The Most Flavorful Music Venues in Mesa

Sunset Grille

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (13) • $$

"I've been eating here for years, and somehow the Sunset Grille is always a great place to visit. Recently, I have attended several Sunday brunches and each one was excellent. So glad it's in my neighborhood."

Park Tavern And Market

★★★★☆ 3.6 (80)

"Fun neighborhood bar located adjacent from an ice rink. It's a great place to watch a game. Lots of tv's and one really big screen. Great selection of drinks too. It seems they've improved their wine list. I tried a couple of nice wines at a really reasonable price.There's one not so good thing. Their pretzels bites. My husband has always loved them. They used to be buttery and soft. He ordered them the other day and they were overcooked/very dark and oily. The oil smelled really bad. Our server took them back and replaced them with a new batch. They were still just as bad, but not as oily."

Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (354) • $$

"Cricket, AkChin, taking stick...I don't know how many names it's been through but I have a love hate with it. Tickets are pretty cheap when I purchase through my credit card company entertainment. It's an open amphitheater and free parking is available. We've never had issues with parking and I usually just do the lawn seats. I like being able to get up and move around without bothering anyone else. I will not go in the summer but if it's 90 and under it's a nice concert spot. There are plenty of food vendors which yes, overpriced but to be expected at an event."

San Tan Flat

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"Came here to see a friend of mine who was playing drums as a fill-in for the band's drummer. First time here & was impressed with the great staff here. This place is very accommodating & provides a family friendly atmosphere. I saw people of all ages & walks of life enjoying the music, the food, & just enjoying their time there. The stage is a good sized stage for bands & there is a room off to the side of the stage for bands to store extra gear and personal items during the show. Thesound is perfect. There is an outdoor dance floor to "cut a rug". There are fire pits for cold evenings. The food is really good as well. I tried the pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw & potato cakes. HUGE portion size! Took the rest home!Brought my friends here for the second night seeing my drummer friend & we girls had so much fun!"

Pho Cao

★★★★☆ 3.5 (356)

"Pho Cao: divey, but surprisingly authentic!Pho Cao is an interesting concept, one I've never seen before; Vietnamese food/American Karaoke bar. I was concerned with the authenticity of the Vietnamese food given the concept, but was appeased by the Vietnamese on the menu and the steady influx of to go orders while we were there. We were there on a Wednesday evening so there was no live music which I believe is on the weekend. We ordered spring rolls, Bo lu lac (shaken beef), and Cao's special fried rice (Chinese sausage, bbq pork, and shrimp). There were some beer specials for Bf and I requested a piña colada- although they did not have coconut crème. The waiter asked the bartender what they were able to do and they made me a coconut rum/pineapple juice/lime blended concoction which was almost as good as a piña. Really I appreciated the fact that they were willing to work with me! The spring rolls were lackluster, mostly filled with cabbage, a sliver of pork, and shrimp that was not listed on the menu. They stuck to the plate and each other and were dull. The peanut sauce was on the runnier side. Of everything we ordered we would not get this again.The bo lu lac (shaken beef) was some of the best I've been able to find in Arizona! The beef cubes could have more consistent in size and there could have been a smidge more bell peppers but the taste was spot on! The portion was more generous than my eyes had lead me to believe! Cao's special fried rice tasted authentic, the way my friend's mom used to make! Not too salty and not under seasoned. The meat to rice portion was great; there was more meat than rice which you don't see often! We ate about half and took the other half to go.Overall a very unique and cool spot definitely worth checking out!"

Horse & Hyde Uptown

★★★★☆ 4.3 (16)

"Great, great, great local watering hole. If people are complaining abiut chips then I would take that with a grain of salt. ALL MEATS ARE SMOKED IN HOUSE!. Hot link po boy was awesome!!!! Green chili quesadilla great. Can't wait to come back to check out brisket Mac. The drinks are great, no mixers. And in top of it staff is so so great! Cheyanne and Marcus were so friendly and made it a great experience! Will be back for the live music! Also you can have your doggie on patio so great for whoke family!"

Sunbar Tempe

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (141) • $$

"Walked over to Sunbar after having sushi next door. After passing by this place earlier and hearing the music, my friends and I all wanted to check it out. The dj was playing some really good music! We grabbed a round of drinks at the bar and sat at one of the bigger tables. We were outdoors but the misting system was on so it helped a bit. We got a second round and as we were close to being done, the power went out in the area! We had to wait a bit so staff could figure out how to close everyone out. They were eventually able to find a way and we headed to the next spot indoors with ac lol. Each round was $51 for 5 drinks. Not bad! This would be a nice patio bar when it's cooler for sure. Especially, if it's the same dj playing the same type of music!"

El Pacifico - Mesa

★★★★☆ 4 (13)

"El Pacifico in Mesa is the kind of place that will likely get very mixed reviews. Some will love it and some not so much. Firstly, it's a place where you can expect noise, often live music. The ad we saw for it said family friendly, and although kids are welcome, it's more of an adult environment, at least in the evenings. When I go back, it will be with my wife and/or friends.In terms of the food, i ordered the shrimp and octopus cocktail. It was good, although I wished it tasted a little fresher. It was still enjoyable, just not a 10/10. I also tried the ceviche tostadas, and those I didn't like. They lacked flavor. Side note: the tables are bare, which means, for example, no salt shakers. To drink, I ordered the limonada mineral...and it was absolutely delicious! You can tell the limonada was fresh! Oh and it was huge! Someone else at my table ordered horchata, and they said it was also great.To summarize, the ambiance is fun, if you're in the mood for a festive, borderline loud, environment. The food is good not great, although I'm definitely going back to try other dishes. And the service today was excellent.So far not a place I would praise to my friends, but one that is good enough to try it again."

Tempe Tavern

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (177) • $

"It's a spot I've gone to a handful or times and I like it! A step up from a nice hole in the wall bar but a lot more comfortable than one of those stuck up bars! The food I've tried was really good. (Wings, Fish Tacos, Burgers & Fries but there's much more) Friendly staff! When ASU is in session the night crowd changes pretty fast but it's always been a friendly atmosphere. It's my go too place"

The Stillery

★★★★☆ 3.7 (287) • $$

"This is probably our fifth or sixth time here, it's always fun. It's wonderful to have live music on a Saturday afternoon. Brandon was fabulous and the smell of smoked ribs permeated the restaurant..I WOULD RECOMMEND"

QuartHaus

★★★★★ 4.7 (94) • $$

"Went here to meet up with friends. I love the outside vibe and the basketball court. I like having a place that I can go hang out with friends and if we bring our kids to run around, it's not a big deal. The only thing that wasn't great was one of the bartenders. She was pretty rude. She came up and asked me what I wanted to drink. I asked her a question "did they offer flights" she said "no" and walked away from me. I was like "hey I still wanted a drink". She didn't come back and I had to wait for another bartender to come round. This wasn't a busy time and there was one other guy standing at the bar with me who looked at me and was like "oh she isn't very friendly""

Pier 54

★★★☆☆ 3 (476) • $$

"I came here today with a few friends around 3:15, right after they opened. We were sat right away by a very friendly hostess and promptly given menus and water. We got the spinach artichoke dip for our appetizer and I got the lamb burger as my meal. The dip was garlicy and savory, absolutely perfect. And my burger was wonderful! The tzatziki was wonderfully fresh. The view is beautiful and the vibe of the place is definitely laid back. The one drawback is they allow smoking at the bar and if you're eating and a non smoker, the smell can be off putting while you eat. All in all, I'd definitely go back and recommend this place!"

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

★★★★☆ 4.2 (263) • $$

"This was our second year attending Enchant Christmas in Scottsdale, the super Christmas'y event occurring in the month of December. Last year we paid, but this year we won tickets through Yelp! Thank you Bailey L!We highly recommend attending if you're looking to put some jingle-jingle-jingle in your ole Kris Kringle.The maze of lights is spectacular, and if you're yearly medical deductible is all paid up, then slap on a pair of ice skates and hit the "real ice" rink.There are vendors galore and even a food court if you're feeling famished.This review would be 5-star, but their drinks suck. Well, we only had two, the red Christmas Punch and the blue Raspberry Lemonade.I totally forgot, and bought $40 worth. Then I totally remembered after the first sip.If it's going to be raining when you visit, then the $40 valet parking is well worth the upgrade vs the $15 cost to self-park in a puddle.I also did a 5k event here a while back, and it was great!"

Crescent Ballroom

★★★★☆ 4.2 (692)

"I've lost count of how many times I've witnessed the mesmerizing performance of The Ocean Blue, but this is undoubtedly their second mind-blowing show at this venue. Trust me, the vibes here are off the charts! The acoustics? Absolutely killer! Though I must admit, the staff can be a tad curt, and the drinks might leave you thirsting for more flavor. But hey, let's focus on the bright side--they constantly bring in phenomenal bands that rock this joint to its core!"

The Forum Lounge

★★★★☆ 4.1 (75)

"We had a good time here. This establishment is recently open and we wanted to hear from live music. The spot is not too far off the 202. Location is deep in a commercial neighborhood of Chandler. Parking was easy. We were seated close to the stage. Since the place is new we, they were giving baby tours. Inside they are attached to a sports bar. There are also several karaoke rooms available for rent. Near the stage is a VIP room that is open and can be rented out. For food we tried a range of things: wings, sushi, and onion rings. Overall good bar food. We also grabbed a few drinks for the table. Drinks moderately priced. Live music was good. They had a nice band playing from 6pm to 9pm. Overall we enjoyed our evening. If lived in the valley would maybe host a special occasion here in one of the karaoke rooms."

Gallopin' Goose

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (45) • $$

"I came here with my husband after we had to put my cat of 20 years down. Drinks and service was good, we did not order any food. I saw this episode on bar rescue today, things look better, but it is still a honky tonk hole in the wall, Not that there is anything wrong with that. I actually prefer bars where you have a chance to get to know the regulars. We have since moved a good distance away, so not sure we would be in the neighborhood any time soon.As for the bar rescue show, it was reported that John Taft was a bit of control freak and quite rude, but that is hearsay so I can't attest.I do think he should get his thyroid checked as his eyes really budge when getting upset/aggressive"

Gypsy's Roadhouse

★★★★☆ 3.6 (50) • $

"We stumbled upon this bar one Saturday while out running errands .. the kind of place that does not judge you for having jack Daniels and Diet Coke before noon .. the regulars don't care that you've stopped in.. the pop corn is free and the vibe is easy goingThe bartender told us the wings and fish & chips were good so we returned on a Friday for happy hour and fridays special Fish & chips.. Lindsey was our bartender.. she kept our drinks full and Bill was the chef .. he was funny and entertaining.. the food was hot and the fish was fried right .. the wings smelled amazing (Marty sitting next to us ordered them and when he was concerned about the heat .. Bill brought him a baby spoon so he could try it) and yes we made fun of Marty as a group We will definitely be back to try the wings .. and listen to Casey Brooks from 5-8.. cherry bombs are $1.. the green tea with Jamison, peach snapps & lemonade is delicious This is a dive bar .. it might be Smokey and dark inside and rough around the edges but they are welcoming of outsiders .. thanks for the cold drinks, good food and laughs AND Bill see you next time.."

Bourbon Jacks American Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.8 (362) • $$

"Fryboard Fryday !!! Bourbon Jacks has THE MOST AMAZING FRY BOARD!!!! On top of the various amounts of fries they have 6 different ranch options that you could dip the fries in! Omgggg this blew our minds!!! We could eat this every single day that's how amazing it is! they also put on live country shows that you watch while you eat! Definitely a must, if you check out Downtown Chandler head to Bourbon Jacks you'll love the service and ambiance such a cool place!"

Walter Studios

★★★★★ 4.5 (37)

"Love that they have their own parking lot, at 1am on a Saturday night it was only 1/3 full. They also have events every month.This was a normal night, main room and main bar was empty, the bouncer was very nice and helpful and told me about the other rooms.Restrooms are at one end, the Blue Room is at the opposite end. The Blue Room has a DJ, dance floor and bar and was EDM. The side rooms are more for conversation. There is a trippy mushroom room, and there is also a library classy room.Interesting concept."

Handlebar J BBQ Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (329) • $$

"This is the Arizona country bar in my opinion. There is live music, dancing and I even had a dance lesson here one time! I had a blast. There is a cover charge (only during peak hours to pay for the great live entertainment) so be prepared- bring some cash and a good attitude. The crowd is always friendly and the patio is large. I always enjoy myself here. Fun spot. If you love country- this is not to miss! If you even like country a little- not to miss. *closed on sundays*Last night, I noticed that they sell some fun merch too.... Pictured here the "welcome to the "shitshow" hats! Cute."

Yucca Tap Room

★★★★☆ 4 (306) • $$

"Love love love this place! Amazing place to see up-and-coming, bands, or even open mic night, DJ night is always fabulous and hilarious. The bar staff is amazing, especially Dan the bartender who is so super friendly! And don't get me started on the food! All the tacos are delicious, my friend loves the cheesy mac & cheese balls, i've had the pulled pork sandwich, and that is super delicious.. so barbecuyy and yummy! Menu prices are great and very affordable. Today I'm excited to have the fry bread which is described as crispy, Golden, and topped with honey, cinnamon and powdered sugar. What heaven am I in?? I sooo love it here!"

TC's Pub & Grub

★★★★☆ 3.9 (301) • $$

"Terrific wings -- get them grilled! Their house blue cheese is bomb too. Fun flavor choices, my fave are the cilantro wings.Sliders are also awesome, and pack a ton of flavor.Bartenders are best in the biz and very attentive. Great TV's everywhere, good vibes, high energy spot.Well priced too. Will return!"

The Van Buren

★★★★☆ 3.6 (411) • $$

"I had never been to this venue before, but I saw Jimmy Eat World's 20th Anniversary show for Futures here 10/17/2024 (AMAZING best show by the Jimmies I've ever seen, but that is not what I'm reviewing). It was great. It's basically all GA, there was some VIP seating on a balcony. You can take water in if it's in a sealed bottle. My favorite part of the venue itself -- the HUGE fans that I was standing under. That made it so much more comfortable. The bathrooms were nice and clean.I liked this venue."

Seamus McCaffrey's

★★★★☆ 3.6 (460) • $$

"While I have family visiting this week we decided to check out some supposed haunted spots in the city. My brother loves that kinda stuff. First stop was the Hotel San Carlos. After we decided to stop in here for some lunch and I'm glad we did. Very cool Irish pub with more history than I knew. When we arrived they were serving their lunch specials and we all decided on the fish and chips. While we waited we talked with our waitress and well as one of the managers who both told us how patrons have said to of seen a spirit at the edge of the bar who quickly vanishes. Some also spooked in the men's bathroom up a small staircase. There are some tunnels under both here and hotel. Interesting for sure. Our food came out pretty quick and looked great. The fish was golden outside, crispy and full of flavor. The fries were crisp on the outside but a bit mush in middle. I'd of liked them more if they'd been fried and extra minute. Service was awesome and didn't have to ask for anything. They also sell T-shirt's and hoodies if interested. Pretty good size bar, very popular later in the day with its late night hours. Huge bar with you guessed it...plenty of alcohol!"

Shady Park

★★★★☆ 3.6 (377) • $$

"This place was the ONLY place that had superb service out of all the places I visited while I was in Tempe. The $10 Cup O' Noodles Special is insanely priced. You get a cup of Ramen, a pint of Kirin, and a hot Sake for only $10. Heck, I sometimes pay more than that to dine at a freaking Mickey D's! And the cup of ramen that you get with this deal is big enough to fill me up. Yeah, you have to pay more for protein, it's still worth it.Our server was super cool and super friendly. I want to say her name was Ashley, but honestly, I can't remember. She was this super nice tatted girl in glasses with an awesome smile. Kudos to the only server in all of Tempe who actually provided awesome service!Next time I'm in Tempe to attend Innings Fest, I'm definitely making a stop here again."

The Wild Vine Uncorked

★★★★☆ 3.9 (420) • $$$

"Went here for a celebration dinner. Really good food, the vibe was very nice, the band was good, and the drinks were on point. Our waiter was attentive, but not overly so. We will be coming back again."

O’Kelley’s Sports Bar & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (120) • $$

"The servers were attentive and friendly, drinks were good, beer nice & cold, and food was great!When in town I'll for sure be back.Thursday night, they have 2 rooms. Kareoke in 1 and Games & the Jukebox in the other."

Rusty Spur Saloon

★★★★☆ 4 (364) • $$

"What a fun Western saloon for a little bit of live music and dancing! Came here on a Monday night and was pleasantly surprised that the place was packed with people (albeit mostly tourists), but was still fun to listen to some live music (mainly Western and pop covers) and do a little dancing. Place gets very packed, so expect that things will get sloppy. Another patron was tipsy and did end up spilling some alcohol on my dress. Overall, a great experience (even for locals like me) and it is an interesting place to take out of towners."

Copper Blues Rock Pub - Phoenix

★★★★☆ 3.7 (829) • $$

"This place is solid spot for a casual night out, deoending on what type of events and timing you go. I ordered the Pina Colada and lemon pepper wings, and both hit the spot. The wings had just the right amount of zest, and the drink was refreshingly balanced. The security guy upstairs, where it's connected to the comedy hall, was super friendly, which added to the bar/night club vibe. Just a heads up--the place can get busy, especially around the bathrooms, but it's worth it for the good food and drinks."

Old Town Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.9 (246) • $

"This place was next to the Back Door Lounge which was closed on Sunday, so we ended up here. The bar was small inside and had a live musician (much better than dead ones) so we sat outside at one of the many tables available. Luckily, they had fans with the misting water spray as it was after dark and still around 100 degrees. It was pleasant though.They had a lot of choices of alcohol and bottles/cans of beer. I chose a local wheat and it hit the spot after dinner.Uber pickup was a challenge as the Uber Driver ended up somewhere where we didn't know where he was, but we got that squared away and were off."

The Dirty Drummer

★★★★☆ 4.1 (208) • $$

"I went to see Rita Hamilton's band play on Sunday, 3/7, and the band was really good! My sister ordered fish and chips and fried zucchini and a mixed drink that was grapefruit juice and vodka. She liked her drink. I had a Ladmo Bag drink and it turned out to be a can of Wild Ness. It was good. We shared the food which was typical bar food but definitely delicious. The server was really nice. Because it was Rita's party someone went around and offered everyone strawberry shortcake cupcakes. They were delicious. I had a great time! Fun and friends and drinks and food. You can't go wrong!"

Valley Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (487)

"I like this place. I've been a couple times now. It's relatively big. 3 rooms. 2 bars. A game area with pool and shuffle board. An area with some booths. I like the main dance area. The dj has always been fun to dance to."

Recreo Cantina

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (218) • $$

"A casual and chill wine right starting at Mingle + Graze with friends turned into hopping to four locations on a recent summer's Friday night in Downtown Chandler. This location was how we ended the night, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. I felt like this location had a balance of music without being too loud where you can't hear your party. The service was friendly and quick to get drinks/refills. Additionally, the food items ordered were delicious and quick to come out of the kitchen. We only did starter items, so I can't weigh in on the food. Though, we did feel those food items were perfect accompaniments to drinks. Overall, it was definitely a location I would try again!"

Hale Center Theater

★★★★★ 4.7 (188) • $$

"I have been attending performances here at Hale Centre Theatre for many years. It is one of my favorites places to see a show here in Arizona. A friend of mine was a regular performer at Hale back in their early days and I would go to see all of her performances. My mother and I have seen their annual holiday "Christmas Carol" show on many occasions. Hale Centre Theatre has been here in downtown Gilbert for over twenty years. They host all sorts of musicals, dramas and comedies throughout the year. It is a nice affordable way to see a Broadway experience here in the Valley. I love the intimacy of this theater. Hale Theater holds 350 people and has an in-the-round style of seating. You really do feel like you are part of the show with how close you are to the actors. The production is usually always really good. I am always in awe of how talented many of these up-and-coming local artists are. They have done many renovations over the years to create a more engaging experience here at Hale. They just recently opened a 150 seat concert hall next door that showcases many tribute bands. Hale Centre Theatre is located across the street from the historic Gilbert Water Tower. There are so many options for food within walking distance if you want to made your night a dinner and a show night."

SoZo Coffeehouse

★★★★☆ 4.3 (319) • $$

"Perfect day to take a walk and grab some coffee. Scott (owner) delivers above and beyond service along with an exceptional product without fail.On the weekends they have live music and mini concerts. The first Thursday of the month is open poetry night.A chill environment with comfy chairs. Perfect for chatting with a friend. Free WiFi for those wanting to work or catch up on emails."