“A basement venue and bar? It’s gonna be fun,” Levy told Phoenix New Times prior to opening. “That’s it. There’s no real rhyme or reason besides that.”
Despite early doubts about whether it would succeed, Valley Bar quickly became a hit. Over the next 10 years, the underground spot located in the basement of the circa-1949 building at Central Avenue and Monroe Street drew in downtown dwellers of every description.
They lined up outside its alleyway entrance, then descended into the dimly lit, kitsch-filled Rose Room — so named for Arizona Governor Rose Mofford — for stylish cocktails inspired by local politicians or made their way into the adjacent music hall for shows. Like its sister venue, Crescent Ballroom — also owned by Charlie Levy — Valley Bar hosted an eclectic mix of touring artists, local bands, and DJs. Over the past decade, indie favorites such as YACHT, Chuck Ragan, Tijuana Panthers, Six Organs of Admittance and Holy Fuck have stepped onto its stage. The lineup has also included acts as varied as nerdcore rapper Schäffer The Darklord to Australian-born Celtic rock band The Rumjacks.
A variety of notable Valley bands — including The Senators, Wheelwright and Sundressed, among others — have regularly taken the stage for regular performances and special occasions like album release parties or anniversary shows. Weekly dance nights have showcased everything from R&B grooves and Latin hits to high-energy IDM.(or intelligent dance music for your filthy casuals).
Valley Bar has hosted more than just music since opening its doors a decade ago. Drag nights, fashion shows, themed trivia events and even a weekly chess club have had a home within its subterranean setting.
Here’s a look back at some of the epic and memorable shows and events that have taken place at Valley Bar in honor of its 10th anniversary.
Phoenix drag artist Coco St. James performs at the DeStrange Fruit drag night in June 2015 at Valley Bar.
Legendary cult film actress Mink Stole performs a living singing set at the DeStrange Fruit drag night in June 2015.
Local Latin music ensemble Jaleo — which blends the sounds of salsa, jazz, cumbia, merengue and other genres — performs onstage at Valley Bar in June 2015.
Acclaimed local soul/R&B vocalist Larry Bailey with his backing band at Valley Bar's Funky Soul Fourth in July 2015.
DJ M2 on the decks during the first session of long-running Phoenix hip-hop night The Blunt Club at Valley Bar in August 2015.
Benjamin Leatherman
Longtime b-boy artist Edson “House” Magaña shows off his moves during The Blunt Club at Valley Bar in August 2015.
Benjamin Leatherman
Pop star Joe Jonas played to a packed house when he brought his dance-rock side project DNCE to Valley Bar in November 2015.
Local performance artist Rance Granthrax Jorgensen of the Agents of Lust lights up the exterior of Valley Bar in November 2016 during the clown-themed Red Nose Rampage bar crawl.
Benjamin Leatherman
James Bagshaw of Temples plays at Valley Bar during Viva PHX music festival in March 2017. Sets took place both inside the venue and on the Punk Rock Alley stage outside.
Jim Louvau
Damian Abraham of Fucked Up fiercely sings during the hardcore band’s set on the Punk Rock Alley stage outside Valley Bar at Viva PHX 2017.
Jim Louvau
Phoenix alt-country band American Longspurs has played Valley Bar on multiple occasions, including this gig in September 2017.
Accordion player Monique Reina performs with collaborative local music project Kabarett during their Bizarre Noir show in October 2017.
Participants of the Santarchy costumed bar crawl pose for a festive photo in December 2017.
Benjamin Leatherman
All-female garage rockers The Darts play for a packed crowd at Valley Bar in December 2017.
Jim Louvau
Indie singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco drew a huge crowd for his December 2018 outdoor concert at Valley Bar.
Justin Yee
Geek rapper Schäffer The Darklord during a stop by the Mt. Nerdcore tour — which also featured MC Lars, Phoenix artist Mega Ran and MC Frontalot — at Valley Bar in October 2018.
