Blue Tavern
Blue Tavern is a cozy bar and coffeehouse and live music room at 1206 North Monroe Street in Midtown Tallahassee Florida. It sits within easy walking distance of the Frenchtown and Levy Park and Lafayette Park neighborhoods and it has become one of the city's favorite places for conversation and art and great music. There are no televisions and no distractions. The focus is on live performance and community and the calendar is packed with open mics and acoustic jams and blues and jazz and songwriter nights.
History
Blue Tavern is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a party on Saturday October 17 2026. Over a decade it has grown into a true Midtown institution and a home base for Tallahassee musicians of every style. Carrie Hamby is the creative force behind the tavern and the neighboring Req Room arts space which opened next door in 2025.
Atmosphere and Setting
The room is small and warm with a listening-room feel. Audiences come to hear the music and chat with friends and the tavern is known for its civil and welcoming crowd. All shows are all ages and the space is non-smoking and non-vaping with outdoor areas available for those who need them.
Wednesday Open Mic Night
Every Wednesday Blue Tavern hosts Open Mic Night with host Doc Russell. Sign-up is at 7:00 PM and music starts right after and runs until midnight. It is free and it is one of the most popular open stages in Tallahassee for singer-songwriters and acoustic players and anyone with a song to share.
Jams and Sessions
Blue Tavern is a hub for acoustic jams. All of these are free and open to players who want to join in.
- Bluegrass Jam: First Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Jazz Open Jam: Second Thursdays from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Jug Band Jam: First Saturdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Old Time Jam: Second and fourth Saturdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Irish Session: Third Saturdays from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
The tavern also hosts special jams from time to time such as the Sawmill Jam.
Live Music
Tuesday is Bluesday at Blue Tavern with a different blues act every week at 8:00 PM. Tuesdays start with a Piano Bar Happy Hour featuring Rhys Bennett at 5:00 PM. Songwriters in the Round on second Fridays features three local and sometimes touring songwriters with host Craig Daniel Hardin. Jazzmatazz presents jazz groups through the month and weekend evenings bring local and regional and national acts across folk and Americana and jazz and roots music. Durham and Skene play many Friday happy hours.
More Events
The calendar goes well beyond music. Rad Reading Hours on Wednesdays at 5:00 PM and Science Salon talks and free film nights and monthly birthday parties and the Blue Tavern Cabaret drag brunch all keep the room busy.
Food and Drink
Blue Tavern serves beer and wine along with coffee and tea and sodas and food. It works as well for an afternoon coffee as it does for a night of music.
Support the Tavern
Fans can become a True Blue Friend of the tavern through its Patreon and can sign up for event notices on the website.
Next Door at the Req Room
The Req Room at 1208 North Monroe Street is an intimate arts and performance space run by Seepersaud Studios. It hosts its own monthly open mic along with concerts and poetry and art exhibitions.
Good to Know
Blue Tavern is at 1206 North Monroe Street in Midtown Tallahassee Florida 32303. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM and Saturday from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The tavern is closed Sunday and Monday. Shows are all ages and the room is smoke and vape free. Call (850) 815-8566 or email bluetaverntlh@gmail.com. Check the Blue Tavern calendar or visit bluetaverntallahassee.com before heading out.
