Discover
Taos Music Venues and Nightlife
The Alley Cantina
Nestled just off the historic Taos Plaza at 121 Teresina Lane, The Alley Cantina is more than a place to eat — it’s a full-on evening destination. Housed in one of Taos’s oldest buildings (parts of its walls date back over 400 years), The Alley blends rich New Mexico heritage with a vibrant, late-night music scene.
Taos Center for the Arts
When the lights dim at the Taos Center for the Arts, something extraordinary happens. Visiting musicians—jazz ensembles, chamber quartets, singer-songwriters, and world-class touring acts—fill the historic auditorium with sound that’s as pure as the high desert air. With its exceptional acoustics and intimate 275-seat theater, TCA stands as one of Northern New Mexico’s most beloved listening rooms.
Located just off the Plaza, this nonprofit arts hub draws artists and audiences together through a shared love of creativity. One night might feature Grammy-winning musicians; the next, a local ensemble that’s quietly redefining the Taos sound.
Before the music begins—or on any day of the week—wander through the Encore Gallery, where rotating exhibitions showcase painters, photographers, sculptors, and installation artists from across the Southwest. Each exhibit complements the spirit of Taos: vibrant, daring, and rooted in place.
And when the stage goes dark? The screen comes alive. TCA’s film program features award-winning documentaries, international cinema, and independent releases rarely seen in small-town theaters. It’s a cultural anchor that keeps Taos connected to the wider creative world.
Adobe Bar at the Taos Inn
Step through the heavy wooden doors of the Taos Inn, and you’ll find yourself in one of the town’s most beloved gathering places. The Adobe Bar, often called “the living room of Taos,” blends classic Southwestern charm with a relaxed, artful atmosphere that draws both locals and travelers night after night.
Set inside the historic 1930s inn—built from a cluster of original adobe houses—the bar is cozy, candlelit, and buzzing with conversation. As the sun dips behind the mountains, live music fills the space: folk, blues, jazz, Americana, and the occasional flamenco flourish echo through the room every single night of the week. There’s no cover charge, and the energy is easygoing yet electric—people come to connect, unwind, and soak in that unmistakable Taos vibe.
The
Sagebrush
Inn
Located on the South side of Taos at 1508 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Sagebrush Inn’s on-site cantina and restaurant spaces come alive in the evenings with live entertainment. According to the venue’s “Live Entertainment” page, you’ll find a lineup of bands and music acts scheduled throughout the week. Expect genres ranging from folk and country to blues and regional fusion — all in a setting with genuine New Mexico flavor. With no cover charge noted for many evening sets, it’s a great place to drop in after exploring Taos Plaza or settling into your accommodations.
A few minutes north of downtown Taos, DALEEE KTAOS (pronounced “Dah-lay!”) keeps the local music scene buzzing with a steady lineup of live bands, DJs, and special events. This lively venue, bar, and restaurant sits at 9 NM-150—just off the road to Taos Ski Valley—and brings together great food, good drinks, and a welcoming, high-energy crowd.
Whether you’re catching a local favorite or a touring act passing through, DALEEE delivers the kind of night that starts with dinner and ends with dancing.
Daleee!
The Mothership
Where the high desert sky becomes your concert ceiling.
Out on the sweeping mesa northwest of town, where sagebrush meets sunset, sits one of Taos’s most iconic music destinations: Taos Mesa Brewing – The Mothership. Built from steel and adobe just beyond the edge of El Prado, this solar-powered brewery and live music venue has long been a beacon for sound and community—an otherworldly stage beneath the open New Mexico sky.
While the Mothership isn’t open for regular hours year-round, it reawakens seasonally for concerts, festivals, and special events, each one drawing locals and travelers alike to dance under the stars. When the gates open, the place hums with life: the scent of wood-fired pizza, the golden light of the mesa, and the steady pulse of live music that feels both expansive and intimate.
The Mothership has hosted everyone from indie troubadours to nationally touring acts, offering one of the best sound systems and open-air stages in Northern New Mexico. With its high-desert backdrop and crisp mountain air, it’s not just a venue—it’s an experience.
When the weather warms, the music calendar fills with weekend concerts, summer festivals, and local showcases, often featuring Taos’s favorite bands alongside visiting artists from across the Southwest. The crowd is diverse and joyful—families, artists, travelers, and music lovers all gathered on the same earth floor.
