Live music mainstays

930 is a historic landmark venue in Jackson. This bar is not just a bar but rather a catalyst for keeping true blues and jazz alive. Customers can enjoy live music, drinks and the fun and flirty atmosphere. Famous and rising jazz and blues musicians stop at this club and grace customers where their art. It is a laid back, friendly and diverse atmosphere that is great for first or fifth dates. It is a must stop when visiting Jackson.

Fenian's brings the taste of Ireland to Jackson's Belhaven neighborhood. It can be a happening bar packed full on some nights or a perfect place to go hide, sit and drink a warm stout, cold lager or any liquor drink for that matter. Fenian's has live music every night with no cover, with karaoke on Mondays, open mic on Tuesdays and live bands ranging from acoustic rock to traditional Irish folk Wednesday through Saturday. People go for the bar and the intimate atmosphere. Fenian's also serves lunch and dinner with an abundant selection of Irish delicacies like Boxty (Irish potato pancakes) and Irish stew. They have a great Halloween costume party/contest and are closed on Sundays. A must try when looking for a place to go on any night of the week.

Hal and Mal's is Jackson's most well-known restaurant and bar and is a popular destination for tourists and townies alike. Located in the old train depot on Commerce Street, Hal and Mal's has been frequented by famed Mississippians like Willie Morris, state politicians and the various movers and shakers of Jackson since it opened in 1986. The establishment's namesake is its owners, brothers Malcolm and Hal White. Malcolm White, who now serves as president of the Mississippi Arts Commission, has been a longtime supporter of live music and the arts in Jackson, and established the Mal's St. Paddy's Day Parade in 1982 which is now one of the city's premier annual events and one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the country. Hal White is the head chef of the restaurant, and his culinary creations which combine the best of the South from cajun food to good old fashioned home cooking are what keep people coming back. Hal and Mal's is also the city's premier music venue, with four separate stages to catch a band. There's the "big room," the high-capacity hall in the back of the building that hosts a number of national acts. There's the "red room" a cozier, neighborhood bar-style venue that hosts local acts as well as touring underground acts and others. There's also the restaurant, which often features local talent for free playing acoustic rock, jazz, bluegrass and more. Finally, there's the brewpub and patio area which also hosts live acts and is rented out for parties, not to mention having a killer jukebox and pool tables. Over the years, countless big name music acts have stopped by Hal and Mal's, as well as Mississippi's own favorites.

Located across from Hal and Mal's, Martin's always delivers with an anti-mainstream plethora of bands that are well worth the $5-$10 cover. Established in 1953 and open since, Martin's takes pride in not being a upscale, pinky-raised martini bar, but a little rough around the edges with a truckload of character. A landmark ladies night with $5 all you can drink wells, wine and beer make every Wednesday special. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights always promise a good crowd out for the live music. Martin's also serves lunch and early dinner during the week with a famous buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The after-work crowd are what make Martin's the self-proclaimed "adult day-care" with the younger set turning out for the 10 p.m. shows.

Owners Ron Savell and Chris McDonald dreamed of opening a place where people could come and enjoy great food, games, and drinks all in one and in 2004 Mugshots was born. The bar and grill offers machine bowling and golf as well as touch screen photo booths to capture all the good times. Mugshots has something for everyone whether is open mic night on Wednesdays, live entertainment, quarter well and draft drinks, or the signature 3 8 oz. patty Mugshot burger.

True, Sam's Lounge is the hotel bar of the Best Value Inn & Suites, a mid-priced motor lodge along I-55. But it's so much more than that. Once an out-of-the-way retreat for hardworking blue-collar boozehounds, Sam's has evolved into one of the hippest hidden nightspots in Jackson. Sam's is the preferred watering hole of Jackson's metalhead, punk rock, skateboard and tattoo contingents and more — Jackson's own Capital City Rollergirls are regulars — if that gives you any idea of the hard-partying and trendy clientele. Sam's also features live bands, mostly on weekends, ranging from metal to punk to straight up rock. Many local faves like Redneck Trucker, Goodman County and Hypnotic Chickens perform regularly. On off nights, Sam's is still a great place to grab a cheap drink, shoot some pool and rock out to the headbanging hits on their internet-capable jukebox.

Schimmel's is one of Jackson's trendiest fine dining spots, not only for its justifiably popular Southern-esque entrees, but also for its special Saturday night entertainment. The House Rockers — onetime house band at the late, lamented Subway Lounge juke joint — jam weekly into the wee hours.

Shucker's Oyster Bar features lunch daily specials and a variety of steaks and seafood items at night. A locally owned and operated establishment well liked for their live entertainment at night.

Shoot pool and enjoy great food and drinks with US open 9 ball champion Reed Pierce at his sportman's grill. Pierce's is an upscale billards sports bar which features 6,000 square feet of restaurant and bar area. Another customized bar area seperates the dining room from the 9 ball Lounge which showcases 8 tournament style tables. Whether you're shooting pool or eating a mouth watering ribeye you can enjoy live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night.