)
• Most offbeat: Monty Hall, WFMU’s room in downtown Jersey City
• Free music night: Pet Shop, Thursdays 8 to 11 p.m.
• Weekend bands in Hoboken: Willie McBride’s (Fri and Sat at 10 p.m.) and River Street Garage (Fridays)
• Music with dinner: Dino & Harry’s Steakhouse (piano) and Battello (acoustic sets)
• Neighborhood pub sets: Finnegan’s Pub, Hoboken (Thursday to Saturday, open mic Sunday)

Jersey City Live Music Venues

Loew’s Jersey Theatre

The Loew’s opened in 1929 as one of the five “Wonder Theatres,” and after a long restoration it is reopening as a full concert venue this month. The grand opening weekend brings Trey Anastasio Band on November 13 and The War On Drugs on November 14, followed by Jodeci on November 18. In December the calendar lists Unwrapped: An Acoustic Holiday on December 9 and Christmas with Chris Tomlin on December 10. For the full backstory, read our piece on the Loew’s Jersey Theatre reopening.

• Address: 54 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City, NJ 07306
• Hours: Box office opens 2 hours before doors on show days
• Cost: Varies by show
• Good to know: Children 24 months and older need their own ticket, guests under 16 must be with a parent or guardian, and you must be 21 or older with ID to buy alcohol
• Website: loewsjersey.com

Monty Hall (WFMU)

Monty Hall is the performance space of WFMU, which calls itself the longest running freeform radio station in the country, and the shows here lean adventurous. November brings the Avant Radio Fest from November 13 to 15 (shared with Art House), a sold out Scorsese and The Stones night with Tammy Faye and The Rothsteins on November 20, and Freedy Johnston playing a live broadcast on November 22 from 5 to 6 p.m., with doors at 4:30.

• Address: 43 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
• Date/Time: Show by show; see WFMU’s event listings
• Cost: Varies by show (Avant Radio Fest passes start at $140)
• Good to know: The venue is ADA friendly, with ramps and accessible restrooms
• Website: wfmu.org

Pet Shop

Pet Shop on Newark Avenue runs free “pop up” shows every Thursday from 8 to 11 p.m. on its main floor, booking rock and roll, punk, indie, hip hop and more. Downstairs, PS, the basement wine and cocktail bar, also hosts live music. It is an easy add to a night on Newark Avenue; our guide to the best bars in Jersey City covers more stops within a few blocks.

• Address: 193 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
• Hours: Monday to Friday 4 p.m. to last call; Saturday and Sunday 2 p.m. to last call
• Cost: Free on Thursday music nights
• Website: petshopjc.com

Battello

Battello pairs waterfront Italian dining and a Manhattan skyline view with live acoustic performances by artists from the New York metro region in its main dining room. Its posted schedule lists sets on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m., and the restaurant notes that all music is subject to cancellation, so call ahead if the music is the main event. It also made our list of Hudson County restaurants with NYC skyline views.

• Address: 502 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310
• Date/Time: Thursdays 6 to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 7 to 10 p.m. (per its posted schedule)
• Cost: No cover posted; dinner prices apply
• Phone: 201-798-1798
• Website: battellojc.com

Hoboken Live Music Venues

Willie McBride’s

Willie McBride’s, the family run Hession pub on Grand Street, puts live bands on stage every Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m. Upcoming bookings include No Standards on November 6, New Power Soul on November 7, Brian Kirk and The Jirks on November 13, Sean Patrick and The Alibis on November 14, The Exits on December 4 and Sky City Social on December 19. The pub also has a function room with its own stage for private parties, and it offers a free limo pickup on weekends.

• Address: 616 Grand Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
• Hours: Monday to Friday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Date/Time: Bands Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m.
• Cost: Cover not posted
• Website: hoboken.williemcbrides.com

River Street Garage

Right on the water near the south end of Hoboken, River Street Garage books a new local or regional band every Friday this fall, with DJs on Saturdays. On the calendar: Empire on November 6 and again on Thanksgiving Eve, November 25, with sax and a DJ; 3AM Tokyo on December 4; Garden State Radio on December 11; and Band of Make Believe for New Year’s Eve. Fridays also bring a 10 to 11 p.m. Power Hour. The venue notes that its lineup is subject to change.

• Address: 80 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
• Hours: Closed Monday; Tuesday to Thursday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Friday 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Date/Time: Live bands Fridays
• Cost: Not posted
• Website: riverstreetgarage.com

Dino & Harry’s Steakhouse

For music with a steak dinner, Dino & Harry’s on 14th Street has a piano player most nights. Joe Ruddick plays Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Gordon takes Thursday through Saturday from 6:30 p.m., and late sets start around 9:15 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, including dueling pianos with Mark Weiser. Upcoming late sets include The Groove on November 6, Giles Davis on November 14 and 21, James McGill on November 20 and December 12, and a Mark Weiser solo set on December 17. If you want more uptown dinner ideas, see our best restaurants in Hoboken.

• Address: 163 14th Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
• Date/Time: Piano Tuesday to Saturday evenings; late sets Thursday to Saturday from about 9:15 p.m.
• Cost: Not posted; dinner prices apply
• Website: dinoandharrys.com

Finnegan’s Pub

Finnegan’s on Willow Avenue is a classic Hoboken neighborhood pub with live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and an open mic on Sundays, which makes it one of the easiest places in town to catch a local player or try a song yourself. It is also home to the Arsenal FC Supporters Club of NJ, so expect a soccer crowd on match days. Set times are not posted, so check its site or socials before heading over.

• Address: 734 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030
• Date/Time: Live music Thursday to Saturday; open mic Sunday
• Cost: Not posted
• Website: finneganshoboken.com

Tips for a Night of Live Music

Take transit when you can. The Loew’s sits directly across from the Journal Square Transportation Center, with PATH, light rail and buses steps away; nearby private lots are limited, and the theater suggests reserving parking through ParkWhiz. Monty Hall is a short walk from the Exchange Place PATH station. In Hoboken, Willie McBride’s runs a free limo on weekends; call the pub to arrange a pickup. For ticketed shows, buy early: the Scorsese and The Stones night at Monty Hall is already sold out. Bar shows usually start late, around 10 p.m., so plan dinner first. Our happy hours in Hoboken and Jersey City guide is a good way to start the night, and our weekly things to do in Hoboken this weekend and things to do in Jersey City this weekend roundups list one-off concerts as they are announced.

FAQ

What is the biggest concert venue in Jersey City?

The Loew’s Jersey Theatre on Journal Square is the largest live music room on this list. The restored 1929 movie palace reopens in November 2026 with touring acts, starting with Trey Anastasio Band on November 13 and The War On Drugs on November 14.

Where can I see free live music in Jersey City?

Pet Shop on Newark Avenue hosts free pop up shows every Thursday from 8 to 11 p.m. Battello’s acoustic dinner sets have no posted cover, though you will be ordering dinner.

Which Hoboken bars have live bands on weekends?

Willie McBride’s has live bands Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m., River Street Garage books a band every Friday this fall, and Finnegan’s Pub has live music Thursday through Saturday.

Is there an open mic in Hoboken?

Yes. Finnegan’s Pub on Willow Avenue lists an open mic on Sundays. Check its website for timing before you bring your guitar.

How do I get to the Loew’s Jersey Theatre without a car?

Take PATH, NJ Transit light rail or a bus to the Journal Square Transportation Center, which sits directly across from the theater. If you drive, the venue recommends reserving a nearby spot on ParkWhiz.

Is Maxwell’s in Hoboken still open for concerts?

No. Maxwell’s closed as a music venue in 2013. For a similar night of local bands in Hoboken today, try Willie McBride’s or River Street Garage on a Friday.

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Featured photo: Shixart1985, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).