ummm knife tears and bodily fluids on the pool table... when my group left (RIGHT after we walked in) on Friday night, there were exactly 46 cockroaches left in the bar to keep each other company... HORRIBLE would be a compliment. At least they (I mean HE) were showing Jim Rose circus tricks on the tv. somebody was puking up milk and re drinking it... I think he was on location at Rogue from the night before.
Review Source:Whatever you do stay away from this on NEW YEAR'S EVE !! :)
I have never been to Rogue bar before the NYE 2013 event, bad idea to go to this place for NYE, ya I know what i was thinkin ha. hey gimme and 'em some credit, they had a pay $30 and from there on all penny drinks! That was a good deal, ofc they didnt have anything fancy to drink, but hey that's a geat deal for alcohol as long as it does the job ;). oh they didnt care about the pennies either :p
Well I was just disappointed with the event on NYE, I was expecting something more atleast from the pics and fb event, i thought there would be people hanging upside down lol. Â That's Y i said dont go to a NYE party there. (or any big day events :P)
Now that I have been there, I know what to expect and I am definitely going back to see if I can improve the rating :)
Great Place to see a show!  Generate Rogue Bar Playlists at <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.playlisthq.com%2Fdefault.aspx%3FVenueID%3D104666%26VenueName%3DRogue%2520Bar&s=ec17b82d4abe7c078e26448940574568e5c45b0bc0947b13415548534b167261" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.playlisthq.co…</a> !!
Review Source:I really like this place and really enjoyed the bartender (last name was Love or something ironic like that?).  I got to escape from my hubby and kid on a Monday afternoon and it was just perfect.  The "patrons" were amusing and the bartender attentive.  I had  great time.  I am not 100% sure if I am ready to battle the crowds on a Friday or Saturday night and pay a cover but will make sure to stop in the next time I am looking for a cheap PBR during the day.
Bottom line - check it out, it's cool.
Love Rogue for their ever changing list of great LIVE MUSIC. The staff and owner are always friendly and the atmosphere is dive-casual-hipster. So leave your prissy outfit at home Scottsdale. Parking can be a pain, don't block a house's driveway, they will tow you! I recommend arriving early, if you are planning on watching a specific band. BRING CASH!
Review Source:This is a great dive bar with a little stage. Â I used to live right across the street from this place and when i needed to find something to do i headed over to this cool punk rock style bar, its actually hard core!! Â A couple of pool tables too... Fun fun fun and inexpensive and just down the street is a convenience store and dance and strip clubs. close enough for ASU students to get away from University and Mill Ave... From LA to Arizona this is another one my favorite places besides the powerhouse (hollywood), the rusty spur (old townscottsdale) and the roadrunner (n. Scottsdale) without feeling out of place
Review Source:Just down Scottsdale Rd from the plastic, the cougars, the roid rage, and the Delta Bravos is a little place that doesn't give a shit, in the best possible way.
In many ways, this is the dive bar Scottsdale doesn't deserve but needs oh so badly (and let's face it, being south of McDowell probably means you are not in Scottsdale by many people's account, which is just fine).
To be clear, let's discuss some things a dive bar is...First, they serve drinks and beer. No basil martinis, No Sonoma pinot noir, and No craft double IPAs. Second, you do not come here to be seen or for a scene...see the first point for what you come here for. Third, the motif...none...unless you count a few characters at the bar.
Now those are the basics, but Rogue Bar adds in great local and national acts, a diverse, non-Old Town crowd, and a friendly staff.
For instance, I recently saw The Mulhollands, from LA, and I assure you, this band will soon be playing venues where you won't be getting up on stage with the band...not that anyone I know did such things.
That is a great thing about RB, the lack of pretense carries throughout all aspects...even the DJ let me play with his DJ toys.
Yes, yes, you don't want to model your toilet after theirs, the pool table is old, and you may see a fight. But, these are added flavor for a true dive bar.
At the end of night you can say you had the chance to -- crash in some comfy booths, play some pool, order pizza for the bar, meet some real people, have a cheap drink, and if you are lucky, hang out with the band at an after party.
If you like a dive bar, go. If you don't, stay up the road, nobody will miss you at Rogue.
Definitely a fan now.
Please disregard the first review.
I now know the owners of this bar and they are very very cool and they love great music of all kinds and the staff is fun. Â Definitely a place to go and see a show or hang.
It is very dark, and there is a wide array of visitors from college kids, to wanna bees to good musicians. Â It is fun. Â I would advise making a pit stop in any night even if you are just bouncing around Scottsdale.
This place is great when they have a killer DJ. However, the Rogue is a long way away from its glory days prior to the smoking ban and  'Shake' event hosted by William Reed.
Nowadays, it's alright. The tall PBR cans are 3 bucks and they have draft beers, too. There is still much people watching to be done on weekends here.
I think y'all are missing the point: it's a DIVE BAR. It's supposed to be sleezy. The grafitti'd bathrooms are quite charming really, as long as you put paper on the seat and wash your hands, which you should be doing in ANY public bathroom. You know, just don't lick the stall door and you'll be ok.
The parking lot is tiny but you can park on the side streets close-by. Premium draft beer is a pretty average price of $5/pint. There's a pool table and darts, but the best part is the awesome local bands that play here. And if you don't show up too late you can get a cozy booth with a good view of the stage.
La Rogue...I love it.
From the always propped open door to the vandalized bathroom with hundreds of messages to ponder over and drawings of naked girls IN the girls bathroom, I do love art!
1st time here, was 80's night and a Gods Girls event as well. The cover was $5, easily doable. And the jack and cokes were nice and strong.
The bartender was checking on me and my friend whenever he could and we were never low on the alcohol (5 stars for that alone!)
The band was good and the music loud for the small space.
Another plus.
The other times Ive been here they were not as busy. But I like heading out during week nights. The $1 PBR night was nice for me and my friend, we never felt uncomfortable and the bartender saved our seats when we went out for a smoke.
I know this will not be for some people. But for those people, I say...keep driving North on Scottsdale Road and theres plenty of clubs with $10 cover and multi colored drinks to sip on.
Id rather be drinking a Bud, $1 PBR or a really tasty Jack and Coke!
Hit this place up for a show with two stellar bands I haven't seen in ages. This is a small bar that's very easy to miss. After reading all the reviews I was prepared to park a mile away and walk through some dark alleys. But despite the fact that there was a line to get in the door, there was an open parking spot right in front! The place was a dive, drinks were relatively cheap for Scottsdale and extremely strong, and the crowd was diverse (likely because of the bands that were playing). Having the convenience store practically attached next door was oddly "convenient" for whatever cravings may emerge.
As others have stated, the place is a dive, but it's not as nasty as some have eluded. Totally a place I would hang except that the sound system and acoustics are AWFUL. Not at all a place where I would pay to hear live music again.
If you've never been here, this place is impossible to find; look for the neighboring liquor store (which is great for heading to afterparties). Â This place has definitely got a divey feel to it. Â As stated in other reviews, it's not the cleanest place. Â PBR seems to be the hot item at the cash bar (especially when the cans are a dollar).
The music here is usually some kind of indie/electro dance stuff. Â Lots of (less-than-stellar) DJs, and sometimes live music. Â I mostly go here for Shake on Saturdays, which is usually a good time. Â On most weeknights, this place is dead.
The clientele here is primarily your grimy hipster folk. Â Lots of v-necks and tight jeans. Â But who cares? Â Me, when 3 Â fixed gear bikes are locked long-ways on the bike rack and you have to lock yours up at the hotel next door because of a lack of some trait or another.
Was there last night for our station fundraiser concert (KWSS 1067). Was a little difficult to find because it looks like an extension of the Liquor store on the corner. It literally is a hole in the wall dive.
If you are looking for something clean, where you can dress up and go clubbing, then this place is NOT for you. If you aren't picky, and you want more of a "house concert" atmosphere where 100 people are crammed in a living room listening to some punk/emo band, then it is exactly for you.
The drinks are STRONG. I thought my plastic cup would disintegrate. Â Overall you have to want that atmosphere to truly enjoy it. I don't think I would go back unless it was for something like this. Doesn't mean it was awful, but it's just not *my* scene.
The Rogue had two eras, as far as I'm concerned: The Couch Days and Now.
The Couch Days were great. We'd drink cheap beers, listen to rock music and eventually get so tanked we'd have to lean on one another while sinking into the couches and laughing our heads off.
Now the couches are gone, and the crowd skews a little bit younger. But they're fun and looking for a good time. I don't think I ever have left Shake, the Saturday dance party at Rogu,e without plans for an afterparty or makeout session.
As others have said, be sure to park in the neighborhood, because the parking lot is microscopic.
I went here for the first time on Saturday, to hear Daniel Ash spin. My friend, a regular, had forewarned me that I may feel a bit old but with the guest DJ, I was hardly among the older folks. Thank god. =)
Strong drinks served super fast, interesting crowd, dance floor small but worked, good music even before Ash took over. Yeah, the small parking lot  means most people have to park in the neighborhood and walk a bit but big deal. I'll go back, even if I do end up feeling old.
I decided to read the reviews before I wrote mine....and how I agree with Adam M....(Much to my dismay! Â LOL) Â I didn't know about this bar before I came here, so I do not know much about the history. Â I am just happy to find a place to go that plays Sisters of Mercy, the Smiths, and Ministry. Â I now have hope that Scottsdale does have some down-to-earth dive punk bars that deserve its due.
I will say that the drinks suck...that is true. Â The service, though, isn't that bad. Â I was dressed up in a dress (since I just came from another event where I had to wear a little black dress)....I didn't look "punk" or "alternative" at all...and I was treated with respect. Â (Odd enough) Â It does help that I actually KNOW the songs that they played there and I am not some 20 year old poser. Â But that is another story.
This place is very reminiscent of my younger days and I am very happy to have found it. Â I just wish that Daniel Ash showed up before Midnight....DAMN!!!!
Had good times here a couple weeks ago watching a local band play - good crowd for a Thursday night too. This is a hole-in-the-wall dive bar and it's perfect - as long as a band is playing... Returning here recently on a no-band night was quite disappointing.
Decent drinks at a fair price. Parking is a BEEEOTCH!
At first I was bummed when the dudes at Chronic Car Audio told me it would be several hours to replace elements of my girls fubar sound system. I knew I was close to Los Sombreros, but they are dark at lunch. Counter dude at CCA tells me there is a Starbucks(gag) not too far, and Philly's sports bar as well. What he did not tell me was that Rouge was across the street south about a fifty yards. Cheers to day drinking and thinking of you.
I ambled in and it was nice and dark, star one. A few scattered local barflies, and the self anointed queen bitch bid me a fond hello, star two. I ordered a Stella,star three and after some small talk and a few pulls she asked me if she should put a few on ice,star four. I had not made my mind up yet, so I politely declined. She sat at the end of the bar, chatting up the army of three. After a few minutes she asked me if I was ready for another. The patron closest to me exclaimed how fast I drank that one. I was thirsty what can I say. The queen bitch had her eye on me though and like a good divey day drinking spot should be, I did not have to seek and destroy to get another beer.
Smoking is not allowed which, as a non smoker is cool, however, the smokiness removed from a good dive bar, kind of ruins the atmosphere in a way. This visit I had the added bonus of having the whole bar to myself for about five minutes. Patrons went out to smoke, followed by the queen bitch bartender and as she passed me headed out the door she says to me "you're on your best behavior". I felt like I belonged.
A couple more reggies dropped in, I had sucked down several Stellas, and it was time to go snag some lunch. Music was piped in radio, Steely Dan, CCR etc; I did not check out the jukebox selections but did use the head.The bathroom is not unlike some strip clubs I used to frequent in Chicago. Dark enough in the stall for someone to be in there and you can't see them. Urinal within full view of an always open door frame, handwriting is on the wall, but you will need a penlight to read the good shit.
Stop in and say hello to the queen bitch during the day, I think they open at 6. At night she morphs into Momma Wendy, but that is a rare occurrence.
All the bad reviews have me puzzled. Most of the things complained about are things I see as a plus for this kind of bar. After all, it is a dive bar with a rowdy crowd. It's called Rogue. This isn't your grandpa's Snowbird Scottsdale and it isn't full of  douchebags with shiny shirts, with their blood full of anabolic steroids and their scrotum holding shrunken testicles, and fake tans, and girls with... ok some of them are surgically enhanced. Personally I don't have a problem with that...
Try this as an exercise. Read the 2 star reviews. Look at the things being complained about, but turn the sentence, in your mind, into a praise instead. I picked out a great quote from one review... Think of this one in a positive instead of negative light and you'll get a whole different idea.
"Not to mention if you want a free show of someone blowing someone else, screwing, fighting or snorting things this is THE place to be."
HAHAHA. That's from a 2 star review. I dunno. It's a dive bar. To me, the fact that it's small, crowded, with cheap strong drinks, and people doing crazy shit is a plus.
I don't hang out at bars on a regular basis. I go if there's a DJ I want to hear and want to get my boogie on, or if friends are going. Since most of my best friends live in other cities, it's not usually in AZ. I only drink to the point of being drunk once every other month or so. But.... When I want to go somewhere that is crazy and stupid and full of freaks, this is where I go. I feel a certain kinship with crazy stupid freaks.
Face it everybody. Â We live in a soul-less, paved-over, mercilessly blistering, cultural wasteland.
I want to be reluctant to admit it as well, but its true.
But every now and again you find something to ease the pain of Valley dwelling and Rogue bar is the band-aid.
Its strange seeing this place transform from straight dive with cheap PBR back in the early 00's, to a lounge spot with a FANTASTIC jukebox, to the trendy, indie-bar-of-the-second.
And strangely, i feel like I've grown with it.
Sure there are the staples, the cheap beer, the amazing music, the unique clientle, but the additions -- DJs, the bartenders, the precocious vibe -- all have transformed Rogue into the most vibrant spot in the valley. Â
If I were to host guests from London, NY, SF, Seattle, or Austin, Rogue is the only place i wouldn't apologize beforehand for its potential lame-ness (edit: nor would i apologize for Casey's -- the perfect tandem night!)
Oh, also, i LERVE the negative reviews about Rogue -- keep em coming. Â It wouldn't be quite right if everyone "got it" about this joint.
I went to the Rogue a couple years ago when Shake hosted a Louis XIV after-party and my friend was guest dj-ing. Â I had to drive all the way from my sister's house in Surprise just to go to this place.
I do not like the size of the dance floor. Â I could barely get around with a whole lot of people dancing all at once. Â The parking sucks, too. Â I had to park in the residential area nearby. Â The drinks are cheap, though.
We have something similar in San Diego. Â It's called the Whistle Stop...and Transport and Booty Basement are its equivalent of Shake. Â It used to be cool, but we have bros invading from Pacific Beach. Â I wonder if it's similar at Rogue.
Despite a colorful jukebox with pretty lights, I dont recommend this useless dive-bar. Â Each time I went there, it seemed they hired these blond bimbos (sure, they're hot-- most females in tight clothing tend to be) to try and sell us some specific drink or whatever. Â I went there to socialize, goof off and maybe dance; not get a sales pitch from some annoying Britney Spears wannabe with a fake smile.
Twice I went to the Rogue on a Saturday, for their 'Shake' event-- advertized for its rock 'n roll. Â Both times, my friends and I were expecting to hear rock, but the DJ played pop/funk. Â We felt mislead, and left disappointed. Â Don't go to their crappy 'Shake' unless you have some really bizarre definition of rock 'n roll.
Staying openminded, we tried out Rogue's 1980s themed "Retrospect" night on Friday. Â The music had its share of European whimp rock like The Smiths & Depeche Mode, but I found these tunes better than the crap they play on Saturday. Â There's also an occasional goth ditty (i.e. Sisters of Mercy), but it doesn't really matter. Â The crowd seemed uninterested in the music and, as always, as The Rogue, the dance-floor remained mostly empty.
Whether you like the music or not, it's simply too loud. Â I had to yell in my friends' ears so they could hear me. Â Loud music is fine at an actual dance-club where the music is the main draw. Â But The Rogue is just a casual, sometimes sleazy bar that geeks show up at, after work. Â If you want class & style, check out Tranzylvania. Â If you want a variety of music, go to Obscura (at The Ruby Room Lounge). Â If you want to hang out with losers you can't hear anyway, go to The Rogue.
TRASH. TRASH. TRASH.
This bar is a complete waste of time. The only time I will go there now is if a friend is playing there. Every time I have gone it is like our generations excuse to be completely uninhibited, disgusting and irresponsible. Not to mention if you want a free show of someone blowing someone else, screwing, fighting or snorting things this is THE place to be.
2.5 stars. I think I was most turned off by the crappy service at Rogue on a recent Saturday night for William F Reed's Shake dance night. Â Whether they were understaffed or what, I don't know. Â But the wait for a drink at the dark dank bar was at least 20 minutes.
I spied Mike's pitcher from a few minutes earlier and thought that would be a better deal since it took so freaking long to even get the attention of the bartender. Â The bartender chick snapped at me and screamed "No more pitchers!" when she had just served one a few minutes earlier, so I had to settle for carrying around a bunch of PBR cans like an effing high schooler. Â Shoot, if I knew I would be lugging beers in my pockets I would have made alternate plans. Â I'm not above bringin a flask.
The crowd is kind of all over the place, like Glam and Homme, except here it skews more indie punk rock or wannabe indie punk rock. I love me some divey bar, so I was looking forward to a decent time at Rogue. Â That bar experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Â Cheap ass drinks couldn't make up for it. I might be back, but I'm in no hurry.
The bar itself is dark and dirty (bathrooms vie for the sickest in town, parking lot vies for smallest in town), and I'm ok with that, but with the crappy bar service, what would the saving grace be? Â The people and the music. Â Seeing a dozen or so friends (including Bonnie and Michael) randomly converge on this place after a concert rocked in my book. Â And top that with everyone screaming and dancing to "Your Love" by Outfield. Â And that's worth at least two stars right there.
It's a dirty skeevy looking little hole that shares a wall with a liquor store. Â Score! The staff all seemed to be friendly and in good spirits. The DJ was great the night I was there and gave out all kinds of fun Joy Division schwag to celebrate the new Ian Curtis biopic. Â
The crowd was kind of interesting, but nothing to write Yelp about. Â Mostly a bunch of people getting their groove on or getting their drink on. Â The booths against the south wall are a nice touch. Â It looks like the sort of place you might meet a smuggler to take you to Alderaan. Â This Mos Eisley comparison may have been colored by the guy in the Vader mask and all the people in strange costumes the night I went. Â Except instead of bulbous headed aliens playing swing jazz, you get Twisted Sister, She Wants Revenge, Bloc Party and Billy Idol.
I wasn't drinking that night so I can't exactly vouch for the drinks. Â The dance floor is tiny and crowded but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Â I have no idea if it is as much fun when it's not the Saturday before Halloween but I'm willing to come back and find out.
I agree with everything that Max A. said about this place. Â
I went in here not too long ago as some friends really wanted to go for last call. Â If you are turned on by watching some pale anorexic looking girl wearing a gas mask dance on a bar, then this place is for you. Â If you like bad hair, white belts and crappy tattoos, this is also right up your alley. Â I wanted to grab some of the girls in here and just give them sandwiches and some sunshine and tell them that their Daddy did love them. Â
I won't be going back here, its just depressing.
They remodeled the place a few years ago - it still sucks. It's usually impossible to find parking. The bathrooms remind me of the "worst toilet in Scotland" from Trainspotting. The people that frequent this place are trying so hard to be different that they just end up being the same.
This place sprang from a need to have a place in Scottsdale where people could dance and not have to hang around Scottsdale douchebags and snobs and plastics... ironically, this place has become full of a new breed of snobs and douchebags. There's no official dress code, but there is a dress code - you have to look like a fashion disaster or alterna-hipster with your "unique" uniform.
It's nearly impossible to get a drink unless you know someone or look like you know someone or perhaps have fucked someone who works there. It's the kind of place that belongs in Phoenix - it's conveniently located in Scottsdale though. I have friends who love this place, but I just think it's a shit-hole. I'm sure if I was still in College, I'd like it. I'm just too old for this kind of thing - not quite 'cool' enough. What's funny is that a year or so ago, it was more of a punky place.
As far as dive bars go, the Rogue rocks. It's dingy, small, dark and PBR flows like water at this south Scottsdale haven, which is popular with punk rockers and indie rock types.
The hipster bar used to be slammed on Mondays when they hosted their 50-cent PBR night. Now Saturdays are the night to see-and-be-seen. DJ/promoter William Reed brings Shake!, a popular weekly rock 'n' roll dance party, to the bar every week with notable guests DJs such as Belle & Sebastian or the Hot Hot Heat.
You'll find faux-hawked haired people dancing on the small dance floor along with the tattooed-and-the-pierced on Saturdays. And believe me, it IS a scene.
Mike Joyce of The Smiths will be taking over the wheels of steel for a special guest DJ set on Saturday, Sept. 29. Check out <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwilliamreedpresents.com&s=5ad82ad2bf715f379cec39211a1446fcdbb3e647e5e1c80f2ff9324995f86782" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://williamreedpresen…</a> for a calendar of who's going to be spinning  during Shake!.
in a city with very little in terms of indie bars, this place is probably the best.
i'm not sure why people are so down on this place in yelp. i only go there on saturday nights, but the drinks are plenty strong (if not too strong), there are usually alot of people dancing come midnight, the staff and djs there are really cool, and the music is the best of any place in phoenix.
all that being said, it's not that great of a place. it's very small, has very little space at the bar, has no patio where you can drink, has virtually no parking, has about the worst public restroom situation you will ever find, and they constantly run out of certain beers like bass or harp.
its really dissapointing that the best venue that phoenix can do for it's best indie dance night is a dive like this place, but its still worlds better then paying assloads for the terrible music and people at scottsdale and tempe bars. it does feature some really cool decor, great giant plush booths, a pool table, an awesome juke box, cheap strong booze, and the best indie dance night in the city.
Meh. Â I've been to this bar a few times and find it's not worth the hassle. Â First of all, your chances of actually parking in their parking lot are slim to none. Â It's very annoying trying to find a spot, but you will have better luck parking in some of the neighboring places.
Secondly, the drinks are WEAK. Â Pretty lame. Â They're cheap, but sometimes I think the bartender completely forgets the alcohol entirely. Did I say a soda water?? I meant vodka/soda!! Come on now, people. Â Don't be so stingy with the good stuff.
The crowd is pretty eclectic. Â I've seen quite a few different age ranges in there the times I've gone, but no one seems to have a problem with dancing out on the floor.
This is not the best bar choice, but it's not the worst either. Just bring your own alcohol minis so you can doctor up your drinks.
a very dear friend of mine worked here for ...almost a year? i used to adore this bar and come 2-3 times a week - 50 cent PBR monday was very popular for some time.
i have to say i have not been back since my lady friend stopped bartending there. then i heard about the Sat night thing and was intrigued, but then ultimately turned off. i thought it might be like how Hot Pink used to be, but maybe i''m just too old for that to sound fun anymore or something.
this review may not be too helpful since i haven't been in over a year, but it's a huge space with a more rockabilly/gearhead/old school punk crowd (during the week that is). fantastic juke box, cheap drinks, heavy pours.
it's totally missable, but look for the convenient store. even if there's a spot in the parking lot, i wouldn't do it - you end up having to BACK OUT onto scottsdale road, and after a few drinks, and it being scottsdale road at 1 or 2 a.m. it's a terrible idea. just go to the next residentail street, turn right and park in the neighborhood. i've never had a problem doing that. don't park in the convenient store parking lot though, he will tow you.
two...and a half stars
Its perfect for checking out fleshy new tat's on beautiful punk rock chicks. But its not a real good place to be dressed up at. Definetly go in something greaser-ish, biker-ish or in just plain chill clothes... This place reminds me of some clubs up in Seattle.
Good atmosphere, decent dj although he could get a larger selection of discs.
The Rogue USED to be REALLY cool ... down to earth "punkers" with brains (unlike Jugheads) ... come with an open mind and your cool. Â No doubt it (was) one of Phoenix's few cool hang outs (IMHO) ... too bad the owner fired all the cool staffers over a year ago.
Rick (a really cool and attractive) female bartender ... is sadly missed.