Downtown Phoenix’s claim as Arizona’s No. 1 destination for live music was strengthened this week when Stateside Presents opened Crescent Ballroom, a mid-size venue already attracting big-time buzz.
Located at 308 N. 2nd Ave., in the early 19oos-era building formerly occupied by Bentley’s nightclub, Crescent artfully revamped the space into separate lounge and theater spaces. Benjamin Leatherman of Phoenix New Times described the venue this way after attending Monday’s Grand Opening featuring Blind Pilots (photo below taken by Ernie Rodriguez):
“Crescent Ballroom mixes all the best parts of other Downtown Phoenix venues both past and present into its milieu. There’s the exposed brick and wooden rafters look and intimate vibe of Modified Arts back when it hosted regular shows. Its centralized location and large stage evokes the feel of the bygone Brickhouse, while the arty drink selection and darkened ambiance of the lounge remind you of the Lost Leaf.”
If Letherman’s wonderfully woven words don’t close the deal, foodies will be interested to learn that Crescent will soon open a kitchen, Cocina 10, run by all-star chefs Chris Bianco (Pizzeria Bianco) and Doug Robson (Gallo Blanco),which will open later this month.
Or, if you’re all about the music, take a gander at Crescent Ballroom’s full calendar, which offers a little bit of everything including local and regional up-and-comers (Black Carl, Dry River Yacht Club) DJs (Melo, Kismet), jazz, blues, and the hippests of hip indie rock (Blitzen Trapper, The Naked and the Famous, St. Vincent, Deer Tick).
The Crescent Ballroom lounge, one of 20 bars participating in the Oct. 22 Downtown Phoenix Pub Crawl, opens daily at 4 p.m.
Track the venue’s evolution on Facebook and Twitter.
Rock on.