Cheers!

Who doesn’t like to go out and listen to the sounds of some real local talent? Whether the music be a collection of classics, sing-alongs or original compositions by the band, it’s great to see these live performers close to home without hundreds or thousands of people pressing in on you.

These bands and singers perform at local pubs and restaurants that frequently change their Saturday night lineups to include everything from classic rock to blues. The music is sometimes eclectic but always lively.

Watching these bands and singers at the local hangouts is usually free, though sometimes a small door charge is set up so that the establishment can cover the cost of the performer.

The Village Pub in Narrowsburg, NY features live bands about once a month. The pub is a large blue building across from little Lake Erie, with a bar and barroom inside. In addition to live music nights, it has a great jukebox for people who enjoy classic rock and country music. The back bar of the pub has sayings posted all over it with messages such as “Warm beer, lousy food, bad service.”

The pub features different performers from all over the area. The typical sounds played there are classic rock and country music.

The acoustics in the pub are great because of the high ceilings, and the large barroom provides people who want to dance with plenty of open space to enjoy the music, making it a fun place to hang out and listen to live entertainment.

Rohmans Inn in Shohola, PA is one of the neatest spots around. The bar/inn/dining room was built in the 1840s and the building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rohmans has seen Babe Ruth, Charles Lindbergh, Clara Bow and Robert DeNiro, among others, walk through its doors. The barroom is a walk down memory lane.

Rohmans Inn also has an operating 1940s bowling alley on the premises. Here’s the kicker; the bowling alley is 100 percent manual. Players must set their own pins and get their own balls as well as keep their own scores. The bowling alley is one of only four manual bowling alleys remaining in the country.

Rohmans Inn hosts music of all varieties every Saturday night. The performers range from solo acts to three- and four-piece bands. The music includes country, blue grass, folk, originals and classic rock.

A number of tables surround the performers so that you can really have a good seat if you like to be up front. Some people even dance in a small spot in front the “glass” which holds candy and chips, but they must be careful because the dance floor is uneven in spots.

Rohmans also features karaoke on Thursday nights so that people can sing along with their favorite tunes.

The Fireside in Honesdale, PA sits just outside of town. The quaint restaurant and pub is well known for its heavy entertainment lineup. It features an open mic night on Wednesday, and Thursdays and Fridays there is music in the lounge area. On Saturday nights, The Fireside hosts lighter music that is easy to listen and to dance to.

The vibe in The Fireside typically appeals to an older crowd. It’s a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere.

The Good Times gang is a group of people from The Fireside that participates in the special events, functions, trips and entertainments that The Fireside offers. A newsletter that is sent out to all members of the group updates them on the schedule. From trips to new bands, The Fireside always has something new going on for its Good Times group.

A good time listening to live music in an intimate setting can be found locally. The trick is to keep your eyes open and look at local newspapers and magazine ads to find out the best of what’s going on. The lines are shorter, there are no tickets to buy and the drinks are a lot cheaper.