MODESTO – So you want to grab a drink and hear some live music and you don’t want to have to worry about dealing with Bay Area traffic or crowds in the process.
Modesto has got you covered.
Even though the city’s largest live music venue – The Fat Cat Music House and Longue – was sold last year to a local church that plans on converting it into café extension of their large campus, there are still plenty of places where you can order a cold drink and listen to music that ranges from rock to rockabilly and nearly everything in between.
Here are some places worth checking out if you’re planning on being in the area and music is on your menu:
uNino’s Place – Don’t let the rough exterior fool you – this is the quintessential “dive” bar and that’s a very good thing. While the hustle and bustle of the Stanislaus County hub is just up the street along McHenry Avenue, Nino’s Place is tucked away just away from that in the country (it backs up to an orchard) and that means that the outdoor live music, which is popular during the summertime, doesn’t bother the neighbors too much. Armed with pool tables and corn hole, this is the kind of place you go with friends to relax and yet still feel like you’re at home. And on top of all of that, there’s never a cover charge. 5129 McHenry Ave., Modesto. Upcoming shows include Daze of Reign on Feb. 11, and Art Mulcahy on Feb. 17, April 21 and June 9. 209.578.6522.
uGallo Center for the Arts – Sometimes you don’t’ necessarily want to hear live music in a bar, or the type of music that you’re looking far isn’t suited for a bar environment. That’s where the Gallo Center for the Arts comes in. Located in Downtown Modesto, this facility attracts world class artists to provide a wide-range of music and culture right here in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Next week, for example, Desperado – an Eagles tribute band – will play a pair of shows after a two-day run of the play version of Dirty Dancing. Bonnie Raitt will shred on the guitar on Feb. 20. Graham Nash will be there on March 25. See where I’m going with this? 1000 I Street, Modesto. 209.338.2100.
uRivets American Grill – This is a great place to grab a bite to eat and a beer – they have just about anything you can think of on tap – but it’s also a hopping place at night when the live music gets the place jumping. This is a country and rock kind of place, so if that’s up your alley, then you can’t go wrong by patronizing this unique and delicious destination. 2307 Oakdale Road, Modesto. 2089.846.0501.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.