The Back Room

A few steps will lead you down to this great music venue. The exposed brick walls are decorated with records and a reel to reel tape. There is a choice of comfortable seating on mismatched couches or straight chairs. They do not serve drinks or food. What they do serve is an eclectic mix of top-notch music. Because there is no alcohol all ages can enjoy the music here.The room has great acoustics. I guess the couches and brick walls or the basement location helpWe went to hear the Guitar Trifecta. They were amazing. I look forward to going here again.

I've been going to The Back Room for over 5 years as it's generally a nice place to see music, but I've become increasingly concerned about the cleanliness and condition, as well as the owner's behavior. The main space is acoustically great and the venue is certainly intimate as others have noted. The sound system, run by Sam, is hit or miss, often having buzzing or other issues that he doesn't seem to care about. Cables are almost always a mess and there's usually a pile of drums in the corner of the stage, which is rather unprofessional. It never looks great.The furniture (couches) are certainly cozy but I doubt they get cleaned at all, let alone regularly. So, if you want to sit on a public couch, knock yourself out. Enter the kitchen or either of the two bathrooms and you'll immediately get the sense that someone lives at the venue. The first bathroom has a shower and usually has pill bottles, personal hygiene products, and other materials out in the open. It's never very clean and feels more like a dormitory bathroom than anything that belongs in a public music venue.It's not unusual for the office space to reek of a certain kind of smoke. Sam, as hard as he tries, has a a sort of unsettling presence and on several occasions I've seen him insist on sitting in with artists who don't seem to want him there - sometimes playing bongos, sometimes playing piano, and rarely fitting into the music very well (overplaying, playing too loudly, etc). I'd be really thrilled if Sam could clean up this space, including the back areas, and be a little bit more conscious of the way he addresses the crowd and how much figurative "space" he takes up.

This place is an amazing gem in Berkeley. The musicians Sam curates to perform, in this intimate room with comfy couches, are just INCREDIBLE! The level of talent is astounding given the ticket prices (reasonable beyond belief!). We have gone to 10 concerts in the last month and our mouths were hanging open at the level of musicianship. Parking is so incredibly easy & convenient in a UC-monitored lot (extremely safe) at the end of Bonita about 1/2 block from the venue.Sam is a unique character and superb musician himself (pianist) and we are just so grateful to him for hosting such extraordinary musicians in his 'Back Room'!!

saw blues there a couple months ago and the owner came down and played righteous piano along with the band who was very good. I was just sorry there weren't more people there but that's why I'm writing the review so that we can support them better because it was very cozy and a very nice atmosphere, but not enough people

Really enjoyed the San Francisco Feetwarmers at this cozy, unique venue. This needs to be said--leave your phone in your pocket. We paid $50 for two tickets for an hour of quality jazz entertainment. However, people have a very unhealthy relationship with their phones and diminish the experience for others. The old people using flash photography; the younger people surfing whatever young people do--non-stop. One lady decided to video multiple full length songs with the flash on! And nobody said a word. The opening announcements should include a bit about phones--like they aren't allowed, or how they ruin other people's experience. I hate phones. Or maybe people. But certainly a person with a phone during a performance.

The best blues/jazz venue I've ever been to. Great music, comfortable couches to sit on and you can bring in your own beer. Definitely see Sam Rudin if you can, he was great. I wish there was a venue like this where I lived, I'd be there every week.

Happened about this low key music spot in Berkeley this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. They have a great acoustic setup and casual seating with arrows of loungers, couches and various chairs for first come first serve seating. Tickets were $18 for presale online and $20 at the door. They are byob/d with most folks bringing their own beverages. It does look like a home's back room turned into a performance venue. We had a chance to see the lab rats perform their Bay Area demo with a Sacramento band French 75 joining them. The music was definitely the focus and everyone in the audience was really passionate about music - great to find a community like this in Berkeley. It does get a bit warm inside so dress in layers. Probably good to come a bit early so you can snag some couch seats. Parking was available on the street. Tip: There are quite a few Japanese restaurants around the corner from the venue and make for a good pre show dinner spot.

Had a great time listening and dancing to Jazz Vocalist Yolandra Rhodes and The Rhodes Scholars. Intimate venue, great acoustics and ability to bring your own food and drinks. I'll be back. I have a new fav artist! Thank you Yolandra

Eccentric, warm, welcoming, comfortable, and the antidote to our Amazon and Target world. This intimate place is hosted by Sam Rudin who is a musician himself and cares deeply about music and providing a unique space to experience it. You can bring in your won food and drinks (they don't sell any). Ticket prices are very reasonable. A real gem.

The Back Room is terrific! The room is so appealing with high ceilings and exposed brick and a nice stage. The seating is very casual and comfortable - there are tables if you want but mostly it is furnished with comfy mismatched couches. Places hold 100 people max and is BYO food and drinks. The owner Sam Rudin is also a professional pianist and we heard him play one night with a band and it was excellent with a nice selection of songs. Went twice to The Back Room and really enjoyed the music both times! Wish I lived closer as I would go all the time. The Annual Atheist Christmas Show sounds great.