The Mystic always gets great acts, some of my favorite performers. Additionally, the shows are affordable.
Most importantly, the Mystic is just FUN. Such a fun venue - whether there are tables set up or a bigger dance area, it doesn't matter. It's always a BLAST here!
If anyone that looks just sort of good to you is coming to the Mystic, GO!
5 stars it is for being an iconic authentic 1912 historical theater in the center of a quaint city full of Victorian treasures.  The outside facade is virtually unchanged from its original style, with iron front columns and  interesting detail.  The interior is warm, funky, and a venue for many music acts and performances.  I can't speak for the quality of the music, but it is an eclectic selection, for sure.  The older building is 1886, and the addition is 1911.  The theater is large, and fronts on both 4th Street and Petaluma Boulevard, plus easy access to the restaurant next door (McNears).
Review Source:A very very cute venue. One of those places you would assume you could locally rent out a have a community talent show, yet they have some big names at times that play here. I not sure if tickets, seemly run out at the door....but hmmmmm.
Since I love Hawaiian music, my friend took me on a "man-date"
and we went to see my girlfriend "Anuhea"
and Hawaiian pop-pretty boy "Justin young."
It's a awesome atmosphere, with a cool balcony, and limited seating in
the front, an outdoor patio on the cute street, and two bars, the bathrooms have posters all over it in which tell the tale of the future performers.
I think, It could've been a little off but the sound...
or should I say the "acoustics" seemed a little off.
that's why I'm giving it the four-stars.
The parking is hard to find in the area so you might need to park a couple of blocks,
and walk to the area, get your hand stamped so you can go to "High tech burrito"
for a pre-game meal, that or the other food places in the area.
Such an awesome place to see a show. Â Certainly one of the best in Sonoma County. Â They bring great bands too. Â Just saw JD McPherson here in December and the place was packed. Â Perfect location for the type of music he plays (Rockabilly & vintage R&B). Â The Mystic Theatre has a great feel to it.
Review Source:Saw Tainted Love there on 1/12/13. Â Great show-highly recommend!
Tickets were only $21, so the price was def right. Â Floor was packed so there was not much real dancing-more just standing in place and staying in your 2 square feet of space.
Bartenders were nice, quick, and efficient. Â Good amount of tables, but obviously a lot of theatre seats if you wanted to sit down and just watch the band/crowd for awhile as well. Â Sound system was good, clear, and able to fill the building without a problem.
Women's restroom was only 3 stalls, unfortunately for a historic building it is somewhat to be expected. Â
Will return for another show-great experience overall.
For some reason its a rarity to find places that serve pitchers of beer. Not the case at McNear's as they will fill a pitcher of anything they have on draft, awesome. The Grilled Cheese Burger is out of sight and the pool tables are in great shape. Â I am planning on going is disguise next time so nobody will recognize me because I want to spend all night on the classic Neo Geo arcade console upstairs but may be a little ashamed because I'm 31.
Review Source:I'd driven through Petaluma a few times and heard of the Mystic for years but never caught anything there. The unfortunate timing of two shows and the desire to see both caused us to trek out here to catch a show. Standing near the mixing board you get a great view but the bar area noise carries. Even the singer was like "you guys talk way too much". Haha. I like the size of the venue and the acoustics are decent but depending on where you are you can have vastly different experiences Im sure.
Review Source:Went to see Albirosie and the Shengen Gang last night at the Mystic. I like the size of the venue as a sold out show probably doesn't have more than 400-500 people tops, so it is very intimate. There is some theater style seating and a balcony up top. They are connected to McNear's Pub so they serve alcohol (beer, wine, and liquor) during the concert.
If you are planning in partaking in "herbal recreation" during the show, beware that the security in on the prowl! They were pushing people out of the way to find where the smoke was coming from and kicking people out. They are ok for the most part with you going out front and doing what you do, as long as you are outside.
Overall, I will definitely be back to see more shows here as it is one of the better venues in Sonoma County. Â WAAAAAAAAY Â better than the Phoenix!!!!!!
This place is "ok". That really sums up every experience I've had here...
The food is average... not great, but not terrible either. Â The service is usually decent; if a little inattentive at busy times. The drinks are good-- the bar tender pours well. Â The prices are a little high, but for being in the heart of downtown I suppose it's not too bad.
All in all, it's a pretty average experience.
Been to several shows over the years here but most recently checked out Brothers Comatose this past weekend.
AMAZING
The venue, the staff, the location, the vibe, the energy, even the prices of shows.
LOVE the Mystic and glad to see a sell out for a local group as awesome as Brothers Comatose as well as the 2 other homegrown bands that opened for them.
GREAT VENUE! Â Saw Jay Farrar on Wednesday. All the staff I interacted with were friendly and genuine. The set up is nice, with the tables on risers from halfway to the back, row seats on the sides, big dance floor at the front and a balcony. The acoustics were great and the drinks were perfectly fair. Â RECOMMEND heartily. I can't wait to go back.
Review Source:Have been to the Mystic twice now in the past two weeks, last night for Zepparella and two weeks ago for Pride and Joy. Â Both nights the place was packed and the music outstanding! Â Couldn't get much dancing in as everyone was shoulder to shoulder, but it didn't matter as it's all about the music. Â Remember to bring earplugs as it gets pretty loud.
Zepparella has a new singer and bass player, and are better then ever!
Oh yeah, the drinks are pretty reasonably priced.
LOVE THIS PLACE.
Saw the House of Floyd, which is a Pink Floyd cover band. Â They killed it, of course.
The venue itself is really neat; table seating as well as standing room, so you can enjoy your drink and still get out and dance. Â The bar is open in two directions, so you can order a drink as soon as you enter, then keep coming back to the counter that's facing the stage! Â Awesome arrangement. Â
This place is awesome, highly recommend taking in a show if you get the chance.
I've been to two concerts here, it was lots of fun. But there was one night that I had come to the bar and not a show, it was an experience that left a bad taste in my mouth. Some other Bar patron tried to sucker punch me for no reason....we were just passing by each other in the poorly lit parking lot when outta nowhere this guy swings on me. His buddy just watched as I made quick work of that guy.
Review Source:Last minute roadtrip to Mystic Theatre to see HOODOO GURUS turned into a fantastic discovery
Got up to Petaluma earlier than we thought we would. Plenty of street parking!
Super nice staff - didn't scoff at our embarrassingly early arrival & we took advantage of the restaurant's bar & powder room - great drinky prices!
Venue is much larger than it looks on the outside & has lots of space to fit everyone's needs - dancefloor area up front; railed-off area for tables behind the dancefloor part; upstairs there is an actual balcony setup w/ proper foldy chairs
Sound was nice & loud - those up front had complained a bit about the sound quality but I thought it was absolutely perfect - it's 1 of the benefits of sitting near the soundboard
Bartenders were quick to take orders & walking around staff was plentiful
I read on their menu about a Mac n Cheese at their restaurant next next door that I totally want to try
And for those who made Great American Music Hall but didn't want to drive 90 min up north to see the Gurus again.....you TOTALLY missed out! They were even better at Mystic!
A good variety of music, good sound, decent (but pricey) bar, and a great location make this one of my favorite places to catch live music. Â They bring both local, national, and international acts, and 'though at time it gets a little too groovy for me, I can't complain. All girl Swedish folk band? Â Dropkick Murphy's (before they went to hell), Del McCoury, Dick Dale, Yard Dogs Roadshow, Poor Man's Whiskey and more -The Mystic doesn't discriminate. Â If it's quality, it can play here. Â
McNear's does decent food, but is thankfully located close a over a dozen excellent restaurants in downtown Petaluma.
What a great venue. Â Old theater vibe and it's just really a fun place.
The restaurant also has great food. Â Killer brunch. Â Yea, like KILLER killer. Â And when it's sunny out (which is often in Pet-the-llama) the patio is clutch. Â Sit outside, have brunch & bloodies, people watch...in other words, win Sunday. Â Or Saturday. Â
OH. Â And the funnest thing ever. Â You can buy an absent someone a drink at McNear's, they'll put it up on the chalkboard (until they transfer it to a notebook) and said drink recipient can wander in months or years later and claim their drink. Â Great touch. Â Keep up the good work!!
Why Mcnear's is the best bar in Petaluma
1. no fights
2. nice staff
3. good drinks
4. fast service
5. local owner who is usually there
6. good live affordable music
7. reasonably priced
8. pool, video games, and basketball
9. you can always find a place to sit
10. food is served to at least 11 every night
11. good happy hour
12. no sweaty old men trying to dance with young girls ( unlike pazzos, and mcguires, have any of you looked at the creeps at those places)
13. normal bouncers who don't man handle people and throw you out for no reason
14. Â outdoor seating with outdoor speakers
15. plenty of close parking and taxis everywhere
Fun, fun, fun.
I have to say we'd already had drinks before we nestled into the area behind the bar but towards the stage, so my view may be a bit biased based on accord of happy mood due to a buzz. By the way, that is totally cool ... the area behind the bar (yes you can order from that side) is also an area for DANCING! Woohoo, with little tables for your drinks on the side and reasonable sloped area that is flat for shuffling your feet, what more can you ask for?!
Beer + Dancing + Music = Rockin'
The drinks are of course served in whitish-clear plastic cups that you shouldn't squeeze too hard lest you have your drink all over you. And yes, you're paying a bit for them, though honestly don't remember how much because by the time we got here it was someone else's turn to buy the round for everyone (yeah, we're fair we all trade off buying the round).
We came to see G Love and the Special Sauce. Funny name, but great concert.
The venue was easy to get into, had quite a unique stamp art for your wrist, and has great bucket seats like an old fashioned movie theatre, which by the way, I'm totally convinced that's what this place once was.
To note, of a rare type, my boyfriend had me leave my jacket (I stowed my wallet on him) on a nearby chair that was too-close-for-comfort to the front door for me. I've lived in Stockton, I know about getting your stuff stolen. Don't know if it was a lucky night but my jacket didn't budge and it left me feeling more at home, and less edgy about someone stealing it.
Parking was easy and close. And even if you sit allllllll the way in the back you can still see the guys on the stage with great clarity.
Can't comment on the bathroom, I passed out in a chair! Yeah, maybe a few too many pints but the concert was awesome simply because the venue is on the smaller side which makes this a must go to venue if you're down to see a favorite artist.
And hey, I don't know a single venue in San Francisco you can pass out in a chair at a club where there's loud music and no one bothers you!
Fun, fun, fun.
I'll be back.
This is a great venue! Â
It's slightly sloped so everybody can get a view of what's going on. Â Security is lacking as a bunch of people were smoking and they weren't even stopped or kicked out.
The bar in the "front" is quick and fast. Â $$ of course, because it's at a concert venue. Â The bathroom is in a weird place up through a narrow hallway.
My favorite place to hear music. Â Intimate but fun. Â First time I saw the Tubes. Â Good experience. Then I saw / heard Robert Cray and Terry Hanck - two of my favorite bands - for my birthday and it was a GREAT experience! Â Reasonable, great parking around the area like someone said, and nice staff.
Review Source:Awesome Venue! Â I just moved here and am very pleased with the Mystic. Â Parking is always easy to find close by...tickets are cheap...great bands come through...bar, venue and restaurant what's not to love??
Ps-I loved that I got to mingle with the Yard Dogs outside after the show! Â Amazing!
"You don't know me!" is one of my favorite sayings (you would know this if you knew me...). However this is one place where you will not hear me uttering this phrase- cause if you grew up in Petaluma, then you are sure to know at least 50% of the people in here.
I would recommend this place as a bar, not as a restaurant. The theatre next door to the restaurant/BAR (were you not listening to what I said before?!) is awesome. Saw Colbie Callait there and it was magic.
If you want to be seen in Petaluma, you found your place.
The Mystic was a vaudeville theater at the early part of the 20th century, and the design still works today. The primary reasons it's such a good live music venue are: 1) great sound and 2) very comfortable. The space is large enough so that you never feel 'crammed in'. There's a large dance floor immediately in front of the stage, and there are also lots of seats on the floor and in the balcony. The original marquis above the building is simply beautiful, and certainly harkens to another time and place (one where everyone wasn't so busy texting all their friends).
Another cool thing about the Mystic is that you can actually take your beer from the restaurant next door outside and into the concert venue, or vice versa. It feels a bit like New Orleans that way. If you get tired of the music, you can go hang out in the bar next door. Cool.
Musicians pick up on what a special place the Mystic is, and as a result I've spent some very memorable nights there with Dumpstaphunk, Steve Kimock, Zero, The New Riders, Richard Thompson, David Grisman and others. If you haven't been and you enjoy live music, go.
Every single review gives this venue 5 stars and I ain't about to mess things up. I've seen Hot Buttered Rum play about 65 times (yes, I keep count) at venues all over the U.S. and the Mystic is, by far, my favorite.
The Mystic is one of the coolest venues in the Bay Area, if not in the entire State of California. Built in the early 1900's, it is a gorgeous building that was originally a movie theater. Â There are rows and rows of movie theater type seats for those folks not wanting (or willing) to dance, but, if they choose to, the dancing area next to the stage is a good size. Even when shows are sold-out, I don't feel cramped and unable to get my dancin' on. Â If you want a great view of of the stage, head on up to the balcony. Â The staff is friendly and the bar service is great. Â The location is also ideal since it's right next to a few great places to eat before or after the show. Â
If you're in the Marin area and love live music, the Mystic is the place to be.
This show venue is easy to like. Â It's big enough to attract some national, semi-famous level talent yet small enough that the room & the employees are personable. Â
This room is an old movie theater. Â Back in the 1970's you could see the $3 double features here - they showed different movies every night!. Sort'a like a go-out-on-a-date NETFLIX. Â About 50% of the movie theater seats remain. Â There's a 10 cafe table seating section dead center of the room.
You can order healthy hippie type snacks, Â beer & wine are served. Â Thus most shows are 21+ adult only admission due to the alcohol.
McNear's Saloon is next door.  Lot'sa Americana fried  food there is served pre- and post-  show.
FANTASTIC. Â Thank you Mystic management for bringing the music world to this sleepy little town. Â Again, Petalumans are so lucky and I am one of them. Â I just saw Malo at the Mystic this past Friday and the opening band Sister Morales from San Antonio, TX were too hot. Â The two lead singer/guitar strumming sisters(real sisters) were like a Tex/Mex version of the Heart sisters. Â Their lead male guitarist wasn't so bad either. Â They played modern but very traditional Mexican/Spanish music. Â They were so good and the audience loved them, as well as management and they let them play a nice long set. Â I enjoyed the set so much I had my boyfriend buy me their traditional Mexican CD that the gals autographed. Â Can't wait to let my mom listen to this excellent CD. Â The ladies mentioned that Los Lobos produced one of their songs.
Chalk up another one for Mystic bringing us great entertainment for rock bottom prices.
Excellent, EXCELLENT venue, and worth the drive if you're in Oakland!
The Mystic is a converted old theater that now hosts a variety of rock shows. The stage is big enough to accommodate a large band (yesterday both Ozomatli and SambaDa managed to squeeze on to it, along with their multitude of drums). The sound system is excellent, and the main sound board is front and center in the theater's balcony seating area so the levels are great all around.
From what I understand the Mystic can be configured in a variety of ways depending on the event. I've only seen it with most of the seating taken out. In this configuration, the (relatively small) balcony has permanent seating, still in its historic configuration. This is great if you're at a show that you'd like to see, but don't want to stand up. Downstairs, the seats along the walls are still in place for about 30 rows, with a raised standing area taking up the middle part of the seating area. All of this is fronted by a spacious dance floor located where the "orchestra" seating would have been. The genius of the seats and the platform on the main level is that because the Mystic is an old theater the seating was built on an upward slope, so even when people up front are dancing, folks sitting in the back rows can glimpse the stage.
In addition to a nice performance and viewing area the theater has a good bar, with beer, wine and liquor (yay!). The staff is really polite and friendly. If you want to get drinks before the show the Mystic is owned and operated by the same folks who run McNear's next door. While McNear's is hardly fine dining it's a fun place to catch a bite and get a pre-show drink.
The Mystic books good regional and national acts and has a strong following, so if you want to see a show there get your tickets early through ticketweb-- on the day of the show they don't process web or phone orders and in my experience things sell out there with some regularity.
I really love the Mystic-- it has a great vibe to it, the historic venue adds a nice level of sophistication, and everyone at their shows seems to have a great time. A favorite, and well worth the drive for those of us to the south! Petaluma-- I'm jealous!
I think the folks who built McNear's Mystic Theater are on to something. Building a restaurant with a live music venue is a great idea. Next time I'd go up early to enjoy food & libation at the attached restaurant before the show, time permitting. Anyways, 5 stars to the Mystic for being a beautiful theater with cool staff, a nice bar with a decent beer selection, and allowing audio recording to take place. And in a town with a cool name like Petaluma I wouldn't expect anything less.
Review Source:It had been years since I went to under 18 shows at this place but on Sat night we broke out and saw New Monsoon rock the pants off of that stage. Great Venue with a lot of spirit and pizazz (is that how you spell that word?).
The sound system was awesome and they also have a spacious upstairs area just in case you are feeling a little too cramped on the dance floor.
McNears, the bar next door, wasn't too shabby either. It definitely had the "new" Sonoma county flavor going on with lots of young people checking each other out.
I intend to see more shows here in the near future and think everyone else should to. Get it out there Petaluma!
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