Last Exit Live

I visited Last Exit Live for the first time last night to help my friend record a film session with one of the bands (The Copper States). I was excited for the opportunity to experience Last Exit Live firsthand, though, because I’ve been meaning to visit for months now.
I’ll spill the beans early and just say that I was very pleased with my time at Last Exit Live. Having been a musician myself some years back, and having a pretty discerning ear in that regard, there are certain things I look for in a local music venue.
Most importantly: sound. Is it too loud? Can you hear the vocals against the rest of the music? Are the stage monitors washing into the crowd’s listening experience? Are the lows muddy? Can the room itself handle the audio output of the sound system?
I was fortunate because of my reasons for being there to experience not only the main show, but also the sound check beforehand. And I have to say: despite the small size of Last Exit Live, the sound was pretty spot on, and the sound engineer was LEGIT.
I’d definitely go back to Last Exit Live. It was a good group there, the interior was spacious despite its small size, and the outdoor patio was a nice little surprise, too. Definitely a «hidden gem» in the downtown Phoenix music scene.
The area is a bit sketchy, but I’d consider the visit well worth it. Plus, The Duce is within walking distance, which is AWESOME! Oh, and the owner was super helpful, too. Very interactive and involved, which I enjoyed seeing.
Can’t wait to go back for another show! Thank you, Last Exit Live crew, for taking pride in what you do and for doing the hard work of establishing yourself as a worthwhile presence in the budding Phoenix community and art scene.
Reader: if you’ve never been — GO! You won’t be disappointed. :)

Worst venue ever. Entitled bartender and shitty turn out do not come ever. Just terrible!

Tonight was a Motown special at Last Exit! They played «Cupid» by Amy Winehouse, I’m in heaven.
They have a small beer draft list but the conversation with the bartender was priceless.
The DJ’s killed the turn tables tonight! Loved it… The two of them spinning the records into gold!!!
The big screen with Soul Train playing was awesome… It reminded of the movie Crooklyn (Spike Lee Joint)
I had a blast and I never want this to be my Last Exit!!!

Checked out the Dry River Yacht Club and Diego’s Umbrella last night and had a real good time. LEL is certainly in the dive bar category with low light and that slightly rundown feel but it works very well for a music venue. The staff is excellent and actually take the time to talk with you and the solo bartender handled the bar like a pro by himself with a lot of people. I never waited (though I tip good :)) for a drink and I have not seen a bartender move like that since I lived in NY/​NJ area. The doorman was cool and was great to talk to on the way out.
The stage though small fit a good six pieces up there and the sound was very very good for such a small room. If you get a chance to see a show here you will be very happy with the sound.
The crowd was cool and diverse though I suspect that was more to do with the bands than the bar. I will certainly keep my eyes open for future events here and would love to see more $ 10 shows like last night. I have so much more fun than the big venues that are asking for ridiculous amounts of money.

I sadly can’t speak to the cocktails or drinks, but I CAN speak to the space/​atmosphere and the INCREDIBLE staff/​ownership.
I came in severely dehydrated after a day in the Arizona sun without enough water, and almost fainted in the bathroom. The management immediately welcomed me into their office, gave me everything I could need, and kept checking in on my well-​being (despite how embarrassed I was, and how insistent that they not worry about me). They were truly so incredible, and I’m grateful to them – even just from that, who wouldn’t want to support this establishment?
The atmosphere is dark and fun. Not at all sketchy… feels divey in the best way. Think of Crescent Ballroom.
I recommend this place!

Consistently the best sound and lighting of any venue. The owner is great. Nice outside area. It’s a little too dark between shows which forces you outside with the smokers, which is gross for a non-​smoker, but other than that it’s perfect.

The music was great though the bar was dirty sand the crowd was older. I watched the make bartender take tissue to wipe up something next to the toilet with his bare hands & didn’t wash them. He went right back behind the bar to serve… GROSS!

Really enjoyed the bands, the sound and lighting. First time here and it is a killer venue. Cannot wait to go back. We really had a great time.

The sound system is good here. Perfect clear sound. Up close and personal with the bands. Great vibe here. Will come back for sure.

Nice little venue. Acoustics are as good as can be in a concrete building. They have a full bar with reasonable prices. The owner was nice. He put my coat in the office since they didn’t have a coat check. Big outside smoking area. I had a good time at the show!

Hole in the wall, but a great place to get super close to your favorite act. Great selection of craft beers for $ 5. Sound was solid. Parking was free and easy. It ain’t quite the Crescent Ballroom. but it ain’t bad.

Staff was super friendly. The place is very clean no shady rude bouncers or «security» here definitely a good place to catch a show. Saw Strand of Oaks here and had a great time.

Horrible sound system. Should of been fixed when the first artist complained but this went on throughout the whole show.
Never have I been ANYWHERE where the staff puts down the artists. And usually when «fans» get kinda crazy security kicks them out. Apparently it’s the artists job to kick out the trash here.
BARTENDER NEEDS TO BE OUT OF A JOB.
Just little obnoxious details.
The guy working the door didn’t know how to put on wristbands. Haha but had a good sense of humor about it
The bathroom door was awkwardly heavy. Like I waited for 2 minutes because I wasn’t sure if it was locked and somebody was in there. I know I’m like 100 pounds but exiting the bathroom the door would shut fast and push me out. Ladies be careful in heels!

Rude staff. Shitty sound. Won’t ever be coming back here regardless of who is playing. I dont understand how any staff member could think it is ok to trash an artist when they are preforming. It doesn’t matter if the person doesn’t like the artist, but at least respect them enough to let them preform. That stupid bitch bartender deserves to be fired.

Where is the no star option? This place deserves none. Do not come here to see your favorite artist. The sound is shitty, and that bartender! Who does the hiring at this place? Rude human being who disrespects the artist during their set. Bartenders are suppose to be friendly people, not this one.
They need to get fired, maybe the place should be set on fire too. Sorry Not sorry!
AVOID THIS PLACE! You have been warned.

Umm are all y’all reviewing the same place as I am? Sound system/​sound man was whack, microphone shorts, and he couldn’t give a shit frankly.
Bar tender was giving everyone attitude all night. Wish it was just «another chick paranoia» but even my single guy friends said she was belittling them for ordering a beer. & wearing this strange outfit of tube socks, daisy dukes, an ill-​fitting cut up t-​shirt, backwards trucker hat? She seems very confused. Very. I was sworn at for handing her tip at the end of the night. That’s good.
The only good thing LEL had going for it last night was the door man, Chris! This guy is the shit! A real gentleman to everyone, Incredibly accommodating and kind, shame he has to work with people with such bad attitudes.

Been a while for me to see a good live music venue in Phoenix for non-​established acts. The owner Brandon is working the bar and they only have beer and wine right now, but a $ 10 cover to see new acts on a Thursday makes for the kind of vibe like discovering the next Gin Blossoms before they became famous.
The downside is the location. The Last Exit is just south of downtown where Central ave. and 1^st ave. split. Cabbies don’t know how to find it yet, so getting here is an adventure.
If you are interested in the music scene of Phoenix, you can’t miss checking this place out.

As my girl and I leave Gilbert in search of live music we hit this place for the first time. Our excitement is high after we just left the Crescent Ballroom and head over to our 2^nd bar of the night… F*%K ME… what a waste. No parking at all, we walk up and pay $ 10 cover EACH… this is going to be good right… No…no seating, theres like 4 tables and people sitting on the floor watching a guy playing acoustic guitar on stage. Maybe 25 people in there… and NO ALCOHOL… beer and wine only. I payed $ 20 for open mic and a horrible draft beer. I have no idea what I paid $ 20 for. Last Exit… Last time for me!!!

Hands down my favorite venue/​bar in town!
Well air conditioned great space inside, comfortable patio outside if you want to chat, the sound system is fantastic, the bands they book never disappoint, the drinks are tasty, and there are always interesting, friendly people there. I love that they have so many week night shows, there is always something fun happening.
(Weird bonus, the ladies bathroom is nice — an unusual perk for the bars I am used to).

Originally Last Exit Live existed in a small Tempe shopping center and bands like Gin Blossoms, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and The Format had played there. The venue shuttered years ago only to reopen in central Phoenix mere blocks south of Chase Field in March 2013. While the Last Exit Live named lived on through co-owner’s, Brannon’s, booking live music through the valley, it was finally time to reopen the Last Exit Live venue. This time it was central Phoenix and is the perfect venue for 150~ people in the old Ruby Room warehouse. Last Exit Live forwent a full liquor license to pump more money into the sound system to create the perfect mid-​level music venue in Phoenix. Between a near perfect sound system and awesome light system, with a beer and wine license and food trucks on the weekends, this is the place to be. Last Exit Live has changed the game for Arizona music.