Our 10 Favorite Metro Phoenix Music Venues

No Rogue is a Big mistake. Marquee blows.

Rogue bar. Manny has been the best supporter of local music I've ever had the chance to meet. It's hard to publicize, but the financial support he gives to bands has funded many a tour. Ask local bands about it.

wheres the rogue?

I also adore the Lost Leaf and think it is overall a sweet spot for a drink and chat, but not an ideal place to see a band.  There is no place to hang out and watch them.  And Long Wong's, while a flavorful institution and fixture on the circuit, is the same as the Lost Leaf in that it has terrible sound and layout.  It's a great place to get wasted and smoke cigarettes, though.

Mick at the Rogue is hands down the best sound guy in town. His resume of touring with some MAJOR international acts speaks volumes.How it's not on the list confounding to say the least.

let me be the tenth/fifteenth/hundredth person to agree that the marquee should really be replaced by the rogue on this list

If you're looking at which venues in town have been able to stay open, continue to draw crowds, and have a unique identity, you're making a mistake by leaving out the Rogue.  They've been around a long time, and have only been getting better, especially in the last 5 years.  Unlike the metro Phx hipsters or the undermotivated college crowd, the core clientele at the Rogue are young adult professionals who are die-hard enough music fans that they'll go out any night of the week for a show (and not complain about a cover, which always $5).  Not only that, but unlike other rock dives in town (Really? Chasers and Hollywood Alley?), they rarely work with outside promoters and put on a steady stream of emerging acts from the local, regional and national scenes..or international for that matter.  Remember when Mother Mother played there?  What about Wallpaper?  Next time either of them come back it'll be at the Crescent or something comparable.  Also, indie-film star/director Vincent Gallo goes there to drink when he's in town, ever since his band played there last year. 

No Rogue? Really? Wow. New Times: don't go out very often, unless it's to a place they usually frequent.

It is indeed disappointing that the Rogue was left out, and the Marquee was included.  No one likes the Marquee except for the people who only go to a concert once every couple years and don't know the difference.  The Rogue is the only venue of its size and style that truly gives a fu*k about helping the scene flourish. 

I miss the Electric Ballroom and Gibsons.

No Rogue?? And Marquee? Come on...

I think the sound sucks at the Marquee for what it should be.  I'd take them off and have The Rogue for sure.  That place is great and Manny is the man.  I also think Lost Leaf is the bees knees.  Although I may prefer it as a bar as opposed to how I think of it as a music venue.

The Marquee? Are you fucking kidding? That place is a shit show, every time. Their security acts like you are a convicted felon, trying to get into a preschool Take off my shoes? For the fucking Yeah Yeah Yeahs? Are you shitting me? Men and women cannot stand together in line waiting to get in? Yah- that makes for a fun date night. I loathe the Marquee and I will go down there in person and clap when it gets shut down. They don't give a shit about their customer, and treat you like shit at each and every opportunity. I wouldn't go there even if Radiohead were performing, I got free backstage passes, and a blowjob every ten minutes.

Fuck you Marquee theatre, see you in hell.

This is very Good and Fantastic Music Venue.
 http://slimvidasite.com/

It seems as if they just put 10 venue names in a hat and randomly drew them for these ranking.  The Crescent is great, but the only reason it made number one is because its shiny and new.  Oh and Stateside owns it so all their best shows get booked there automatically.

The Marquee coming it at number 2 though makes this whole list a joke.  It has two things going for it:  its big and next to a college so big name bands can play there.  Beyond that its a dump, the sound is never good, and the staff is over-the-top rude.  

As a Phoenix resident I find this article disheartening. For one it lists nine, not ten locations. Secondly, the headline references "Metro Phoenix" yet seven, the majority, of the venues are NOT in metro Phoenix. As an online publication which is potentially used/referenced nationally, you're really dropping the ball for the Valley of the Sun. It's a dis-service to each city by mislabeling.

Obviously the Rogue should be (high) on this list.  The Rogue stands for what a local music scene is all about and they have great sound.    Manny is the MAN...ny.    I must also echo the negative sentiment regarding the Marquee...  though they do often have great acts.  

While I respect Benjamin and Jason I lost a little for them for not including the Rogue. It is a great place to see music and the lineups that Jack has been putting together at long Wong's have been top notch. Just inviting argument by doing this list really. And Crescent and Marquee are on a different level then every other listed bar they shouldnt even be on here!

..I'm talking about KWSS-FM, 106.7, of course!

Great article! I would agree with ALL of those choices....well,hell...I've played at 9 of 'em!!!
Cheers....and keep up the GREAT work, and congrats on being the best damn station on the dial in Phoenix!!!

       -A.D. Adams-
CRASH STREET KIDS
GLASS HEROES
(former) BEAT ANGELS

Dont want no sorrow for this old orphan boy, I dont want no crying only tears of joy. im gonna see my mama and gonna see my papa and ill be bound for glory in the morning when I go away. Levon Helm RIP

I dont mind choppin wood and I dont care if the moneys no good ya take what ya need and leave the rest but they should have never taken the very best , the night they drove old Dixie down. Levon Helm

The steel horse saloon at 19th ave and bell road has the best rock and blues music in this city.

I weep for our country's lost musical taste.

No 910 live? They have mainstream bands and a big outside stage. Ugggh crescent ballroom is crap.

Why thank you for including us on this impressive/intimidating list!
I think you got us right, siting who we book more than what our room offers as accommodation. 

Crescent takes the crown in 2012!

Personally, Rhythm Room remains one of my fav' places to see a show.
You just know that Bob Corritore is a musician because of how the place is set up.
It's intimate but big enough, and despite having an aging decor it still exudes class and charm.

I would and do drive to tucson to go to Rialto over seeing a show at marquee. The staff is rude, the venue smells mildewy, and the sound is only sometimes good.

I don't like the fact that The Marquee Theater takes a picture of my ID with a computer before I can be allowed to drink there...how am I to be sure they are not using my infotmation inappropriately? They have no privacy policy posted anywhere at the venue Not to mention the ridiculous prices they charge for their drinks. The venue is so overrated and Luckyman runs the place like it's a Fortune 500 corporation. I have boycotted the Marquee. I'll go to a show at a dive any day over The Marquee. Tom Lapenna is a dick!

The Regretting Man and Mergence at The Roxy Lounge
http://roxyaz.com/show.cfm?id=...

Good list. The Clubhouse really died when Crescent opened, it just needed a gang shooting finally put it out of its misery. And I still don't understand why everyone hates the Marquee. The sound is not that bad plus there no other venue close to its size that matches up. Unless you like going to the ghetto and seeing a show at cramped seated outdated Celebrity Theatre.

Long Wongs - Tempe, The Rogue Bar.

Good list! But No Rogue Bar love? Have they fallen off the 'love' list?

Only dis on the Crescent is that single bathroom in the bar section - major fail.

ugh the marquee????