A&R Music Bar

If you see that a band you like is playing here, follow the tour to the next stop. This is not a great room for bands. I've been here a few times. About half the crowd can fit in front of the stage. The rest are tripping over each other in the traffic area in front of the bar trying to see around the columns. I used to go stand near the front on the side of the stage but they don't allow the crowd over there anymore. You could literally put the stage anywhere else in the room and improve the place. It's cozy and the sound is okay so if you don't expect a large crowd it would be fine. For The Record Company we would have had to arrive when doors open and stand in our space for four hours to maintain a spot where we could see the band. Promowest has a number of good venues. This isn't one of them. I don't like to show up two hours early just so I can see the band. I'll take a venue like The Newport where you can see well from nearly everywhere. A&R is a poorly conceived, poorly laid out, inhospitable, uncomfortable mess. I'm a veteran of hundreds of concerts and I'll choose a different venue next time. The columns make this room a challenge. Promowest has figured out how to lay the room out in possible they worst way. In my experience, if you walk into a venue and have to walk by the stage to get in...you're not in a great room. Add five or six columns that perfectly sit between half your audience and the center of the stage and it's a recipe for a bad experience. See my picture for an example of what you're in for.

Great venue. Staff always cool. Great spot to go. Bathrooms kept up and space is great for shows! Parking easy too!

Good bar service and nice atmosphere with a small corner stage

First time visit to the venue was for Emo night. Smaller in size, so makes for a good view at any spot but also a little crowded. I would attend other shows here, though, so definitely a cool spot.

Was going to buy tickets, but the venue charges a 20 "service" fee. No thanks. I'll see the show somewhere else.

Saw an amazing show here last night - great energy in a sold-out Des Rocs show! Great sound and atmosphere. Very easy to get to from out of town, with close parking. Been to a couple shows here and had a great experience!