Well, I've up graded my "2" rating to a "4" rating for the following reasons:  A very good friend was performing with his band Zulu Spear, last Sat and I had to go, as I'd not seen them in a very long time.  At the door, everyone was nice.  Inside, worried about the water situation, I was surprised and THRILLED that the waitress we had, I believe her name was Diane, was SO nice, and gave us as much water as we wanted.  The band was great, the crowd was great, everything went very well.  One less star from 5 because one of the "security" made a point of asking  my friend to leave the floor who took her shoes off to dance to the African Music, but he DID NOT ask the dancers who insisted on carrying sloshing drinks in their hands while dancing to leave the dance floor.  I guess the place is closing or is being sold sooo- looking forward to what ever the changes will be.
Review Source:This place is awesome  We came here for a family function.  We reserved the entire front dining room for our family of 30+.  The food was surprisingly good and the service was excellent.  Staff was friendly and accommodating.  They also had a full bar which went well with our gathering.
Review Source:Came by here for Death Angel and Potential Threat's last day of their recent tour. Â The metal crowd is alive in this quiet town. Â People tend to gather and block the restaurant area, which is a bit of an annoyance. Â Be careful where you walk. Â Different areas in this establishment are elevated.
Their food wasn't very pleasing. Â My pizza was brutally salted. Â The garlic bread was thrashed with salt.
So much fun here! Â Two new pool tables in the back room, at a buck a game. Â The drinks kept flowing all night. Â The first night we were there, they had a jazz/blues band doing kind of an open jam sort of thing. Â The homeless guy slurping jell-o shots off the table was only slightly more entertaining - he asked me to dance. I declined. Â
The bartenders were awesome, and directed us toward the other best-to-do's in and around town while we were there for a few days, and made all the difference.
Thanks!
So me and the gals decide it's time for a Girls Night Out and we LOVE LOVE LOVE Wonder Bread 5. Â We see they're playing at Last Day Saloon so we decide to give it a shot. It's a lot bigger than I was expecting so that was nice not to be crammed into a sweaty little bar after we were getting our dance on. Restrooms: Clean and well stocked which is a MUST and huge plus when they are, right, ladies? Â Drinks... seemed okay, I didn't order one but from what I could tell the other gals were enjoying them to the fullest :)
I will definitely be back to give this place another go!
In a wild bit of randomness I gave the girl I was on a date with the option of going to see a Black Sabbath cover band. Oddly she said yes and off we went to the Last Day Saloon. I hadn't been here since it was called something else years ago. The layout was the same however; which was good because they have a fairly decent set-up.
The main room has a nice long bar and there are different areas to sit. Then there is a back room with more tables, a dance floor, and a big stage along with a second bar. Since it was metal night we stuck out like sore thumbs both being dressed in blues (I in a sweater, my date in a dress). Surrounded by a sea of black t-shirts, leather jackets, and the like it was very obvious we weren't part of the crowd.
Quickly I adopted a British accent so I could say I was searching for talent. That did get us a prime table but alas no free drinks. The service was decent for a bar and everyone was polite. Prices were also on the lower end; which was good because the bands were fairly awful. The first group gave it a good go, but were just too loud. I never understand why at live shows they turn it up a notch or two past good listening volume. Are the sound guys just all deaf after so many years? The second group was awful and then the tribute band did a mediocre tribute.
All in all the Saloon is a solid 3 on the Richter scale. Maybe it would get to a 4 if it was a different band and the place was actually crowded.
I've been here twice now, both times to see Pat Travers (and a few of the opening acts - Miles Schon Band was really good). It's a good location, with parking right across the street.
I can't really comment on the downstairs bar area, but upstairs where the shows are is decent size for a venue like this. The bartender was friendly, and when we sat at one of the tables a waitress came right over to see if we needed anything else (already had drinks).
My only complaint would be the house sound system. The sound gets pretty muddy at the sides, but is OK in the center.
It's a good place to see a band or two.
Went here with my lady friend for happy hour a few Fridays back, and I'll say this bar is nothing special. BUT what made my experience worthy of 3 stars was...
1) The bartender. I forget her name (not surprising considering the amount of beers I had), but she was a cool, down-to-earth lady. Very helpful in answering any questions we had. My favorite part was when she introduced me to the "Black and Tan", and for that I am forever grateful.
2) The crowd. When we went, the few others sitting at the bar with us were pleasant, workin-class folk. Everyone was friendly and there to just enjoy a brewski after a long day. There was one guy sitting next to us who pounded down an unspecified number of bud lights (Seriously, EVERY time he finished one, the bartender immediately placed another in front of him. I'm guessing somebody comes here often, eh?), who had us dying from laughter at his "quirky" commentary.
All in all, we had a great time. We had only planned on staying for about an hour (got there around 5), but had to call a friend to pick us up a little after 7, because we lost track of time...and drinks. Results may vary, but definitely check this place out!
Diviest dive bar I've dived into in years.
Although we didn't get to stay for the show, watching the patrons of this place was entertainment in itself. Â From the 100 year-old inebriated grandpa to the "lady" sitting at the bar "selling" crack. Â Great place for people watching. Â It was a riot.
Run of the mill bar fare: beer, wine, mixed drinks and fried food.
Definitely would recommend this bar to out-of-towners and anyone else in the area looking for a local watering hole.
Would love to give this place zero stars...not an option. This place fails on so many levels it is amazing. Music drug me there again as the Abyssinians took the stage and while they themselves where great, here is a break down of the evening.
First bit was a beer. My wife ordered one and started drinking it, then set it down. I asked her why she was not drinking it and she told me it tasted funny...good enough, I'll try it. Tasted like it had sat in the lines for weeks, totally sour. No biggie, I will just go get another one. Nice enough that the bartender looked totally annoyed that I would dare to bring a beer back and suggest she get me another one as it was sour. Strike one.
Then we walk back into the room where they do shows. Grab a seat and are told "you guys can't be back here". Well, we are already back here partner- is there some sort of staging we can't see? Lame
DJ was standard and predictable, which is often a common thread in pre-game Reggae DJ's, but certainly a disappointed, nothing I can fault the venue for but it added to the downer that was becoming my evening.
$20 bones and two hours of "Police In a Helicopter" and airhorns and the band finally takes the stage. Now, I can't expect everyone to know who the Abyssinians are, but in a long tradition of reggae harmony vocalists, these are the finest I think. They also still sing like they did 40 years ago, and all of that would have been great to hear if this place did not have the absolute worst sound system and sound engineer I have ever heard. In 30 years of concert-going, pretty much constantly, I have seen High School kids set levels on hand me down equipment better. What did my $20 go for? The pleasure of sitting in a dilapidated room with an apathetic and annoyed staff (sorry guys, I won't come back-message received) listening to a great group who were not even afforded the respect of at least a half way decent sound. Fantastic. Couple that with a completely bunk crowd (gotta love the local reggae scene- mostly an excuse for people to do way too many drugs and go out for the evening) and this just left me as sour as the beer.
If I knew it was my LAST DAY on Earth, and the RAMONES rose from the dead to play for me here, I would skip it.
Went to two Tainted Love concerts here. Both were stopped half way because they sold to many tickets and the fire marshall closed them done til people left leaving you standing their for an hour or more til people left and they only gave the people that left half there money back!
This place sucks. Talk about killing a good time! They even made a second line to get into the dance room! SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS
Oh I forgot how I had to wait in line for paid for will call tickets 1 hours. I repeat PAID FOR WILL CALL TICKETS
Horrible food. Â Poorly run concert.
So I went with a group to celebrate a friend's birthday. Â Tainted Love was playing and she really wanted to see them, so we all made the trip up from SF for the night. Â
We were looking to possibly eat before the show and called LDS about maybe eating there. Â They promised us a great table that we could keep through the show so we went ahead and booked it. Â When we showed up, they took us to a table in a room seperate from the stage where you can see the floor through a window. Â Seeing as you can't even hear the music from the table, there's absolutely no point in having a "reserved table" for the show.
Food came out was Denny's quality. Â It seemed like canned sauces were used and the vegetables were definitely not fresh. Â
The really big complaint is from the concert. Â The first half of the show rocked. Â Tainted Love was great, as always. Â After their intermission, they had to stop mid-song because aparently LDS can't count. Â Here's a hint, if you have a sign on your wall that says capacity 314 people, don't sell 400 tickets. Â The show was stopped and they asked everyone to leave and then come back in one by one so they can count people, inevitably keeping some 100 people outside the concert. Â The 2 security folks were getting absolutely handled by the crowd (1 guard for a door 8 feet wide? Â Really? Â I see 2 doormen at a dive bar on a Saturday night everywhere I go). Â
Basically, we decided the concert would pretty much never start back up and left. Â We stopped by the door to ask about a refund, but they basically said we'd have to check back later, i.e "we're totally unprepared for all of this and don't know what the f*ck we're supposed to do." Â
Avoid at all costs.
I have patronized Last Day Saloon pretty much since I turned 21. Â I have also seen the band Tainted Love here probably 6 or 7 times in the last three years. Â My visit to the Last Day Saloon on 8/29 will be my last.
The place was crowded, but I have seen it far more crowded. Â During the intermission, my boyfriend and I went to sit down in the room opposite the dance floor. Â As intermission was ending, we got up to go back into the dance hall to meet up with our friends. Â I was going to make a stop at the bathroom first, and that's when we saw two police officers come in. Â
Within a few moments  there were bouncers at all entrances to the room telling us we couldn't leave and the dance floor was too crowded.  We then watched as the sound was cut and management stormed the stage telling the people they needed to clear the room as it was too crowded.  The band looked shocked, and frankly pretty annoyed. Â
My friend was in the room, and he reported to me later that everyone stood their ground and wouldn't move. Â The crowd was angry, and he couldn't get out of there if he had wanted to. Â
Meanwhile, I still had to pee. Â I went up to a bouncer who was standing between me and the bathroom in the rear of the club. Â I asked if I could go use the bathroom and he said "I can't let you leave this room." Â I assured him I wasn't going to go into the dance hall, I just wanted to use the bathroom. Â He just rolled his eyes at me, and then stepped to the side. Â
After the bathroom break we met up with our friend and decided it was time to go. Â The musical hiatus was approaching 45 minutes at this point. Â We went to the coat check only to find no one was there to help us with our coats. Â We stood with another dozen fed up patrons who just wanted to leave. Â Finally, people just started getting their own coats and no one bothered to stop them. Â Our friend had checked a coat that cost several hundred dollars and he realized someone could have just walked off with it. Â
On the way out, I asked the lady politely if refunds would be issued. Â She said she didn't know. Â I asked when she would have information. Â She just waved her hands in front of her face and ignored me. Â We left.
We found out later that Last Day Saloon oversold tickets for the evening. Â If that is the case, they have been doing it for years since I have seen the venue more crowded than it was that night. Â If they oversold, it is their fault, not the patrons' fault. They should have acknowledged the mistake. Â
In addition, it is unacceptable to deny paying customers access to a restroom, prevent them from leaving the premises, leave valuables unattended and unsecured, and flat out ignore patrons who are being polite and asking reasonable questions. Â I am disgusted by Last Day Saloon and I will never be back.
We went to see a Tainted Love show and also ate dinner. Dinner was thoroughly average, with a very limited menu because it was a show night and service that was so-so.
Tainted Love was great, but the venue, not so much. After an intermission half way through the band started their first song of the second half, only to have the staff cut their sound in the middle of the song and walk up to the perplexed lead singers to explain that there were too many people in the main room, and that it was over its capacity. Even though the floor was no more crowded than the first half of the show.
We left after that, but we've been to a lot of venues. Clubs, bars, music halls, and never experienced such an amateur display of management of a show.
If the room only holds 300, don't sell more than 300 tickets. If people from the bar aren't allowed in the ballroom then have adequate staff or explain to the patrons what's going on.
This review is about the food and not the music venue.
First time in the Last Day Saloon was last week even though I'm a life-long Sebastopol/Santa Rosa resident. Met some out of town friends there for happy hour on a Thurs evening. Everyone in our group started ordering appetizers and I was immediately taken back by the lack of fresh, interesting food. Everything that came out looked like it had been previously frozen and  was deep fried. One of us ordered the sweet potato fries and couldn't recognize them as actually being sweet potatoes by taste or sight. Really, sub par. I also thought my Fat Tire beer tasted a little soapy. Perhaps the glass wasn't rinsed out enough?
My other complaint is that the atmosphere was pretty blah and that the other patrons there seemed like old bar flies. I'm sure the crowd on a gig or weekend would be different.
Well, this was my first and last time going here. I paid my $15.00 and waited in line to see Pride and Joy...They opened the curtains, let us in, only to find about 6 empty tables and the rest were reserved. Â I am disabled and not able to stand for long periods of time and was not able to stay and enjoy the show. Â This is not a disabled friendly location...shame shame on you
Review Source:This post is about the music venue, not the bar or food.
I have never been into the Last Day Saloon in the ten or more years of experience in checking out music and nightlife in SR. Â They never have bands that are good enough to see, to pay a lousy cover and have to deal with Santa Rosa rednecks getting wasted. Â Recently I decided to go on in.
What a disgrace. Â I had the privilege of seeing a great guitar legend, Travis Meeks, at the Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa a few days ago, and the whole set was botched. Â The openers were horrid, and they were trying to buy time by putting on some terrible acts and repeating 'ten more minutes' like the audience was a bunch of morons. Â They were. Â Only a few were actual Travis Meeks fans, and it was shameful to see about 30 people there by the end of the show. Â
The lighting (spotlights on the audience when he wasn't playing, and nothing coordinated..) and sound (big feedback problems and complete lack of respect for his amazing guitars, not even coming out tuned) pretty much ruined the set, thanks to the crew. Â Plus he was basically pushed off stage by the venue. Â How embarrassing. Â I thought Sonoma County had a little more class. Â No formal apology to speak of. Â
The most disrespect I have seen toward a great artist and rare performance, ever.
I would love to get some feedback from the Last Day Saloon, feel free to post!
____________________________________________
Fredric - I like your posts, they made me laugh at your poor grammar and the venues you reviewed.. Â It's okay, since probably no one will listen to you based on the places you've reviewed. Â Spancky's, The Fox, and the Last Day Saloon? Â Wonder what kind of moron you are.. Â In any case, as I stated in my post, I've only been to the Last Day Saloon ONCE in the last 10 years of going out in SR. Â Spancky's ONCE as well, for that matter. Â There's a reason why, maybe you'll figure it out someday.
This review is about the food and not the music venue....
I was unfortunately dragged here for dinner one night. I would have never thought of eating here and there is a reason for that. I usually like to get into specifics about what was ordered, etc.... but it really is not worth the time. The food was disgusting and evereyone's dishes lacked something that it was supposed to include. Save yourself the trouble and eat somewhere else!
Our waitress was VERY nice and attentive and the bar staff did a great job with our drinks but it does not make up for the food. I would come here for a drink or maybe to see a band but until then I cannot say I am a fan.
came here on a saturday night for a late dinner. not the best idea. i actually realized i'd been to this place before, to see tainted love three years ago... so as far as music venues go, it can be a pretty fun place. drinks are cheap :)
on saturday, pop fiction, a live coverband, was performing. the music was entertaining enough, but there was a very strange mix of people. as for the food.... not good. it took forever for them to bring out a dry, well-done burger (when I had asked for it to be cooked medium) and a chinese chicken salad whose dressing was basically soy sauce. the soda was flat, and the food just really  sub-ocre. the waitress was friendly, but it didn't make the food taste any better. i think i would have been better off at the chevy's down the street, or anywhere else really, especially since it was $35 for a crappy burger, a crappier salad, and two flat sodas...
Well, I have not been here in years and I swooped by after class. I apparently walked in on a coungerfest lounge party which looked pretty disappointing though for the turn out. And no 58-70 does not count as couger status.
Regardless, I ended up sitting down and had a very sweet cocktail server/waitress take my order and take care of me. The only main faults I can get her on were that she did not offer or bring me bread with that meal and that the poor thing was the only server on the floor. So anyways I ordered a seafood saute that was served with angel hair pasta. And it came with a salad with blue cheese, the blue cheese was good and that salad was decent but it should have been served on a larger cleaner looking plate. The entree did come out warm but the mussels were small, the prawns overcooked and the fish a cod I believe was dry. Luckily the sauce and the pasta was done just fine.
Over I may or may not be back, but I think it was more of a bad timing  when going in.
Yours truly Dante,
First...the wife called to change a reservation and found out that it hadnt been reserved at all. Then she called back a few days later to find out that it STILL hadnt been reserved. Â When we showed up on the night we had reserved...nope. Nada! This was after actually talking to the owner. It was consistant through the dinner too. They were short in the kitchen so the waitress was doing some of the cooking. There were 8 of us. Our food was so long in coming that one of us cancelled his order and asked to see the manager. Took forever..Steak was good but side dishes were cold to the touch, Ahi was red in the middle...raw! And cold! Couldn't get any butter or a glass of tea refilled. Then they added 18% tip for a party of 8! Drinks were watered down. I saw the bartender add water to a Crown on the rocks! One of our party found broken glass in her drink and the bartender just rolled his eyes when she told him. Music was good and loud. Dance floor was nicely crowded. All the girls said they were getting their asses grabbed alot. I would come here to dance, but I'll bring a flask so I can drink some alcohol. And I'll get a burger down the street before I get here.
Review Source:Reviewing from the point of view of a band who performed there...
First, it's a pretty big space - I'd guess capacity is around 400. Tall stage, a good 3 feet off the ground or so, with a huge dance area in front of it, and a raised seating area around the edge of the room, with the bar in back.
The club part of the Saloon is in back, with the front having another (bigger) bar, and a bunch of seating for dinner & drinks.
The beer selection is reasonable, the vibe is slightly grungy (you can tell it's looked about the same for a long time), but the sound is pretty good (though expect it to be loud), and it's easy to find parking in the area.
From the other reviews I can tell that my fellow yelpers have had a very similar experience as I have at this nightclub. Â Overall a great place, especially on a high energy crazy night like those 80's bands deliver, LOVE IT! Â Front row is easy to attain if you so desire...rocking out with the band members, dancing for hours and just having one hell of a time. Â
The bouncers run a tight ship so if you are concerned about gang bangers or trouble makers you likely won't find them here. Â
Drinks are mixed a bit light and hit you for around $10 to $12 depending on your tip. Â Coronas generally $5-7. Â The entrance fee to events is so cheap that it makes the drink price marginal.
Overall I would say that this place is worth a drive from SF or whereever you are coming from in the bay area but be sure to get your tickets in advance for any of the popular bands because the line to purchase tickets sometime will stretch around the block and you might not get in. Â
Oh, and they also have a great calendar of events on their website which usually gives you links to the bands websites or myspaces so you can listen to clips and get an idea of their sound.
Pros)
Size. Â This place is a good size for plenty of roaming room. Â Plenty of seats and plenty of standing/dancing room.
Also, the venue is small enough that you can be front row!
Cheap drinks.
Lots of local bands!
Food. Â Last time I was here we grabbed dinner first and the burgers were great.
Cons)
Sound. The last time I was here for a show the sound quality was not that great.
Concert Only Review:
 Recently went to the Anthony B. reggae concert on 03-11-09.  Easy drive to the club as it's right off the US101 freeway.  Club had an overall very casual air to it.  No need to break out the Armani or Prada here.  Reasonable $20 cover and free parking in the lot adjacent to the club.  The restaurant seating area is right as you walk in, so all the concert-goers are streaming by the seated restaurant patrons who are eating and talking.  I found that kinda weird, but again, this is unassuming, paper-napkin kind of place.  Their food looks to be well-hyped and recommended as per prior reviews, but I didn't try it.  It's very easy to get a drink as there are 3 bars within the club and bartenders willing and ready to serve.  Many other clubs will turn a blind eye to um "smoking"  during reggae shows but NOT here.  Saw the beefy Hells Angel bouncer dude regulatin' and layin' his mitts on the youth who were partaking the herb on the dancefloor. (Guess I may have been a little more discreet ;-)
With respect to the sound problems mentioned earlier, I didn't notice except for it was SUPER-loud. Â Earplugs are recommended at this venue. Â Enjoy!
I am being generous on the second star. A very important aspect to enjoying live music is the sound quality. I have been to this venue a few times now and every time I go the sound man SUCKS!! Guys please hire someone who knows how to properly utilize and control a sound board. The bands who play your venue deserve better.
Review Source:I'm glad Last Day Saloon is here but it could use some improvement.
This place is really okay, they get all their stars for being a live music venue in downtown Santa Rosa with plenty of room and good sound. They lose two stars for not booking as many bigger names and good rock bands as they could. Also, the beer selection is just so-so.
No I may be a bit bias, but i think this place is great. I have to confess that i used to work here as a bouncer, but i do think it was a great place and let me tell you why...
1. They have great live shows every week. Great bands all of the time. I saw Los Lonley Boys here before they got big.
2. The food is really good. Carlos the chef makes a kick ass black and bleu burger. He also makes the best Terimsu that I've ever had. definitely get a hunk of that!
3. The drinks are always great and the bar staff (when i was there) was killer and fun.
4. Chick, lots and lots of HOT CHICKS. Especially on nights when they have Tainted Love or Wonderbread 5 playing. They are abundant.
So i have to say, this place is a lot of fun and ive been there in my off hours a million times. Go check it out, i dont think you'd be disappointed.
Caught a show here on a Friday night and didn't know what to expect. Â I liked the bar/restaurant area. Nice place to chill before the show starts.
Their beers are cheap but a Red Bull for $5 bucks? Really?
I liked the venue, sizable dance floor, nice seating area, that is a tad higher than the dance floor. It's a little far from the stage but a cool option if you desire to rest your bootay for a sec.
I'm not sure how the food is and what types of bands come through, but it's worth checking out if your in the area.
For a live show in Santa Rosa this is about as good as it gets. The bar isn't bad, but they can rarely keep up at a crowded show. Security has been friendly every time I've been there (dozens?). The sound in the main room is good, and there is plenty of floor space for dancing or standing or drinking... whatever. The food's good, but nothing special; perfect for coating the stomach before pouring copious amounts of booze and beer down the hatch. It's not a place I would drop in unless I knew the band playing; some of the booking is a little... odd.
Basically, I'm glad the place is around, and have seen some fun shows there, but Santa Rosa deserves better.
This place is pretty cool and i've seen some good shows here. Â I've never eaten here, but I've been meaning to. Â
Lost a star for their poor ID checking methods. Â Everytime I've gone in I've been ID'd at the door...AND again (sometimes more than once) at the bar itself. Â Just stamp me and then I don't have to fish out my wallet everytime a new bartender serves me...you think the fact that I have a tab running with my credit card would be an indicator that I am indeed 21...some people just can't use their brains.