A city’s music venues can say a lot about the area, and in and around Grand Forks county, you can find many venues that bring in the performers you want to see. Whether you are a fan of country, rap, pop, or jazz, North Dakota and Grand Forks County have a venue where you can go to listen to your favorite bands and musicians. From large event spaces where you and thousands of other fans can sing and dance along, to small intimate bars and clubs where you can get up close to the show, here are some of the best venues for live music.
Brick and Barley
Brick and Barley is a popular spot for local musicians to hit the stage. If you want a place where you can hear something new, this is the place to go. Along with the music, Brick and Barley also has some great craft beer. The bar has almost 50 beers on tap, with many of them unique to Brick and Barley. Make sure to stop by on Thursdays for BARGO and Karaoke. Bar bingo runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with prizes that include gift cards to Brick and Barley, and the karaoke starts at 10 p.m. They have a new karaoke system that is easy to use, with an app you can download to enter the queue to sing and choose your song. If you prefer to just listen, you can sit back and relax at your table and watch the show.
One of the performers you might catch on stage at Brick and Barley is the Dueling Duo, a pair of dueling pianists who put on a fun, entertaining, and funny show filled with music, amazing voices, and hilarious choreography. This popular music venue has also hosted Rhyme or Reason, Someday Heroes, and Eric Paslay.
The Diamond Lounge
The Diamond Lounge on Demers Avenue in Grand Forks hosts live music events and has been a staple in the area’s music scene for years. This place has a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere with food, drinks, and even games depending on the night. Head to the Diamond Lounge to see popular local bands such as Cold Shot, Blue English, Uptown Live, and Dauntless. Stop by for some Bingo too. It starts every day at 6 p.m. Begin your night out with some bingo and maybe even win some prizes, and then stay for the music and dancing.
Empire Arts Center
The Empire Arts Center is more than just an arts center. It’s a place where guests can see live music, experience a contemporary cabaret, and even see live performances and musicals. The building that houses this art center was build in 1919 and renovated in 1998, and the Empire now hosts a wide variety of concerts, community events, and live theater productions, including musicals.
The Backstage Project
The Backstage Project is one of the newer concert venues to open in Grand Forks. You’ll find it tucked away in the back of the Empire Arts Center in what used to be the staging area behind the theater. It’s now a small music and social area where you can see live performances on a smaller scale. The small space has room for about 60 people who can relax on the couches, sit at tables, or hang out by the bar. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy music while chatting with friends and a unique venue unlike any other you’ll find in the Grand Forks area.
Since its opening, this small, unique venue has hosted many local musicians and featured events such as the Songwriter Showcase.
The Alerus Center
The Alerus Center is a large event venue and the premier entertainment facility in Grand Forks. The arena is a 100,000 square foot space designed to host big events, but the space can also be cut down for smaller events. If you’re looking for a big-name concert, Luke Combs is on the schedule for the fall of 2021, and later in the year, you can also see Brantley Gilbert on his Fire’T Up Tour that was originally scheduled for May. In December, Home Free will play at the Alerus.
The Aquarium
Just outside of Grand Forks County in Fargo, you can listen to live music at the Aquarium. This popular nightclub sits above Dempsey’s Public House in downtown Fargo and is one of the city’s hottest clubs. It’s a small venue, making it perfect for listening to local artists, but it also draws nationally known musicians. The Aquarium hosts a diverse selection of music genres, so you can head here to listen to your favorite style of music, but also stop by to hear something new.
Some of the past headliners include The Melvins, Trampled by Turtles, and Father John Misty.
The Windbreak
You’ll also find the Windbreak in nearby Fargo. It’s one of Fargo’s best live music venues and hosts a wide variety of music genres. While listening to the band, you can also enjoy the drink specials, blackjack, pool, and the fun and entertaining atmosphere. The Windbreak features live bands every Thursday through Sunday with performers on stage playing everything from country to pop and rock.
Some of the upcoming events at the Windbreak include Tyler Hammond, a rising star on the country scene. Tyler has had the opportunity to play onstage with some of his idols, including Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan, and he still loves to play in Fargo. 32 Below will also hit the stage this spring at the Windbreak. This band plays pop country music and delivers a nonstop three-hour set filled with energy and fun. If you like to dance, catch Foolhouse at the Windbreak for the ultimate 90s dance party. You can sing and dance along to 90s boy bands, hip-hop, and pop music.
Contact Rydell Cadillac
At Rydell Cadillac, these are our favorite venues in the Grand Forks County area. If you know of other places where we can catch a show, let us know, and we’ll expand the list.
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