Blog: Salem Area Night Life

Forget about staying in, Salem and the surrounding area have a thriving nightlife scene. Whether you want to belly up to a saloon-style bar for a hand-pressed bacon burger and flight of whiskey, catch a live jazz or comedy show, high-score on Star Wars pinball, or try a friendly game of axe-throwing with your pals — these buzzy nightspots keep the good times rolling after the sun goes down.

1/14/25

Riverfront Park | Image Credit: Ron Cooper

tap your toes to live music

Kick back with a handcrafted cocktail and take in a free music show at downtown Salem’s Taproot Lounge and Café. The evening lounge scene regularly features local and traveling musicians, and if you don’t see your go-to libation on the robust menu, they’ll make it for you. If jazz, blues and soul are your jam, Salem’s Christo’s Pizzeria welcomes top-notch headliners on Thursday and Saturday nights; the artisan mushroom pizza will also make your taste buds sing.

The spacious Fireside Lounge in Silverton is excellent for groups and offers live music almost every night of the week, plus a brow-raising lineup of Oregon wines and a toasty fire. Silverton’s Mac’s Place has a fun dive-bar vibe, drink specials and frosty pints, elk tacos, and rocking live shows. Check out Tuesday’s mic nights for local talents.

West of the Willamette River, Two Wolves Taproom in Dallas is a howl with 15 mostly local craft beers, burgers topped with beer cheese, and live acoustic music that’ll make you feel alright. Both regional ingredients and bands take center stage at the laid-back Gilgamesh Brewing in Independence, where you can enjoy a craft beer made with local hops while taking in a local bluegrass or rock show.

come for the drinks, stay for the vibe

Nostalgia and nicely priced pints rule at Salem’s Coin Jam Arcade and Grill barcade. Grab a domestic or craft brew and run from Pac-Man ghosts, fueling up on tasty pulled-pork sliders to hit your high score. For a classic bar experience, Mykie’s Bar and Lounge has 28 taps of largely local brews, pool tables, darts, trivia nights and scrumptious pizza. Catch the game at the lively Side Hustle sports bar, which has multiple wide-screen TVs, pool tables, spicy margaritas with infused jalapenos, and chorizo street tacos for the win.

For a bar where it feels like everyone knows your name, Ollie’s Wine and Whiskey in downtown Silverton serves scratch-made cocktails and has an impressive selection of Oregon wines. Saddle up to the gorgeous wooden bar at Golden Hop Saloon in Independence for hard-to-find whiskeys and bourbons, plus a kickin’ Mustang burger with chipotle aioli and jalapenos. In Dallas, the warm and woodsy West Valley Taphouse offers 65 taps pouring local wine, craft beer, cider, kombucha, and craft soda galore, plus slow-smoked baby back ribs and classic pinball.

Throw an Axe and Yell B-I-N-G-O

Feel like a Pacific Northwest lumberjack for a night at Salem’s Oregon Axe, where everyone 12 years and older can give indoor axe-throwing a try with the help of an “axe-pert” in a safe environment. Adventure-seekers will also have a blast at Escape Tech Escape Rooms, where you and your crew race to solve clues in order to “escape” your chosen theme room within a set time limit.

Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night, grab an electronic bingo card and try for five in a row at the friendly B&G Bingo. The onsite bistro serves reasonably priced grilled-cheese sandwiches and bottomless coffee to keep you going. For more serious gameplay — and winnings — the Las Vegas-style Spirit Mountain Casino has what you crave. From slots and classic table games to live shows, it’s a thrilling getaway, just 30 miles from Salem.

Catch a Show on the Big Stage

Downtown Salem has several theaters that present show-stopping performances you don’t want to miss. The century-old Elsinore Theatre is a Gothic architectural wonder in itself, but it’s the acoustics that bring the theatre’s comedy shows, Abba tribute bands and symphonic performances to roaring life. Salem’s Historic Grand is an intimate historical gem with only 402 all-good seats; it’s an ideal place to catch a show after a romantic dinner in downtown Salem. Lastly, theater buffs will definitely want to get tickets for a play at the volunteer-run Pentacle Theatre, where both the local performances and Tony award-winning script selections can’t be beat.

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THE SALEM AREA COMES ALIVE AFTER FIVE