Barleens Arizona Opry

This was out 6^th visit. The show started out ok then just got better and better. What A Great Group of entertainers. Thanks.
My husband’s review is EXCELLENT SHOW.

Food was good and plenty of it!
Music wasn’t my favorite, but it was appropriate piked to show off the talent, and again there was plenty of it!
All musicians have multiple talents and fun, interactive personalities.
We brought a huge group that include children all the way down to three. Each person walked out of there happy!
Go and enjoy!

Saw Mark Lucas and the Wild Bunch. A fabulous show. Funny as any good stand up show and musically amazing. Highly recommend this.

Called for a reservation for dinner and show for our party of 4. We were told that we could sit at 4 different tables for dinner or we could could sit together for just the show only. We opted for the show only and had dinner at Filly’s Roadhouse prior.
First impression when we walked in was «Wow, what is that smell?» (and NOT in a good way!). It smelled of sweaty, old people. Then I looked around, and well, the room was huge and was filled to the capacity (500 ?) with sweaty, old people. At almost 50, we were definitely the youngest in the crowd. It was really hot and smelly in that big, huge room. If they’d opened a door or turned on the A/​C it would have helped.
The show itself is filled with talented people! The Barleen twins + one brother are very active in the show and do well at it. The absolute BEST performer and who made the show this past Friday night, though was… Michael Jay. Wow! He’s a bass singer with a 6 octave range and he knows what to do with his talents! Fantastically amazed & enjoyed the impressions he did!
On another note, the Barleens really need to update/​upgrade their parking lot. Just driving through trying to find a space, one notices right away that with the age group that they cater to, there is not enough handicapped parking space. They have the employee parking up front so that customers have to walk quite a distance. There are several torn up parts of the parking lot that need to be fixed (just setting up cones so that people avoid the damaged areas doesn’t really make sense). Maybe if they hire an engineer to re-​design their parking lot it would be more functional?
I’m glad we saw the show as it was something new to us and we were entertained. It was really nice that they ended the show with a religious song. Would I return? Probably not. Would I recommend it? Probably yes, but I would definitely share with the people I was talking with about it, about how they’d be packed in like sardines for dinner so I’d recommend eating prior and going for the show-​only.

New lineup is as good as ever. Over the years have frequented Opre many times and am so happy to see that the show remains a great experience. Great talent, homesyle cooking. Fun was had by entire group.

What an amazing experience! My grandma and I went to a matinée show earlier this week and we’re going again this weekend! The Christmas show is spectacular and the musicians are top notch. If you’re in the area, this is a must see for all ages

I was looking for something different to do on our Tuesday date night and Googled «things to do in AZ». The AZ Opry 70’s show popped up and I thought it was worth a try.
We really enjoyed the show! The 10 piece band performed at a steady pace with an large repertoire of songs and no «OMG get this over with» moments. The performers were extremely talented and really enjoyed what they were doing. It was easy to get into the show and sing along.
The food was better then what we expected with an A for the roast and a C+ for the chicken. The female singer also runs the kitchen, the sound guy is the bartender, band members collect tickets, etc. This is a family operation with 17 family members working at the venue so there is a vested interest in getting it right.
The audience consisted mainly of 60+. Hubby and I were on the younger side. I noticed that younger children enjoyed the show, but the angst ridden teenagers next to us were miserable. Aren’t they always that way? Just leave them at home — you will save money and have a better time.
I am putting this on our «places to take out of town visitors» list.
Go to the Arizona Opry and have fun.

Entertainment is great, dining is so-​so.

My husband and I visited the Arizona Opry with our grandparents. We’re in our mid-​thirties and were definitely the youngest people there in a room of 500 people. I went with low expectations but we’re leaving pretty impressed actually. The main performer (George) was amazingly talented and we could have watched him all day. Many of the other men were also terrific although I don’t recall their names. They each perform multiple instruments and the music is a huge variety. We both knew all the songs except two so they stick to the most popular ones. Yes, it’s a little cheesy but it was also cute and entertaining. Also, the food was delicious and like others noted, the portions were plenty.
My only complaint is the one female singer from today– she was terrible. I guess she was one of the twins who actually owns the place so I feel like everyone knows she’s a bad performer but she’s the owner so who’s really going to tell her? It was bad. She brought the quality of the whole performance way way down. Imagine one of Kristin Wiig’s characters from Saturday night live that seems so over the top it’s hard to watch then realize that’s exactly this lady for real.
When I asked my hubby what stars he would give them he said «4.5 or 5 surprisingly» but because of her we are only giving 4 stars.
I wouldn’t go there with a bunch of friends but when family comes into town and I’m at a loss for things to do, it’s actually a good option.

I don’t think Tim E. and I went to the same show. I went with a group just to be social, but was I surprised! The name threw me off making me expect podunk hick quality. The musicality is outstanding, they had a nice variety of styles and admittedly cheesy humor but the crowd ate it up. The food was great and hot. They now serve both chicken and pot roast. I didn’t finish it, not because it wasn’t good but because the portions were too generous. I won’t list the rest of the menu read the other reviews. I liked it so much we’re going back for Broadway Night. The venue does not smell. I’m guessing Tim E. is young and did not appreciate the quality of the classic rock n’ roll, western, jazz, musical theater and more. It is geared to their audience of 60 + and they know what they are doing

Came here with my family and was pleasantly surprised. From start to finish the show lasted 4 hours including a great dinner. All the performers are extremely talented musicians and pretty funny as well. The dinner was a great selection of American favorites including chicken, rice, roast beef, potatoes, fresh vegetables, and a roll. Take a look at the picture for an idea of what I mean. The one thing I didn’t like is the fact your in a huge room with 500+ people all sitting on both sides of tables making it cramped and hard to see for those facing the opposite way. But altogether it it was a fun experience with great food at a reasonable price so I would recommend it.

Really fun! The show is very entertaining and the musicians are very talented.

We have now seen about 7 shows at the Barleen’s Arizona Opry. Don’t get turned off by the name, thinking it is all old country music. It has its Willie Nelson, but the music is so varied (and played excellently by the 9 piece band) that you won’t care about the genre, your jaw will drop at the expertise of the players. Horns, guitars, keyboards, drums, and even 2 alpine horns, are so well played, you wonder why they are still in little Apache Junction, AZ (just east of Mesa). George Staerkel (married to a Barleen twin) is the music director and plays at least 20 instruments. No, not all at once, silly, but all well. The food is amazing considering they get the plated dinner served to 500 people in less than 20 minutes. The roast beef is great (even nights), and the veggies are al dente, and the large piece of chocolate cake usually goes first.
Bring your friends to this show for a great time. Kids maybe not so much, unless they are musicians and would appreciate high caliber performances.

I might be a bit biased since I’ve known the Barleen family for many years, however, this show is amazing! Very talented folk!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when my grandparents told my husband and me they got tickets for us all to see the Arizona Opry on a recent trip. I really wasn’t sure what to expect when we were waiting outside and realized we were about 50 years younger than the average guest.
But, ya know what? We had a good dinner (although the servers were extremely overly helpful. I swear our beverages were filled 20 times before dinner was even served.) And, the show, in all its expected variety show quirkiness, was fun to watch.
Would this have been my top choice for what to do in Arizona? Not so much. Top ten? Doubt it. But at the end of the day, we had a good time, so there you go.

If I could give this a zero star I would. The place smelled, the entertainment was sub par and the food wasn’t even good enough to give my dog. The owner/​manager/​management was some of the rudest people I’ve meet. They have a NYC attitude in a small quaint area. I loved Apache Junction but would steer anyone away from this if I could. The smell in the place might have been from all the old people, if your looking for a place to die, then this is your place.

If you see a family of traveling mountain style performers as a child, and then at the ripe old age of 29 are instantly reminded of them when you walk into a meateriffic heart attack inducing «Feedbag» style restaurant… doesn’t that say something about them as performers? I think it does. If you’re nearby, brink yer youngins. They’re gonna love it.
I had a tape that I bought of the Barleen Family for years. I have no idea what happened to it. SO tempted to call them up and order a CD. Seriously.

Move over Branson, Missouri! The Barleen family has built quite the variety show mecca in Apache Junction. The Arizona Opry is a hoot!
It’s like a 1980s Disney variety show (no characters) crossed with Hee Haw! One of the performers looks like John Denver and sings a few covers. (There’s a John Denver Tribute Show planned for February) Another dresses up like Willie Nelson. The husband is an original member of the Tokens (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and, of course, reprises the song as a part of the show. They play about 70 different instruments throughout the night.
The show takes place in a big hall off Old West Highway, filled with snowbirds and Red Hat Ladies. There’s a gift shop with novelties like blinking rings and yodeling pickles and a «record store» with CDs from all of the performers. They’ve created quite the library over the years!
For the low, low price of $ 29 including tax and tip ($ 22 for kids age 3 – 12), you get all of this PLUS a cafeteria-​inspired meal of roast beef or chicken (depending on the night) and chocolate cake. Lemonade and coffee are included and beer is available for $ 4.50/bottle.
It’s family fun, although, somewhat cheesy — you’ve gotta give it to them — they’ve got talent.
So, grab the kids or the old folks, and head out to the Opry. It’s a kick!