Bookmark This: Where to See Live Music in Saratoga Every Night of the Week

Yep, every night. So many options for every taste, from jazz brunch to fave local bands—and everything in between.

Tim Wechgelaer & Chris Carey are regular performers at The Inn at Saratoga.

One time a few summers ago, I was on the lawn at a country concert at SPAC and had an epiphany. I’d rather be listening to live music at Dango’s. To be fair, I don’t really like country music and only knew one or two of the performer’s songs, but still: I was thinking about a local wedding band playing on a raised platform on a patio next to the library whilst watching a national act at one of the most beautiful live music venues in the country. I’m not trying to knock SPAC—I love SPAC. But Saratoga’s live music scene is more than the big-time Live Nation acts that come through every summer. Much more.

“Because it’s upstate New York, you wouldn’t think there’s a lot going on up here, but I’d say in Saratoga especially it’s a pretty good scene,” says local musician Matt Cosgrove, who regularly plays at Saratoga City Tavern, Spa City Tap & Barrel and other bars around town. “It’s not anywhere near as big as Nashville, but I compare it to Nashville on a smaller scale because almost every bar, restaurant or venue has something going on as far as live music.”

It’s true—Saratoga’s live music scene is so robust that you can (if you wanted to) catch a show every night of the week…if you know where to go. Luckily, now you do: