The Waiting Room Lounge

The best venue for live music in Omaha! Intimate room where they don’t have a fence between you and the artists. Great views from most everywhere. Prices that aren't insane like some venues.

Went to this place last weekend with some friends and had a pretty good time. The live band was really talented and the sound was clear enough that you could hear everything without it being too loud. The seating is cozy, though it can get a bit crowded if you show up late. Drinks were decent, nothing fancy but they did the job. Staff were friendly and helpful which made the experience more enjoyable. Overall, it’s a nice spot to catch some live music without feeling overwhelmed by big crowds or super expensive tickets. Would probably come back next month if another band I like is playing.

Fantastic experience watching Protest the Hero! The temperature of the room was nice and comfortable - good air conditioning on a warm day. (Some venues are far too hot so this is important to me.) Nice sound system and lighting. Didn't get drinks or anything so can't remark on that.

Great venue to see local or smaller bands bands. They have a full bar, some tables and chairs, and a dance floor. Since it is in downtown Benson, parking is limited and depending on what else is going on in Benson, you may have to park a few blocks away. The restrooms are also clean and well maintained.

Very spacious. Large variety of beer and liquor. High ceilings and large stage make it feel like you’re at an auditorium for a real concert experience. Reasonable prices for the purpose. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

Good size dancefloor, decent drink prices, entry was easy and quick, atm next to entry if you need cash for event ticket, re-entry was allowed. The bar staff are fast and accurate, multiple restrooms to use, sound system was great.

Favorite music venue in Omaha! Stunning in house sound system. Plenty of standing room, a variety of seating and two bathrooms. Staff is always so welcoming and friendly. Great experience every time!

Nice Venue...up and coming rapper ELR4F headlined on April 11th, 2025. He is pretty good. It was a good crowd. Nice clean place. Benson is a very popular entertainment hub...parking is an issue, though.

i've seen a few shows here, and it's a great! It was a rock show and while it wasn't sold out, it was super packed and the night was very enjoyable. I think the acoustics here were good, and theres really not a bad spot in the house. We didnt have to wait outside or anything but if needed, theres an overhang. The drinks were good, and served quickly. I started with a mixed drink and switched over to beer to be quicker. Love that types of artists that come here, as well as podcasts and comedy shows.

I love this location. We've seen bands here, and theatrical shows, and it's excellent for both. Parking is a bitch. It's Benson. Figure it out before the show. Long before. The location is spacious, with a well-staffed bar. Some events are seated. Some aren't. Ask in advance. Staff is reasonable. Be cool to them. There's also plenty of good eats about. Make a night of it, book a dinner and live it up! We'll be back.

Great venue for live music. Reasonably priced drinks and great variety of shows. You can usually get pretty up close to the bands. Benson parking can be a pain, but worth it to get to see live music. I've seen Houndmouth, Shooter Jennings, William Elliott Whitman, and Marc Broussard here - just to name a few!

I can't vouch for the drinks or what it's like to sit down. But general admission standing near the stage for a nationally known artist, e.g. Neko Case last night, she and the band are right there! Good acoustics, great access.

THIS PLACE ROCKS!! A great venue for national musical acts music played right in Benson! I've seen Motet (funk band outta Denver) and St Paul and the Broken Bones (bluesy Rock) as well as Valerie June (stunning blues singer that has sold out Carnegie Hall). Even a Nirvana and Alice In Chains cover band have come through with rocking performances. Yep, The Waiting Room reels 'em in and usually packs the place. Acoustics in the place are excellent too. It's not overly loud where your eardrums itch and your chest thumps; ears ringing a few hours later while you are laying in bed. Audio is adequate and you can occasionally talk to others in your group without yelling "WHAT?" or shrugging and mouthing, "I can't hear you". The beer selection is top notch with anything from your classic 16 oz PBRs or Coors Light to local beers to popular microbrews and imported macro brews. Staff behind the bar is friendly and attentive. The front door management does an efficient job moving the concertgoers from ticket scan to 21+ bracelet to "enjoy the show". Well done, The Waiting Room; well done.

Absolutely loved the concert we saw here. we drove up from KC to see John Moreland and had a blast. all the locals were fun to chat with about Omaha and some random guy bought me and another random a 16oz Hamms to chug with him. overall best place we visited in Omaha

Man, I love live music. And in Omaha, this is one of my favorite venues for it. I like the neighborhood with plenty of other bars, shops and restaurants in the immediate area and it feels safe. I've been to The Waiting Room many times over the last few years and they've made so many improvements over the years to make sure the customers enjoy a clean, safe, enjoyable concert experience. The lighting is good, sound is great. The bar (during concerts) is packed and very busy, but the bartenders did a good job of working to make sure everyone got served. As for concerts, they book some really great entertainers. I've seen such a wide variety of acts there including Colin Haye (from Men at Work), Matt and Kim, Reverend Horton Heat, and many others. Prices for concerts are very reasonable and you'll enjoy a concert here much more than any of those big arena shows where you can barely see the act. Here, you'll be within a few feet of your favorite singer. How cool is that?

I've seen Drew Halcomb and the Neighbors and also Marty Stuart here. Great experience both times. I love the intimate setting that The Waiting Room provides: The atmosphere is personal, but casual-- the perfect place to listen to good music. The venue was probably close to sold out if not sold out last night for Marty Stuart, but there was still elbow and breathing room. The restroom and the bar were easily accessible throughout the show. Nice selection at the bar, and the bartenders are friendly, and they work fast. Get there early to be able to sit in the back where there are tables and chairs. My husband and I were able to stand near the stage this time, and the energy between the musicians and the crowd was awesome. Their sound system and room acoustics is the best I've heard. You can truly hear every instrument, every note and every voice, so crisp and rich. I can't tell you how many high-dollar concert I've been to that absolutely sound like shit. Ticket prices usually range between $20-30, so very affordable. This is my kind of place. My only gripe is that parking could be better in Benson, but that's not their fault.

For a medium-ish sized place, it sure packs a punch for the sound system. Wow. Came to see Mogwai last night and what a phenomenal show. I liked that I didn't feel claustrophobic. I also dig the layout. Easy to find.

Didn't let me leave and come back. What's the problem with me going to go get a hoodie from my car

This is one of my favorite concert venues. It's in the heart of Benson near plenty of dining options before the show. They have great beer choices on rotating taps and a friendly and efficient staff. I have never had anything but great experiences at the Waiting Room.

Came here on a Saturday night for a live show of the Watch What Crappens podcast. It was an intimate crowd so getting in the door was smooth. Seats were set up in rows in front of the stage and we had enough space to maneuver around. Getting to the bar was a breeze and the bartenders were very friendly. They even let us stick around after the show to meet the podcasters as they exited the building. I would definitely come back to this venue for a show. Even when this place is standing room only, I can't imagine a bad spot to view the stage. If an act you love is coming here, don't skip out!

Probably my favorite venue to catch shows at in Omaha. Smaller than slowdown but bigger than o leavers where I can still catch national and international touring acts in a smaller intimate bar. Even when sold out shows happen here most everyone there can have a pretty good view of the stage. Also love that they have two bathrooms,one closer to the back that is usually by the Merch tables and pin ball machines behind the bar and one close to the stage to the right if you're facing it. I also appreciate that they have pretty high quality ear plugs for sale behind the bar always for $1. Every staff member is pretty friendly and you also gotta keep an eye out for these amazing few shows they throw outside during the summer season too! Oh and they let you bring food in too from local benson restaurants. I know star deli would sometimes even deliver to you and if you need a caffeine fix Omaha bicycle company will also deliver so you can keep watching the show while you wait.

Dont buy tickets from this place!!!!!They will postpone the concert THE DAY BEFORE!How freaking rude.They also deleted my facebook comments because Ibwas speaking the truth and they didnt want to hear it.If you delete this I'm contacting the news to do a story and really put your business on blast.

Small live music venue with reasonably priced drinks. Check out who is playing and stop by only if you like the artist; the actual venue is nothing to write home about.

This will always be my favorite venue in Omaha!

I enjoy seeing shows here. You can get pretty intimate with the bands and the musicians come out I'm in the crowd often. I wish they would book more indie & trip hop bands that I like. But the bands that have come through Omaha lately have gone downhill. The music scene isnt how it used to be and we can't get gigs like we used to. So we're stuck w rap and Indoor shootings. I support the hip hop scene but cmon, get some good artists through here. The place got a makeover but I can't really tell the difference. The bathrooms are still gross. And the staff looks all pissed off to work there. Why do you all have to act like you hate your lives? Celebrate life, it should be fun.

Three stars, only because they get a lot of bookings and are a decent outlet for live music. But... ...the comments from other reviewers that the staff can be very rude are spot-on. ...the rule that an under 21 can't go to the sidewalk and re-enter is a bit ridiculous. ...and if you want to buy a ticket ahead of the event, you can't do it here. Oh sure, you say, just buy online (and pay the exorbitant transaction fees.) When your competition (Slowdown) has a box office and will sell tickets with no fee, why can't you at least do the same during your standard business hours? Pretty lame.

Awesome venue for smaller shows. Visited for the first time to see Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and was very impressed with excellent sound quality. Looking at the walls covered with concert posters this place is legit. From rock to rap and everything in between. Obviously the place in Omaha to see real shows.

Probably my second favorite place to see a show in town. Not as nice as Slowdown, but more intimate (i.e. smaller venue). Bartenders are always friendly and attentive and you can order food from Pizza Shoppe (who will deliver it to you at the Waiting Room). Pretty good combination if you ask me. Also a great place to stop in on days when there aren't bands playing or when they're playing a movie.

The Waiting Room has been an amazing addition to Omaha's music scene since it opened a few years ago. And it's nice to see that it's always improving. Recent renovations to the interior and exterior prove the folks who run this place are dedicated to having one of the best music venues in the country. Plus it's in a great neighborhood (Benson) for a night out on the town, as several great bars and restaurants are a short walk away. They book all kinds of music -- folk, bluegrass, jam, DJs, Americana, rock, rap, pop, alternative, etc., etc., etc. -- so definitely check out their calendar, as there's surely an upcoming show you'll want to go to.

This is first class rock n roll club! I have got the chance to play here a few times and see some shows here! It's big, loud, and has great sound! I love the bar area, there are lots of places to sit or stand, and the staff is always great! They have a slew of great beers on tap, they host some of the finest bands in the country and they show rock movies from time to time! As far as playing here, the stage is big, and the specs are great as a band.. We opened for a bigger band here years ago and had to set up in front of their equipment, but there was still plenty of room to jump around and have fun! Back stage area was great as well! This is a great club, for watching or rocking!

I went to The Waiting Room last night to see a Nirvana cover band and a Led Zeppelin cover band. The Nirvana cover band was great, but the Led Zeppelin was just okay to me, me being a Led Zeppelin superfan. Anyway, the venue..... The place is a great little concert venue, it is similar to the Underground in size. The Waiting Room actually has a lot of tables and seats to sit at too, which is great as you can choose to stand for hours or sit down, if there is a seat available. The acoustics are pretty good too. Their bar is really great too. They have a lot of beers on tap. They have a beer called Fruli, which is a really good strawberry beer, and its very hard to find and they have it on tap and it tasted amazing. There is another cover band concert at The Waiting Room next month and I will definitely be going.

Came here to see Shovels and Rope, a totally sold out show, on Thursday night and was mightily disappointed. Don't get me wrong the band was great as always is, but this venue is a tough one for me. Drinks are priced pretty high, and the bar staff is not terribly friendly. Though I'll give them a pass since they were obviously slammed all night. I also thought the vibe was good and the decor was nice. The stage could be a little higher, though. It was a little tough to see even standing pretty close to the stage. But I honestly couldn't hear parts of the show due to crowd noise. People were talking (shouting really) the whole time and their conversations could be heard through the whole venue. During a show they paid to see! I don't get it. Is this an Omaha thing? A Benson thing? It's totally ridiculous. My fiancé has said that this has happened to her every time she sees a show at the Waiting Room. If that's the case, I think I'll just avoid this venue altogether unless the ghost of Tom Petty somehow manages to book a gig here. Really frustrating experience.

The Waiting Room Lounge will cancel events without announcing it to ticket buyers. There was an instance where I bought tickets to a show. I was planning on going that night, then I looked online and The Waiting Room had removed the event from their website. The event had also been removed from their facebook. Puzzled, I looked online and found out through a lazy-i article that it had been canceled. No announcement from the waiting room. Nothing. I emailed them about this and they sent me a copy and pasted apology from the artist's management team. No formality. Not signed by anyone just a block of text copied from who knows where. When I asked about a refund they told me to contact 1% productions. I did and eventually got my money back. But damn why so shady?

Love this place! Great entrainment variety. Hasn't kept me away yet but I wish more seating was offered for the older age crowds.

This is a bar with a smaller music venue attached to it. I've seen a number of bands here, including Flobots and Shiny Toy Guns. The acoustics aren't the best, but the drink specials make up for the lack of sound. This is one of those bars where you can get super cheap tall boys of Old Style and PBR. Generally speaking, it's a fun place to hang out. It's the kind of place you can go to and have a good time even if there's not a show. Parking can be a bit tricky if there's a popular show going on, so look into some of the residential areas a couple of blocks north or south of the venue.

A little late. Went to see Horton Heat there worse security I have ever seen. The alowed a mosh pit for the rebrand. He was so pissed he stayed mostly to the back of the stage and when he did come up to the front of the stage u could tell he was pissed they were letting it go on. Was a waste of my money to go there worst bar in Omaha for a show

Warning! This place overbooks events and provides seating for, maybe, a dozen groups. They should be advertising themselves as the smallest concert hall on the planet. It's all about raking in the money. Over 500 tickets sold and, maybe, a couple dozen seats available. I am one hot mama!

I love this place. If you enjoy live music this is a must go to. It is located in Benson which also has some unique bars around the area. They have so many different types of bands and styles of music that play here, and the drinks are not expensive. You can get four drinks for $20; which compared to other places, is a total steal! It is relaxing and has a great environment with it as well. If you're looking for local artists and bands, and non-locals this is the place to be at.

This is one of my favorite lounges in Omaha. I've seen some of my favorite artists perform here. It's a special thing to witness music you stream in live action. Keep an eye out on their website for bands/artists performing here. It won't disappoint!

Great location and atmosphere for small venues. Bartender service is great. Also, it's walking distance from a lot of good restaurants and bars in the heart of Benson.

Never again. Saw PetRock (who were awesome) but after arriving at 6pm to make sure we were in line to get good seats we saw no tables or chairs. No one mention on their website that the "sold out" show would be standing room only. Petrock is a 70's band-- do the math. Short story, this bar wanted more bang for their buck so crammed us in via SRO. Really put a sour spin on the night with our group. Less drinks, less fun, funky attitude and so we left after the first set. All I'm asking for is full disclosure. Thursday nights show had chairs n tables. Yes they paid more per ticket but I would have too. It was a late add show after tonight's sold out. All about money and I'm sure the band gets paid regardless of the door count or bar sales. Also, how about you answer your phone once in a while? Bathroom toilets don't flush Staff doesn't bus or help clean up broken glass First impression-- might be a cool local bar on a non concert night, but I'll go across the street to 1912. Peace out

I have only been here a few times but am always happy - the set up is great. The drinks are very affordable. and the staff is very accommodating.

I went to the Waiting Room for the first time last night and saw a Nirvana tribute band (Nevermind) and a Led Zeppelin tribute band (Achilles Last Band). It was Nevermind's first show and they were awesome! The Waiting Room staff was friendly and tickets were easy to purchase. Decor was really modern and the sound system sounded really good. Fruli (strawberry beer) is in tap! I wish they offered food. That would make me and others want to stay longer. It's difficult to drink and enjoy a show for 3-4 hours with no food. I already have plans to come back to the Waiting Room for Nevermind and a Pearl Jam tribute band!

Great place to see a show. Sound guy was on top of it, bartenders associated my face to my drink order to my tab/debit card without a problem despite the large crowd. Clean restroom. Crazy fun crowd.

Terrible service and snotty staff, especially the girl up front that takes the cash. If you are over a certain age, they will kick you out for no reason. So, I suggest anyone out of their 20's to find a different bar/concert venue. I and my friends have never been treated so poorly at an establishment. Meanwhile, other lewd conduct was going on in the bar, but that was fine. I, and the people I attended with, will never step foot in this place again!

The Waiting Room is one of the best music venue in Omaha and the biggest in the Benson area. They often bring in big bands from all over the country for the locals here to enjoy their music. The energy of the place is fun. The entry fee and drink prices are reasonable.

I love this venue. The stage is nice & low, making for a personal experience no matter how large of a crowd is gathered (it's still a raised stage though- you can see the artists from the back of the crowd as well). There are booths on the side & tables near the bar, but good luck sitting at any of them if there's a lot of people at the show- they fill up fast. The bar service is fast & accurate & the employees are almost always friendly. Good vibes all around at this one. (Although it should be mentioned that Benson isn't the best part of town. The Main Street of Maple can be deceptively hip, but this by no means constitutes a "safe" neighborhood.) Also, they do New Music Mondays that showcase new local artists & it's free admission!!!

I saw Mae (indie/emo band from Virginia) here. The space is awesome; not too trendy but not too divey either. Also just the right size as another reviewer mentioned. Pints are only $4! They'd be at least $7 in NYC! I guess that's an Omaha-thing and not a Waiting Room thing. But they do have a decent selection on tap, especially for a music venue... I had the Nut Brown Ale and a Fat Tire. Both were really nice.

I loved this place until I was straight up assaulted by the bouncer. I handed my drink to an underage friend while I fixed my hair and he IMMEDIATELY grabbed my arm with force and yelled at me to go outside. I asked if I could get my phone from my friend and he protested and shoved me toward the exit. I tried to talk with him but there was no reasoning. I was not refunded for my ticket, and my group and I left with great frustration. This is not an OK way to treat patrons of your bar. I am extremely disappointed with my experience here, as I had high hopes before tonight. I do not recommend if you are looking for a fun night out.

The Waiting Room is awesome! It's not only a concert venue but just a regular bar that's got pool tables and everything. Having said that, one of the best concerts I've seen was here. The sound is amazing (minus one slight mishap with a microphone) and the effects seemed like they were amplified because of the way the room is set up and the colors. The bar has a very nice selection of beer and alcohol for being mainly a music venue. I mean if I can get craft beers on tap while I'm watching a show, that's awesome. Bartenders knew what they were doing, they weren't understaffed, and they knew about every brew they had. I can't wait to go to more shows here in the future.

I've been to a few shows here, and have always enjoyed it. If you show up early enough you can get right up to the stage. Even if you're not super close, this place is small enough to where you can have a great view of the stage from anywhere. Great atmosphere, great people, reasonable prices. Unless it's a huge band that they expect to sell out, just buy your tickets at the counter when you walk in. Often times it's cheaper than online (no service fees!)

My wife and I went to a RCPM concert here and it was a good time. The stage is set up so you can actually see the people singing, and the sound system didn't at all remind me of the ghetto cutlasses with 3 sets of 15s in the back; I like actually being able to see and hear the bands at a venue. We didn't really get a chance to use the bar, there was only one bartender for the 500 people there and I was lucky to get my hands on the two beers I did. It's really kind of sad, because an RCPM concert almost requires tequila and a beer. I will definitely return here to see other bands I'm interested in!

owned by those 1% guys. i see lots of shows here and they have really good sound. a lot of great and diverse acts! i've seen kimya dawson, swervedriver, sondre lerche, destroyer, black kids, boris, heiroglyphics, the faint, gravy train!!!!, girls, smith westerns, los campesinos! to name a lot.

Disclaimer - this review is for the New Years eve band and not Waiting Room.... Secret Weapon has seen its days - great in years past but NYE night pretty bad. The bassist and guitarist, stage left, were excellent, drummer awesome, other guitarist great (open the lid and let the talent out - its there....). Vocalists - please opt for 'in tune' rather than volume. Maybe refresh the set list with songs more reflective of your vocal range. Don't drink alcohol and sing, or try to sing. The later into the night the worse the singing... Guys. Seen the band a lot over the years, lots of dancing have these heels done, but NYE was no your best night.

Saw my friend's band, Stately Wayne Manor play here about a month or so ago...Great local/divey type bar in every sense of the description...Wasn't very crowded since it was a Monday, but the venue was great for hearing the band and the bartender was pretty friendly...My drinks were very reasonably priced, especially considering how popular a place Waiting Room is...I very much look forward to coming back...

I saw Black Pistol Fire and ZZ Ward here. in my wheelchair, events are a challenge, but those were bands were so epic that I was willing to tolerate drunks with no sense of personal space practically trying to sit on my lap and a stiff neck.

The Waiting Room is actually a really great venue. They have a great stage space so that the performers have room and the crowd can spread out. But they also have seating close to the stage that goes back to the bar so that you can sit and still see the show while enjoying a drink. Everything is very nicely situated in there. It is a concert-going dream. Even though they have shows on odd days it seems, they actually get some really great bands there, too. I have been to the Waiting Room a few times and always really enjoyed myself.