Everything About Music In Oakland 

If you are searching for info on the local music scene in Oakland you have definitely found the right post. The best musical instrument stores in your area seem like the logical place for us to begin.

There will also be some different sections for where to buy guitars and the best drum shops will also be shared. While there is plenty of crossover between some lists we think we got the right spots in the right sections for you.

Up next we will get into quality instrument repair shops near you because some reading this may need a piano tuned, a guitar repaired, or work done on other band instruments and there is somebody out there that can assist.

Then it will be time to pivot to the best music lessons for kids or adults. Following that we will give a shout out to the top stores for music lovers that sell vintage CD’s and records here.

We also think many of you will want to know about the best concert halls and live music venues while some others may prefer to visit bars and restaurants that have free live music around the city.

And we will get you out of here with the best festivals on the Oakland music calendar. Stay with us til the end where you will find a map with the wide variety of stores and venues we are discussing pointed out.

By the way we have written separate posts about music in San Francisco and San Jose if you are more interested in those parts of the Bay Area.

Musical Instrument Stores In Oakland

Some of the best musical instrument stores near you would be:

• Piedmont Piano at 1728 San Pablo Ave
• Lark in the Morning at 1001 Camelia St, Berkeley
• Musician’s Mall at 2111 Channing Way, Berkeley

Since 1974 Lark in the Morning has been selling a curated selection of musical instruments in your area from all around the world including drums, percussions, strings, winds, guitars, bells, and flutes as well as accessories.

Instruments like harmoniums, sitars, sarodes, tanpuras, surbahars, pakhawaj, dholaks, and other percussions from some of the best brands are available at Musician’s Mall.

Where To Buy Guitars

Guitar Center at 5925 Shellmound Street is home to one of the largest selections of popular guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards, workstations, drums, percussions, microphones, PA systems, DJ equipment, stage lighting, recording software, studio gear, and more.

We’ve mentioned Lark in the Morning and Musician’s Mall in our best music stores list but they are also great places to buy guitars in Oakland as well.

Drum Shops Near You

You can find a variety of high quality drum sets at Lark in the Morning and Musician’s Mall from our top list.

Instrument Repairs

Instrument repairs in Oakland are available at:

• Mountain Music at 4444 Piedmont Ave
• Best Instrument Repair at 564 14th St
• Broken Guitars at 423 40th St
• Wind & Brass Instrument Repair at 1621 Solano Ave, Berkeley

A & G Music Products offers local rentals, restrings, and repairs and sells trumpets, French horns, trombones, baritones, violins, violas, cellos, acoustic guitars, and more from well known brands at very competitive prices.

High quality vintage and used instruments are sold in your area at Broken Guitars.

Wind and Brass is one of the premier instrument repair destinations for brass, woodwinds, and more and does everything from small adjustments to complete overhauls. They also sell products from Yamaha, Selmer, Conn, and King and even offer rentals.

Music Lessons In Oakland

Level up by taking lessons at a music school in your area:

• I.R. Guitar Lessons at 3419 Grand Ave #203

Students of all ages can take classes at IR Guitar Lessons and build musical literacy, technique, and musical fluency while learning a variety of styles.

CD & Record Stores In Oakland

Check out all kinds of vintage CD’s and records at these local stores for music lovers:

• Groove Yard at 5555 Claremont Ave
• Econo Jam Records at 2443 Telegraph Ave
• 1-2-3-4 Go! Records at 420 40th St #5

A range of new and used vinyl records in your area including hard to find independent albums, turntables, speakers, and receivers are available at Econo Jam Records.

Live Music Venues In Oakland

Seeing a concert at Oakland live music venues is always a good time:

• The New Parish at 1743 San Pablo Ave
• The Sound Room at 3022 Broadway
• Complex Oakland at 420 14th St
• Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music at 2367 Shattuck Ave

You can listen to reggae, roots, and world music at The New Parish which offers some of the best food and drinks in the Bay Area and an outdoor patio.

Complex Oakland is a live music venue near you specializing in Louisiana style cuisine for all ages to enjoy.

Restaurants With Live Music

You can take a date or a group of friends to these restaurants with live music:

• Yoshi’s at 510 Embarcadero W
• Bardo Lounge & Supper Club at 3343 Lakeshore Ave
• Cato’s Ale House at 3891 Piedmont Ave
• Sláinte Oakland at 131 Broadway
• La Furia Chalaca at 310 Broadway
• The Terrace Room Restaurant at 1800 Madison St
• Duende at 468 19th St

Yoshi’s is a sushi restaurant and nightclub offering traditional Japanese and fusion style cuisines and cocktails along with live music.

There’s also live music, cocktails, and amazing food at Bardo.

Rotating taps, class crafts, bar grub, and occasional live tunes are offered at Cato’s Ale House.

Sláinte Oakland is a great place to go for traditional Irish dishes and whiskeys with over 150 different varieties, beer, wine, mixed drinks, and some of the best live music in your area.

Traditional family recipes, art, and music of Northern Peru are all featured at La Furia Chalaca.

In a 1927 art deco building The Terrace Room hosts live music and offers panoramic views of the mesmerizing Lake Merritt.

Bars With Live Music

There are also some bars that play live local music around town:

• The Alley at 3325 Grand Ave
• Cafe Van Kleef at 1621 Telegraph Ave
• Eli’s Mile High Club at 3629 MLK Jr Way
• The Legionnaire Saloon at 2272 Telegraph Ave
• The Golden Bull Bar at 412 14th St

There is nightly entertainment provided by a pianist or guitar player who accompanies patrons who sing songs from the Great American Songbook to contemporary releases at The Alley.

Eli’s Mile High Club hosts live bands and serves Cajun inspired bites along with good beer.

Music Festivals In Your Area

The Eastlake Music Festival takes place at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater in Oakland and features local music, dance, indie arts and crafts, micro brews, and much more.

In the past we have also discussed:

• Sacramento
• Fresno
• Stockton & Modesto
• All The Pacific NW

Enjoy The Oakland Local Music Scene

We tried to cover everything as quickly and as well as possible for you on this page. After reading about the best musical instrument stores, drum and guitar shops, instrument repair services, classes and lessons, vintage CD and record stores, concert halls and other live music venues near you like bars and restaurants, and the best festivals in the region you should have a much better understanding of what is available.

And anyone that made it this far might just know a little bit about the local music scene themself and if so feel free to tell us what we got wrong in the comments or share your own thoughts. Now it is time for you to go enjoy the music in Oakland.