By: Robert Spuhler

From John Phillips to Miley Cyrus—not to mention the Beach Boys (their song “Surfin’ Safari” refers to riders “shooting the Pier,” right in Malibu Beach Inn’s backyard!)—musicians have long found inspiration in Malibu.

But music fans, too, have found a home on the beach and in the hills: some of Southern California’s best music venues can be found in our 21-mile-long stretch of paradise. They act as gathering places, third spaces for a community filled with creatives and those who appreciate creative work, making live music in Malibu a unifying force. Sociologists call this effect “collective effervescence,” a heightened sense of togetherness and connection. 

Looking for fun things to do in Malibu? Want to find that sense of unity, that sense of communal joy? Check out one of these live performance hubs and find community with fellow music fans.

Dreamland concert venue in Malibu

Aviator Nation Dreamland

Since its opening in 2022, Dreamland has been the concert venue that live music in Malibu needed. Its living room vibe turns concertgoers into a community, and it features both local acts and national headliners. In fact, Dreamland recently has become a favorite room for “underplays,” where a major artist performs in an intimate setting that the musician could likely sell out several times over (pop and country star Maren Morris did exactly that this past May). Couple the live performances with a strong bar program and a solid menu of elevated bites, and Dreamland has quickly become a go-to spot for Malibu residents and visitors alike.

Smothers Theater

The main stage at Malibu’s top college—Pepperdine University—hosts artists ranging from student groups to international touring musicians. Songwriters like Marc Cohn, Leo Kottke, and Joan Osbourne have performed to 450 or so enthusiastic fans in small concerts over the past few years, and the set from Graham Nash in 2023 on the legendary singer’s “An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories” tour is still treasured by classic rock and folk fans. Seeing a show at Smothers is a local’s favorite of things to do in Malibu.

Corazón Culture and Arts Resource Center

This inviting, cozy space, including tapestries on the walls and pillows as floor seating in some spaces, at the Topanga Center features an eclectic mix of programming, including music. This is the place to go to be surprised—the night could be a sound bath meditation, a DJ spinning soul records from the 60s and 70s, or a tribute to the sounds of Spain’s past. Pro tip: get there early and grab pizza and wine from neighboring Endless Color, which also features a rack of records for sale. Check out upcoming shows on the theater’s Instagram feed. 

Malibu Music

The town’s favorite instrument store loves to welcome artists to its small stage. Guitar-forward acts—think folk, blues, rock—find an audience here that is almost as educated about the instrument as they are. The “Second Saturdays” performances are consistently entertaining, and other pop-up shows dot the calendar as well (follow the store on social media for the most up-to-date information). Best of all, the shows here are usually open to all ages, making them great concerts to bring younger aspiring musicians.

Wine pour in Malibu at the Rosenthal Winery

Wine, Dine and Dance

Along with dedicated venues, you can often find live music in Malibu spilling out of the windows of some of the town’s favorite restaurants and bars. Though Rosenthal Winery suffered major damage during the Palisades Fire of early 2025, it has opened a “Vineyard Experience” just 12 miles from Malibu Beach Inn, where oenophiles can sample tunes and different varietals in a stunning outdoor setting. Taverna Tony, a longtime Malibu favorite, features live music and belly dancing on an ongoing basis. And even shopping can come with a side of tunes: the Summer Somewhere wine bar inside of Fred Segal occasionally features artists on weekends.

Malibu Friends of Music

Couple beautiful classical and chamber music with a stunning location at the Montgomery Arts House for Music and Architecture, overlooking Zuma Beach. The latter, a California craftsman home designed by Eric Lloyd Wright, hosts the former, led by composer Maria Newman and conductor Scott Hosfeld, as they helm groups like the Malibu Coast Chamber Orchestra. These concerts feel like full experiences in ways that are hard to replicate at bigger venues or clubs: you’re seeing art inside of art. Watching a chamber group dazzle in the house’s living room, in front of a massive window overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is so soothing to the soul that it could be prescribed for anxiety treatment and no one would bat an eye.

From the centrally-located Malibu Beach Inn, a guest is only a brief drive (or, in the case of Aviator Nation Dreamland, a short walk) from not just a world of music, but a world of different music-driven experiences. From the dancing-encouraged Dreamland to the plush experience of Smothers Theater to the funky, community-oriented Corazon, live music in Malibu offers something for all music fans with tunes in their hearts.