This is the largest, non-arena live music venue in the state of Arizona and is located right next to Tempe Town Lake; which frequently hosts some of the largest outdoor live music events in the country. The Marquee is owned and operated by the largest live events production company in Arizona, Luckyman Productions—who brings most of the biggest bands into the state each month and is gigantic.

This theatre has a massive capacity that can hold as many as 2500 persons—which it frequently does due the huge bands it brings in such as Seether or Crossfade. The interior is very nice, featuring a main lobby that has several vendor booths where patrons can order cold beer and hot eats. There is one main theatre which has no seating and is basically a concrete floor that angels upwards the further back that you stand—so everybody can see the stage.

The main stage is outfitted with some of the best gear currently available and is rather large—one of the biggest stages in the state. If you are considering attending a show at the Marquee make sure you park elsewhere, unless you want fork out $20 for a parking space; if any are left. You will wait in a rather long line to get in, so arrive early. Security is tight, be prepared to take your shoes and your socks off while they search you. Ample interior room, large bathrooms and a huge outdoor patio also compliment the best live music venue in Tempe.

This venue is simply put, enormous. They have, for a long time running, been considered one of the larger capacity venues in the city of Tempe. Conveniently located in the heart of this college city—they regularly host regional and national acts. You can even buy tickets to see your favorite band on their website (see link) and you can also check out their even calendar and see who is playing and when.

The inside of the club is split into three levels—all offering different varieties of live music. The patio is huge and features several pool tables and outdoor bars, and of course a live stage for music. The inside is split into three; the main area hosting a huge wrap-around bar and about 20 pool tables and other bar games. The second area is a smaller version of the main area, and has pool tables and smaller bar.

Finally the main stage is off to the right of the front door. This enormous room has the capacity to hold 800+ people and is outfitted with a huge stage, tons of stacked speakers, a very long bar, and a greenroom in the back for bands who are waiting to perform. They will also host all-ages shows from time to time. Their sound equipment is ageing however, and is in dire need of maintenance, which they seem apt to perform. That aside—this club is a great and very large live music venue that offers live performances seven nights per week.

Other notable live music venues:

This is one of the most well-known and largest capacity music venues in the city of Tempe. They have, what is considered by many local bands to be, one of the best outfitted stages in the state. More national acts and regional acts pass through the Clubhouse each week than anywhere else in the state, with the exception of course to the major arenas and theatres.

They feature live bands seven nights per week and they always offer all-ages admittance, although you will have to stand in a certain section of the club that is roped off if you are underage. Their stage is enormously impressive, and runs at least hundred feet long and is about fifty feet deep, with an all-pro drum riser. They also feature two—count them two—greenrooms for bands that are waiting to take the stage. Ample parking nearby and tons of room inside allows this club to easily pack 1000-1500 fans inside to see and hear their favorite bands.

Typically they will have several very popular local bands open up the night for the headlining national or regional acts. You can easily buy tickets to any of their upcoming events via their handy website, which also lets you create your own profile so you can post comments in their forum and be informed of up and coming shows. If you plan on attending a show here, ARRIVE EARLY—this place is always packed out the door and once they reach capacity, if you don’t have a ticket, you are not getting in.

Last Exit has been forever and a day been a local haven for both great local bands and national and regional acts. Frequented often by some of Arizona’s finest major label bands, such as Authority Zero and Scottie Johnson (Gin Blossoms), this venue has very quickly made a good name for itself. There is live music here seven nights per week—and it never costs more than $5 or $10 to get in. They also host comedy nights and other special events from time to time.

The club has a capacity of about 200, and yes it frequently will reach its capacity when hot bands are performing. If you intend to catch a live show here, make sure to check out the event calendar on their website—also make sure that you arrive early enough to the see the band that you are interested in; otherwise you may not get in—or you will have to wait in a very long line. Their equipment is state-of-the-art and provides for a great and well-mixed live sound. They have plenty of tables for seating and a large area of empty space in front of the stage for fans to jump around and cheer on their favorite artists.

The Stray Cat Bar and Grill in Tempe, Arizona is one of the oldest and best-known live music venues that Tempe has to offer. This place is frequently host to some of the best known local bands in the city. They pride themselves on their large building that has  ample seating for a few hundred patrons and very nice stage that rises more than three feet off the ground; they also have all the favored bar games; shuffleboard, pool and darts.

Stray Cat also features one of the better live sound mixes that you will find in any local club in the city of Tempe. Live music is offered seven nights per week and the place typically is packed solid on Friday and Saturday nights, as fans line up to see their favorite local bands perform. A great stage, friendly and courteous staff and some of the best live sound you will hear in the state, compliment this awesome and tucked-in-the-wall club.