Great local night club! Good music and owners seem really nice. Albany's best place to dance!

I haven't been here since the ownership change a couple years ago. Ronaldo was charismatic, funny, and took extra care to make sure everyone was happy with their beverages. However, this place has gone downhill since. Any changes in decor are minimal, though I do like the improvements to the venue area. The bartender had a surly attitude like we were doing him a disservice by entering the bar. Which, normally I would understand as we all have bad days and I'm industry myself so am usually very forgiving. Sadly we were treated so horrible that I just can't rationalize it. The mixed drinks were dull at best and the beer lines taste like they haven't been cleaned in ages. Definitely skip this bar and go to any other bar in the area. read more

Don't come for anything close to a passable drink. Just got served a flat G&T with a lime that looks like it got stolen from a drink that died 2 days ago. All browned up on the edges. Disgusting. The Tuesday night jam isn't as good than I remembered it... --moving on! Update: The bartender came back after serving me a seriously watered down Jameson's on the rocks as a replacement for the G&T and said she'd serve my girlfriend but not me; somehow me pointing out how bad the drink was my fault. Wow. Then she said I had to leave. Ridiculous thin-skinned millennial. Pouty-faced incompetence with zero responsibility. read more

Have been to the Ivy Room many times over the years but this may have been my first time going there when they had a band. Great band and plenty of room to dance! Tammy's Camaro was the band. read more

This place is ok. But they have NO green room... and no merch space. Meh. MEH I SAID MEH!!! What do you mean "this review is "too short "? I said what I said. read more

Very nice place with excellent music, atmosphere, pleasant people and good artists. I just visited the Western Skyline night and I really enjoyed it. read more

Ivy Room - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

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My friend really likes this place and always insists we go when I come over to visit her. They do get some really good shows sometimes so credit to them for that. There's some pretty awkward open mic/comedy nights too, lol! The minus-points come on the bar situation. The garnishes are usually stale, drinks watered down, draft beer is stale and/or infected. After MANY disappointments on the drink side of things I'll usually get something bottled or canned that I already know how it tastes. Bartenders are always really snappy too, even when they don't seem slammed. I'm pretty patient when it comes to that stuff too, but I really just don't like the way I see them treat other customers. It's a shame that they can't step up the bar game, and it's just like a bar at a venue like the Fox or something. Yikes. read more

Saw a few bands here over the years. Recently saw H.R. from Bad Brains. Was such a great show. I love how they get such cool acts to come through. I stopped drinking, but I remember they have great, fresh beer and rotating taps. The water I had this time around was good. The doorman was cool too...guy with a septum piercing. He looks familiar. read more

Laid back crowd, good bartenders, diverse. No problems, live music that does not suck.

New fabulous owners Summer and Loni! Bringing Music back to Albany Great atmosphere! Great stage! And seating area! Pool table! read more

Ivy Room - Great Crowd! Great owners!!!! Fantastic Bartender - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

Possibly my favorite small venue in the bay area. Great vibe, good music, fun bar area, comfortable bar stools and chairs (something that has become more and more important over the years), and easy street parking. Also, no creepy dudes. I can't think of a way this place could be any better. read more

Get over the dive bar exterior and interior. It's just old. In their defense I must say they keep it clean. Between an incredible staff, a crazy well stocked bar, and the best venue for local music in the area, they own it. I love it here. I was really surprised. Not like bars with garage bands. They get seriously incredible musicians that are known. For New Years Eve, my sweetie took me to see "Rupa and the April Fishes." Bought their music. Thought the inside is totally dated, the place gets jammed by music lovers. I mean SRO. What a hoot. With the right band fill up on food on the way and save your drinking for there. read more

My GF and I were there on a Sunday night when there were 3 bands playing, and the music was incredibly interesting and solidly good! As were the cocktails, btw. But there were maybe only around 15-20 people in attendance which seemed tragic given the quality of the entertainment. What the heck is wrong with locals around here? If more of us don't support small, local music venues like this they'll cease to exist. So please get your butts out of the house and wiggle it on the Ivy Room dance floor instead, people! read more

This is a nice little venue. Saw a buddies band play here and had a good time. The space is roomy but intimate. It definitely feels like a rock bar but doesn't feel super divey. The bathroom is definitely nicer than most show venues. There is a pool table which is a plus. They have cheap drinks and have a pretty decent whiskey shot and beer combo. There are two pinball machines in the front and it's walking distance to Club Mallard and Hotsy Totsy! read more

Great neighborhood bar and small venue for local bands. Came here to see Midnight Social - what a great show that was. The stage is adequate for a band of 6-7 people or so, and they have a variety of types of music. The night we were there they cleared away ALL of the smaller tables and chairs so it was pretty much SRO with the exception of the seating directly at the bar. Drinks are reasonably priced, bartenders are friendly and on their toes so you don't have to wait long. We were there earlier than we meant to be and ended up bringing in some take out food from one of the many nearby restaurants. That made the wait palatable. (See what I did there). Check their calendar on the website and come on out to support our local musicians! read more

I came to the Ivy Room to see an American Steel show and didn't know what to expect other than it was small. But small is good in this case. It's wasn't too crowded but it was still intimate. They have screens above the bar so you can see the stage, which reminds me of the Uptown, and it's something I've always liked (makes it feel like you're getting in on the action, even if you're not right up front). I liked the overall vibe of the place, though I thought the drinks were expensive (though I've been living in Berlin for a long time, so maybe I just forgot how expensive crappy beer is in the states), and it seems like the backstage doesn't really exist. I also could have done with more bathrooms, but it is what it is. I'd come back here again if a band I liked was playing, but don't know that it would be a hangout spot for any other reason. Oh, and the door guy (who memorized the willcall) was pretty cool. read more

This is pretty cool bar/music venue to drink at or see a show, they do charge a cover to enter the vicinity and also have some overpriced beers and cocktails, but the atmosphere is well worth the cost. I like that all their bartenders are both friendly and knowledgeable about both popular drink options and more obscure shot and beer mixers like "Snake Bites" & "Candy Apples". Also, they have a good variety of shows that go on here, they regulary host everything from bluegrass to sexy burlesque shows. read more

Ivy Room - Live Music To Get The Crowd Going :) - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

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This is the Boom Boom Room of the East Bay! Killer spot for killer live music acts! On Tuesday there was a happy hour- 2 for 1 drinks - awesome. The bartender/owner was one of the best human beings I have ever interacted with in my entire life. That is not hyperbole that is Summer. She is just naturally an amazing person read more

The renovation of this San Pablo Ave. legendary bar came out amazing. read more

Ivy Room - The new Ivy Room is renovated and open! Come check it out. Great neighborhood bar! - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

Best place to have a good time. Tip the bartender and make their day. Because when you are there they will make yours. The drinks are delicious and Sunday's are free Louisiana dishes between 3-8. read more

I didn't know what to expect. Was greeted at the front door by a very friendly host, collecting the cover charge of $10. He told us the cover would only be $5 as there was only one group left to play. All seats and booths were occupied so we sat at the bar. The bartender made a mean Bombay Sapphire Martini, well mixed and just cold enough. By better half doesn't do cocktails so he asked for a red wine and was offered two choices. He doesn't remember which he chose but said that it was good enough, that he wasn't expecting great wines here. I found the crowd very friendly and inclusive. We had a great time, with great conversations, tasty cocktails and good music. Probably will return, if we lived closer, we probably would go more often. read more

Ivy Room - Remember when? I almost do. Yes I do! Yes I do! - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

The stage for music at this bar is pretty neat, but I've gotta say that the staff here is RUDE AS FUCK. I came here twice in one week and the first night, I was upset about something, was sitting alone at a booth silently crying, and at first one of the ladies working there asked if I was okay. I told her not really, but nothing anybody could do about it. But then minutes later, she came back and said: "if the liquor control board comes in here, are you going to be a problem?" ...a problem? I'm going to be a problem for crying because I was so upset at the way I was treated at this bar? I wasn't even drunk. I don't drink at all. I just came for the show. I wasn't causing a scene, I had a completely competent conversation with her, and nothing in my actions implied that I would be "a problem". After this, I walked out even more upset and sat outside in the cold to wait for my friends so I "wouldn't be a problem" and get kicked out FOR SITTING ALONE IN A CORNER MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS. The next night my friends dragged me here again and there were no more than 10 people in the whole bar, and BOTH BARTENDERS WERE SHORT AND RUDE AGAIN. When I politely asked for a drink, the bartender practically threw my change at me without saying a word. When my friend asked for change for the pinball machine she barked back: "WAIT A MINUTE". Everybody I was with all agreed that the staff were NOT NICE. Sorry Ivy Room, don't care how cool your venue is, if your staff treats people that way, you're gonna lose your customers. Try an attitude adjustment. read more

Cozy venue to hear local bands. There's usually a cheap cover at the door. This place is an easy night out.

An awesome place to catch some drinks and see some wonderful underground tunes from all backgrounds. Love it.

Great place with good music right on SP. They have live music, dj sets's and they also do privet events.

I dropped by the Ivy Room after brunch with my husband one morning looking for some Sunday drank. It was about 11am so there was only one other patron other than us. There was a jukebox against the wall, and a little stage too which made me assume that they have live music sometimes. Anywho, I was craving a Bloody Mary and the bartender made a kick ass concoction. It was a habanero bloody Maria with tequila that he had made with habaneros himself. It was really good and it goes to show what lots of experience can do. Sooooo goooood! read more

I love this venue! Ivy Room is back and better than ever. Great sound system and yummy bevvies. read more

Ivy Room - Eric DiBar, Jordan Feinstein, Daria Johnston, Cochrane McMillan, two awesome guitarists & Sax!! - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

We stopped here a couple of days ago. It was A great experience. The ambiance was perfect. I really liked the lighting. The bar tenders were Very sociable. Will go back soon! read more

Ivy Room - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

Even though we suck at playing pool...at least there's a pool table for us to play (only one here and a pinball machine, only coins)! Not to mention the awesome live band that comes on later on the night so if you're looking for a good time out, more laxed night with live music, and cheap drinks this is the spot! They have happy hour here till 7pm where drafts are buy 1 get 1 freeeee! It definitely has more of a saloon lounge feel and not too many people around 7pm. The age around here seems to be alot more older, say around 40s, but still a great time with awesome bartenders around! read more

Ivy Room - Live band prepping! - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

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Such an amazing spot owned by two stellar women! This venue provides wonderful live music, strong drinks, and plenty of seating. There are also three TV's to catch up on sports, a kick ass jukebox, and a brand new pool table! Love coming to this bar to hang out and catch up with friends. read more

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I love this place. They have really incredible bands that play, my favorite has been the Mitch Polzack and Big Sandy Show. They have a fantastic beer selection, I always can find a delicious and juicy IPA to sip on while I boogie out on the dance floor. The stage just recently was raised quite a bit so even from the bar you can see what's happening onstage. The bar itself is dimly lit giving it a soulful, cozy vibe, the bartenders are awesome and the bathrooms are clean.... one of the best spots around. read more

Ivy Room - Mitch Polzack and Big Sandy show was so much fun!!! Gotta love those shows where everyone is dancing. - Music Venues Near Me - Albany, California

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Great spot for live music in the East Bay. It's definitely what makes this a destination spot for me.

Historic old bar. Great decor. Live music stage. Good beer on tap. Great vibes. Nazis not welcome!

What an awesome club! Went to a packed show and had a blast! The scary looking door guy was suprisingly friendly and the bar staff was too! Seems like there are always good shows there so ill definitely be coming back :) read more

Bonnie is an excellent bartender and the vibe is neighborhood bar . The bar features at least 9 beers on draft with 2 for 1 happy hour specials, Del Real tamales, and unique live entertainment. read more

This is a wonderful old bar that provides live music. A great neighborhood to get a bite to eat and see mice music

This place is amazing! We have been there over a dozen times since Halloween '16 and EVERY SINGLE TIME the music has been perfect. Everything from good blues rock 'n roll to soulful reggae. Bartenders are all rad down to earth folks who know how to make a drink. I am a beer and shot guy, but my girlfriend loves the "poison ivy" cocktail. Love this place and we always feel at home. Adam H. read more

Great to see the Ivy Room back, and the new owners did the place right. I've stopped here a couple of times since they opened and I was greeted warmly by the friendly bartenders / owners Lani and Summer. I'm impressed by the remodel, where everything from the soft lighting at just the right level to the cozy leather booths and classy CD jukebox make you feel right at home. Somehow the place feels much more spacious than it ever did. This place now feels like an authentic small blues/jazz club complete with cocktail tables, a stage, professional sonic treatment blended into the decor, a layout that flows nicely between bar and stage areas, and of course the pool table. They had a band playing on the packed opening night - a prohibition jazz trio with some serious chops that bodes well for the quality level of the music they will bring here. read more

I have gone to the Ivy Room at random time and every time it's been hospitable and easy to get comfortable to visit with friends. It's a great set up for live band, happy hour pool and dates. I'm grateful to have an easy going, classy neighborhood hang out!! read more

I absolutely love this place! I had to give this place stars across the board because one, the bartenders are awesome and two, I feel so lucky to have such a cool, intimate spot to get good drinks and see great shows! Oh! And the decor... super cool! Just went to see Ghost-Note and the sound was incredible!It's like the little venue that could AND did! It's unbelievable how this place rocks the house considering what it was before. Love love love this place! read more