Saturday nights were made for good wine and great music! Join us Saturday, November 7, from 7–9 PM as we welcome Vince Chiarelli to Palace Wine Bar for another installment of Local Sounds.

Sip something wonderful, savor the flavors of our thoughtfully curated wines and artisan boards, and soak in the warm, inviting ambience of Palace. Vince provides the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing Saturday evening filled with great music, delicious bites, and good company.

Whether it's date night, a gathering with friends, or simply an excuse to enjoy a great glass of wine, we've got your Saturday covered!

Friday nights sound better at Palace! Join us Friday, November 6, from 8:30–10:30 PM as we welcome the Mark Malin Trio for another installment of Downtown After Dark, our weekly celebration of live music, exceptional wine, and downtown Rockford nightlife.

Settle in with a glass of something wonderful, share a board with friends, and enjoy an evening of great music in an intimate atmosphere.

Whether you're kicking off your weekend or winding down after a long week, Palace is the place to be!

Good wine. Live music. Downtown after dark.

The spirits are restless, and The Haunted Palace is coming alive! Join us Halloween night, Saturday, October 31, for an evening of wine, wickedness, and revelry! DJ Rated AG takes over from 8–11 PM with infectious beats and haunting grooves. Indulge in spooky drink specials, featured bottles, and our Halloween charcuterie board while exploring the final night of Nathan J Taylor’s mysterious art takeover. Plus, don’t miss your last chance to win a Palace Tasting for six! Come dressed to haunt or simply ready to celebrate. One last night. One wicked good time awaits at Palace!

Something wicked this way comes! Join us Friday, October 30, as Palace Wine Bar transforms into The Haunted Palace for an enchanting evening of wine, mystery, music, and Halloween mischief! Discover your future with Raven Palmistry, enjoy spooky vintage favorites from The Vintage Beau, and dress to impress (or distress!) for our costume contest featuring three prizes. Indulge in sinister sips, hauntingly delicious charcuterie, and a mysterious art takeover by Nathan J Taylor. Plus, enter for a chance to win a Palace Tasting for six! An evening of beautiful wickedness awaits in downtown Rockford. Come get spirited!

Once upon a midnight dreary…

October was made for Edgar Allan Poe! Join us Monday, October 26, at 7 PM as Voices by the Fire returns to Palace Wine Bar for an evening of poetry, storytelling, and the deliciously macabre. Hosted by Mazey Knox, the evening begins with theatrical readings of Poe’s haunting works, exploring ravens, lost loves, madness, and mystery. Then, the floor opens for guests to share original poetry or works inspired by Poe’s dark, romantic spirit. Come listen, come read, and disappear into the shadows for a while. Free admission; reservations encouraged.

Quoth the Raven… see you at Palace.

Jeff Layng makes his Palace debut on Saturday, October 24, bringing his gentle acoustic style to our Local Sounds series. Join us from 7–9 PM for an easygoing evening of warm guitar, familiar melodies, and beloved favorites—you’re sure to recognize a song or two. Grab a glass, settle in, and enjoy a Saturday night of live local music in the heart of downtown Rockford.

Evon J Sams returns to Palace on Friday, October 23, for another smooth installment of Downtown After Dark. Join us from 8:30–10:30 PM as Evon brings his soulful saxophone and effortlessly cool sound back to our Late Night Jazz series. Settle into the low lights, order a glass, and let the music carry you into the night. The lights are low, the wine is poured, and Evon is back.

Comedy is coming to Palace! Join us Wednesday, October 21 at 7 PM for our very first Comedy Night @ Palace, hosted by Michael Palmenderi and featuring comedians Kevin Haas and Kevin Wood. We’re pairing pours with punchlines for an evening of stand-up, good wine, and plenty of laughs. Grab your friends—or come solo and meet a few new ones. Seating is limited; reservations are encouraged, with walk-ins welcome as space allows. No cover!

Ronald Jessen is back at Palace for another evening of Local Sounds! Join us Saturday, October 17, from 7–9 PM for live music, great wine, and an easygoing Saturday night in the heart of downtown Rockford. Settle in with a favorite bottle, share a board with the table, and let Ronald provide the soundtrack for the evening. Whether you’re joining us for the first pour of the night or lingering over one more glass, there’s always room for a little live music. Good wine, local sounds, and a Saturday night made for staying awhile.

Inversion Jazz Band makes their Palace debut for Downtown After Dark! Join us from 8:30–10:30 PM for Late Night Jazz, low lights, good wine, and the unmistakable energy of live music after dark. Whether Palace is your first stop or your last pour of the evening, settle in and experience Inversion Jazz Band in our intimate downtown setting. No rush. No early bedtime. Just jazz after dark.

Peter J Thomas returns to Palace on Saturday, October 10, for another evening of Local Sounds after an absolutely electrifying performance his last time here. Expect remarkable musicianship, infectious energy, and an intimate live music experience made for a glass of wine. Heading to Sammy Kershaw at the Coronado? Make Palace your first stop for wine, a bite, and incredible local music just steps from the theatre.

Feestet returns to Palace Wine Bar on Friday, October 9, for a special Downtown After Dark edition of Late Night Jazz. Join us from 8:30–10:30 PM for an intimate evening of live music, great wine, and after-hours energy in the heart of downtown Rockford. Cozy in with a glass, settle into the sound, and linger awhile as Feestet fills the room with their signature style.

The art doesn’t stop at 9. Neither do we. Keep your Fall ArtScene night going at Palace with our official After Party on Saturday, October 3, featuring a special acoustic performance from Rockford alternative rock band Gilded Cages. After exploring Palace’s “Pairings” exhibition, settle in as Gilded Cages strips things down for an intimate 9PM acoustic set. We’re keeping the wine flowing and the kitchen open late until 11PM, too. No cover. Art, live music, late-night bites, and plenty of wine. See the art. Stay for the music. Celebrate downtown.

The Naomi Patten Collective returns to Palace for a special Fall ArtScene edition of Downtown After Dark on Friday, October 2 from 8:30–10:30PM. Led by acclaimed trumpeter Naomi Patten, the ensemble blends jazz with soulful, contemporary energy—the perfect soundtrack for one of downtown Rockford’s biggest nights for the arts.

Explore Palace’s first Fall ArtScene exhibition, “Pairings,” from 5–9PM, then grab a glass and stay for late-night jazz.

No cover. Reservations strongly recommended; walk-ins welcome as space allows.

Why should Friday get all the jazz?

Rockford native Ben Bergmark makes his Palace debut Saturday, September 26, bringing nearly two decades of experience at the piano to our Local Sounds series. Join us from 7–9PM for an intimate evening of exceptional jazz, great wine, and Saturday-night vibes in the heart of downtown Rockford.

And jazz lovers—make a weekend of it! We’ve got live jazz at Palace Friday AND Saturday night.

Spend your Friday night with exceptional live jazz as pianist Scott Mertens joins us for Downtown After Dark.

A pianist, educator, composer, and arranger, Scott is a familiar presence in the Northern Illinois and Chicago-area jazz scene, performing throughout the region while also sharing his love of jazz with the next generation.

Grab a glass or a flight, order a board for the table, and settle in for an intimate evening of sophisticated live jazz in the heart of downtown Rockford. Reservations are encouraged, and walk-ins are always welcome!

Start your Melissa Etheridge night at Palace! Just two blocks from the Coronado, Sophie Coyote makes her Palace debut with a raw, rootsy blend of Americana, classic rock & roll, honky-tonk country and blues. Catch Sophie live from 5–7 PM, grab a glass or explore a flight, and take advantage of $5 off ALL wine flights for Tuesday Flight Night. Then stroll down Main Street for Melissa Etheridge: RISE at 7:30 PM. Come early, grab that downtown parking spot, discover a new local favorite, and make a whole night of it!

Spend a Saturday celebrating the best of Rockford’s creative scene! After exploring the 78th Annual Greenwich Village Art Fair, head downtown to Palace as Ronald Jessen brings his soulful, bluesy vocals and looping guitar riffs to the wine bar from 5–7 PM. Then, continue the evening just two blocks away as the Rockford Symphony Orchestra opens its 2026/27 season with The Planets at the Coronado at 7:30 PM. Art, blues, wine, and symphony—all in one incredible Rockford Saturday.

BRB Trio makes their Palace debut for Downtown After Dark! Join us Friday, September 18 for an evening of live jazz featuring three exceptionally accomplished musicians. Pianist Behrens holds a degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Illinois, bassist Crystal Rebone is an orchestra director with a Doctorate in Jazz Performance from U of I, and saxophonist Jim Buennig holds his Doctorate in Jazz Performance from the University of Iowa. Settle in with a glass of wine, share a board, and experience this talented new trio from 8:30–10:30 PM. No cover—just great jazz in downtown Rockford!

One of Rockford's favorites is making his Palace debut.

Join us Saturday evening as Andrew Robinson brings his bluesy, soulful sound to Local Sounds. Expect expressive riffs, serious guitar jams, and the kind of music you can settle into and get lost in for a while.

Find a cozy spot, pour something delicious, order a few snacks, and let Andrew provide the soundtrack for your Saturday night.

Andrew Robinson
Saturday, September 12
7–9PM
Palace Wine Bar | Downtown Rockford

Reservations are strongly recommended, as seating is limited. Walk-ins are always welcome as space allows.

Late Night Jazz rolls on at Palace as we welcome powerhouse saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Amanee “The Sax Chick” Avery for her Palace debut! Join us Friday, September 11 from 8:30–10:30PM for an evening of soulful sax, serious talent, great wine, and all the late-night vibes in downtown Rockford. Reservations strongly recommended!

Settle in and stay awhile.

This Saturday, Local Sounds welcomes Paul Bronson to Palace for an evening of ethereal, atmospheric guitar—the perfect backdrop for sinking into a cozy spot, discovering a new bottle, and letting the evening unfold.

Dreamy, immersive, and effortlessly cool, Paul’s sound was made for a night at Palace.

Paul Bronson
Saturday, September 5
7–9PM
Palace Wine Bar | Downtown Rockford

Reservations are strongly recommended, as seating is limited. Walk-ins are always welcome as space allows.

City Market may be winding down for the season, but the vibes at Palace are still swinging! 🍷🎶 Downtown After Dark: Late Night Jazz continues into September with the return of crowd favorite Samuel Caiola Trio. Settle in with a glass of wine and enjoy an evening of incredible live jazz from 8:30–10:30PM. Reservations strongly recommended!

Join us for another installment of Local Sounds at Palace, featuring Rockford’s own Steve McClanahan on Saturday, August 29 from 7–9 PM.

Steve is a solo acoustic guitarist and singer with a repertoire spanning a wide variety of familiar songs—the kind you know, love, and might just find yourself singing along to.

Grab a glass, settle in, and spend your Saturday evening enjoying live local music in the warm, intimate atmosphere of Palace.

LOCAL SOUNDS: STEVE McCLANAHAN
Saturday, August 29 | 7–9 PM
Palace Wine Bar
No cover

Reservations are strongly encouraged and are available for parties of 1–6. Walk-ins are always welcome as space allows, including seating at our bar. For those hoping to join us specifically for the music, we recommend reserving in advance—Saturday evenings at Palace tend to fill up quickly.

Join us for Downtown After Dark at Palace Wine Bar, featuring the Mark Malin Trio from 8:30–10:30 PM. Keep the night going after City Market with this instrumental jazz trio of seasoned musicians, bringing a fresh groove and their own flavor to jazz standards, contemporary jazz, blues, and R&B. Grab your favorite glass, settle in, and enjoy an evening of live jazz in the heart of downtown Rockford. No cover. Reservations are encouraged for those who want to guarantee a table, and walk-ins are always welcome as space allows. Come spend your Friday night with us at Palace!

Join us for an evening celebrating the revolutionary voices of the Beat Generation—poets who challenged convention, embraced spontaneity, and explored themes of freedom, identity, spirituality, travel, jazz, and the search for authentic living. Guided by host Paul Goddard, we'll journey through works by iconic Beat writers before opening the floor for original poetry inspired by the spirit of the movement.

The evening unfolds in three parts: a curated reading of Beat poetry, an open invitation for guests to share original work, and a casual conversation and Q&A to close the night.

Seating is limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged. Due to our intimate setting, we are only able to accommodate a limited number of parties of 6–8 guests. We look forward to gathering by the fire for another unforgettable evening of poetry and community.

Join us for another evening of Local Sounds at Palace Wine Bar on Saturday, August 15, from 7–9 PM, featuring cellist, vocalist, and composer Peter J. Thomas. Blending live looping, layered cello, expressive vocals, and original compositions, Peter creates immersive performances that weave together classical, folk, indie, and contemporary influences. A performer with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, he brings exceptional artistry and musicianship to every show. Pair this one-of-a-kind musical experience with thoughtfully curated wines, artisan charcuterie, and the warm atmosphere of downtown Rockford's newest wine bar. No cover. Reservations are encouraged. 🍷🎻

Keep the evening going after City Market with Downtown After Dark at Palace Wine Bar. On Friday, August 14, from 8–10 PM, enjoy an unforgettable performance by Evon J. Sams, whose soulful vocals and effortless style bring jazz standards, Motown favorites, R&B classics, and timeless hits to life. Settle in with a thoughtfully curated glass of wine, artisan charcuterie, and the warm, intimate atmosphere that makes Palace the perfect place to spend a summer evening. Whether you're ending the night or just getting started, this is live music at its finest. No cover. Reservations are encouraged. 🍷🎶

Join us for another evening of Local Sounds at Palace Wine Bar on Saturday, August 8, from 7–9 PM, featuring singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Despina. Blending Americana, folk, bluegrass, and country, her heartfelt originals and beautifully reimagined favorites create the perfect soundtrack for a relaxing summer evening. A member of Chicago's acclaimed Fox Crossing Stringband, Despina brings expressive vocals and exceptional musicianship to every performance. Pair live local music with thoughtfully curated wines, artisan charcuterie, and the warm atmosphere of Palace Wine Bar. No cover. Reservations are encouraged. 🍷🎻