Downtown New Bern, NC
Back in the Day
My arrival in New Bern, North Carolina, occurred in August 2005. At that time, live music was a rarity around here. When I left the area in 2008, there was some music to be found, but not long after my return in late 2012, I noticed a significant shift. More live music events were taking place, and I felt compelled to share these experiences on social media. This passion led me to create a blog site in 2014; by 2015, I decided to use it to promote the local music scene. Here is my decade-long recap of the live music scene in New Bern, from around town and beyond the bridges in every direction.
I came from the concrete jungle. I grew up in a small NJ town, where NYC was 20 minutes away by car or train. At that time, I went from being around music several times a week to not at all. That was rough. Live music was such a rarity in New Bern when I got here that I often found myself venturing out to other cities in search of it. I roamed to Jacksonville, Washington, Greenville, Wilmington, and Raleigh.
I only roamed then and still roam now to quench my thirst for live music. There was hardly a scene here to speak of at that time. New Bern had a few bars (private clubs) and very little nightlife. Mickey Milligan's is still a staple bar and pool hall but no longer a music hot spot. The Salty Dawg was the other hot stop for original area rock bands.
When I came to town on vacation in 2004, the nightclub on Simmons was the first place I stopped. It was the only place open on a Sunday night, and I met the new owner, Cliff, who was taking over for his ailing father. I asked him where I could find music, and he sent me to the beach. The Dawg shut its doors years ago, but you can still find Cliff rocking with area bands.
Milligans stopped hosting music years ago due to music licensing fees and fines. In my travels, I've met many new bar owners who did not realize that hosting and supporting live music has fees tied to it. The fact is, music licensing fees are actual costs. Other venues choose to stay away from it because of the costs to do it right.
We had the deck party at the hotel on S. Front St., now the Double Tree by Hilton. I went twice. By then it was a DJ and though I have nothing against DJs or karaoke; I prefer bands and live music. It's worth the gas money to go for good music.
Over in James City, we had the Crash Bar, which closed around when I heard about it. I was there once. I went back when it was Sin City, which had house bands each weekend. That was cool. They opened in 2008; if memory serves, I left at the end of the year, and they were gone by the time I returned in 2012.
How Music Brought Me Downtown
I blame it on the blues! It all started when I left with some girlfriends for a fun night chasing music. It was March 2013, after my return to Bern after a year in Canada and another two in Louisiana. I know it sounds like I might be in the military, but hold your gratitude for the heroes that we honor this weekend. I am just a fool when it comes to love. Nonetheless, I returned to town in November 2012 and started venturing out again by the Spring.
On my first trip, thinking it was like the old days, a decade before, we left for Swansboro because I had read that The Icehouse Restaurant had blues on the menu for some Saturday night fun. Since these girls hung out with me at The Icehouse Bar in New Bern, I called them up. Madonna asked who we would see on our way to the Icehouse Restaurant in Swansboro. I said, “I don’t know, but I know his name is Jim Kohler, and it said blues.” She said, “Jim Kohler? You know he plays downtown with his band every Thursday at Bambooz!”! Well no! I had no clue because I had not yet been out and bout around town. It was my first venture out because I returned to town, thankfully without a coffin. Recovering from several pulmonary embolisms was no joke.
But once I was healed enough to get out, I took advantage of having the blues in town!
Before there was any talk of blogging, many Thursday nights in 2013-14 at Bambooz Tiki Bar looked like this.
Les Wetherington was one of the first friends I met in those early blog development days, and what a blessing that would be. Wetherington was a meticulous music promoter who helped the town by providing his band projects for full events downtown at the Double Tree, The New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, Union Point, The Farmer’s Market, and all of Dale Overbee’s venues. He not only provided the music, but he organized the promotions of the events and ticket sales.
For example, he helped organize the Annual Fundraiser BBQ in Blue Jeans for the New Bern Fireman’s Museum at the Riverfront Convention Center. His photo of the 2018 event is above.
Below, he performs with best friend Mark Shelton at Bambooz Tiki Bar. Take 2 opened a night to country blues rocker Bill Lyerly, who was rocking Super Grit fans when Les was coming of age. Wetherington often mentioned the honor of working with the guys who inspired him to play.
Another memorable night he arranged was the Hoedown Throwdown in March 2016. The event was a fundraiser for Colonial Capital, with Sutter’s Gold Streak Band headlining. That night opened with an acoustic duo called Take 2 featuring Wetherington and his best friend, Mark Shelton. Following their show, Wetherington’s classic rock band 3 Day Weekend warmed up the stage for the final act.
Following our phone interview, which Wetherington organized, he invited me to Bambooz to meet Bill Lyerly, which led to my first blog post in March 2015. Now, almost a decade later, one can quickly see that this town has genuinely evolved to embrace live entertainment. You can find live music in the parks, plazas, shopping centers, several bars, and many restaurants around town and beyond. New Bern is a fun little city.
Bill Lyerly talks Rolling Stones with Tracey Stones at Bambooz Tiki Bar in February 2015. Sadly, we lost photographer, bass player, singer, and guitar player Les Wetherington under the full supermoon of April 2020 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. His spirit is missed, and his life is still celebrated.
This would be the last time Les would see Bill perform live. I secured a gig for the rocker in September 2019 at Persimmons Restaurant. Above, Mary Shine, Bill Lyerly, and Les Wetherington.
The Dale Impact
If I were to call it as I see it, this town has a trendsetter. Do you know Dale Overbee? I don't, personally, but I know his name, just like most of you. Overbee opened his first club on Highway 70, and around that time, I was pulling out of town for Canada in 2008/2009. The Diamond Club stayed a hot spot. The Venue replaced the Diamond Club and sits on the lonely highway about to become a byway!
The heating and air service tech and entrepreneur owns Dale's Heating & Air. Overbee opened his second bar while I was living in Louisiana. It was Bambooz Tiki Bar in The Bridgepoint Hotel. It was a fun bar that offered live music four nights a week. They kicked it off with blues night on Thursday; the rockers came to keep things lively on Friday and Saturday. On Sundays, they shuffled us into a new week with beach music.
I got to know many friendly faces in our scene in his space. In 2014, Overbee opened his third bar endeavor, and being bold about stepping up the game, he tried his hand at food service for the first time. Triple Play Sports Bar & Restaurant was situated right on the corner of Highway 70 and Williams Rd., behind the Shell Station.
It was there that people really started talking about Overbee and his efforts. He's a hardworking marvel—no one can deny that. He has his hand on all of his businesses, and it's been fun watching him grow in this last decade.
After a short while at Triple Play, Overbee would close Bambooz and combine the two within the James City location behind the Shell gas station, which no longer exists.
Though it could have been better for Overbee's big ideas, it worked long enough for him to gain ground for growth. People came for food, drink, sports, and music all week. Also, around 2015, Overbee took over the bar at our local airport and gave travelers a place to sit as they awaited a flight.
Since those beginning days, many wondered if Overbee would ever move to town. In hindsight, it's clear that he put off the move until the timing was right. And now that he is here, there is no denying his presence on South Front St. Currently operating a trio of businesses; Dale is the town master regarding food and bar growth and development.
He has known many supporters and faced plenty of opposition over the years, but he keeps firm to the goals he set when he left high school. I remember him telling me years ago, maybe in 2013, that he "did not want to live in a boring town." We have to admit he has successfully brought much of the fun we all enjoy today.
This is not surprising, considering he got his start in the entertainment business as a dancer and DJ during the "Diamond Dale" days of the 90s. Entertaining people has been in his blood since birth, and now we all get to share in his shine. No more actual words have been spoken with his last New Bern endeavor … Bootleggers & Barrels.
These days, Overbee offers live music at Blackbeard's Triple Play Restaurant four nights a week. He starts the fun with a blues jam every Monday inside from 7 to 9 p.m., hosted by Big Jim Kohler. The weekend deck party offers rocking bands on the deck each Friday and Saturday from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Tonight, Head on Collision rocks the deck, and tomorrow, classic rockers, The Wannabees will cure your Holiday weekend blues. Big Jim will not be in the house on Monday; read why below, but I'm sure there will be a jam.
Hats off to Dale and all his grand endeavors. Moving downtown in 2018 has been a good thing for the city. Opening the doors of Blackbeard's Triple Play a few months before Florence showed us his resilience and drive when he was the first to recover and carry on operations (live music and food service) down on South Front St. He now runs three operations on South Front Street, including a seafood restaurant, The Pirate's Cove.
In 2023, Overbee opened Blackbeard’s Triple Play in Jacksonville, NC. So, if you find yourself visiting that area, stop in and check out what he is doing there.
Overbee's Triple Play Might Be a Triple Threat, But He Got the Tunes Flowing
Sleepy little New Bern, NC? HA! It keeps me busy covering it, yet I still miss half of the happenings when I do try to cover it all! Located in the heart of Craven County, this little town is more lively than most realize. Did you know you can head out the door and find live music in the city each night of the week? Days too.
We have street howlers that entertain the shoppers and tourists who visit our famous river city! Just walk up Middle Street and meet Mr. Howard (above). Or walk down to Bear Plaza and check out who is grooving on the bench. Alexandra Bridgers (below)
More Music Stops Downtown
Along with good food and exemplary service, Captain Ratty’s offers live music on Saturday nights. Make plans to visit and enjoy. Some nights you can enjoy music on the rooftop and sometimes in Stubb’s Pubb on the second floor. Tonight you can enjoy the music of local talent Sam Lewis 6-9 PM.
Pinky’s The Pub Upstairs opened last year when power couple Marisol Schultz and Daniel Hand took the lease on Middle St. for the upstairs space. This year, the duo took an opportunity to expand and opened the downstairs just weeks ago to offer quick eats. I call them a power couple because they are fantastic business builders and so much fun to watch as they turn this town on its ears.
I met them years ago, probably in 2015 or 16. It was right before their first food truck caught fire outside the original Brown Pelican. A few years after the fire, they sold the food truck operation and opened a pizza place and The Garage in James City. The Garage transferred ownership last year when Mari and Dan prepared to open The James Drinkery.
After they completed that destination place, the lease on Middle Street became available. Formerly Tonic Parlor, it is now Pinky's The Pub Upstairs. The venue offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Stop in, drink, and stop downstairs for a quick bite.
Stop by any Wednesday night to check out the talented players that perform here each week.
Located on Pollock St, this is New Bern's upscale dining and music experience. Owned and operated by local singer and movie star Von Lewis, he partnered up to bring his vision to life in the town he loves and calls home with his beautiful family.
Offering live music several nights a week, with fantastic food to accompany the experience, you must stop into Baxter's 1892 for a top-notch night on the town. Tonight you can catch guitar extraordinaire Justin Castellano from 7-10 PM
Poppy’s Bites & Barrels is where Beer Army once stood. It has a great menu, friendly service, and live music, such as tonight, when Joe Starr will share his grooves from 6 to 9 p.m.
Also located on Pollock St, Michael’s Pub & Patio offers a great menu with affordable prices and a pretty patio space for music. Tonight, Patrick Smith is expected to offer songs to the dinner crowd. Stop by and enjoy.
With waterfront views and food to savor, you can enjoy live music on the deck at this downtown popular dinner place. They offer live performances in the Summer on Thursdays and Sundays, weather permitting. Tomorrow, you can check in with Dale Moore, the piano man who will play while you dine from 5:30 - 8:30 PM.
The Double Tree by Hilton in downtown New Bern offers live music on the deck every Saturday and Sunday, and great food from Confluence Restaurant complements the experience. The music starts at 6 pm. Tonight you can enjoy the sounds of piano man Dale Moore.
Located behind the History Center, it offers a menu of fresh tastes and a beautiful view on the patio when live music is featured. This is a fabulous place to stop for lunch or dinner when you wish to savor the view and tastes of the day! I have met several talented, original acts on the patio, so watch for what's good.
The Brown Pelican was established in 2014 at 411 Broad Street. However, after the COVID shutdown, it was sold and reopened just a few blocks away at 1017 Broad St. The Dirty Bird is New Bern’s music bar. It offers music every night of the week, so be sure to like its page and follow along. This week they have D J's sharing tunes because the music makers are going camping in Maysville today.
One significant change to the above event is that Big Jim cannot attend today. Big Jim is resting in the hospital this weekend after an afib episode yesterday afternoon. Kathy Kohler checked in to let me know that he is being monitored closely in the heart unit, and they hope to release him on Tuesday. If you have a minute, please pray for our blues buddy.
Just down the road a bit, we find Star Gallery on Neuse Blvd. I mention this because Brown Pelican owner Micah Grimes also hosts events on their stage. He is doing a series of band battles, and the first one is coming up on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Please put it on the calendar today and come out to support the talent.
Don't Forget Our Beermuda Triangle
First to the scene was Pete Frey with his Brewery 99. Frey started in a small building hidden behind the old Brown Pelican. Now located on Pollock St, Brewery 99 opens in the morning to offer coffee and tasty bites like cinnamon buns, beer, music, and more. Stop by and see what Pete's got brewing today.
As mentioned in the last blog, Tap That closed last year but opened this Spring under new management. They have a great menu and generally offer live music on Saturday evenings. Given the holiday weekend, they will house DJ Jams, playing all your requests tonight.
This is the final stop of the Beermuda Trianlge of Pollock St.: Freshwater Beer Co., which opened its doors in 2020. It offers live music on occasion. On weekends, they always feature a food truck and have tables inside and out for you to gather with your friends.
Music Night at Harris Teeter
Groceries, Dinner, Live Music and Friends
Our local Harris Teeter on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. offers live music every Thursday in the bar. From 5 to 8 PM, enjoy a fine Prim Rib dinner and local talent. Above, Brian Mac rocks the dinner crowd with popular song selections that make their toes tap.
Music In the Parks
Footloose on the Neuse.
Footloose on the Neuse is an Annual Concert Series brought to us by the City of New Bern Parks and Recreation Department and Sponsored by Trent Cadillac GMC. Last night was the kick-off for the 2024 season. Trial By Fire rocked the crowd with their tribute to Journey. Below, take note of the fun seasonal lineup.
Lawson's Creek Celebrations
Our City Parks & Recreation Department brings special concert events to the city for fun family nights. Above is the 2022 Fourth of July Celebration with Jan Michael Feilds Band.
If you haven't attended yet, the 4th of July is always a fun day at Lawson's Creek Park. Consider joining us this year. Following the fun live music... fireworks! Oh yeah! Let's Dance!
Not a City Dweller? That's Okay, Come with Me
We Have A James City Scene
Tim Dryden and Bryan Conway were the first to add spark to the remaining James City scene. They set out on their beer-brewing adventures in 2017 when they opened BrÜtopia. Since opening their doors, they have hosted live music on weekends 1-2 times a week. They are a craft beer supplier and sell brewing kits in-house. They provide off-site service for events in case you need a beer vendor. Best of all, they have lots of their brews on tap and ready to serve you. Be sure to like and follow their page to keep up with the latest brews and music news.
Recently changing ownership for the third time in a few years, The Garage has some great new features that came with the new owners. They have a great game space in the front with a pool table and other games, plus a beautiful lounge in the back. Drop in and see it all for yourself soon. They have live music tonight if you want to make that a plan. Silver Creek is a talented Pamlico County duo that will share songs you love. The music starts at 7 PM.
On the other side of Highway 70 sits Beartown Bistro & Pizza Co., which offers good eats and lots of treats, like a lovely outdoor patio and live music on occasion. Be sure to like and follow their Facebook page to keep up with the specials and special music guests.
We Now Have Libations and Live Music in Bridgeton
ineffable wine & beer garden opened for business last evening and will be hosting original music acts in their garden. Opening night featured the talent of Alexandra Bridgers, a New Bern native and crafty singer-songwriter who is always delightful to hear.
Staying In Fairfield Harbour
Come check out my neighborhood's restaurant, The Pointe. Thursday evenings feature music on the menu, featuring local talent and specials from their always-fresh menu. We have a great home crowd that enjoys the weekly entertainment; stop by and see why. Music plays 6:30-9:30 each Thursday, and you can see what's unique and who's on tap by keeping up with their Facebook page above.
Thank You, New Bern, for All the Memories! You Rock!
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