Top Five Reno Music Venues (That Are Not Casinos)
Photo by Dominik Kempf on Unsplash.
UPDATED January, 2024:
It’s been almost three years since I wrote this article, and lots has changed since then. I wanted to highlight my favorite Reno music venues at a time when the world was still readjusting after the COVID-19 pandemic. Small, local musicians have always been my passion and they were the ones hit the hardest after quarantine shutdowns, but now that we’ve moved past that era, the Reno music scene is taking on a different flavor.
As the region returned to normal, finding live music in Reno has gotten a little more challenging. Some businesses that were there pre-COVID had to close down. Some buildings were taken over by new companies and rebranded, some bars and restaurants from out of town opened new locations here. A lot of locals I knew moved away, including all of my family, amid skyrocketing rent, dizzying increases in cost of living and financial pressure.
Reno concerts have now had to rely on a few household names that put the Biggest Little City on the map, and niche scenes that have always been great, but are recycling the same bands in the same venues over and over and over. Other venues are now starting to rely solely on non-Nevadan acts to bring in exposure, a lot of which are obscure artists the general public isn’t familiar with. This is juxtaposed by the good ‘ol casinos – which bring in the big names all the tourists want to go see.
Don’t get me wrong, I am in no means hating on the wonderful, supremely talented local artists that eat, sleep and breathe here. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing some serious players in the game and have had the chance to watch some grow from nobodys at open mic nights to touring across the country and releasing albums. We have a great rock scene here in Reno, our EDM bars are popping but still have overpriced covers as they’ve always have, our classical and jazz groups are top-notch, and if you want an awesome indie fix, Holland Project has you covered (they are one of the only all-ages venues in Reno, too).
As I’m coming up on four years of running this blog this summer, I’m hungry for something… fresh. I’m on the lookout for something special, something brand new. I don’t know what that’s going to be, but I have a feeling Reno is in for a reawakening of our music scene once the weather stops going through its frozen tundra phase.
That being said, I’m updating this list of my hand-picked, top five favorite music venues in Reno, in no particular order. These are the places I’ve frequented more often in recent days, and I’ve considered more unique than touristy, casino concert halls or different than the typical popular venues like The Cypress, Dead Ringer Analog Bar and so on. I’m hoping that as we move further into 2024, more unique places to explore will emerge. For now, enjoy these tips for tasty drinks, warm ambience and a damn good time, depending on your mood for the evening.
Reno’s first speakeasy, Shim’s is a vintage-inspired paradise. With a lot of the original decor still in place from the 1920s, this is the must-visit venue to host a flapper party. While the elegant atmosphere never takes away from the down-to-earth attitude of most Reno bars, it’s the perfect mix between lofty, hoity-toity charm and that good ‘ol small town, local feel we all know and love. The acoustics aren’t bad in there, either.
One of the more recent additions to my list, The Emerson is modern, fresh and funky. With one of the most Instagram-worthy set ups I’ve seen front and center, the drinks are top-notch, the dance floor is the perfect size and there’s mocktails to boot if you’re not into drinking. While it can get crowded quickly since it’s a smaller venue, there’s still enough room to move around, and there’s windowsill seating too. If you go, make sure to take note of the… interesting painting of Snow White near the bathrooms. You’ll know what I mean.
While I’m not a huge fan of the acoustics at this venue, the Reno Public Market is the more recent addition to the Reno scene, opening up last year. There’s retail, art studios and plenty of food options to explore, this is definitely more of the walk-around-the-mall type of place. If you’re one of those people that likes to check out tons of things to do in one spot, this is where I would recommend. If you’re not into the music, there’s something to look at everywhere you go – and there’s two stories, too.
One of my favorite venues on this list, this is the chill, laidback, retro-inspired spot to hang. With a vinyl record booth as a plus, you can buy an album and they’ll play it for you right there at the bar. Coffeeshop during the day and serving drinks at night, they have a photo-taking corner perfect for socials, comfy couches and cool events happening here all the time. Whether you want to go to a jazz night or a house show, this place is versatile, groovy and a breath of fresh air.
If you’re more of a twangy country kind of person or even more of the motorcycle riding type, this is the venue for beer, pool and rock and roll. While I’ll say it’s very small on the inside, they’ve got great patio seating and a cozy ambience. Just take my advice though – do NOT park in the parking lot that’s in between them and Bangkok Cuisine. It’s small, sketchy and not worth the risk. Just park in the street somewhere and walk over.
I’m hopeful that as this year progresses, more interesting bars, restaurants and concerts in Reno will pop up for me to cover! Especially as we all come out of hibernation from winter, I’m excited to see what new artists will take the stage and all the new friends and community will be there to connect with.
On to the next adventures!
