Watched some friends perform here at Real Art Tacoma and it was great. The sound was decent, the people there were welcoming, the drinks were okay, and the venue despite it being small wasnt over capacity. There was a concert 2 doors down that drowned out this venue's music outside. However inside, you could not hear it at all. Great venue to hangout and listen to some local music. read more

Literally the best vegetarian/vegan breakfast sandwich I have ever had. I live a half hour away and would drive just for this shit. Ate a yummy sandwich with my friends and listened to some wonderful music by LSD and The Search for God. read more

Ok, I am a fan of Demola The Violinist and we discovered this venue when we found out he was headed to the PNW. It's small, intimate and we had seats right up front so we could interact with the artist. He was truly entertaining and used the entire space of this venue to immerse himself into the audience. The sounds was good. I appreciated they had a small snack bar with food, drinks and coffee (my selection for the evening). I would come back for another up and coming artist. read more

Real Art Tacoma - Music Venues Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This was pretty cool. Real Art Tacoma is a non profit music venue that also has a cafe, a little retro/vintage consignment shop, and retro video games and movies. We stumbled upon this place after seeing there was going to be a Foo Fighters Tribute band night. Originally four bands were going to play but then ended up being just two, Sour Fuzz and the Big Me, but these guys filled the night! Doors opened at 7 and show started at 8, but there wasn't really a line so you don't need to go too early unless you want to grab some food and drink and chill at the cafe before the show starts. I love that there is a cafe serving coffee and sandwiches, and also beer and seltzers all throughout a late night show. Everything was decently priced too. In the cafe they had an old school tiny box TV playing a VHS movie, another old school box tiny TV for playing Super Nintendo and N64 games, as well as a big flat screen TV for modern day streaming. I loved the punk rock posters and skateboards on the wall. Despite a "small but mighty crowd," these two bands played really well and throughout the whole night. The sound system had some issues here and there but they fixed it and still enjoyed everything! On the way out, we popped into the vintage consignment store and loved it too. Like a blast from the past in terms of clothing, third players, VHS movies, and even cassette tapes. I haven't seen those in forever haha. Great and pleasantly surprising place. Plus that it is a non profit. We'll be back to see some other show sometime! read more

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I found God in Tacoma at the Beyond the Thunderdome Café. I ordered a Mad Max, they were out of steak au jus but I bartered for extra horseradish and they raised me chicken au jus. Word. The sandwich came fast and surpassed any expectations I had for an incredible smelling yet modest set-up. We don't hear much about the Tacoma food scene up in Seattle but boy did Beyond the Thunderdome get my buy-in. They have the ease and pricing of a Cap Hill hot dog but 100x the superior craft. Their meats rival craft steakhouses and their bread the finest of bakeries. The horseradish ratio was perfection and our sandwiches baptized in the au jus. It was a religious experience to be rivaled. read more

Real art is a staple in the youth music scene In Tacoma for many reasons. Not only are they always all ages. They also offer discount ticket prices if you have Id showing you're under 18. Not only is it great for youth viewers but youth bands too. They work with local music programs and extremely often work with young bands trying to get their head in the game. This place is the perfect for anyone looking to check out some local music or trying to get their local music going. read more

First and foremost this place caters to no one and welcomes ALL. I had the opportunity to go and see my daughter and the band she is in perform on a rainy Friday night at RAT. It is a small venue, but very big in sound and good vibes. South Tacoma is super lucky to have this place.. There were 4 bands playing. No, not at once, all very different and unique sounds. They were all awesome, but the afore mentioned daughters group was the best, wink wink. We took our 6yo granddaughter, complete with hearing protection, with us. She had a great time as well.. I can't say I got to go to my first concert at 6, can you? They have a small cafe inside called the Beyond Thunder Dome Cafe. Deli sandwiches, beverages including coffees, and hold on beer! I had one of the BEST sandwiches I have had in a while.. All in all, if you get the opportunity to go see/hear a live performance at the RAT... Go, I don't think you will be disappointed... FYI, the cafe is open for lunch during the week at least. read more

There's 3 parts to Real Art Tacoma so I'll be doing small reviews for all 3. Beyond Thunder dome café is a great place to snag a coffee and a tasty deli sub. The vibe is always chill and the people working here are super welcoming. They do have vegan and vegetarian options if you're into that. There's also delivery through Uber eats if you don't feel like leaving your house. ThunderDome designs and prints clothing and sells consignment sneakers. They have some pretty cool clothing. Eat a sandwich and pickup some clothes. There's an all-music venue inside so when covid goes away hopefully concerts will make a come back. A very safe place with the best staff to run a venue. Sound here is pretty awesome too. read more

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Sweet cushioned taco that has had the privilege to be bestowed into my plate! This is one of most stages that we call "hole in the wall" but in this instance we may just almost literally say that. (This place is almost more hidden than the entrance to Faar the lost city of Cloral! *Someones screams in the back* "No one even knows what you're referencing!* [Well you will! I will sink this review with knowledge!!._.]) So let's stage dive into this review. (Like a squirrel jumping out of a tree and into a pack of hungry wolves. Which leads into an amazing matrix rip-off fight sequence!) Atmosphere: Could be acknowledge as one of those small business buildings in Tacoma that has gone out of business. (But don't blink cuz at night it transforms into!!!.. the same building but with a stage.) The entrance/ticket line is covered by small sticky notes of dates, with a calendar indicating events coming up, and just the most stripped wall and lack of decoration anyone has had the beautiful pleasure to view. (Almost in a way, when you were younger and you had to buy uuuuhhhh the devils lettuce at your friends cousins friend third best mans teachers dog apartment and you thought you were mostly going to get robbed once entering into that apartment.) The stage floor is small and can be compared to a cheap quinceañera dancing floor that a father spent half of his paycheck on the last second because he has a drinking problem. (Thanks dad. [Guys can have them too!]) The delight is the bathrooms, surprisingly clean with your usual collage of band stickers on the wall. (Cuz that's my only source of getting my music. [Internet? What's that? That thing must of fallen straight from space.]):3 Though I may say that there was a hint of weird sewer smell? ._. But toughen it up cookie. (Bobby ^_^) Sound/lights: I may say that, the sound depends from band to band. (Like comparing ex dogs in front of your poodle and letting your poodle decide if hes going to kill you as your going down the stairs with an "accidental fall" or silently while I sleep with his dog bed. *Dog shushing me as he puts the dog bed over my head* while saying "who's a good boy now??" ._.) Well I may say that the sound check jumps around but due to this place being a hot spot for new artist, I may adds a sort of almost artist struggle of the journey which makes me enjoy it more due to seeing a new artist grow. (Wow.. that last sentence was purdy.[I could say pretty but nah lol]) The amazing feeling is seeing new bands and the fact that if you happen to love the artist before hand, this is a great place to really interact with them and really get to know the amazing people that have a dream. (Which makes the experience even better.) Conclusion: *back to the conclusion of the squirrel fighting the pack of wolves* after the last neck break from the alpha wolf. Sir N. Roctun (spell that backwards) goes back to his family and goes to the Real Art Tacoma for some sweet moshing, interaction with his favorite local bands and an eye for new talent. ._. Go forth and give this place a try. You might find something! (Like a penny next to urinal.. but do you really want to pick it up? ._.) read more

Real Art Tacoma - Waiting for settle your scores :3 - Music Venues Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I love this place. They have very spacious bathrooms. Also, since Swoon doesn't have their own yelp I'll write it here. That place is nuts! They have most of the records my friends have put out, it's like that dude Jeff is stalking me or something. I don't know what to do, he drove me to Seattle in his van and I had to watch him drink beer and feed goats for like 2 hours then he drove me home. I swear if he ever tries to convince me to go goat feeding again, I don't even know what I'll do. This sounds like a negative review but it's not, I like being uncomfortable and I like swoon records. and real art. read more

Terrible customer service. Couldn't order at first cause the TV volume was to loud, and when I asked him if he could turn it down he gave an attitude about it. read more

Great place for all ages to see a show and support local bands, etc. AC would be nice! Super friendly people. :-)

Awesome all-ages venue! Friendly staff and a desperately needed place for local bands to come kick some ass.

Been to the venue a couple of times. Normally love the place. Went to a show on Friday, door fee was higher than the advertised "day of show" fee, which was jacked up after 7, and then charged a re-entry fee each time you walked outside. Dumb, hottest night ever and there was no a/c. Let people go outside to cool off. Main act set up was longer than the actual set. Somebody scored -- good hustle, probably won't go back-- read more