Live Blues in Connecticut
For live blues, Connecticut's home base is Black-eyed Sally's in downtown Hartford — blues, jazz, and roots with Southern barbecue. Add Bridge Street Live in Collinsville, the statewide circuit run by the Connecticut Blues Society, and blues nights at listening rooms like Infinity Music Hall and Cafe Nine, and there's a show most weekends.
Connecticut's blues scene is small but devoted, with a handful of welcoming rooms and a long-running society keeping it alive. Here's where to hear it.
Black-eyed Sally's, Hartford
Black-eyed Sally's is a downtown Hartford institution — a century-old brick building with pressed-tin walls, time-worn wood floors, and walls full of Southern folk art and blues memorabilia. It pairs live blues, jazz, rock, and roots music with award-winning barbecue and New Orleans-style Southern cooking. It's the closest thing Connecticut has to a true blues-and-BBQ joint, and the natural first stop for any blues fan.
Best for: blues and roots with great food in a one-of-a-kind room.
Never miss a blues show
Filter by genre and catch every blues night across 40+ Connecticut venues in the free CT Concert Center app.
Download on theApp StoreBridge Street Live, Collinsville
In the historic mill village of Collinsville, Bridge Street Live is a stylish, art-deco-styled venue that books live music — blues very much included — alongside comedy and other entertainment. It's an intimate, characterful room and a favorite for a night out in the Farmington Valley.
Best for: an intimate blues night in a charming village setting.
The Connecticut Blues Society & the wider circuit
The Connecticut Blues Society is the backbone of the scene, promoting blues across the state, maintaining a weekly schedule of shows at clubs statewide, and running events like the Connecticut Blues Challenge. Beyond the dedicated rooms, blues regularly turns up at listening venues like Infinity Music Hall, Cafe Nine in New Haven, and theaters around the state. For more intimate rooms, see our small venues guide.
Best for: finding blues nights you'd otherwise never hear about.
Blues in CT FAQ
Where's the best blues?
Black-eyed Sally's in Hartford, plus Bridge Street Live in Collinsville.
Is there a blues society?
Yes — the Connecticut Blues Society runs a statewide circuit and weekly schedule.
Any blues in listening rooms?
Yes — Infinity Music Hall, Cafe Nine, and theaters around the state.
How do I find shows?
Filter by genre in the free CT Concert Center app.