Entertainment at Smith Mountain Lake: Insider’s Guide [2025]

At Smith Mountain Lake, delicious dining is just the beginning. Once you’ve had your fill of fresh seafood, wood-fired pizza or gourmet burgers, the fun continues with a wide array of entertainment options for all ages.

Whether you’re in the mood to dance, compete, relax or just sit back and soak it all in, SML delivers. Here’s a taste of what you’ll find on and off the water—and how to stay in the know all year long.

For the 21-plus crowd, savor tastings at local breweries, wineries and distilleries. SML Fine Wines hosts tastings every Friday from 4-7 p.m. year-round, and at Bridgewater Plaza, Roosters Rise-N-Shine Distillery invites you to sample locally crafted spirits in Franklin County, known as the Moonshine Capital of the World. Many of the venues, including Fables and Feathers in Goodview, also feature live music and food trucks on weekends.

Wind Vineyards offers a scenic setting for sipping award-winning wines and enjoying special events throughout the year. From rodeos and monster truck shows to seasonal festivals, their calendar is packed with unique experiences that blend local flavor with big-time fun.

Bring your competitive spirit to Hot Shots Bar & Grill, here you’ll find trivia nights, cornhole tournaments, poker games, an 18-hole putt-putt course and axe throwing—yep, real axes, real fun. It’s a favorite hangout for locals and visitors looking to mix friendly competition with tasty food and drinks. 

Magnum Point Marina, Bottles & Bites and Mango’s Bar & Grill host lively trivia nights, while Magnum Point also offers music bingo—a fun twist on the classic game that gets everyone singing along. 

In season, you’ll find family-friendly attractions at Bridgewater Plaza, including Harbortown Mini Golf, plus carnival games, a rock climbing wall and a bungee trampoline at Lucky Duck. Fun-N-Games Arcade is open year-round on the middle level of the main building.

Rainy day? No worries. Challenge your crew to indoor simulated golf at Hammi Golf Lab at Mariners Landing or Birdies Where Are You at Westlake Towne Center. That’s also where you can catch a flick at Westlake Cinema, which offers first-run movies, comfy stadium seating and arcade games.

Live Music & Concerts

If your perfect evening includes toe-tapping tunes and cold drinks, Smith Mountain Lake has plenty to offer. Local hotspots like Mango’s Bar & Grill, Drifter’s, The Copper Kettle, Beacon Seafood Pub, Bottles & Bites and Portside Grill & Bar host live music throughout the season—everything from acoustic solo acts to crowd-pleasing party bands.

Looking for a bigger venue vibe? Check out The Coves Amphitheater for open-air summer shows by regional favorites or catch national touring acts at the Harvester Performance Center in nearby Rocky Mount, a beautifully restored venue that draws top-tier talent year-round.

For a more intimate experience, the Smith Mountain Arts Council’s Coffeehouse Series is a local gem, featuring folk, jazz, blues and original music in a laid-back setting with room to mingle and sip between sets.

And don’t miss the SML Parrot Pan and Toucan Pan Steel Drum Band, local ensembles that bring tropical vibes to the lake throughout the year, as well as the SML Boomer Band, whose high-energy performances spotlight classic hits that are sure to get toes tapping.

Drama, laughs and community spirit take the stage with the Lake Players, SML’s homegrown theater troupe known for clever, high-energy productions. Keep an eye out for seasonal plays and dinner theater shows via the Smith Mountain Arts Council.

Looking for your 15 minutes of fame? The popular open mic competition at Mango’s Bar & Grill draws a lively crowd each summer, offering a waterfront stage for aspiring performers and seasoned pros alike. You’ll also find karaoke nights at local bars like Hot Shots and Mango’s where you can belt out your favorite hits.

SML is home to several annual music festivals, family-friendly blowouts and can’t-miss entertainment events. From 4th of July Celebrations to Pirate Days, the Wine Festival, lighted holiday boat parade and more—there’s always something happening here.

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SML boasts a lively live music scene, offering everything from intimate acoustic sets to high-energy bands. Check out these hotspots for the best live music at the lake. * = Only open in-season

Beacon Seafood Pub

Bottles & Bites*

Coasters*

Drifter’s*

Harvest Moon Marketplace

Hot Shots Bar & Grill

Mango’s Bar & Grill

Mitchell’s Point Marina*

Portside Grill & Bar*

The Copper Kettle

The Coves Amphitheater*