The Folk-Groovin’ Café
(631) 368-1920, Dix Hills

This community-based traveling acoustic concert series is run by veteran folk-rock artist Jim Frazzitta. Performances are primarily held at the St. Lawrence of Canterbury Church in Dix Hills, although they occasionally migrate to other locales such as the Conklin Barn in Huntington. All concerts feature local, original acoustic artists and start with an open mic. The crowd is close-knit and welcoming, so if you’re into folk music and you’re looking for new friends, this is where you want to be. Visit The Folk-Groovin’ Café on Facebook to learn when and where the next show is.

Tap and Barrel
(631) 780-5474, Smithtown

Tap and Barrel has made a name for itself amongst beer enthusiasts by virtue of having 52 craft beers on tap at any given moment. With plenty of space and dim pub lighting, you may or may not lose your friends at some point in the evening—and you may or may not choose to join a Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament (every other Wednesday) rather than go look for them. Live blues and rock bands perform on Friday and Saturday nights, along with a sprinkling of weeknight music events including jazz jams and smaller local acts.

Gallery Z
(631) 651-8949, Rocky Point

Gallery Z is one part fine art gallery, one part event space. With an open mic night divided into “low key” (acoustic performers, comedy acts, poetry) and “high key” sections (rock bands, hip hop acts), this venue-gallery-meeting place is so inclusive it hurts. Though Gallery Z has not been on the radar for long, it has quickly gained a following of artists, poets, musicians and the rest of eastern Suffolk’s bohemian crowd. Check out open mic night on Thursdays, and avant garde art and music happenings during the weekend.