This is a regular hang out - I have to see a show here at least once a month. On 7/3 I made the trip down to see Phoenix Legend Hans Olson perform with a full band for his annual birthday bash. Great show. In all of the years i have been coming here I can't think of a bad show. Oh sure there were bad times, fighting with my spouse, car issues, drank too much/not enough but the bands have ALWAYS been solid. You can count on the Music, great service from Lynsay and the place to be a dump. Love it. Free parking. Couple of tips. Sometimes you will find a food truck there. Check the web site before you come down if you are hungry. Sit in front of the little wall/bar and the acoustics are much much better.
Review Source:I had a great night at the Rhythm Room last night. Parking was a little tight and the venue is a little seedy but the music here is always amazing and the staff is great. Saw a really great blues band last night. slide guitar, organ, upright bass and all. It was a swinging good time. I will for sure be back!
Review Source:I went here last night to see Polica play. I can't believe I've never been here before, having lived in Phoenix for almost 7 years..
The venue is great for seeing bands perform in a more intimate setting. I don't think there's a "bad" spot in the house. The sound is great, there were only a few times where minor adjustments needed to be made.
It's definitely a smaller venue, so it gets crowded quick. I would suggest arriving when the doors open, as we did not and ended up waiting in a line that went outside.
The bartender working was awesome, super friendly and the service was quick! Beer was cold..always a good thing. ;)
I look forward to a return visit..I love seeing live jazz and blues musicians play and this seems like the perfect place to see it!
This was my second time to the Rhythm Room and it was fantastic! We saw "Mother Mother" this time and "Patrick Watson" the time before. Both performances were stellar and Rhythm Room is such a great venue. It creates an intimate experience between you and the performers. You really get to hear the music and connect. It's also nice that there's a bar, so you get some drinks while you watch. The location is pretty good and the parking isn't terrible. The bathrooms could use some updating, but overall, for an older and more intimate music venue, this place has got it going on. I cannot stress how nice it is that this place is smaller and more of an experience than when you go to a venue that accommodates thousands upon thousands. (Waay too crowded!) I love it when bands go to the Rhythm Room! I'll definitely be back.
Review Source:This is an awesome venue for live blues/music.
The service is outstanding (both the cocktail servers and bartenders)and I have a ton of fun every time I go. A very cool little club and it is totally nice that it is right here in Phoenix. The names/level of talent this place draws is pretty amazing. We saw Muddy Waters' son play a set last night. Any music lover should check this place out!
The Rhythm Room is one of the few places in Phoenix where you can listen to real blues. The bands are very good and they have national touring bands. Bands play on an elevated stage and the sound system is very good.
It's not just blues either -- many varieties of music is featured.
The cover charges are often too high -- even sometimes for local bands.
They have craft beers on tap that are reasonably priced.
I like the floor layout but narrow walkways cause traffic wrecks. The railing with the bar stools that divides the room is very cool. It's homey and divey and the best thing is that you can sit near the band.
It doesn't seem that maintenance is done very often Restrooms are dirty and the tables and chairs are shoddy.
The dance floor is pitiful. It's a parkay wood floor that is usually dirty and often damp with beer. It's too small to accommodate more than about 3 swing dancers at a time but that's no big deal because it's rare to meet somebody at the RR that does anything besides wiggling in place.
Given that the stand-alone building that houses the RR is small it would be impossible to improve the dance situation without building an extension.
Despite the negatives I love the Rhythm Room, but I don't go there very often. Dancing is important for me and I hate high door charges -- especially when I don't know anything about the band that is playing.
My husband and I saw The Blasters at the Rhythm Room a few years ago, and even though the show was incredible, our waitress didn't like the tip my husband gave her and threw it back down on the table. Â I guess a $1.00 tip for a round of drinks is unacceptable...we have not gone back and I'm not sure we ever will.
Review Source:My first time here last night and I"m looking forward to getting back soon! Â Great small venue, friendly bartenders. Â I do think sometimes the acoustics were a little off, but we were listening to alternative/rock music and I don't think that's what the venue was built for. Â But it was still a good sound, just not optimal. Â
Loved the very eclectic mix of people milling around. Â It was so not Scottsdale, without trying. Â Very mellow, a live and let live vibe through the night. Â Loved it!
Interesting little place. Â Doesn't look like much from the outside. Â Hell, it doesn't look like much on the inside. Â But they did have an awesome blues band playing when I came here. Â I look forward to checking out more bands here and next time I'll get here earlier so I don't miss the band. Â We paid a $10 cover around 11:30pm and I think the band finished at midnight.
Review Source:As a former drummer in a band, this was my favorite place to play. Â As a spectator, I am just as smitten. Â This place is run by old school professionals who treat musicians well. Â They are up front about what they want from you but they are also accommodating. Â
The vibe is that of a classy dive bar. Â If that makes any sense. Â Anyway, the sound is great and the beer selection is decent. Â I also respect that while you can see some great indie rock there, they are still dedicated to blues and jazz on the weekends. Â It would contend for my favorite place ever if that rib shack in the parking lot ever seemed open on the occasions I've gone to shows.
dear rhythm room,
i am so sorry that many great artists will be skipped over from playing in your gem of a venue due to the hipster ballroom that opened up and stole your indie spotlight. i will unfortunately have to patronize them due to my love for these buzzbands, but you  and your sweet, cheap draft beers, scuzzy bathrooms, random table & chair sets, awesome bartenders, dingy dark atmosphere, incredible sound and intimate stage presentation will forever hold a special place within me.
the best shows i've seen in phoenix have always been in your belly.
thank you, from the bottom of my burning indie heart.
Nothing fancy here! If it weren't for the great music that comes through this place it would be a total dive bar. But the music and the energy class it up.
This is a fabulous place to see a band! During the week they have a great and really eclectic selection of bands - I have seen some of my favorite Indie bands here. The weekends it's blues, which hubby hubster and I love!
The dance floor is decent size for such a small club and it can - and does get crowded so if you want to sit, get there early. The drinks are cheap and the crowd is very eclectic and most of the time a lot of fun - usually a little older on the weekends and you get the hipsters and the hipster wannabes depending on the band that's playing during the week.
It's also within lightrail distance which is awesome for us since we live in Tempe.
We went to see Frank Turner here and the first thing about this place that I will note is that its a great venue to see someone you are really excited about! You are so close to them, its a more intimate setting and the performers are more personal. Loved that!
First impression- Dirty and cheap....just the way I like it! Lol
The place is pretty much fueled by PBR and young, society-loathing degenerates....its not the crowd for everyone but for what we were there for it was perfectly fine.
For a concert the sound is great, the layout is good for a music venue as it allows for people to not be trampled, and you could get very close to the performers which was neat! The staff was all very funny and nice which was great.
Tips:
GO SEE FRANK TURNER, you will not regret it.
Don't park in Keith and Ginger's spot (especially on a Fri or Sat)
Feel free to bathe before going.....its close quarters, don't be offensive.
I have never seen a bad show here, truly an excellent venue here in the valley of no venues! I have seen local and national bands here and they have a great sound system, ample stage room, a large smoking patio and a barbecue truck out back.
Big problem with this place is the bar when they are busy. There is no way to navigate the bar without getting bumped, bruised and spilling your drink on people. Largely because there are two barriers between the dance floor/seating area and the bar. This sets up an intersection between the server station, the dance floor, the bathrooms/patio and the bar. It sucks. I have witnessed creepy guys molesting women as they walk through this gauntlet. I won't go here if the parking lot is busy anymore.
BoB, knock those damn barriers down! Open your club!
I caught Azure Ray and Tim Fite here last week and I'm ashamed to say...it was my first time here. Knew of it, drove by it, it's in my 'hood, just never had the opportunity to check it out.
The good:
I love small, intimate venues! At one point we were sitting on the side of the stage and I was literally rubbing elbows with Tim Fite in his coveralls. Fortunately (and unfortunately, I guess) there was not a whole lot of people at the show so getting a seat at the bar or up close was not that difficult.
Slightly irritating:
The doormen and bouncers were rather frowny and you can't take your drinks (or even water) onto the patio.
The great:
Yay for a cool venue/dive that's not in Tempe!
Anyway, a great chill show. I laughed and sang, held myself and cried. Definitely plan on grabbing a drink here in the very near future.
Maybe I am the most "uncool" person on Yelp, but I HATED this place. Â A friend and I decided to meet here thinking it sounded like a chill place to have a drink, relax, go down memory lane, etc.
We drove separately and I arrived before him. Â I paid a $10 cover to get inside, only to discover that "inside" was so dark I could not see, so packed I could not move, and playing the most INSANELY loud I-don't-even-know-what-to-call-it music I have ever heard.
Trying not to be a diva, I went to the bar and ordered a Jack on the rocks. Â It took me screaming at the bartender to accomplish this feat, likely through no fault of his own.
Anyway, my buddy showed up and miraculously recognized my silhouette in the dark. Â (I am a perfectly normal size 10/12 so I didn't stand out at all.) Â
He ordered a drink and we stood in awkward, pitch-black, booming silence until we decided to just slam our drinks and leave.
That was the most interesting $15+ dollar Jack (including cover) I have ever had.
I don't see the appeal. Â Maybe on a weekday?
Very cool venue for live music, mainly because it's small and you can easily interact with the artists. There's also seating, so if you get there early enough, you can get a seat. The pricing seems like it varies depending on who performs. I got to go for free so no complaints from me. They have a bar in the back and there is plenty of parking. When I was watching rehearsal, it seemed like the artists were having trouble adapting to the sound resonating back onto the stage, but once it went live, they sounded amazing.
I saw a smoking area, which I didn't go out to, but I assume is where the patio seating is. I also didn't use the bathroom so I don't know how clean it is.
One of my favorite venues from Phoenix, since I haven't found many that I like
If you've ever driven past the Rhythm Room and wondered what it's like, I suggest you park your car next time and go inside. You won't regret it. The Rhythm Room is a great dive hidden in Central Phoenix and home to some of the best Blues Singers in the Southwest. We're no New Orleans but with headliners like the King of Arizona Blues, Big Pete Pearson, you don't have to travel to the South to get your fix of Blues. If you get there early and you're hungry for some true home-style BBQ, check out Rack Shack BBQ just outside the Rhythm Room.
The Rhythm Room is a classic venue filled with true charm and culture. It's off the beaten bath which adds to its charm and I guarantee that you'll have a good time any day of the week.
Venues in this city just keep disappearing, fortunately the Rhythm Room is there to pick up the slack. Â I enjoy this venue quite a bit, the sound is well done and the drinks are priced well. Â I enjoy the divider is going down the middle of the room, so both sides can see the stage pretty well. Â The parking isn't too bad and the bathrooms are not completely disgusting.
My chief complaint is it is usually really hot in there, but at least you can go outside to the patio to take a breather (even in the summer it still feels better). Â 21+ shows are great there, as I believe you can take your drinks to the patio.
Since I just poured through a number of reviews for this establishment, I feel ready to brawl. Â Here goes *dukes up*...
This is a great... GREAT blues and rock venue. Â It's small, it's cramped, it's hot, it's loud, it's junky yet sophisticated, it has alcohol and bathrooms, and it's near a dubious part of town. Â Basically, without any one of these components, it might not be worth anything. Â Fortunately, it has all the pieces, and is a complete music venue.
I feel my opinion has to be worth something because I'm from Music City, USA (Nashville, TN for anyone who cares or didn't know) YEEHAW!  While you're now thinking I'm a hick, I will suggest that living in Nashville brings one close to music and allows one to know where to find it.  This place is grade A.  Phoenix could use more live music, but <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.statesidepresents.com&s=577183252809ad51b9598af63ee6e946766e4977a9f5a7f3d22a56b38afd8a8e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.statesidepres…</a> has an incredible list of shows to come in 2010 if anyone is interested...  I digress.
Rhythm Room is awesome. Â Saw some crappy Battle of the Bands here and didn't care for the music, but was in awe of the ambiance. Â Cheers, Rhythm Room.
Lets face it, Phoenix does not have the most amazing music scene in the universe, and with that we get crappy music venues.. although out of the few we have to choose from, Rhythm Room might be my favorite. Â
Even though its kinda small, they have everything you could ask for in a music venue.. great sound system, decent bathrooms - yeah I said it, really cool bartenders and really great drink specials. I actually just saw a Tweet that called their specials "infamous".. either way, this place is the jam, literally.
Three complaints:
1. Its hot as balls inside.
2. The door girl has the personality of a napkin and is extremely unfriendly.
3. You cant take your drinks out to the closed off patio and unless its some zoning law or whatever, thats pretty lame..
Aside from that, im a fan! Now if only we could get more bands to stop out here.
I really dig the rhythm room! I went to a concert here on Monday night.
it was cute.
it was quaint.
it was CLEAN.
great bartenders, love the option to sit or to stand.
the sound guy was a bit off and im pretty sure my ear is still ringing from the high pitched squeel when the microphones got too close to the speaker or something. but hey, it happens i guess.
i had a blast at this sweet little spot.
I had almost forgot about the Rhythm Room, and then in the space of two weeks I have been twice. I saw Tim Reynolds (best known for his work with Dave Matthew's Live at Luther College) and the witty and wiry electronica band from the UK Fujiya & Miyagi. Neither of these bands would be considered Blues, but this gives you an appreciation for the diverse talent the Rhythm Room brings in.
Their sound system is great, the drinks are strong and the staff is friendly. The only improvement this place needs is a Marquee sign to remind us of all the great shows happening on a nightly basis.
My first and only visit thus far was many, many moons ago as part of a large meetup group. Â Many of us started to gather outside around 7p. Â I arrived a little earlier since I planned on trying some BBQ at the stand located outside the venue. Â The meat sampler I had was tasty, and it was easier to turn down the cornbread since it looked rather dry. Â Instead, I said hello to a beautiful slice of peach cobbler :D Â While I cannot eat raw peaches anymore (a pity really, since I only started eating fresh, not canned, peaches around 2 or 3 years ago and LOVE them!), I've found that cooked peaches are safer for me, which I am thankful for. Â I recall thinking that the cobbler was good. Â
Musicians started to set up around 8, and the first band began playing at 9p. Â I enjoyed the many bands that performed that night. Â The acoustics of the room was very good considering the venue's history. Â I did notice that the crowd here was an amalgam of various age groups, and everyone did seem to be having a lot of fun. Â One downside I found was how busy the bar was, esp. since all I wanted was ice water. Â Perhaps someone should install a bottled water vending machine.
My first visit to the Rhythm Room was about a month ago, (yes, I'm just getting around to reviewing it), and I was pretty pleased. This particular night and particular show didn't garner a huge turnout, but it was decent for a Tuesday show that had a line-up of singer-songwriters (not your typically bluesy feel, but great nevertheless).
We had to wait outside until the doors opened, and there was a fairly small line that had already formed when we got there. It was an all-ages show, so the bouncer gave out wrist-bands to the over-21 crowd. Â And, like other smaller venues that have all-ages shows, the room was divided up for the over-21 drinkers and the under-age-wish-the-could-drink crowd. Â I hate that set-up, but whatever.
The staff was really nice, and the cocktail waitresses were cool. The drinks were pretty weak, but it is probably in the attempt to get you to buy more. The sound system on this particular night was kind of touchy, but the performer worked his way around it.
Overall, pretty nice venue, and I'll definitely go back to check out their other musical offerings.
This place has a great little vibe and fantastic music. I have to admit, I'm not very hip when it comes to the Blues but I definitely enjoy listening to it when given the chance. It was a nice change to look into the crowd and see 21-year-old college students, to middle age moms, to retired couples all getting down and dancing. You rarely see such an eclectic mix of people, from every color of the rainbow, and all ages, just enjoying the music. The few times I've been there have been quite an experience, and I always leave very happy to have found a place like this in Phoenix.
The drinks are super cheap, the sound is good, and the music is wonderful!
I have yet to find a better blues, jump blues, swing, etc... venue in Phoenix.
So, on the Phoenix scale of music venues it gets 5 stars.
Yes, it's a dive. Which is a good thing. Â No pretentious personalities at the Rhythm Room. Cheep beer, a decent dance floor, decent sound and great music are all that really matter. Â Rhythm Room has them all. Â It kinda reminds me of the Foothill (R.I.P.) in Long Beach, CA. And that's a good thing. I miss the Foothill dearly.
Also, what is possibly the best show (Mates of State), out of hundreds I've ever seen in many cities across the U.S., Â was at the Rhythm Room.
Yes, it is a run down, dark and stale room but they host some killer music. Â Plus, if I refused to hear like music in old dark venues I would have missed some amazing music in L.A., Chicago, NYC and even here in KC.
I care about the music, so this place did it for me...great night.
I will check out who is playing the next time I am in town.
I'm still slowly trying to get know Phoenix and I'm happy I found this place. Â Typical dark dingy music venue. Well, couldn't really tell if it was dingy because it was so dark. I like it that way. I can sit in my little dark cocoon and let the music wash over me. I'm sure if the lights were on I would see all the crusty layers caking the walls, but who wants to see that?
Went to see Grand Ole Party. Great show! They were the opening band for some other band, but didn't stick around that long because they weren't my thing. My sister and I got some great seats. Never seen so much seating in all my life. (in this kind of venue) Perfect for lazy people like me. The little pen made out of road construction fencing where they corralled all the teeny boppers was a little funny. I don't think I've ever seen that kind of setup. Those kids must have cooties.
Still Dark. Still Swank. Still Small.
MY RECENT EXPERIENCE:
Rhythm Room is a great place to catch live music. Don't let the location fool you. This venue brings in a wide mix of acts, including Rogue Wave, which I happily saw here last night. What a great show!
The parking lot was cramped, but we managed to find a spot (luckily). I don't recommend coming in the middle, between the opener and the headliner, unless you have good luck, which we did.
1. We found one of the last parking spots.
2. We easily got in, though the placed seemed packed to capacity.
3. We found a great place to stand, with a full view of the stage.
4. Two seats opened up for us, so we got to sit down for most of the show!
I was disappointed to see RR no longer carries Alaskan Amber - not even on tap, which they once did. They do now offer Kiltlifter and 8th St. Ale on tap, though, which is cool. There's also 2 Hefs to pick from, along with Guinness, of course.
But, let me be frank: The Guinness I ordered didn't taste like Guinness, not even the most flat tap Guinness I've had. My friend concurred that her Blue Moon didn't taste like the Hef she loves. Bummer. For $9.50 for two plastic cups, we decided one beer apiece was enough.
That's another thing... Plastic cups? Why not recycle? Geez.
RR is also a great place to learn about future shows - there and around town. Fliers are posted up all over the front entryway and there's a table near the door just covered in announcements. Plus, here you'll find your staple local rags - New Times, Get Out and Java.
RR definitely deserves 4 stars. They could still work to improve their acoustics and the stability of the stage. Poor Rogue Wave. They joked that they just experienced a small earthquake. "Did you feel that? The stage just moved!" (I got that on video!)
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Dark. Swank. Small.
This place is a treasure chest of fun. From beer on tap to mixed drinks, have your pick of the bar. Grab a table or saddle up to bar - just be sure you call dibs on your seat before the rush hits.
This place gets hoppin' during certain events. I've been here to see Chris Durante, Louisiana Red and Maritime -- all very unique acts. Each time I've gone, the place is happenin'. Don't worry about your hair, your jeans or your first impressions. Save that for Scottsdale. This is a place you go not to be seen but to hear true, genuine, blow-you-away music... all without paying a hefty price. Ticket prices range from $8 to $18. It's worth it.
So why not 5 stars? The acoustics. They could be so much better. No, it's not the noise and the volume that bothers me. It's the inability to hear the vocals when the band is jammin' out. So, for slower sets, I definitely recommend this place. However, you wouldn't want to see My Chemical Romance on stage at this venue. Of course, would you want to see those guys on stage at any venue? Ah, I digress...
Oh Rhythm Room, how I adore thee!
I have seen some of the greatest Blues legends play here and have never been disappointed. Â Whenever The Rhythm Room All-stars play, I definitely try to make it. Â They are rockin'. Â
I dig the dancing, the bbq (mmmmmm) Â and I enjoy when the f*ck the police guy is roller skating on the dance floor!
I do recommend getting there early if you want a table and a chair. Â For bands I really want to see I get there before they open, get in line, get a table, then someone in my party goes to grab us some bbq and we start drinking and eating and waiting for the music to start! Â
I always have a great time here! Â And now that you can't smoke it's even better!
I'm pretty particular about 'where' i see shows. Â A crappy venue can kill a good artist and put up a good fight against a great one.
Fortunately, The Rhythm Room needn't worry about quashing the entertainment value of one of their nationally touring acts. Â And the RR really does get some of the best independent acts on tour. Â For artists worthy of smallish venues, this place should be as legendary as the Whiskey in Hollywood, but unfortunately, its located on, like the kiddie ride portion of Los Angeles, central Phoenix.
For a venue, they have really smokin deals on alcohol, like PBR for $2.50. Â Considering that you couldn't get that deal ANYWHERE playing live music, i consider it a humongous bargain. Â
They have a smoking patio that you can still hear the music during those 5 mins, and the venue is easy to get in and out of.
It DOES tend to get crowded once the main act is on, especially near the bar, but I've never waited more than a couple of minutes for a drink and i can always find a good view of the stage.
When acts like Bob Schneider come around, the place is ROWDY. Â Indie acts like VHS or Beta and Midlake are near priceless to see in such a small joint.
and sometimes shows that pique too much interest will be moved to their big cousin Marquee.
The Rhythm Room is a very Phoenix type of place... from a time when Phoenix was desperately trying to become the next Los Angeles - early 1990s - and failing at it. It's a big box in the middle of a crappy parking lot in a borderline crappy neighborhood.
I went there tonight to see The Section Quartet - they were covering an entire Radiohead album using only string instruments.It was good, but I was falling asleep in there with the stale air and dreamy music. The sound has always been pretty good at this place which is perhaps one of the saving graces.
The last time I was here they allowed smoking inside. I'd say it an improvement. They have fans on the ceiling, but they don't run them. Air doesn't circulate and since there's no smoke anymore to cover up the smells, every 5 minutes you have to endure someones nasty ass gas. Yes, people at the Rhythm Room are farters. Perhaps because they are so full of hot air? The Room draws a bit of an artsy (yet very diverse) crowd.
Apart from the lack of oxygen and the dungeon-like darkness with no windows and the boxy prison-like 4 walls and the cheap uncomfortable seating - this place is pretty charming. I kinda like seeing shows here... I don't love it, mind you - but it's a good little venue for certain types of music. They're pretty good about getting you drinks and most of the staff is pretty friendly.
The cool thing about they Rhythm Room is the variety of people there.
Almost every time I go, there's a girl on the dance floor...on roller skates! Â Then there will be a few punk-types, rockabilly, country, of all ages. Â That's the kind of place I like.
Also, if you get hungry, there's a guy out back in a trailer selling pork sandwiches. Â Not the greatest, but perfect after a night of live music
Finally had my first Rhythm Room experience last night which is incredible because I moved within walking distance of it 5 months ago. I took full advantage of such for the VHS or Beta/Walter Meego show by getting my pre-party on at my place, walking over, and going through a small kaleidescope of drinks there to gauge their prices and quality.
G&T's were 4 dollars, small, and not that alcoholic or tasty. Pretty disappointing for a hole in the wall bar on a Tuesday night. Next I went to Stella which was 4.50, also disappointing. Next, I struck paydirt when I got a can of PBR which was on special for 1.50. 1.50! There was a huge sign too! How did I miss that! I made sure to atone for my mistake by drinking as many as possible during the VHS or Beta performance.
The venue itself is not incredibly moving, but serviceable. Just a rectangular, closed off brick building painted black on the inside with no decorations other then some blue tube lighting around the bar and some broken down ceiling fans. I'm fine with a broken down old music venue for a show, but this place doesn't seem like it was ever much. I think they could do a little something to give it more character.
Also disappointing was the HUGE smoking patio which has no view of the inside and you can't bring a drink out. Why is this happening at places like here and the Lost Leaf?
But overall I still had a great time at the show and was very appreciative of the 1.50 PBR special. Plenty of bar stools around the place (where you can still have a great view of the stage) to sit during open acts and breaks is also a huge plus. 3.5 stars.