new england's live music guide
PORTSMOUTH
THE MUSIC HALL LOUNGE
ABOUT
The Music Hall Lounge is a 116-seat modern performance space located near the historic Music Hall in downtown Portsmouth, NH. It was built in 2011 as a converted retail store and remodeled in 2022, serving as the smaller companion venue to the 895-seat Music Hall Historic Theater. Both venues are operated by the same nonprofit organization.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Lounge hosts intimate concerts, stand-up comedy, author events, and small-format performances in a modern, purpose-built setting. Programming tends toward acoustic acts, singer-songwriters, jazz, folk, and spoken word, complementing the larger theater's touring headliner calendar. The space also serves as a venue for community-oriented and literary events.
HISTORY
The Music Hall Lounge was added to the Music Hall's cultural campus in 2011, expanding the organization's programming capacity with a dedicated small-venue space. The Lounge was renovated in 2022 to improve the audience experience. It operates alongside the historic Music Hall, which has been a performing arts venue in Portsmouth since the 1870s and is one of the oldest operating theaters in the country.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Tuesday
- 7:30pm — Lake Street Dive get loud
Wednesday
- 7:00pm — Couch To Mic Live sing along
Friday
- 7:00pm — Lucy Kaplansky folk vibes
- 7:00pm — Fantasy Life electro beats
Saturday
- 7:00pm — Fantasy Life electro vibes
- 8:00pm — Alice Howe & Freebo folk night
No shows listed.