6 Places to Hear Live Music in Worthington
Located just north of Columbus in a comfortable neighborhood setting with a beautiful historic downtown, Worthington is a small-town destination with big-city fun. In addition to restaurants, shopping, historical sites and festivals, this also includes a wide range of music venues that regularly feature national, regional and local acts. In this blog post, we take a closer look at these venues so you can make plans for your next outing to hear some great live music. Concerts on the Green
Looking for a great way to end your weekend on a high note? Look no further than the Concerts on the Green, which take place at the Worthington Village Green on Sunday evenings throughout the summer. Hosted by the Worthington Parks & Recreation Department, these free outdoor concerts cater to a wide range of musical interests, from classic American standards to cabaret, blues, big band and rock. That means there's something for everyone to enjoy. Simply bring your lawn chairs and picnic dinner, or arrive early and grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants in Old Worthington. Then relax and let the music fill the air.
Best tip: Two great marching band concerts take place in August: The Ohio State University Marching Band Alumni on August 9 and The Ohio 122nd Army Band on August 15.
The patio at Dewey's Pizza comes alive with the sounds of acoustic and light rock music on Wednesday (6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) and Friday (6 to 9 p.m.) evenings throughout the summer. Younger, local talent is featured on Wednesdays. So gather your friends and family, order enough pizza for the whole gang and kick back to some familiar tunes. The outdoor patio is conveniently located in the middle of Old Worthington, with plenty of tables and chairs arranged around a backdrop of beautiful flowers.
Best tip: Dewey's is known for its wide selection of beers from around the country, but they also support local breweries whenever possible. Like it says on the website: "We change our beers quicker than most bands change drummers."
The McConnell Arts Center, better known as the MAC, is a contemporary, multidisciplinary facility located in the center of Worthington that presents and promotes the performing, visual and digital arts. And that includes plenty of live music. From folk and string quartets to jazz ensembles, singer/songwriters, rockabilly, Songs at the Center video shoots and the MAC Chamber Orchestra, there truly is something for everyone. Most of it takes place in the 213-seat Bronwynn Theatre, a comfortable, acoustically sound performance hall.
Best tip: All rotating art exhibitions at the MAC are free, so arrive early and enjoy the visual arts as well.
Natalie's Coal-Fired Pizza & Live Music
If you're looking for a serious music venue with world-class acts, Natalie's is the place to be. This intimate venue is ideal for both the artists and the audience, and that's because the music is always respected. In addition to featuring a wide range of music on a specially designed stage with high quality sound, lights and video, Natalie's is also a full-service restaurant and bar. The old world New York-style pizza cooked in a high-temperature, coal-fired oven is every bit as good as the music and an equally big draw.
Best tip: Many of the shows have advance ticket sales, and some sell out in advance, so plan ahead by checking out the upcoming schedule of performers at nataliescoalfiredpizza.com or visitworthingtonohio.com.
Good food and good music go hand in hand on Wednesday (except in June and July) and Friday evenings in the Pub at The Worthington Inn. From jazz guitarists to piano players to younger artists making their way in the music scene, there are plenty of reasons to make this your go-to destination for live music. Choose from a menu of pub sandwiches, salads and burgers—or order dinner from the regular restaurant menu and enjoy popular entrees like Beef Worthington and Alaskan Halibut.
Best tip: Since there are no table reservations in the Pub, arrive early, around 6 or 6:30 p.m., so you can order food and stake your claim to a table before the music starts at 7 p.m.
Live musical performances take place at the Worthington Libraries throughout the year. It all begins in February with the February by the Fire Series at the Old Worthington Library, which features small-group or single performers in a cozy fireplace setting. During the summer months, the music heads outdoors for the Summer Concert Series at the Northwest Library. These concerts happen during June and July, attract crowds of anywhere from 100 to 300 people, and feature everything from bluegrass to brass. So bring a lawn chair and get ready for some toe-tapping fun.
Best tip: Check out the list of upcoming events at worthingtonlibraries.org.
Convention & Visitors Bureau of Worthington
Worthington, Ohio, offers a variety of activities, attractions, specialty shops and dining options for visitors of all ages and interests. The Convention & Visitors Bureau of Worthington is your resource for all the latest information, including the event calendar at VisitWorthingtonOhio.com. You can also follow us on Facebook at Visit Worthington Ohio.