Exploring the Exciting Nightlife of Lincoln’s Latest Hotspots

by Cynthia Peterson 

When you’re in the mood to discover something (or someone) new, or spend time with people at places you love or like, Lincoln has plenty of entertaining diversions after the sun goes down to bring a smile to your face and lift your spirits—if they need lifting. ‘Early-nighters’ have options, too. 

Lincoln has large venues like Pinnacle Bank Arena and Pinewood Bowl that attract performers whose names you know. Recently, concert-goers came in large numbers to enjoy live music from Nickelback, The Doobie Brothers, Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson, Chicago, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and more. The Lied Center also has a full calendar of entertainment to offer, and its Broadway series is particularly popular—during Hamilton’s 2-week run in 2023, over 32,000 tickets were sold. 

Lincoln has lots of smaller performance spaces, too. Many downtown music venues are in close proximity to one another, so artists can hop between clubs or play to different crowds that patronize them. More than 100 bands call Lincoln home, amazing for a city this size. Lincoln’s lower cost of living means artists and musicians can work ‘real jobs’ and still make their art. It’s all fed by two universities with stellar fine arts programs. Omaha, Chicago, Kansas City and Denver are all within driving distance, too, so lot of talented people move back and forth. Lincoln is also lucky to have numerous nonprofits working to support the arts and foster a younger demographic. 

The Bourbon Theatre and The Zoo Bar have the biggest reputations to live up to on the local music club. 

Patterned after classic Chicago blues clubs, The Zoo Bar has been in the same spot at 136 N. 14th St., a long and narrow venue in a 100-year-old building, seemingly unchanged for 50-years. Many of the biggest blues legends in the business have played here like James Harmon, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray. The club hosts the best local musicians and future legends as well. There’s history here, but—thankfully—the walls can’t talk. 

As demographics have changed, The Zoo Bar has added jazz, stand-up comedy and roots music to its lineup. But live blues is the best, and the contemporary blues artists who play The Zoo are exceptional. Be sure to check out the club’s mid-summer anniversary party—ZooFest—that takes over the street right outside the front door. Shemekia Copeland headlined the 2023 festival. Artists who recently appeared on its stage include Tinsley Ellis, Curtis Salgado, Ghost Town Blues, Josh Hoyer & Soul Collective, Mike Semrad and The Riverhawks. Expect the phenomenal music to continue throughout 2024. To find out who is playing and when, see the club’s calendar at zoobar.com. 

In the heart of downtown, the vintage marquee in front of the Bourbon Theatre at 1415 O St. announces the next bands to play the re-purposed movie theater. Since opening in 2009, Bourbon has arisen as a club like none other in Lincoln. Recent and upcoming artists include Tallah, The Black Jacket Symphony, RED, and The Steel Woods.

The size and acoustics of the venue are great for an intimate acoustic show or a high energy rock fest.

It gives up-and-comers a place to play, too. The venue holds as many as 900 people, often general admission/standing room only, and is open two or more nights a week depending upon the time of year. Along with The Zoo Bar, and other downtown venues, Bourbon hosts the multi-site Lincoln Calling music festival in May 2024. Find out who’s playing at bourbontheatre.com.

In addition to Bourbon and The Zoo Bar, on a recent weekend, these downtown clubs and bars hosted live music, a DJ or karaoke: Rosie’s Downtown, Brewsky’s, 1867 Bar, Junction Night Club & Shot Bar, Duffy’s Tavern, as did the nearby Capital View Winery, Deer Springs Winery, and James Arthur Vineyards.  

On most evenings during warm weather months, you can find an outdoor venue that features free live music, too.

A Lincoln hotspot for 90 years, The Royal Grove on Cornhusker Hwy. has new owners who have spruced up the place a bit with more changes coming. It’s only open for ticketed events.

The Storm Cellar regularly hosts jazz music on Monday evenings. If there are any music entrepreneurs out there—Lincoln needs a great jazz club. 

Here are more ideas to help create your evening out:

Live theater? Tada Productions, Lincoln Community Playhouse, Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Nebraska Wesleyan University Theatre may have something for you.

Take a tasting tour of Lincoln’s burgeoning brewery community located throughout the city such as Kinkaider Brewing Company, Zipline Brewing Company, Corn Coast Brewing, or Backswing Brewing. For something a little different, Bierhaus Maisschäler is a great German beer hall located in the Haymarket. 

Many pubs and nightspots all over the city now offer comfortable outside social spaces, like the roof top at Barry’s Bar & Grill, a Haymarket institution, and Barred Owl, the rooftop bar at The Scarlet Hotel.

Das Haus, an LGBTQA+ club, 1640 O Street, features drag and cabaret shows and a terrific dance floor.  

Acoustic music fans might visit Crescent Moon Coffee in the Haymarket, Rock-n-Joe Coffee Bar in east Lincoln, Art & Soul in south Lincoln (great food, too). 

Rumology in SW Lincoln features craft cocktails, live music or comedy most nights of the week in their unique and spacious lounge.

The restored Rococo Theatre downtown usually hosts concerts throughout the year. Decibel restrictions in the building make it a perfect setting for comics, world music, jazz or acoustic performers.

If nightlife to you means lingering over a lovely dinner and wine, reserve a table at one of the city’s great restaurants like Vincenzo’s, DISH or Billy’s, or see more ideas elsewhere in this publication.  

Looking for cocktails and conversation (and often a great soundtrack in the background)? Try these spots downtown or in the Haymarket: 

• SARO Cider
• Boitano’s Lounge
• Barrymore’s, a former theater backstage turned cool cocktail lounge 
• Alchemy Aqua Vitae, serving exclusive spirits and handcrafted cocktails like the Black Walnut Manhattan 
• The Copper Kettle (try a Moscow Mule)
• Jake’s Cigars & Spirits
• Tavern on the Square
• The Cellar (beneath The Oven) 
• McKinney’s Irish Pub
• Starlite Lounge, 1960s retro ambiance 

Something unexpected? Go through the secret door at Boombox Social into the Sideshow Cocktail Lounge. Or, locate the unassuming glass door in the alley behind 1332 P Street, where you’ll find a vintage pay phone that is the gateway to the Lady Luck Lounge. 

For something old-school and comfortable, try O’Rourke’s Tavern, The Brass Rail (since 1935) or The Old Pub¸ all downtown, or Cliff’s Martini Lounge in southeast Lincoln. 

Soccer fan? Captain Jack’s is for you.

This list is only meant to tantalize you. There’s so much more to explore and entertain you on your nights out in Lincoln. Enjoy!