If you run a bar, music is a huge part of the vibe. You cannot legally use personal streaming apps like Apple Music, Spotify, or Amazon Music in a commercial setting. To stay legal, you need a commercial music service. This guide compares the top providers for bars and walks through the licensing rules behind them.
The Rules of Bar Music Licensing
When you play music in public, the law requires you to pay the people who wrote and recorded it. Consumer apps only grant a license for private, personal use. A commercial platform covers the legal rights for you. Ignore this rule and you risk serious fines. See our guide to unlicensed music fines for real cases and real numbers.
The Five PROs Behind Licensed Music for Bars
A Performing Rights Organization (PRO) collects money for songwriters and publishers. In the United States, there are five main groups.
- ASCAP: The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers represents over a million creators and a massive catalog of hit songs. Learn more in our ASCAP guide.
- BMI: Broadcast Music, Inc. represents millions of tracks across every genre and era. Learn more in our BMI guide.
- SESAC: A smaller, invite-only organization. It still controls the rights to many popular songs. Learn more in our SESAC guide.
- GMR: Global Music Rights is a newer, boutique organization representing top-tier, highly popular modern artists. Learn more in our GMR guide.
- AllTrack: This organization focuses on independent and digital-first creators. Learn more in our AllTrack guide.
Music Licenses for Different Entertainment Types
The licensing you need depends on how you use music as entertainment.
Background Music: If you play recorded tracks from a commercial streaming service, that service covers the PRO fees for those songs.
Live Music: A streaming service does not cover live performers. You must pay the PROs directly for a public performance license when you host a band. You can learn more in our live music licensing guide.
DJs: Having a DJ is a great way to pack the house and keep up the energy. However, having a DJ means the licensing requirements fall on the venue, not the performer.
Karaoke: This requires synchronization rights because lyrics display on a screen. If you host karaoke nights, secure a separate karaoke licensing agreement and individual licenses from the PROs. You can learn more in our Karaoke Licensing Guide.
If you’re not sure you can use our free Music Licensing Checker to know which licenses you need based on how you use music.
Comparing the Top Music Services for Bars
Soundtrack Your Brand
SoundMachine
Jukeboxy
Confirm current pricing against our full provider comparison before you sign up — these rates change.
Going from Background Music to Live Music
Bars frequently switch between a streaming service and a live act or guest DJ. When you pause the streaming service for a performance, your background music license stops covering you. The performer or the venue needs its own public performance rights for that set. Plan this handoff before the band shows up, not after.
Features Bars Need from a Music Service
Dayparting
A bar's vibe changes by the hour. Quiet rock during early happy hour. High-energy pop later at night. Dayparting automates that shift so you're not touching a dial all night.
Learn about dayparting →Multi-Zone and Multi-Location Control
Most bars have more than one space: a patio, a dining area, a main bar. A centralized dashboard lets you run different music in each zone from one login and also manage multiple locations.
Learn about multi-zone →In-Store Messaging
Use your speakers to announce happy hour, trivia night, or a live act starting soon. In-store messaging schedules these announcements automatically between songs.
Learn about messaging →Explicit Content Filtering
If you serve brunch or host daytime events, you need clean tracks. A late-night dive bar might not care at all. Explicit filtering lets you set the standard per daypart or zone.
Learn about filtering →Playlist Import
Already built a Spotify or Apple Music playlist that nails your bar's vibe? Some providers let you import it directly into a licensed platform instead of starting over.
Learn about playlist import →Sonos Integration
If you've already invested in Sonos speakers, you don't need new hardware. Sonos integration lets you stream licensed music through the system you already own.
Learn about Sonos →Choosing Background Music for Bars by Type
Dive Bars
Classic rock, 90s alternative, or country fit a casual, familiar vibe that encourages singing along.
Cocktail Lounges
Jazz, lo-fi beats, or smooth electronic music build a sophisticated atmosphere that supports quiet conversation.
Sports Pubs
Upbeat rock, pop, and hip-hop match the fast-paced energy of a live game and keep the crowd engaged during commercial breaks.
Nightclubs
Loud, driving dance music demands multi-zone control if you have a loud dance floor and a quieter lounge area in the same building.
Pair any of these with dayparting. Play relaxed tunes in the afternoon and switch to upbeat tracks late at night, automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions about Music for Bars and Pubs
Q: Do I need a music license for bars if I only play background music?
A: If you use a commercial streaming service, your background audio is covered by the monthly subscription fee. If you play CDs, vinyl, or live TV broadcasts, you need direct licenses from the PROs.
Q: Can I use Spotify in my bar?
A: No. Spotify’s terms of service restrict the platform to personal, non-commercial use. There is no Spotify for Business. Use a dedicated commercial provider instead.
Q: Which provider is great for a bar with multiple zones, like a patio and a main bar?
A: Soundtrack Your Brand. Its per-zone dashboard is built specifically for running different music in separate spaces from one account.
Q: Which provider is cheapest for a single-location bar?
A: SoundMachine starts at $26.95 a month and still includes multi-zone support if you add a patio or back room later.
Q: How does dayparting work for a bar?
A: Dayparting automates the shift from a relaxed afternoon vibe to a high-energy evening atmosphere. You set the schedule once and the platform handles the rest.
Q: How do I manage music across a patio, a main bar, and an indoor dining area?
A: Use a provider with multi-zone control. You assign a separate playlist and volume to each zone, and you manage all of them from one dashboard.
Q: What happens to my music license when a live band takes over?
A: Your background music streaming license stops applying. The performer or your venue needs separate public performance rights to cover the live set.
Ready to choose? See the best music providers for your business on our Compare Page—it's free and easy!
By John Boyle
John is a music for business expert and the founder of MusicforBusinessFinder.com which has been featured on BigIdeasforSmallBusiness.com, Noobpreneur and YFS Magazine. He focuses on helping small business owners navigate the confusing world of commercial music licensing, improve sales, and protect their businesses. By providing clear, independent analysis of top music for business platforms, he ensures owners can make informed choices with confidence. He also loves rooting for the Mariners and his daughter’s soccer team.