Author: Kristie Wells
A beloved summer tradition at Incline Beach is entering a new chapter. After 16 years of serving drinks, managing the musical program, and building community, Incline Spirits & Cigars is handing back management of the Barefoot Bar and the popular Music on the Beach program to the Incline Village General Improvement District (IVGID).
“It has been a privilege and a joy serving and getting to engage with our community,” Incline Spirits shared in their farewell message. “While this chapter comes to an end, we look forward to continuing the wonderful relationships and friendships we have all created over the past 16 years.”
For many locals, it wasn’t just the cocktails or the setting that drew them in – it was the music. The concert series, organized by Incline Spirits, became the heartbeat of summer evenings, drawing residents and visitors alike to Incline Beach every Wednesday and Friday to relax, dance, and connect.
IVGID formally acknowledged that contribution in a statement of thanks: “Music on the Beach at Incline Beach is a community favorite, and IVGID would like to extend a huge thank you to Incline Spirits for their hard work in planning and organizing this community concert series for years.”
What’s Next for Music on the Beach
The concerts themselves aren’t going away. IVGID confirmed that the tradition will continue, though with some changes. With construction of the new Incline Beach House scheduled for summer 2026, Incline Beach won’t be suitable for concerts during that time. Instead, Music on the Beach will shift to Burnt Cedar Beach for the 2026 season.
“Gathering together at the beach on Wednesdays and Fridays has become a staple of summer in Incline Village, and a tradition we plan to continue,” IVGID noted. Band lineups and schedules will be shared as summer 2026 approaches.
A Tradition That Lasts
What began as a casual way to wind down summer evenings has grown into one of Incline Village’s most cherished community events. While some residents wonder whether IVGID may be taking on too much with full management of both the bar and the music program, most agree the spirit of the series is strong enough to carry forward.
And so, while one era at Incline Beach has ended, the music will play on – just a little farther down the shoreline.
See you at Burnt Cedar next summer.
Photo credit: Incline Spirits Barefoot Bar