The Sound Room

This venue is hard to believe in existence, unless you go there. 1. The quality. Every single performance we went to for the last couple of years is unique, the highest quality and exquisite. The actual room is small and you can literally "see and sense" the music or flamenco moves in the air. Artists selection can be easily compared with Yoshis or SF Jazz,with one exception - there's no big team behind it. Just Karen. One person pulls up shows same quality. 2. Food and wine price/performance wise give this place another 5 stars on top another 5 from the p.1 3. You may be thinking the tickets price is through the roof.....Nope! It's under $50. Enough said. Just select any show and go. Thank me later 🙏.

Nice spot to listen jazz in Oakland. Very good sound system. Excellent artists. Fabulous desserts. Reasonable prices for drinks and venues. Great way to spend an evening.

Great venue. Every seat is a good seat and you don't feel squished in. Be sure to buy food or drinks here because that is how they stay in business. All the money from ticket sales goes to the artist.

My first time at The Sound Room. I went for my birthday as I LOVE jazz and live bands. I loved the vibe here. Seemed like most of the people there were regulars, which I wouldn't mind being a part of now that I know it's a non-profit supporting local artists. We had the pleasure of seeing Chloe Jean who was phenomenal. If all the artists are of her caliber, I'll definitely go back again and again.

Beautiful space and the owner is lovely. We are not quite sure how all the "reserved " tables happen, hense 4 stars, but there is not a bad spot in the house. The food is worth eating there!

Very nice performance hall, easy parking and safe corner of Oakland. #livemusicphotographer

Great venue and incredible music. A big surprise was the cheesecake. Best I’ve ever had anywhere.

I love this venue. We went twice in one week. First for storytelling, then for an amazing concert. The food is good. The people are friendly. The atmosphere is intimate and fun.

A Hidden Gem in the City! I didn't know what to expect when I showed up to The Sound Room on a Friday night. I had bought tickets to see a friend's show, and only just learned that the venue has been in this location for a few years now -- not brand new, but a great discovery for me! Doors opened at 6:30, and we were warmly greeted by a lovely woman (possibly the owner). She was chatting with guests about the dinner options while I checked out the menu. I ordered the Mushroom "Scallops" with coconut rice and green veggies -- super flavorful, fresh, and priced just right. I also had a glass of white wine that paired perfectly. After ordering, I headed to the back where a friendly staff member checked tickets and walked me to my assigned seat. The seating is well-organized with table numbers and labeled chairs (A, B, C, etc.). Very smooth process and excellent service all around. By around 7:30 or 8, the show began -- but honestly, even before that, I was already impressed. The ambiance is intimate and beautiful, the sound system is top-notch, and the lighting really sets the mood. Plenty of space to move around comfortably, even when it's full. If you're looking for a chill night with live music, delicious food, and a cozy vibe -- this is your spot. I'll definitely be coming back for another show soon!

I've been going to the Sound Room to hear great Jazz for years. This is the second Sound Room and it's a much enlarged but still cozy space. And that's what I like about it - it's stayed intimate. I like sitting in the back on the high bar tables, but even there you can see the eyes of the musicians and the spit exploding out of the saxophones. This sound room serves pretty good dinner plates, tapas, yummy desserts, and a variety of beverages. Very convenient to get there a little early and have dinner. They serve throughout the performance - very smoothly I would add. And quickly pick up finished plates, forks., etc A few weeks ago I heard the Jazz Mafia concert commemorating the birthday of Cannonball Adderley, a great jazz musician, and quintet I was privileged to hear in the 1970s a few times. "Mercy, Mercy" is an all-time classic of mine. The Jazz Mafia is a young innovative, jazz network, and I recommend them highly. Unfortunately they innovated a bit too much on this classic and for me, it was two different and almost unrecognizable. Some signature phrases in the original were barely recognizable. But I hasten that's me. An older couple I shared the table with who had never heard of Cannonball, but loves Jazz, enjoyed the entire concert thoroughly. 3 things to note: sometimes you can reserve a seat when you buy ticket online,. Other times it's open seating. You can also also buy tickets at the door the day of performance. Street parking is relatively easy, within a blocks walk at most. Sound Room is located in a reasonably "safer" part of Oakland. A huge Sprouts Supermarket is directly across the street.. Oakland Kaiser is a few blocks north. But this is Oakland and the concerts start at 7 PM. The Cannonball concert started at a a rare 4 PM on Sunday. It ended a little after dark. I have handicap license plates and they were stolen. I guess DP plates can be sold for a premium because basically they give you easy ticket free parking most anywhere. It cost me a few hours of running around with my painful limited mobility plus $400 to replace them. So unfortunately, unless a friend drives over with a regular license plate, I won't be returning soon. The good news is that there was no bipping along the quiet street. The windshield repair garages did not get a windfall business the next day.

Went here for Story Slam night and had a great time. There's a nice welcoming community here. It seems to be ran by a woman and her family. I didn't order food but my friend enjoyed a chicken dish that she really liked and it was a large portion, full dinner available for this show. Also good wine and beer selection. Looking forward to going back next month.

After our Valentine's Day dinner date, my new boyfriend brought me to The Sound Room to enjoy live jazz music. I've never heard of this place and wasn't aware it was in Oakland. The front serves as a small cafe, and the backroom is the performance room. It's a small, intimate venue, and we watched Oakland-based soul & jazz singer Lilan Kane perform. It was a very enjoyable performance, and the acoustics were lovely. The staff were also very friendly and accommodating. A sweet, romantic spot to enjoy an evening out. Thanks Sound Room!

The best and one of the only venues in the Bay Area to enjoy a live professional Flamenco performance on a regular basis, cabaret style -- drinks, good food, and an enthusiastic and attentive crowd!

Great music, great ambiance, good food and a distinctive esprit d'corps that will enchant all real jazz fans.

Would be a lot more comfortable if I could feel some air circulating. Only air movement right now is the continuous coughing by the #3 person at this 4-top where we reserved two seats. If you're not comfortable with the idea of sharing a very small table with someone who coughs continually (never covering her mouth), then you might consider taking all four seats. (Or making other plans.) Air system started blowing, quietly bringing cool air into into the room in during the final song of a two hour show. That was a relief after nearly two hours of stage lights and maybe 100 warm bodies. Excellent talent. Good food and drink.

Wow! Talk about a hidden gem. I have attended two of Jules Leyhe and the Family Jules Blues Blowout shows. And I have been completely blown away both times. I plan to keep attending these as long as they host them. Picture an intimate venue, with world class blues musicians on stage, just jamming their hearts out and having a good time doing it. They mix in some songs of different genres, and it's just really a raucous good time for folks who truly appreciate great blues and musicianship. It's a non profit, hosted by people passionate about music. They offer a nice variety of food and drink. One of my new favorite venues!

Great vibe, incredible music, and good people. Check out the music scene and support the local folks bringing their dream to life.

A quintessential Bay Area experience. Incredible atmosphere, great acoustics; awesome performances.

Great venue for a cozy night out on the town. We listened to a delightful Jazz quartet. Also there snacks and drinks we lovely. The owner/hosts were warm and friendly and fun to speak with. Definitely recommend this place.

This is an excellent live music venue, great ambiance, friendly staff, great food and drinks.

The Sound Room is my favorite place to play in the Bay Area. Karen and Robert have created a space where art can flourish and joy is boundless. The place is just the right size to create excitement but with the intimacy I love. The audience is always engaged and encouraging. I don't think I've ever been more comfortable onstage. We played there just last night and I'm still walking on air. If you want to experience great music in a conducive environment then here it is! GarthWebber~

What a treat to hear great jazz in Uptown Oakland. Saw the Jazz Mafia this past Friday night and had a fantastic night. Good food and drink, great vibes, and amazing music.

My first time at The Sound Room. I went for my birthday as I LOVE jazz and live bands. I loved the vibe here. Everyone came to listen to good music. But seemed like most of the people there were regulars and for the most part knew each other. This is a non-profit organization supporting local bay area artists. However, the audience was not very diverse. As a Black American, I couldn't help but notice there were fewer than 10 Black people in the room, including the singer (we actually counted about 8). We arrived just at 7:30 pm when the show started, so we didn't try the food. But there was a separate area near the entrance where you could order and pick up your food and beverages and bring to your table. We ordered a bottle of rose that was pretty good, and reasonably priced. There was no table service, which was fine considering what you got with the cover charge, which was 3 hours of live performance. We had the pleasure of listening to Chloe Jean who was phenomenal. If all the artists are of her caliber, I'll definitely go back again and again. If you don't mind this place not being very diverse, I highly recommend.

I have only been to the old venue, so I'm looking forward to seeing the new one. They really pay attention to details whether it be to the food & drink being served, or to the artist. Very intimate small venue. I liked the size of this venue, so we'll see how it compares to the new one. If I had my preference I would always choose small.

A jewel of an intimate, reasonably-priced venue for jazz and other underexposed music genres. There are no bad seats in the house, and a limited but tasty menu is available for those who want to dine while listening. The Sound Room is a labor of love and a local cultural treasure. By all means, check them out!

*Awesome hostess - she knows her people well *Great crowd - kids are welcomed *Never a bad seat in the house *Fresh yummy food *When the show is over, everyone goes home *Of course, the music is off the chain!

Intimate setting, good acoustics, snacks were good. Parking was fairly easy to find in close proximity.

Good sound system, friendly ambience, talented performers! Owners were hospitable. My drink was well prepared and they had an interesting menu of food.

This is a great place to hear live music! It's roomy and comfortable with individual tables and chairs. The sound is excellent and the owners are friendly. There is a great assortment of drinks - alcoholic and alcohol-free along with snacks. It was an enjoyable experience overall.

Closed upon arrival which was disappointing. Was really looking forward to a night out. Hoping to try again soon.

Great spot for live music. the space is intimate and the acoustics are fantastic. The staff are very kind too.

What a wonderful venue to see some live music! The Sound Room is an intimate experience to see wonderful, local performers play all types of live music. The owners are passionate about the quality of music they bring in. You can feel the love and hospitality the moment you walk in. The room is fairly small so the sound of the music is clear, bold and loud. They offer wine, beer and even some good food. This is a wonderful place for a date night & to sit back, relax and enjoy the musicians play great music.

The food was amazing! The ambiance was fabulous. It's a very welcoming community. The concert was excellent. It's very intimate and small, which is wonderful, because you really get to see the musicians close up making their magic!

Intimate vibe with good acoustics and friendly staff. I highly recommend the Sound Room!

The Sound Room disappointed my 1st time at the new spot by turning my table for 2 into a table for 4 because the artist invited 2 guests and I guess my table was the only place they could seat these guest of the performer. The owner Karen, an appropriate name for sure, claimed she had no choice. I said their is always a choice. She offered to refund my $$ for the tickets and I said no since I had already purchased food and drinks. The refund wasn't the issue, the issue was selling me a table for two and adding unknown/unwanted people because the performer wanted it. Then before the show started, they moved us to a table for 2 in the back by the bathroom door. They should have moved the people at my table since I paid for it and they didn't... Won't be returning Karen.... P.S the one star is for the food. It was very good.

Such a nice spot! Came here with some friends for a Brazilian samba performance. I was initially worried that the vibe would be pretentious (as some Jazz spots can be) but there was nothing but friendliness. It sounds like this space is much larger than their previous location. I really liked their brick lined semi-developed interior style. I will probably be going to more of their events.

Great venue and staff. Got a chance to catch a stellar jazz quintet there and grab a drink.

Super great little venue that hosts many local artists. It's small and intimate with folding chairs and stools and small coffee tables laid out, so get there early to snag a good spot with prime viewing of the stage. Food and beverages are also served and at reasonable prices ~$8 for a plate of two vegetarian tacos, $14 for empanadas. All were flavorful and conveniently delivered to your seat. I fully enjoyed having dinner while watching a local jazz group perform. Definitely a great weekend night out with my brother!

The Sound Room is the hidden gem of a great Jazz club in Oakland. Richard & Karen, the mom & pop owners of the Sound Room have poured their hearts, souls, money, passion and sincere dedication to provide a home for top performing jazz, blues, soul & Brazilian artist with occasional comedy mixed in. Richard & Karen make sure the musicians get paid as Richard & Karen are many times unpaid volunteers whom have put the Sound Room together at a hefty expense to them to provide great music for you. Richard is an architect and the sound system and room acoustics are the best! They have recently rebuild the grand piano for optimal action and tone. Many wonderful artist and have graced my body, mind & soul from the Sound Room and have left me singing. Bravo Sound Room! Well Worth It!!

Sound Room has been the secret place that Oaklanders have kept for a long time. Karen and Robert the power couple with a passion for Jazz and blues created this non profit organization over 20 years ago at the their home and they have been supportive of this cause for years. You always feel welcome at this place and know you walk out of it feeling better about the world we live in. First Fridays of the month, Jason Cole has a great line up of comedians and no single show is like the other. I recently celebrated my 53rd birthday at this venue and my friends had tons of fun. At one point In the middle of the show I turned around to my guests and saw more than a hand full of them laughing in tears! I couldn't imagine a better way to treat my friends. Highly recommended.

Would not recommend! When I entered the establishment I was greeted with a very aggressive "Can I help you?! Can I help you??" As opposed to the folks that walked in right before me and nothing was said to them. Can't speak on the experience of the music or anything else because as a person of color this instantly turned me away. I won't ever go back.

I love the sound room!!! Intimate venue with perfect sound system and customer focused employees/volunteers. Thier main focus is to keep jazz alive. While I have ventured out to occasionally see a jazz show...my personal preference is for the Blues and Big Band shows!!! Always fantastic treat...homey venue with great staff. Ok...during this pandemic with "no live venues" open...why am I writing this review now? Besides the good food, good music, nice crowd of people that usually make this a go to favorite...it's because the gentleman that works the front door was so generous to find me and my partner seats to a show I really wanted to see. I had driven over the bridge without tix and space was tight...also known as sold out. I will never forget his generosity and kindness...we had a great evening and a great show. Now fast forward to this time of financial difficulty...and they have again stepped up. Now they are offering live stream shows. I continueto be impressed and appreciative of their dedication to the art of music. Now they are requesting donations to keep the fire going. Please consider donating to the great mom & pop style venue...and may the music continue. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Keep-Jazz-Alive-at-the-Sound-Room?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet Warm appreciation, Sharine

Great band, great sound and a wonderful time!!! Lightening was good, we could see and each player's solo performance. We will be back.

Great spot! Perfect for intimate shows where you can really share the room with performers. First time there last night, but definitely not the last.

We heard Kenny Washington on Saturday night at the new Sound Room. It was our first time in the new building. Same great music, same wonderful seating actually even better than before. We paid for a table directly in the middle and didn't have to show up an hour early to get good seats. We felt we had the best in the house and I chose them on-line. Great to arrive a few minutes before the show started because our table was reserved for us. If you're a music lover, it's a great venue!!

Going to a jazz lounge, having drinks, and enjoying great music has always been a dream of mine, and I was happy that my first experience happened at The Sound Room. I purchased the V.I.P tickets for only ten dollars more than the regular ticket price. That extra ten dollars got us into the club a half hour early, giving us time to buy drinks and food, as well as get priority seating. They opened their doors promptly at seven, so we didn't have to wait too long in the rain. While waiting in line to get checked in, I couldn't help but notice the food at the counter. It was glowing, and even though I was here for the show, my stomach needed to be appeased first. The food was very affordable, much more than I thought it would be. For two Moulin Rouge drinks (champagne, hibiscus, and ginger), a cheese plate, a crostini with pecan pate and mushrooms, a lavash roll, and a shrimp skewer, I paid $40.00. Everything tasted great. We also indulged in their version of spinach dip, which looked good, but lacked in flavor. Enough about the food. The real show is the actual show, which was everything I wanted it to be. The room is fairly small, only seating 70 people, and every seat is the best seat in house. The small room crams everyone together, but you abandon any sense of claustrophobia once the show starts. The show for the night was performed by Marina Crouse and Garth Webber, along with their band. The music they play is like no other. I have always been a fan of Jazz and Blues, but to hear it live is a whole other experience. The music was very soulful. It made me truly listen to what's being played, what's being sung, and the stories that are being told. The band was full of life, especially the drummer, and the vibe was just incredibly warm and fun. The venue is small, making the sound incredible. The staff are incredible as well, especially the owner, who clearly has a passion for this type of music. Even the other patrons are incredible. While we were waiting in the rain, at least four different people offered to share their umbrellas with us. The Sound Room has it's usual members, and it's clear they are a tight knit family, but no one made us feel unwelcome or left out. Parking can be a bit of a hassle, so I would recommend arriving early, so you have ample time to find a spot. Overall, I can't thank The Sound Room enough for providing me with a very pleasant first experience into this world of live Jazz and Blues.

I saw The Family Jules Band show last night and it was amazing. They rocked it!!Finally after more than a year I was able to join friends and music lovers for live music. Thank you to everyone at the Sound Room, especially Karen and Robert, for making it possible. You bring a bright light to all of us. I love it!

Wow. Just Wow. This place is over the top perfect. Great venue-not a bad seat in the tiny house. Saw flamenco there last night and it was outstanding. Excellent sound system. Super nice staff. Vibe is low key just enjoy. Food marvelous and prices very reasonable. Easy to park if you walk a few simple blocks, and close to BART. What's not to love! The sort of place that just makes Oakland shine. I'm hooked.

I loved the band, ambiance, vittles, and hosts! Wonderful time all around for the grown and sexy. I'll definitely be back.

Came here for a Wine Tasting & Jazz & Magic event. bought tickets ahead of time, and was expecting to show ID at the door, but all I did was give them my name and they checked it off the list and let me in. weird hehe VERY cool magic! the dude had lots of charisma, was funny, and his magic was also astounding! (had to use the word) definitely could not figure out how he did most of his tricks. he was a great entertainer! Jazz was nice, and singers were good too. They know their craft for sure. definitely more of an older crowd there though, so I wasnt feeling the atmosphere so much. cool that the ticket sales were going to charity! wine tasting had weird timing, slow at first and then rushed towards the middle and end. Their white wines tasted much better than their reds, which was a bummer because im more a fan of reds. Super yucky & stale & tasteless & overpriced appetizers. I can throw together better stuff in my own kitchen for sure.

The venue was very cold ...the ac was in. After the show, we came out to find our car window smashed ..we were parked on Broadway ...recommend using a parking garage

Cozy little venue for live jazz and a monthly stand-up night. We were able to see a show that was all ages, so a good way to foster in them an appreciation for good music. Reasonable snacks and drink prices. Can't wait to see their new location, coming soon.

Great place to see a show! The place is intimate and small so every seat is a good seat. The food and drinks are very affordable and they serve throughout the show. Also, the staff works hard to make your visit enjoyable. As nonprofit organization, you can see that everyone is stepping in and supporting the venue. They have created a solid community feel and I hope that The Sound Room is around for eternity supporting music and the arts in the community.

A non-profit venue that brings budding artists and top talent to Uptown Oakland. It is truly a labor of love. The door goes to the performers and the staff volunteers their time. Consider making a tax free donation if you enjoy the show. The drink/ food profits and donations keep the lights on. The shows I attended were all spectacular. i highly recommend checking out their Facebook page. There are links to the some of the artists performances on YouTube. Judge for yourself. They do not have a liquor license yet so you may want to bring a flask. They serve 4 delicious non-alcoholic cocktails that taste even better with a touch of hooch.

The Brazilian jazz band gave a excellent performance last sat. The gentleman doing the seating and the lady owner were very cordial and very professional. However The male owner of the venue was outside throwing f bombs at a patron and totally out of control. He was bartending afterwards. He was extreemly rude, yelling at customers and being disrespectful and angry towards nice paying customers inside the venue. He should seriously consider investing in some anger management courses and tips on good customer service . So beware... u might wanna avoid him. It was really bad and unprofessional behavior.

The Sound Room is known as a jazz venue but does comedy the first Friday of the month. Such a great spot with a really chill vibe. Comedians were funny and the drinks and snacks were delicious. I had the Moulin Rouge to drink, which was delicious and the hummus, which was AMAZING. Everyone working there, from the founders to the staff to the show's MC, was super friendly and gracious. Can't wait to go back.

Been here many times and never disappointed. Great jazz, great food, great wine and great company. Recommend to everyone.