Capitol / Downtown
A neighborhood in Madison
Madison's Capitol and Downtown neighborhood packs more live music into a few blocks than anywhere else in the city. The anchor is the Overture Center for the Arts, which houses multiple performance spaces including Overture Hall and the Capitol Theater, handling everything from orchestral programs to touring productions. A half-block from the Capitol, the Majestic Theatre is a 600-capacity venue that opened in 1906, making it Madison's oldest theater. Having once hosted Harry Houdini, it now runs live music, standup comedy, theme parties, and the occasional burlesque show in an intimate setting. High Noon Saloon, at 701 E. Washington Ave., is a 250-capacity general-admission room featuring rock, metal, alternative, punk, alt-country, pop, indie, bluegrass, blues, and folk, with national acts, smaller touring bands, and local groups. It offers live music seven nights a week, including free summer patio shows on Thursday evenings. The Orpheum Theater, centrally located on State Street, has hosted nationally renowned musicians. On the Capitol lawn itself, Concerts on the Square is put on by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and has been going strong since 1983, drawing crowds for Wednesday evening orchestral concerts each summer. Bars like Genna's Cocktail Lounge, Essen Haus, and The Cardinal Bar fill out a neighborhood where a live set is rarely more than a short walk away.
Venues35
- Camp Trippalindee601 Langdon St, Madison
- Capitol Theater – Overture Center for the Arts201 State St, Madison
- Come Back In508 E Wilson St, Madison
- Concerts on the Square10 S Pinckney St, Madison
- Essen Haus514 E Wilson St, Madison
- Gamma Ray Bar121 W Main St, Madison
- Genna's Cocktail Lounge105 W Main St, Madison
- High Noon Saloon701 E Washington Ave, Madison
- Ivory Room Piano Bar116 W Mifflin St, Madison
- Jay's406 N Frances St, Madison
- Kohl Center601 W Dayton St, Madison
- Liquid624 University Ave, Madison
- Lucille101 King St, Madison
- Madison's Restaurant & Bar119 King St, Madison
- Maduro Cigar Bar117 E Main St, Madison
- Majestic Theatre115 King St, Madison
- Mansion Hill Inn424 N Pinckney St, Madison
- Merchant121 S Pinckney St, Madison
- Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center1 John Nolen Dr, Madison
- Naples 1515 N Butler St, Madison
- Nattspil211 King St, Madison
- One Social Food Hall123 E Wilson St, Madison
- Orpheum Theater216 State St, Madison
- Overture Center for the Arts201 State St, Madison
- Overture Hall – Overture Center201 State St, Madison
- Red Rock Saloon222 W Gorham St, Madison
- Roxxy327 W Gorham St, Madison
- Sotto Night Club303 N Henry St, Madison
- Tavernakaya27 E Main St, Madison
- Tempest Oyster Bar120 E Wilson St Ste 3, Madison
- The Cardinal Bar418 E Wilson St, Madison
- The Post24 S Carroll St, Madison
- The Rigby Pub, Grill, and Event Space119 E Main St, Madison
- Tornado Steak House116 S Hamilton St, Madison
- Up North Bar150 S Blair St, Madison
Upcoming shows200
Today · Thursday, July 30 · 6 shows
Tomorrow · Friday, July 31 · 12 shows
Mackenzie & Bob Acoustic Duo
Folk / Americana
LIVE Music Fridays! Noah Smith
Christian
URBAN TAKEOVER Perreo vs Hip Hop Dance Party
with ,
From heavy reggaetón to hip hop anthems that keep the whole room moving — expect loud singalongs, crazy dance battles, great vibes, and a packed dance floor from the moment the music starts.
Door cover
Saturday, August 1 · 8 shows
Sunday, August 2 · 1 show
Jason D. Petitt Band
On the patio
Monday, August 3 · 1 show
Wednesday, August 5 · 2 shows
JAZZ @ LUCILLE: The Tommy Vibes Quartet
Weekly Wednesday jazz night
Thursday, August 6 · 5 shows
Capitol Social Presents: Charanga Agozá
Cuban dance music in the charanga tradition with salsa lessons and open dance
$10
Friday, August 7 · 10 shows
Hot Flash: An Early Dance Party
Club hits from the '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s with DJ Millbot & rotating guest DJs
Hot Lemon
Rock
Saturday, August 8 · 6 shows
The Capitol Social Presents: La Rumba
Latin dance spot with 2 hours of Latin dance lessons and DJ Luis
$10
Sunday, August 9 · 3 shows
Monday, August 10 · 2 shows
Tuesday, August 11 · 1 show
Blood Drive
No cover
Wednesday, August 12 · 2 shows
JAZZ @ LUCILLE: The David Nuding Sextet
Weekly Wednesday jazz night
Thursday, August 13 · 4 shows
The Capitol Social Presents: Rebulu
Progressive salsa dance lessons and live music with DJ Francis
$10
Friday, August 14 · 10 shows
The Bill Roberts Combo
Blues-jazz ensemble with tight, nuanced, rhythmically powerful presentation
Dreaming of a Disco
Disco, house, and soulful dance music with rotating DJs from Madison, Chicago, and Midwest
$5
LIVE Music Fridays! Corey Dakota
Rock · Folk / Americana · Country
Saturday, August 15 · 7 shows
Sunday, August 16 · 5 shows
Monday, August 17 · 2 shows
Tuesday, August 18 · 1 show
Wednesday, August 19 · 3 shows
JAZZ @ LUCILLE: The Dave Bayles Quartet
Weekly Wednesday jazz night
LIVE @ Lake Vista - Beth Kille (Singer Songwriter)
Folk / Americana
Thursday, August 20 · 3 shows
The Capitol Social Presents: La Combi
Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue with dance lessons and live/DJ music
$10
Friday, August 21 · 7 shows
Saturday, August 22 · 6 shows
Lee Kanehira Duo – Chicago Blues
Chicago Blues with blues pianist Lee Kanehira and multi-instrumentalist Gerry Hundt
$20.00
Sunday, August 23 · 4 shows
Monday, August 24 · 2 shows
Tuesday, August 25 · 2 shows
Bonnie Raitt: Live 2026
Blues · Singer-songwriter · Country
Wednesday, August 26 · 2 shows
Thursday, August 27 · 3 shows
Capitol Social Presents: Latin Pride Orchestra
Twelve piece band specializing in Latin music with salsa lessons and DJ Fogon
$10
Friday, August 28 · 6 shows
Saturday, August 29 · 5 shows
Sunday, August 30 · 1 show
Monday, August 31 · 1 show
Thursday, September 3 · 3 shows
Capitol Social Presents: Charanga Agozá
Cuban dance music in the charanga tradition with salsa lessons and open dance
$10
Friday, September 4 · 3 shows
Hot Flash: An Early Dance Party
Club hits from the '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s with DJ Millbot & rotating guest DJs
Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press
Doors 7:00pm
Saturday, September 5 · 3 shows
Tuesday, September 8 · 1 show
Thursday, September 10 · 3 shows
The Capitol Social Presents: Rebulu
Progressive salsa dance lessons and live music with DJ Francis
$10
Friday, September 11 · 3 shows
The Bill Roberts Combo
Blues-jazz ensemble with tight, nuanced, rhythmically powerful presentation
Dreaming of a Disco
Disco, house, and soulful dance music with rotating DJs from Madison, Chicago, and Midwest
$5
Saturday, September 12 · 2 shows
The Capitol Social Presents: La Rumba
Latin dance spot with 2 hours of Latin dance lessons and DJ Luis
$10
Sunday, September 13 · 2 shows
Monday, September 14 · 2 shows
Tuesday, September 15 · 1 show
Thursday, September 17 · 3 shows
The Capitol Social Presents: La Combi
Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue with dance lessons and live/DJ music
$10
Friday, September 18 · 1 show
Saturday, September 19 · 2 shows
Sunday, September 20 · 2 shows
Monday, September 21 · 1 show
Tuesday, September 22 · 2 shows
Patti Smith: Songs & Stories Book Bundled Event by A Room of One's Own
Rock · Alternative Rock
Doors 6:00pm
Wednesday, September 23 · 2 shows
Thursday, September 24 · 4 shows
Capitol Social Presents: Latin Pride Orchestra
Twelve piece band specializing in Latin music with salsa lessons and DJ Fogon
$10
Friday, September 25 · 3 shows
Saturday, September 26 · 3 shows
Overture Presents: Patrice Rushen
Soul · Funk · Disco
Stabbing Westward: 30 Years of Wither Blister Burn + Peel
, ,
Industrial rock · Alternative rock · Industrial
Doors 7:00pm
