Six late-night spots to eat, drink, and enjoy live music
On any given weeknight in Greenville, there’s probably live music playing at half a dozen spots adjacent to Main Street—and many more on the weekend, long after the streetlights come on. Tickets are normally not required, and many places don’t charge a cover fee as long as you’re a bar or dining customer, which means you don’t have to plan too far ahead to enjoy great sets from up-and-comers.
From solo singer-songwriter acts to vinyl-only DJs, Greenville’s late-night music scene can vibe with just about any musical preference. An added bonus—most spots also offer tasty bites and interesting cocktails that provide reason enough for an evening out.
Late-Night Music Scene
Entre Nous
Bookshelves here part after entering the secret four-digit code to reveal a lively speakeasy. From the neighboring Maestro Bistro team, this bar tucked off Main Street has some advantages—access to the full Maestro dinner menu along with a rotating craft cocktail list, live music from local solo musicians like Jamie Wright The Artist, and the versatility to host a date night or a larger group of friends. 104 S. Main St., maestrobistroanddinnerclub.co
Cat’s Pajamas
Friday and Saturday until 2a.m., Cat’s Pajamas hosts DJs and as many dancing bodies as fit into the upstairs venue at Draper Purveying Company. Local DJs play multiple sets for a crowd that seems to never sleep, and the bar has no trouble handling the volume. Draper’s late-night menu is available until midnight to fuel the dance party. 25 W. Washington St., drapergvl.com
The Cocktail Company
From house music to female duos, The Cocktail Company has the variety and the Main Street location to make the weekend rotation. Cocktails that trend toward sweeter palates and small bites ranging from Southern to Mediterranean-inspired make up the rotating menu. House music lineups include monthly Deep House Bliss events with resident DJ Sawce, Paradise Thursdays with DJ Souza, and more. 355 S. Main St.
Juniper
Eight stories above Main Street atop the AC Hotel, Juniper offers a feast for the senses. Amidst a floor-to-ceiling garden motif, DJs and live solo artists performing top 40 favorites are a standard. A globally influenced menu with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options satisfies most palates, while a cocktail list heavy on gin and agave with zero-proof substitutions provides varying levels of balance. To top things off, the view of the lights downtown and beyond lay out a glittering atmosphere for an evening’s escape. 315 S. Main St., junipergvl.com
Halls Chophouse
A staple for the pre-midnight Greenville crowd, the bar at Halls Chophouse is rarely devoid of live music and the local who’s who. Most sets by an occasional jazz trio or Upstate favorites like Trey Francis and Charles Hedgepath wrap up by 9p.m. on weeknights and 10:30p.m. on weekends. The kitchen and bar serve until closing, so there’s no need to rush out when the music stops. 550 S. Main St., hallschophousegvl.com
Paloma
On the street level of the AC Hotel, a tapas and Mediterranean dining experience makes Paloma a warm-weather highlight, even without the regular schedule of solo and duo acts serenading the bar. From cover artist Adam Harris Thompson to DJ Emily Shell, the mood is upbeat with music matching the energy from the kitchen and the rhythm of the bar. Spritzes and Italian-inspired cocktails are just the right touch for this open-air corner spot. 315 S. Main St., palomagvl.com
