Today we will try to fill you in on everything we know about music in Hartford. This is certainly a broad topic but we will do our best to cover the full local scene in this post.
To get the ball rolling we will discuss the best musical instrument stores in Hartford. There will be separate lists for where to buy guitars in your area as well as the top drum shops in town.
Obviously there will be some crossover in those sections as some stores will have the leading guitar brands for sale like Gibson, Fender, or Keisel as well as all the keyboards, synthesizers, pedals, amps, or pretty much any supplies you may need.
Contents
Up next we will get into where to go for quality instrument repair near you. Some of you may need a piano tuned, a guitar repaired, or work done on other band instruments and there is somebody out there that can assist.
The best music lessons for kids or adults will get a shout out. And then there will be some stores for music lovers with vintage CD’s and records.
We also think many of you will want to know about the best concert halls and live music venues in Hartford. There are also many bars and restaurants that have live music around the city.
And our final section will get into the best festivals on the local music calendar. Stick around until the end where you will find a map with the wide variety of stores and venues we are discussing pinned on it. For more of our posts that break down the music scenes around the Northeast you can click that link.
Musical Instrument Stores In Hartford
When you want to go to one of the best musical instrument stores in Hartford head to:
- La Salle Music & Sound at 993 Main St #2233
- Rayburn Music at 19B Andover Dr
- The Music Score at 2315 Silas Deane Hwy
- Sam Ash Music Stores at 95 Amity Rd
Since 1939 Rayburn has been offering new, pre owned, and hard to find antique instruments and accessories as well as lessons, repair, and rental services for musicians in your area of all ages. Ash Music provides some of the best and latest products from top brands including guitars, amps, drums, keyboards, band and orchestra instruments as well as pro sound, recording gear, and DJ equipment.
Where To Buy Guitars
If you are specifically trying to buy a guitar or guitar accessories check out:
- Norm’s Guitar Shop at 81 Market Square #8
- Occhineri Guitars at 48 Douglas St
- Guitar Center at 120 Hale Rd Suite B
Repair, set up, and restoration services for all string instruments are offered at Norm’s Guitar Shop.
Guitar Center is home to one of the largest selections of popular guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards, workstations, drums, percussion, microphones, PA systems, DJ equipment, stage lighting, recording software, studio gear, and more.
Drum Shops Near You
And for the best drum shops in your area:
- Dynamic Percussion at 6 Highland St
- CK’s Drum Shop at 281 Norwich-New London Turnpike
You can take music lessons in Hartford and even purchase instruments from top brands at Dynamic Percussion where repair and rental services are also provided. CK’s Drum Shop provides new and used instruments and accessories including djembe circles and vintage parts as well as private lessons, restoration, repair, and rental services.
Another great place to buy drums is The Music Score.
Instrument Repair
You can get quality instrument repairs at:
- Randell Reid Master Violins at 125 Warrenton Ave
- Music & Arts at 989 Farmington Ave
- Windsor Music Center at 95 Poquonock Ave
High quality handcrafted violins, violas, and cellos are sold at Randell Rei Master Violins where they also provide services including minor soundpost adjustments, bow rehairing, neck grafts, arching correction, repair, and restoration.
Instruments, accessories, and numerous services including flexible rental plans, repairs, and lessons are offered at Music & Arts. Quality local instrument repair services are also offered at Rayburn Music, Norm’s Guitar Shop, Dynamic Percussion, and CK’s Drum Shop from some of our other lists.
Music Lessons
You will probably improve your skills by taking music lessons at:
- The Music Shop at 405 Queen St
- Beller’s Music at 881 Main St
Music Shop has been providing high quality music lessons in your area that are open to all ages and levels and even offers band rentals and on site repairs as well as a large selection of guitars, amps, drums, sheet music, and accessories since 1985. Beller’s Music sells and repairs instruments and even provides rental services and lessons.
Don’t forget about the music lessons offered from some different lists including Rayburn Music, Dynamic Percussion, CK’s Drum Shop, and Music & Arts.
CD & Record Stores
Some of our favorite local stores for music lovers with lots of vintage CD’s and records are:
- Records – The Good Kind at 435 Hartford Turnpike
- Merle’s Record Rack at 307 Racebrook Rd
- Music Outlet at 151 Hazard Ave Suite 14
- Redscroll Records at 69 S Turnpike Rd
Records – The Good Kind buys and sells vinyl records, CD’s, cassette tapes, 8 track, and reel to reel tapes. New and used CD’s, LP’s, stereos, vinyl, albums, and turntables are offered at Merle’s as well as audio and video transfers, digitalization, duplication, and repair services.
You can sell and exchange records near you at Redscroll while looking through their selection of CD’s, tapes, books, magazines, accessories, and other related items.
Hartford Live Music Venues
These Hartford live music venues are great places to see a concert or performance:
- Infinity Hall at 32 Front St
- Webster Theatre at 31 Webster St
- Xfinity Theatre at 61 Savitt Way
Infinity Music Hall has been awarded as one of the best local live music venues for the past eight years.
Restaurants With Live Music
These restaurants with live music can be a lot of fun:
- Arch Street Tavern at 85 Arch St
- Black-Eyed Sally’s Southern Kitchen at 350 Asylum St
- Red Rock Tavern at 369 Capitol Ave
Black-Eyed Susan Sally’s Southern Kitchen & Bar serves award winning BBQ, ribs, pulled pork, jambalaya, and blackened catfish five days a week with live blues and jazz music in a juke joint ambiance.
Bars With Live Music
Plus there are bars that play live music too:
- Russian Lady at 191 Ann Uccello St
- Little River Restoratives at 405 Capitol Ave
- L Bar at 200 Columbus Blvd
- World of Beer at 73 Isham Road #B-30
The Russian Lady is a 15,000 square foot venue with six bars, a seasonal rooftop, and patio where you can watch some of the best performances by top DJ’s and local musicians. Many people enjoy the live music and draft beers on tap at L Bar.
Music Festivals In Your Area
Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival has three stages of live music with more than 30 local and touring artists as well as hundreds of craft vendors and food purveyors.
You may also be interested in these posts on:
- New Haven
- Springfield
- Providence
- Boston
Enjoy The Hartford Local Music Scene
Well guys, we tried cover the scene as well as we could. You read about the best musical instrument stores, drum and guitar shops, instrument repair services, where to go for lessons, vintage CD & record stores, concert halls and other live music venues like bars and restaurants, plus the best festivals near you.
Anyone that is still here probably knows bit about the local music scene themselves. If so feel free to tell us if we got anything incorrect, if we left any cool spots out, or just share your own thoughts in the comments at the end of the post. No matter if you are trying to buy a new instrument, wanted some live entertainment, needed a vintage CD and record, or just wanted to learn more about music in Hartford we hope you enjoy yourself.
