Best of SLO County 2025: Arts & Entertainment

Best Community Event

San Luis Obispo Concerts in the Plaza

Mission Plaza, SLO

(805) 541-0286

reachus@downtownslo.com

downtownslo.com/events/concerts

@concertsintheplaza

facebook.com/ConcertsinthePlaza

You nailed it, New Times readers. Concerts in the Plaza held this year every Friday from June 20 through Sept. 12 in the Mission Plaza is the best. It’s free, it’s fun, it’s all-ages. You can dance, you can buy drinks and grub, and if you’re a SLOcal, you’re guaranteed to run into friends and neighbors. The event is organized by Downtown SLO, and this season they’re teaming with Libertine Brewing Co. to keep the party going for those 21-and-older with concert afterparties starting at 8:30 p.m. in their SLO Town location (1234 Broad St.). See the complete season lineup online at downtownslo.com/events/concerts. Each show starts with a 5 p.m. opening act followed by the headliner from 6 to 8 p.m. On Friday, June 20, Vintage Renegades open followed by Moonshiner Collective. Stay classy, San Luis Obispo!

—Glen Starkey

HALL OF DREAMS The Palm Theatre’s newest evolution as the Home of the SLO Film Center has endeared it to the community even more. The beloved Best Movie Theater with the best popcorn around and a hallway full of movie stars now screens nostalgic movies, hosts events, brings in special guests, and is the hub of the SLO Film Festival. Credit: Photo By Jayson Mellom

Best Movie Theater

Palm Theatre – Home of the SLO Film Center

817 Palm St., SLO

(805) 541-5161

info@slofilmfest.org

thepalmtheatre.com

@thepalmtheatre

facebook.com/ThePalmTheatre

Best Theater Group

SLO Repertory Theatre

888 Morro St., SLO

(805) 786-2440

kevin@slorep.org

slorep.org

@sloreptheatre

facebook.com/sloreptheatre

Best Dance Company

CORE Dance

882 Ricardo Court, SLO

(805) 541-2669

info@coredanceslo.com

coredanceslo.com

@coredance.slo

facebook.com/coredanceslo

Best DJ

Epic Entertainment- LaDell Erby

675 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach

(805) 295-8555

info@epicentertainmentslo.com

epicentertainment.group

@epicentertainmentinc

facebook.com/EpicEntertainmentInc

Best Band/Musician

Brass Mash

(805) 801-4889

brassmashband@gmail.com

brassmash.com

@brassmashband

facebook.com/BrassMash

Best Live Music Venue

Vina Robles Amphitheatre

3800 Mill Road, Paso Robles

(805) 286-3680

amphitheatre@vinarobles.com

vinaroblesamphitheatre.com

@vinaroblesamp

facebook.com/vinaroblesamphitheatre

Best Place for Karaoke

Bill’s Place

112 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande

(805) 489-9989

@billsplaceag

facebook.com/billsplaceag

Best Place for Trivia

Bang the Drum Brewery

1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, SLO

(805) 242-8372

info@bangthedrumbrewery.com

bangthedrumbrewery.com

@bangthedrumbrewery

facebook.com/BangTheDrumBrewery

Pop quiz! Who can name SLO’s best spot for trivia? Ooh, me! It’s Bang the Drum Brewery, located at 1150 Laurel Lane (at least until May 9). Best known for its brews, pies, and trivia, Bang the Drum provides a lively and fun space every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. that’s sure to challenge your brain in ways you didn’t know possible—but what’s most important are the friends you made along the way, amirite? Imagine, it’s the second round of trivia. You’re completely stumped on the question, “Which ocean surrounds the entirety of Antarctica?” You take a bite of your fresh-out-of-the-oven mac-and-beer-cheese pie, which activates your fourth-grade self’s geography lesson. “The Southern Ocean!” you exclaim (not too loudly) to your group. You win the point, and they carry you out on their shoulders. Sounds like a Wednesday night no-brainer to me.

—Libbey Hanson