There are a growing number of establishments in The County that provide live entertainment, from live theatre to piano bars and speak easys to dance halls that bring in pretty cool acts. So, I thought it made sense to add a page of things to do outside of eating, visiting wineries & breweries and hitting the gorgeous beaches and shopping etc (though all of that is extremely entertaining to me!) Below are a few suggestions for restaurants, venues and organizations that provide GREAT live entertainment.
FESTIVAL PLAYERS OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY - County Wide
Festival Players of Prince Edward County is the region’s professional summer theatre company. For more than ten years, Festival Players has brought the beautiful landscapes, towns and villages of the County to life through the incredible power of theatre. Performances this year kicked off in August in Wellington at a new venue, The Village Tent - a stunning venue located right on the shores of Lake Ontario. A second venue will open later in August called The Storefront Theatre. I had the pleasure of experiencing Hippolyta's Wedding: A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Village Tent and the production was just fantastic - I can't wait to see more! Check their website (link above) for productions and ticket information.
THE HAYLOFT DANCEHALL- close to Sandbanks Provincial Park, Cherry Valley
344 Salmon Pt. 613-476-0200
The Owners of the Dakota Tavern in Toronto purchased this dancehall a few years ago and have turned it into a concert venue that can also be rented for special events. It is located close to Sandbanks and Cherry Valley on the east side of the island. They book superfun cover bands, as well as bring in other high-profile acts. Check out their website for the most current schedule.
THE DRAKE DEVONSHIRE - Wellington
24 Wharf St. 613-339-3338
The Drake is a beautiful spot, for rest, food, drink and entertainment. They host "Memphis Tuesdays" which are essentially open mic nights. You can actually sing for your supper and for non-performers - they offer discounted burgers and beer.
THE AGRARIAN - Bloomfield
275 Bloomfield Main Street 613-393-0111
We've had lunch a few times at this restaurant with a bistro-style menu and it's worth stopping by if you are in Bloomfield. In the evenings their speakeasy bar hosts live music and events (we've never been for that but it sounds fun!) I also want to note that the owners of this restaurant also own Keint-He winery in Wellington.
THE ACOUSTIC GRILL- Picton
172 Main St. 613-476-2887
Another great casual restaurant in the heart of Picton. They have recently opened their second location at the Picton Golf Club (gorgeous view of Picton Bay!). Good burgers, a great selection of County beers and wine and live music on select evenings as well. A county classic for sure.
THE COUNTY CANTEEN - Picton
279 Main St. 613-476-6663
This is a great casual restaurant on Main Street in Picton with unbelieveable energy! We've been a number of times and the food is good (think comfort food), they produce their own beer and have a good selection of micro breweries on tap, and bring in live music. A good place for lunch or a casual dinner and the prices are good too.
THE REGENT THEATRE - Picton
224 Main St.
The Regent theatre is one of Ontario's oldest standing and still in-tact Edwardian Oprah Houses, boasting one of the largest stages in Eastern Ontario. It is a beautifully restored and unique venue for live theatre, live music, first run films and has a satellite feed to receive live broadcasts of some of the top stage performances from around the world. Check their website for performance schedules.
