The Back Room

Very cute concert venue with all sofa seating. Great for cuddling and listening to sweet music. Parking for $2.50/hour across.

Super comfortable venue to listen to great music. Sam is super nice and accommodating. Convenient parking and cool vibes. He gets some great bands and music is cool! Love when Hurricane Sam plays the piano!

Neat music venue where you can see cool jazz

This is a cozy informal venue for listening to music. I came here to listen to a Brazilian flautist and guitarist. The seating was quite nice. If a little varied. There are couches and chairs strewn throughout the venue. One nice feature is that you can bring your own booze and food without a corkage or extra charge. People were masking except when eating and drinking

Great room for listening to live music, comfy old couches and an excellent vibe all around!

What a great venue to hear and see and darn near TOUCH the musicians on stage. The seating is limited, but very very comfortable. The sound acoustics are amazingly good for what one would expect from a small venue like this. The owner, Sam, is on hand and hands on, making sure Berkeley has a special intimate venue for musicians and live music lovers to enjoy. The Back Room entrance is a little hidden, on a short block, with little to no parking, but easy access from the neighborhood and University Avenue. Enjoy this opportunity when it comes your way.

The music and musicians are the main actor. Cozy place with a lot of couches everywhere. In the place they don’t sell drinks but you can bring your drink yourself.

We went there to hear Guitar Trifecta who were great. Staff was pleasant and accomodating. They allowed us to have a picnic at the back tables.

An intimate room, with a stage surrounded by comfortable couches. Sam, the owner/booker/great jazz pianist, finds unique and excellent musicians and singers who perform in a great variety of styles. The musicians all seem to genuinely enjoy playing here, and that only adds to the enjoyment of the audience. No food or beverages are served here, but the audiences are allowed to bring their own drinks.

A few steps will lead you down to this great music venue. The exposed brick walls are decorated with records and a reel to reel tape. There is a choice of comfortable seating on mismatched couches or straight chairs. They do not serve drinks or food. What they do serve is an eclectic mix of top-notch music. Because there is no alcohol all ages can enjoy the music here. The room has great acoustics. I guess the couches and brick walls or the basement location help We went to hear the Guitar Trifecta. They were amazing. I look forward to going here again.

I've been going to The Back Room for over 5 years as it's generally a nice place to see music, but I've become increasingly concerned about the cleanliness and condition, as well as the owner's behavior. The main space is acoustically great and the venue is certainly intimate as others have noted. The sound system, run by Sam, is hit or miss, often having buzzing or other issues that he doesn't seem to care about. Cables are almost always a mess and there's usually a pile of drums in the corner of the stage, which is rather unprofessional. It never looks great. The furniture (couches) are certainly cozy but I doubt they get cleaned at all, let alone regularly. So, if you want to sit on a public couch, knock yourself out. Enter the kitchen or either of the two bathrooms and you'll immediately get the sense that someone lives at the venue. The first bathroom has a shower and usually has pill bottles, personal hygiene products, and other materials out in the open. It's never very clean and feels more like a dormitory bathroom than anything that belongs in a public music venue. It's not unusual for the office space to reek of a certain kind of smoke. Sam, as hard as he tries, has a a sort of unsettling presence and on several occasions I've seen him insist on sitting in with artists who don't seem to want him there - sometimes playing bongos, sometimes playing piano, and rarely fitting into the music very well (overplaying, playing too loudly, etc). I'd be really thrilled if Sam could clean up this space, including the back areas, and be a little bit more conscious of the way he addresses the crowd and how much figurative "space" he takes up.

This place is an amazing gem in Berkeley. The musicians Sam curates to perform, in this intimate room with comfy couches, are just INCREDIBLE! The level of talent is astounding given the ticket prices (reasonable beyond belief!). We have gone to 10 concerts in the last month and our mouths were hanging open at the level of musicianship. Parking is so incredibly easy & convenient in a UC-monitored lot (extremely safe) at the end of Bonita about 1/2 block from the venue. Sam is a unique character and superb musician himself (pianist) and we are just so grateful to him for hosting such extraordinary musicians in his 'Back Room'!!

saw blues there a couple months ago and the owner came down and played righteous piano along with the band who was very good. I was just sorry there weren't more people there but that's why I'm writing the review so that we can support them better because it was very cozy and a very nice atmosphere, but not enough people

Really enjoyed the San Francisco Feetwarmers at this cozy, unique venue. This needs to be said--leave your phone in your pocket. We paid $50 for two tickets for an hour of quality jazz entertainment. However, people have a very unhealthy relationship with their phones and diminish the experience for others. The old people using flash photography; the younger people surfing whatever young people do--non-stop. One lady decided to video multiple full length songs with the flash on! And nobody said a word. The opening announcements should include a bit about phones--like they aren't allowed, or how they ruin other people's experience. I hate phones. Or maybe people. But certainly a person with a phone during a performance.

Happened about this low key music spot in Berkeley this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. They have a great acoustic setup and casual seating with arrows of loungers, couches and various chairs for first come first serve seating. Tickets were $18 for presale online and $20 at the door. They are byob/d with most folks bringing their own beverages. It does look like a home's back room turned into a performance venue. We had a chance to see the lab rats perform their Bay Area demo with a Sacramento band French 75 joining them. The music was definitely the focus and everyone in the audience was really passionate about music - great to find a community like this in Berkeley. It does get a bit warm inside so dress in layers. Probably good to come a bit early so you can snag some couch seats. Parking was available on the street. Tip: There are quite a few Japanese restaurants around the corner from the venue and make for a good pre show dinner spot.

The best blues/jazz venue I've ever been to. Great music, comfortable couches to sit on and you can bring in your own beer. Definitely see Sam Rudin if you can, he was great. I wish there was a venue like this where I lived, I'd be there every week.

Had a great time listening and dancing to Jazz Vocalist Yolandra Rhodes and The Rhodes Scholars. Intimate venue, great acoustics and ability to bring your own food and drinks. I'll be back. I have a new fav artist! Thank you Yolandra

Eccentric, warm, welcoming, comfortable, and the antidote to our Amazon and Target world. This intimate place is hosted by Sam Rudin who is a musician himself and cares deeply about music and providing a unique space to experience it. You can bring in your won food and drinks (they don't sell any). Ticket prices are very reasonable. A real gem.

The Back Room is terrific! The room is so appealing with high ceilings and exposed brick and a nice stage. The seating is very casual and comfortable - there are tables if you want but mostly it is furnished with comfy mismatched couches. Places hold 100 people max and is BYO food and drinks. The owner Sam Rudin is also a professional pianist and we heard him play one night with a band and it was excellent with a nice selection of songs. Went twice to The Back Room and really enjoyed the music both times! Wish I lived closer as I would go all the time. The Annual Atheist Christmas Show sounds great.

What a great place. We enjoyed some fun music, while relaxing on a sofa . Got a sandwich to munch . Highly recommend this cozy artsy space.

We came here one Friday night to listen to a friend's band and were pleasantly surprised to find this hidden gem on a little side street across near my favorite place Butcher's Son. It looks like a tiny little cottage from outside, but when you walk in it's been made into a cozy event venue with great acoustics, comfy love seats and a little stage in the corner. The owner was friendly and even jumped in to play with the band in the end. How fun! Fun place to check out when looking for live music in downtown Berkeley that doesn't break the bank. Also, it's BYOB.

A big THANK YOU to the Back Room for providing a fantastic, old school, intimate, no frills, cozy venue for live music. Now that the Freight seems to have forgotten its roots (pun intended) and no longer is supportive of lesser known but wonderful music, this place fills the bill nicely. Fun mix of comfy chairs and couches, bring your own beer or wine, bring your own food to eat at some of the tables is the back...and fantastic sound! I also love that there are no fees; you just call or email to reserve and pay at the door. I will be making my way back across the Bay for many more shows. This is the kind of place that makes it fun and easy to check out some new musician you don't know. Laurie Lewis and Mollie O'brien were outstanding...and the owner Sam on the piano brought it!!

Very cool music venue for seeing local bands! The shows start at 8pm, but arrive early to get your pick of cozy seating. There are lots of comfy couches and you basically feel like you're invited to a private jam session in the band's living room. This is a BYOB, but we weren't quite sure how it worked. My friend who told me about the place said people are welcome to borrow wine openers and glasses from the kitchen. Also, lots of people brought in take-out food. The atmosphere was super warm and convivial. I felt like this was a place where music lovers gathered and quickly became regulars and friends. While I probably wouldn't be able to come that often, I'd definitely like to come back on a semi-regular basis.

We had a wonderful night here before the virus came. Highly recommend it. Friendly people friendly crowd BYOB and good music. Parking can be shaky but it is Berkeley

We were there to see Ethan Ostrow and Outside In. We loved our experience there. It's a homey space, comfortable, and the sound was great. We parked right in front of the venue on a Saturday night-that seems pretty lucky!! I love that it's not focused on eating and drinking. They do not sell alcohol. It's about the music, not getting up or having people come around, serving and trying to get drinks. It's more like a hall than a club, and I love that. It's a gem.

This is my absolute hands down favorite place to see music. Never been to a better venue....and never seen a bad show here. Been coming for years.... It is super laid back, zero pretension, acoustics are great, the owner cool (and a very talented musician), and there isn't a bad seat in the house. It is BYOB-they aren't trying to sell you anything, (except for a great op to see excellent music performed live-up close and personal). The other 5 star reviews here are spot on. You go-you'll see! ;)

Such a wonderful venue for an intimate show with amazing acoustics, what a gem!! We very much enjoyed Ruth Moody, parking was a breeze and there are great places to grab a bite before or after the show

From the musician's perspective, it was a poor experience. Sam, the owner, was rude to the point of abusive from the moment we walked in the door. I could excuse the filth and the untuned piano. But Sam repeatedly threw obstacles in the way of a good performance. What should be a fabulous gift to the music community is dashed, due to needless negativity.

Nice cozy venue. You can bring in your own food and drinks. Also there are some sofas to lounge in near the stage. It's small and welcoming.

Went to see a friend perform in a jazz ensemble and had a great time! Wonderful space for music, intimate, comfy chairs and great acoustics. Close to BART and near lots of restaurants. Cash only for the tickets ($7) when we went but you can get cash back at Trader Joe's a block away. Overall a really cool space for live music and I'll be back!

This is a relatively new music venue in Berkeley. It's housed in a brick building on Bonita and University. There was a fish market in the front space before it closed. Although I disagree w/ the snarky reference in the first review to the Freight forgetting its roots, this space takes you back in time in a wonderful way. The walls are brick, the floors are cement, there's a random assortment of couches plus a few straight back chairs, tall chairs, rolling desk chairs and, if needed, folding chairs. On the north wall are shelves of LPs and one huge old reel-to-reel tape player. Very cool décor. Across the street is a parking lot. The underground part closes at 10 PM but the upper level is open later. Last night we heard a guitarist, David Rogers. He'd been the Desert Island castaway on Alisa Clancy's 9 AM program on KCSM-FM the previous day. I'd heard the venue announced on the Jazz Datebook, but hearing him mobilized me to look into getting tickets, w/ Alan's agreement. I went to the site and signed up for their newsletter. When I checked the ticket prices I was amazed at how reasonable they were: $15 plus a $1.82 fee through Eventbrite. It probably changes a bit from artist to artist, but I expect it wouldn't be much more. We walked back after dinner at Imm Thai, arriving about 7:15. Alan thought the doors opened at 7:00. The woman at the door told us they weren't open yet because they were in the middle of the sound check. I asked if I could use their bathroom and she kindly let me and Alan as well. After that we went outside, where there was one chair, which I took. A line of people started behind us as people arrived. Around 7:30 we were let in. We took a couple of straight back chairs behind one of the couches. People arrived in a steady stream and I would guess that there may have been about 50 in all. There are high tables in the back of the room and people are welcome to bring their own food and beer or wine. The venue sells water and juices or sodas for a nominal charge and snacks that need no preparation. The sound is fabulous, clear w/o being too bright. The couches help w/ the acoustics. Sitting there looking at the brick walls behind the performers (the second set included Susanna Porte, a local cellist and Frances Feldon, a local recorder player, friends of David Rogers) and listening to the beautiful music I felt at home. It's a lovely, intimate place to hear music and I look forward to returning.

Saw a show here the other night and it was amazing. Not only the music was good, the sound and the acoustic of the place was amazing. It reminds me of a music concert I saw in London that was amazing. Keep up the good work!

For the month of March, 2019, you can catch the dynamic singer Faye Carol and wunderkind pianist Joe Warner tear up jazz standards and make you really hear the occasional pop tune that you might have brushed off before. When this place says all ages, they mean it. On the night I was there last the youngest audience member was 5 and the eldest 104. Yeah, really. Also in attendance Bay Area jazz great Sugar Pie DeSantos. Go, check it out. You'll find yourself in good company. (And bring your favorite libations. There's no corkage. Ice water is provided. Reasonably priced snacks for sale.)

I almost don't want to tell people about this place to keep this gem all to myself but I MUST spread the good word about The Back Room. What a sweet, intimate venue this is to see great bands at a super reasonable price. It has a selection of couches as well has hard-backed chairs and some cocktail type tables. You can BYOB, sit back and enjoy! The parking lot is right across the street and the rate is a reasonable $2/hour. Check this place out. You won't be sorry.

Really cool venue and great group of people to enjoy listening to talented local musicians with friends. Don't forget to bring your own bottle & glasses, there is no alcohol service!

Loved loved loved this place. It's super cozy and had great acoustics. Sam let's you bring your own booze and they have super comfy couches. It's such a great performance venue

Wonderful, intimate space dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. Sam, the owner, is the nicest guy and he's filled the place with comfy couches and allows his customers to bring their own booze (if you're 21+), which makes for a warm and cozy vibe. Good sound system, easy to get to. Love listening to all kinds of music here!

Great place to sample new music. There are so many great musicians out there, some who are just looking for a more intimate venue, or who aren't known enough to fill a big music hall. Great place to meet musicians. The owner, Sam, is super cool and will sometimes jam with the main performer.

We have had so many great evenings at The Back Room! It feels like a living room where terrific musicians come and play just for you. We are fans of jazz, singer/songwriters and old style r&b so we read Sam's straight up descriptions and choose our nights. We bring our own wine and whiskey and glasses and settle in for another cozy musical evening.

This was exactly how it was described and perfect for what it is! A low key, welcoming, hospitable place to just go lounge on couches with your bottle of wine brought from home and listen to music played by wonderful talented musicians who love doing what they do. Place was very clean. Good acoustics. Free water and cups. Lovely proprietor, (himself a musician who is putting on a show on Xmas eve). Had a lovely evening!

A reason to live in Berkeley. Very informal, as you like, but the acoustics are amazing and the talent even more so.