The Best Music Venues in Tucson

Chicago Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (38) • $

"Had been wanting to check this place out since it reopened so we stopped by last night and am glad we did. There was a $5 cover charge which was worth it for the music. It's a typically dive, with great music and clean bathrooms, SCORE!"

The Edge Bar & Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.5 (22) • $

"Great to finally be back on the Yelp-osphere! I HAD to do Edge as my first review back! This bar is AMAZING. First off this has become my regular spot to go with friends on the weekdays. David does Karaoke all weekday long and has the voice of an angel! (Really though a halo pops up and a choir sings backup during his songs.) he always seems so happy to see us and puts our songs in without even needing them written down! Bulldog the bouncer is wonderful and makes my day every time I see him. He always walks us to our car to make sure we don't get wisked away in the dark by strange men! He keeps the bar so safe I never worry about anything but having a good time. All the bartenders are magnificent, but Christina is our favorite! She is drop dead perfect and is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. She also does great pours which is much appreciated. I love seeing the regular crowd like Arturo and my man man Bam-bam. I'm not into the band dive bar scene so I don't go weekend nights because I prefer downtown, but weekdays this is exactly what I need to relax after work and have a good time. It's pretty dimly lit inside so don't get to drunk or you'll end up on the floor."

Growler's Taphouse

★★★★☆ 3.7 (238) • $$

"Been here a few times when I'm in town to visit my dad cause he loves meeting his friends here. Got their food one time and it was good but usually just go for drinks. Got their margarita with salt on the rocks this time and it was good. Always awesome service! They have a cozy patio with plenty of seating for groups and dog friendly!"

Che's Lounge

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (176) • $

"You can be sitting in the back patio at night while a local band plays... or sitting inside staring at amazing art hanging on the walls and 4th avenue patrons walking by. Either way, I always feel right at home.Great staff, always efficient, no matter how busy or slow. I do prefer it, when it is slower.As a true dive bar, they have a $5 liquor menu all day long and yet they also have a trademark delicious fresh watermelon drink. What more could you ask for."

Encore Tucson

★★☆☆☆ 2.3 (15)

"Encore is my absolute favorite venue in Tucson. I love the variety of music and the stage shows. The sound and lighting takes me back in time (oops, I'm showing my age). My daughter used to take pictures there. I am a photographer as well, and now that she is a fully grown woman I can finally go to the other side of the stage or places I think would be perfect. I can't wait to come back and visit."

EXO

★★★★★ 4.5 (10)

"Exo Bar is a fun spot. We went one evening when there was live music playing. The vibe in Exo Bar is so calm and welcoming. You'll definitely catch many Tucson locals hanging out here on a Saturday night. There was every kind of person in attendance. It made for some great people watching if you're into that.I ordered a cocktail from the bar and was pleased with its interesting presentation. It came in a tall, skinny glass with a dehydrated fruit on top. It smelled smokey, something I'm not a fan of but I appreciated the experience."

Warren Peace Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (14)

"Well out of millions of coffee options around the country ... Here is one hipster boho cool cafe that serves the best coffee ever and at most reasonable prices ,,, with great pastries and cakes all home made clean pure ingredients - total gastronomic excellence and hometown sweet service !! Absolutely love itGeorge F"

Club Congress

★★★★☆ 3.8 (186) • $$

"Club Congress @clubcongress is a small, dark, intimate club space for musicians to perform for a standing crowd. It has thick, red velvet curtains draped against black pillow walls with blue lighting and cut out art, setting a great frame for the artists performing on stage. It is part of Hotel Congress @hotelcongress Behind the crowd, one can enter the bar area which leads to the exit onto Church Street on the left, or it leads to the Hotel Congress lobby, restrooms, and another bar area to the right. There is also a small café that stays open till 9 PM near the lobby area, so we grabbed a few lattes between the opener and the main show.We were excited to see Bar Italia @baritaliaa perform tonight. My daughter recommended them as it is one of her favorites. The room was packed with men and women of all ages from senior citizens to many U of A college students. They seem to have some sound issues in the sound booth, and the band kept performing throughout while trying to correct this. It was a good show and worth the wait. I'm glad I brought my @loopearplugs . I saw other folks my age with earplugs on as well lol. It is what it is. I felt sorry for those who didn't and were plugging their ears because the feedback and sound issues were a bit much.Merch is sold to the left of the stage behind the counter and caged area. We picked up a few T-shirts and albums because the prices were very affordable compared to other shows I've been to. I can't wait to play my new album, The Twits. Happy 50th birthday to me"

Surly Wench Pub

★★★★☆ 4.1 (208) • $

"My first visit to this spot.. I found parking on 4th Avenue and picked the closest place to grab a bite. It was about 6pm so the bar was not packed or busy with the younger crowd from UofA but they were getting ready for a comedy show later in the evening.I grabbed a seat at the bar .. the space is dark and goth .. black leather bar stools & a fully stocked bar. Plenty of seating and a stage in a side room for shows.I opted for the Prickly Heat cocktail .. the bartender said it was hot .. it was spicy hot .. jalapeño & habanero hot with prickly pear sweetness and a tajin rim... so good and the prettiest shade of pink. From the food menu of tacos, burgers, appetizers I decided on the Royale burger & a side of tots. It came out quickly and wow it was juicy, flavorful and served on a buttery bun. Great burger!!! The tots were great too, not greasy at all, they were served with ranch and ketchup. Unfortunately I had to drive back to Phoenix and hate driving through the dark desert so I didn't stay for another cocktail or the comedy show but I will definitely be back."

Rockabilly Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (62) • $

"Taking into consideration that this venue has a lot more to offer than food, I have to give this place a steady 3 stars. We went on a particularly lively day with a car show, art show, and music performance. Drink pricing and selection is quite nice too. But the food strongly drags the place down keeping it from a 4 stars. I got their "Kickass" Chicken Sandwich w/Chipotle Ranch. There was very little condiment and the chicken was just shy of totally dry. The fries also left much to be desired as the grease had absorbed into the fries and they were mostly floppy."

Tucson Music Hall

★★★★☆ 3.6 (41) • $$$

"The acoustics sounded great plus I'm 6 5" and the seats are very comfortable, large, and have plenty of leg room unlike the TCC."

Superior Barmacy

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (28)

"Super cool spot with an amazing outside area and stage. They didn't have live music that night but said they usually do. Didn't try the food but they do have some. Drinks were cheap and the bartender was very welcoming. It's right in the middle of historic downtown Superior-what a cute little small town. Locals were at the bar and we enjoyed meeting them."

Terraza Garden Patio & Lounge

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (82) • $$

"I have dined here numerous times and nine times out of ten the food is fantastic! Like eat every single bite, lick your plate, and think about getting more food, type of good. However, there was a time when my husband ordered some sort of dip sandwich and found some bones in it. We informed the server and he asked if it was in the au jus --it was clearly too big to fit in the au jus bowl so that was odd. My husband told him no it was in the sandwich and the server apologized and that was it. Kind of awkward. Service is good, although usually a bit harried, especially at lunch. They seem to be understaffed during that time of the day.Dinner seems better, but there was one awkward time where two servers got into a heated tiff in front of my husband and me about who was supposed to take care of our table. Very uncomfortable and unprofessional. Other than that single experience service has been good. They often have live music and the setting is a nice indoor/outdoor type of feel. Most recently I dined here on a Monday holiday and again they seemed understaffed. I was taken care of by Mason the bartender. He was literally running. I had iced tea--sooooo delicious that I had three glasses and wanted another--and the Caesar salad with salmon added. The salmon smelled a bit funky upon arrival but it tasted perfect. The tomatoes in the salad--yummmm! Like a juicy tomato but with the delicious sun dried taste! They have lots of delicious options, with something for everyone. I can't wait to come back!"

AVA Amphitheater

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (43) • $$

"Great place to watch an event! The fresh air, fantastic sound system, clean and big bathrooms, easy parking, decent prices make for a super cool place to enjoy a concert or show.On the grounds of Camino Del Sol hotel, which is a nice place to stay, I might add. I'd definitely take advantage of the 80s Hair Band nights again, plus any other band that piques my interest. Very happy with my experiences here.Thanks and CHEERS!!"

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"

Big Nose Kate's Saloon

★★★★☆ 3.8 (720) • $$

"On a visit to Tombstone, my boyfriend and I stopped by Big Nose Kate's Saloon our first night in town. It was one of the places that popped up most frequently during our research for Tombstone. When we walked in, it was a large saloon with lots of photos, signs to read, and lights all around. It was really cool! We asked for a table and were seated right away.We each ordered some food and got some whiskey that was supposedly the go-to of Doc Holiday. The ambiance of the saloon alone was a lot of fun to experience while we sipped on our drinks and waited for the food. After a few minutes, everything came out. The menu is akin to a classic American diner. It was yummy and did the job after a long drive!We actually enjoyed our first time enough that we returned the next day for lunch. One of the guys at the saloon actually recognized us from the day before and greeted us very warmly. This time my boyfriend and I got to sit on the stage area which was nice to overlook the rest of the saloon. We had some food and drinks which hit the spot as before! Near the end, we asked if someone could take some photos of us by the piano. We ended up having a whole photo shoot with costumes and props! It was a lot of fun. Overall, I had a really good time at Big Kate's. The food wasn't life changing per se by the drinks, ambiance, and kind people made it an invaluable experience. Would definitely come back!"

Alice Y Holsclaw Recital Hall

★★★★☆ 4 (1) • $

"We came for the opera. Handicapped seating is limited but the hall is a grand old place reminiscent of those days when every small city in America wanted to have a palace of culture. Truly a lovely spot with some nice acoustics. Bravo, Tucson, for maintaining this gem."

CPAC Community Performance & Art Center

★★★★★ 5 (2) • $$

"Beautiful building. Excellent Theatre in staging area. Comfortable seating with excellent sound system. Nice lighting and staging of plays.It's nice to have such a wonderful facility here in Green Valley so that we do not have to drive all the way into Tucson.I look forward to attending more performances and would encourage you to join me."

The Quarry Bisbee

★★★★☆ 3.7 (316) • $$

"The atmosphere screams "metal bar", so our kids didn't love it at all. My wife and I were a bit more flexible, it's a gastropub, and not a bar/grill. The food we ate was spectacular, and we all cleared our plates. I was a bit disappointed with the limited beer selection. Our server literally said, "we have an amber ale, an IPA, and a porter", and that was only after we asked about ordering drinks. It was strange not to see a drink menu or anything. It was a mixed experience, my wife said she'd visit again, but I'd prefer somewhere else next time."

The Studio

★★★★☆ 3.9 (9) • $$$

"Very clean and large space. Easy access off of a busy street. It was recently remodeled inside. Separate bathrooms for men and women. Lots of good lighting. The acoustics are excellent.Looks like a good space to rent there are plenty of plastic chairs for your group or open the space for a dance."

Fort McDowell Casino

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (182) • $$

"It's been years since going to this casino, wow things have changed for the better. I have to say I love the fact that it's smoke free at least for now. It's not overcrowded the machines and playing tables are spaced apart to give you ample walking room. The casino was so clean I was even impressed by the care and cleanliness of the restroom. The bar area is large and has a wide variety of beers and liquor and ver friendly bartenders. I also enjoyed the wide variety of games they offer, some I haven't seen at the other casino in town. I definitely have to visit more often, we had a great time."

Tell Mama

★★★★★ 4.8 (12)

"Besides what others have said, Yes, this place is a winner. A true cocktail lounge experience. A few of us from town nearby went for the music & dancing, which is every Saturday night. Really want this place to make it!!!"

Monterey Court

★★★★☆ 3.6 (146) • $$

"My wife and I had an amazing time!!! Good food, awesome staff, reasonable prices, and crazy good music!!"

Fox Tucson Theatre

★★★★☆ 4 (104) • $$

"Saw Clint Black at the Fox Theater last night. 10 nth row, right in the middle. The sound was amazing, and I am always grateful for the intimacy of no more than 1,100 people in the venue at once. I also love the nostalgia and history....all in all...worth every penny of my ticket price."

The Rock

★★★★☆ 3.7 (41) • $$

"Lil 'ole unassuming me walked away from The Rock recently wanting to grab a microphone and scream that guttural, give it everything you've got,deep, horror-laced type of scream. Who would'a thunk it?The Rock is a little on the gritty side (ok, a lot on the gritty side) but fun nonetheless. We were there at the birthday girl's request as she had friends doing body modification suspension during the night and between the different bands' sets. I like the set up at The Rock which allows underage patrons to enjoy the club and music while those wishing to partake in adult beverages can belly up to the bar, watch the show and use the outdoor patio since the room is divided by a chain link "cage".....how apropos. The bartender was quick to serve and everyone we came in to contact with was genuine and kind.Shallow Freak II was the show when we were at The Rock and each band was amazing and very interactive with the crowd. I was surprisingly intrigued, amazed and horrified as the opening band Saalythic was preparing to play. Lead singer and amazing, hot chick Sythe Cruz had hooks placed through her back while on stage and then was suspended as she performed her ridiculously incredible set. It was pure craziness. But this review isn't about a band or suspension, it's about The Rock. I would definitely come back to the Rock for other, surely tamer shows. But you can bet I'd still come back and watch the crazies do their thing. GWWWWAAARRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!"

Bisbee Royale

★★★★☆ 3.8 (46) • $

"Great service, full bar,Food and...a movie theater!! The inside is really cool, make sure you check out the dragon!"

Superstition Lucky Skies

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (5)

"I've lived in Apache Junction , Arizona since 2002 I've never no this restaurant was there and I found it the other day great hamburgers"

191 Toole

★★★★☆ 3.9 (23) • $

"My first *real* concert since 2020 was a blast! After seeing so many ads for so many bands on my playlist here, I knew 191 had great taste and it was only a matter of time before I finally visited. I caught Twin Tribes here and I can barely remember the last time music made me so happy. The bar has all the essentials and the prices feel more than fair for a venue. Instead of beer, try the 3 Amigos margarita on tap, and get lit! The sound was absolutely impeccable. The interior isn't the prettiest so you might think the sound will suck, but getting blasted with an hour of brooding synths and earthshaking reverb made my night. No hiccups in the quality at all. Staff is incredibly kind and helpful as well. This is a real music scene for real music fans!"

Solar Culture

★★★★★ 4.5 (12) • $

"Solar Culture is an old warehouse turned art gallery / venue. It's another Tucson gem that's difficult to find unless you're privy to Tucson's downtown (solar) culture. I've been to A LOT of concerts / shows in my life and never (ever) has a shown been more intimate than when it was at Solar Culture. I once watched "The Good Life" perform their album, "Album of the Year" at Solar Culture. Tim Kasher stood on that little wooden stage performing with a bottle of Jack Daniels next to his feet. He was obviously distraught. He would take a swig of whiskey after each song, almost as if he was numbing himself from the painfully beautiful memories he was sharing with us through his music. It was extremely powerful and moving to see this man falling apart physically and emotionally onstage. By the way, I take no pleasure in seeing men fall apart, I'm just a sucker for raw emotion. Anyways... This kind of experience is something you will seldom (if ever) experience in a big money making venue. You also won't get the kind of deal on tickets you get at Solar Culture and lastly, you would never be able to bring your own alcohol. These are just a few things that make Solar Culture so special."

Wyatt Earp’s Oriental Saloon & Theater

★★★★☆ 3.6 (21)

"Old school since 1880. This is one happening bar with live music both old and new. The female bartender was very busy and she was hustling trying to serve all the thirsty customers. The bar is spacious and they even have a pool table with a long bar area with stools."