Rhythm Room   

As leader of the blues bar pack, the Rhythm Room rolls up its sleeves to unearth Phoenix's blues and R&B roots. The barroom lures top bands six nights a week, digging deep for local treasures and searching far afield for national acts. In between a wall of bar and a wall of stage, experienced pros and new cats mingle, knowing full well that this is a place of preeminent musicians. When the harmonica yowls, it's go time: All eyes are on the contorted faces of master musicians. Patrons savor raspy baritone bawls and painfully bent guitar strings. The centrally located Rhythm Room has plenty of seating and parking to handle its stature as a Phoenix institution of live music. If the sparse rectangular atmosphere of the room doesn't do it for you, the rhythm will surely get you. -- Michael Brennan