Reviews of The Moonshine Cafe (Night Club)

House of Michelle

Nice experience of live music in bar after a period of time. It is full of people and all enjoyed so much.

Kyle C

I have more fun playing gigs here than anywhere else in the GTA.

Heather H

This is one of the best venues for original live music in southern Ontario and has built a well-deserved stellar reputation in the 8 years it's been there. I live in Toronto, but happily make the trip to Oakville several times a month to spend an evening at the 'Shine. This is a cozy, welcoming and respectful LISTENING venue for true music fans -- it is not a sports bar, you won't find a TV in sight, and yes, loud talking is strongly discouraged during performances. The Moonshine attracts many world class, award-winning performers and also strongly promotes local talent and youth. This place has something for everyone and is a true treasure. John Marlatt and Jane Mackay have created an absolute haven for music fans!!!

Jennifer Yellin

Unique, intimate dive bar for great live music. Very friendly service and well priced drinks.

Ingrid McNeill

Always a fun time at the Moonshine. You've got to love anywhere that features live music. Friendly, welcoming staff will make you feel right at home too.

Hamza Syed

Top spot for live music in Oakville. Awesome people and vibes. One of the best open mics in the area hands down also (every Tuesday).

Ry Smith

Always a fun evening at the monthly improv show.

Shjaane Glover

Amazing live music venue. Showcasing local talent for over a decade! Nice intimate space with a listening crowd. Great place to perform or be part of the audience!

Emerson

I was here for a live event. They were playing some classic rock stuff. Music was loud and the crowd looked like they were enjoying themselves. I'm more of a hard core rap kind of guy but I still felt welcomed. Had a few beers and sat back and relaxed. The people there was definitely older. Maybe is it was the band that brought the crowd. Maybe it was the crowd that brought the band. Idk it was my first time there

Audriana Burella

Dingy, but the open mic performers were sweet. However, they tried to illegally charge me 5 bucks for tap water on top of the cover.

Miguel Arturo Sierra Zàrate

It was pretty good, live music and cozy atmosphere

Sarah Forrest

Great cozy little hippy bar, everyone is so laid back and friendly <3 Def. the best bar in town

Susan Wray Toogood

Wonderful evening, attending a private event. We will be back!

Dave Parry

Awesome entertainment....Awesome venue

Kevin O'Heany

Live Music every day. Friendly crowd.

amy sloan

Live music every night! What more could you ask for?

Becca Cala

NO Do not go there! The Owner Treated me Very Badly! for no real reason at all, while I was THE most memorable musician artist who EVER played there; I heard how good of a show I did there up to 3 years later! Tom (the owner) told me to leave while I was completely Sober and When I asked him to simple be a man and tell me personally why? He like SUCH an Arshole would not talk to me and just hid away behind his bar. Yes I got angry and as I left I yelled at him (& honestly ya called im a discriminant ars hole) So I Garuntee the Moonshine cafe is no where nearly as good of a bar as others have said! unfortunately because I wish it were, Roarr!

kellystevet

Best place in Oakville for music lovers. Great jams on Mondays, Acoustic open mic night on Tuesdays. Excellent bands, and great informative website with calendar of upcoming events. Highly recommended. 5 stars. Steve.

Isabella Vecchiarelli

I loved everything about this place. Kudos to John for being such a great host even after 17 months without live music events, he loves his job and most of all he loves people. Great music and good vibes, that’s all you need for a great night. We’ll be back! :)

Max Ryan

It was worse than bad. I paid $6 for a bottle of beer!! Seriously! There is live music there...which normally would be good...but the night we were there it was horrible. And when we tried to talk to each other at our table the waitress came by and told us to leave if we wanted to talk.... ?? WTF?? It is a bar! I would never recommend this place for a drink..

Barry Delong

Great place to watch live music. Surprisingly the limited menu is quite good. Run by music lovers. Music every night.

J W

Quaint spot, great owners/staff, nice selection of live music

K Anstey

Amazing place to go to experience live music 7 days a week A great, supportive, community of musicians to play music with and learn from

Alex Whorms

Cozy restaurant with great live music every day!

Kynan DeSouza

Cozy little cafe with an amazing staff/owner who takes care of their visitors. Had a great night watching Oakville Improv! Highly recommended for a good time.

Chris Kowalchuk

An honest & honourable 1st rate local music venue with great selections for a small space and exceptional customer service

Guillaume Pascual (Kyom)

Authentic live music bar with nice beers

Don Christie

Operated with heart & soul. Congratulations John for sticking with your vision to provide a great venue for us :-)

Korin Abdelsayed

Love the passion in this place

Madison Sommerville

Great live music, staff is really friendly and fun

Scott Apted

A great place to play, and see live music!! Always a great time at The Moonshine!! As a musician, it's one of the only places left where people come to see and live the music. You have to check this place out!!!

Dennis John Chadbourne

Fun place. Great band

Dean Cherry

Are you into music? live music? open mics? good beer? If you answer the majority of these questions with a Yes the Moonshine Cafe is for you. Remember to always respect not only your staff but the musicians too. ✌

Rose Attalla

Went there fr the first time The staff make you feel right at home . Enviromnt super super nice. People there are beyond awesome. If you ever in oakvile. Moonshine cafe is the place to go.

Darla Thompson

My favourite place in Oakville to see great music!

Ian Rodriguez

John is one of the best persons I've worked with in this cut throat business.

Stu Englander

Music for music lovers. Awesome!

Sunil Vidyarthi

Great live music

Jim Darley

A terrific little bar with great live music almost every night.

Daniel Baximus

Very comfortable easy-going space with live music every single night.

MS Hamdan

Cousy old school... Great service... Bar tenders are awesome... Had a wonderful evening there lots of fun and oakville culture

Mike Deakin

Small room. Huge atmosphere. Never ever been disappointed by the live entertainment.

Vikrant Agarwal

Really nice and warm staff. Good place to chill. Just that music nights can be a hit or miss with whoever is playing on a day.

Brad Cox

Live music at its finest. Outstanding host, wonderful performances, music mecca!

Paul Mayhew

Great place for local musicians and an entertaining time

Shyamal Addanki

Cool vibe, relaxed and chill. Very friendly in a warm way, not over-the-top. Good craft brewery on tap. Small venue with a small stage makes the music experience intimate.

Michael Lewis

John and staff are the best!

Ricky Williamson

Nice intimate place to listen to music

Rich DaSilva

Great live music!

Richard Crutchlow

The Moonshine is a great local bar where you walk in and you immediately de-compress.The live music is usually pretty good with some outstanding players and bands booked in quite regularly. The owners - John and Jane, are singular characters in their own right and the eclectic atmosphere of local art work and a myriad of photos of the bar's history makes it feel just right. I like the place ... a lot. P.S. I am not an actor and have not been paid for this endorsement.

Winston Menchenton

Great atmosphere!

Oliver Blunn

Amazing music - authentic atmosphere

Kevin Johnston

Its almost a dive, but its super cozy and the staff are chill. Not a huge food selection but it feels genuine and friendly. Would recommend the open mic nights every Tuesday!

Man Una

Perfect Oakville Dt. live music outlet blues, jazz, country, rock etc every day. Drinks and food is good and services atmosphere feels home like.

Dean Stacey

One of the biggest supporters of live/original music around....great people...luv playing there!

Kassem Charafeddine

one of my favorite places in oakville. live music everyday! the employees and management are super friendly.

Pamela Donovan

it's a great place u can go play guitar on stage any type and they remember ur name great place

Bill Wood

Always a great time! Top notch entertainment and a chill vibe.

D D

This is a great place! The vibe is very homey with great staff and friendly patrons. Fantastic to have a drink and listen to live music.

Zeljka Burazin

Brilliant hidden gem in Oakville. Cozy atmosphere, great local bands. The place is all about the music!

Nash Stamenkovic

Great Improv Comedy shows!

Dwight Egerter

Awesome place to see very talented musicians. Excellent value!

Sam Hancock

Great vibe!

Richard Weima

Enjoyed hearing Jack de Kuyzer, with our Roland 7 neighbourhood gang! Moonshine Cafe a Kerr Village treat!

Randall Willis

Lovely staff, okay beer selection, simple layout. Great venue for live performances, including music and comedy

Ms. Johnston

Continually overserves their guests which puts both the local public and their customers in harms way. What more can you expect from kerr street though...

Robert Sipthorpe

Home grown local talent love

Daniel Dube

It has always been a great place to play a few songs and staff are friendly. A music haven in the changing times.

Rick Edwards

Great food, music & atmosphere

Jason Medeiros

Stellar

Mike Jung

Great place for live music!

Jacquelyn Maine

I love to go & watch live bands, especially the Webber Brothers!

Josie Simonini

Very rustic but great music

Shelly Hillier

(Translated) Awrsome (Original) Awrsome

Tracy Nursall

The place where bands go to hear other bands and get up and jam together. Excellent time every time we have gone.

James & Alicia Lantz

Friendly and cozy place to hear some great local talent. Fantastic venue to meet neighbours and friends, John will always make you feel welcome.

Rob Bruno

Excellent place to chill & watch live music.

Matthew Bin

A great venue for live music! Plus craft beer at reasonable prices, an awesome vibe, and nice people. Worth stopping in any time.

Dennis Vila

Randomly went here one day and had an awesome time good music good beer great staff!

carla gonzalez-casanova

A wonderful and unique venue for music and talent where a story is told with every show. Is a must to visit if you love music in Oakville.

Raya Schwets

Loved the cozy atmosphere though the service on a busy night was underwhelming and the chicken wings were clearly from a frozen box you can get from loblaws and they were very expensive. Not to say they tasted bad but they were not fresh for the price you pay for them.

Vanessa Rago

You've got to go to know.... family atmosphere, no television screens... people know your name + live music... amazing- blast from the past

Sheppard V. Freud

Exceptional live music in a very comfortable atmosphere. A treasure to be found in Oakville.

damonin

This is the gem of the oakville music scene.

Mr Mojorising

Great place. I miss it dearly.

Alaina Franco

Our cousin plays in amazing gigs here sometimes. The beer is also very good.

Graham Edgar

What an awesome little bar. The band sounded outstanding and the service was top notch. The owner was not only serving but cooking each order on the bbq outside for that taste. Very impressed. Bands each night and the cover and prices are all minimal for a great outing!!

Robin Granger

Always awesome

Sean Chesney

The Moonshine continues to be an Oakville gem. Great vibe and atmosphere full of positive artistic energy. This is hands down the most consistent and quality location for live music in town. Their Tues night open mic continues to bring out high calibre performers week after week! Here's to John and Jane for their continued support of the Arts in the community over the last 12 years. I look forward to the next 12.

Carmen North

My favourite bar in the world

Kyle Kinkade

Awesome open nights on Tuesday from 9pm-12am always a good crowd respectful and appreciative of yours and theirs music. Bands play here often if your in the area check this place put its wicked!

Scott Ralph

Nice place for music

kay lewis

Excellant place and location fir intimate open mike

Sarah Farr

Moonshine serves the BEST veggie burgers. I love 'em, and I'm not even a vegetarian! Very tasty. Nice decor. The bathroom is delightful. You feel very at home. The music is great too of course, but I can't get over the veggie burger. SO delicious.

Joe Vilaysone

Great selection of craft beers, awesome staff and an nice cozy vibe overall

clint butler

Great entertainment! Live jams, open stage, regular performances and the owner rocks!

Jan Stewart

Great music, friendly service

Lesley Morgan

Cute but crowded little place. Food is so so.

Walt B

Best spot for live music in Oakville. Intimate and eclectic. Highly recommended!

C G

This is a unique one of a kind place.. great music.. diverse crowd.. friendly and fun

James McLeod

Fun

Giovanni Marcheggiani

Great music jam place

Miragausit AtGmail

We both enjoyed the wings and pulled pork sandwich. An added touch was the evening held an open-mic night, so we were entertained with the great food. We plan to return!

Steve Ringler

This is a must for music junkies, some funky bands come to play here and it's a small personal venue. Awesome

Konstantin Papas

Food was subpar and overpriced for what it was. Rude service

Lou Trottier

The one and only place to see the best live music. Keep up the good work John.

Frank Sist

Great place and atmosphere

TheBeezlbob

I know times have changed and for the worst for musicians. Open Mike night is exploitive. Not only does the club now get free entertainment while the entertainers bring in their followers to spend their money on overpriced beer but the entertainer also pays the cover to play. I'll play for free just to play but I would not pay to play. Highway robbery. Not even worth a rating. As Dylan said, "I used to care but things have changed."

Gerald Morrison

Nice relaxed live music. Confortable and not over done music

G Dolick

Wonderful atmosphere and killer wings John BBQs right out front!! Not to mention great live music daily.

Chris Board

Best live band venue in the area.

Colin Brennan

Nice cozy atmosphere, good beer, I liked the band that was playing last Friday. I had a quality burger. The owner was friendly and hospitable.

Vic Skiland

Awesome live music, food and beer!

Fional Lawson

Great Venue, Great People, Great Music all in 1 venue, can't beat it !!!

josh broadbent

Great place for live music

Mark Isted

Great entertainment tonight with blues guitarist Jack de Keyzer.

Mureen Tierney

Mother and I loved this cafe tonight. Great Turkish coffee and server excellent young lady. Thanks again

Ted Mokren

AMAZING music venue!! The owner John is a passionate music fan and all around great guy!! He's created a great live music vibe in Oakville. You have to check it out!!

MJ Mendes

An intimate music cafe with an appreciation for live music.

R C

This place is so fun! One of the only places in Oakville to listen to live music and the bands are great! The owner and his staff obviously take pride in what they do and have fun while doing it.

Cindy Williamson

Lots of fun going to the Saturday afternoon jams.

Myron Pecaric

Best venue for live music and support of all musicians and artists.

John Crawford

Best place for BLUES in Oakville.

Randy Reaney

Great live music, food and service

Julie Sinclair

This is a fantastic small venue for high quality live music. A gem.

Stephen Soock

Great for live music and beer. Usually an older crowd

WILLIAM BREWER

Great music and ambiance

Lukas Sorer

Awesome food, awesome tunes.

lynn Hendrick

A fantastic experience of good Mui and great service

Amber

Such an amazing place! Awesome staff, cool vibe, and great music!

randyandy1960

Every seat in the house filled and the hard working owner and staff made sure everyone was looked after efficiently and in a friendly manner. Thumbs ????

Tyron Gauthier

What a great place. The owner is really doing something for the music seen.

J B

It's small, eclectically furnished, and a bit rough...but the music is always amazing.

John Mancuso

Great Live Music, Unique Experience , Cool Atmosphere. Also Delicious Food & Drinks.

Irina Vinogradova

Always have good times there!

Henry Tavares Bello

I have attended this establishment on various occasions. Some people love it, some... not so much. Let me set you straight. If you are looking for an upscale, modern, pretentious with fancy ....umm....everything - don't come here. If you want a cozy, friendly, warm place to enjoy a beverage and chat with friends, neighbors or even the person next to you - this is it. The best way to describe it? A neighborhood gathering spot. Add in excellent nightly live entertainment with perfect sound and cold beverages. Just simple and perfect. Just like the best things in life.

Dan L

Jerome Godboo

Jim McAughey

Amazing atmosphere for live music and great service. Oakville's version of the Horseshoe Tavern.

terry creighton

Sucks

Neil Lester

Great local live music venue. Sharing Ulrich performed an acoustic show that was primarily her own songs. John and Van essay were great hosts and made the evening feel like you were in their living room

Tyler Atkinson

Great place for live music! Great staff!

Dominic Dos Santos

This is Oakville special little treat. The bartender, Vanessa is totally hot and every time I see her working there I have to come in and pretend that I want to drink just so I can talk to her. I'm joking this is Dom I'm not creepy I'm dating her. In all honesty I've never seen a more tight knit Community existing at a bar slash venue location. It's a household full of family rather than a bar full of patrons and they're always sure to play the best live music.

Rick Furtado

Best music venue this town has seen.

Peter Coulas

A great place for great friends and great music.

Susie White

Great place to party & see great bands