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Downtown Riverside's streets are packed with weekend party-goers as the city's nightlife scene continues to bloom, but the evolution has left a noticeable gap for mid-sized live music venues.
Live Nation's management of the Fox Performing Arts Center and Riverside Municipal Auditorium has brought bigger acts more frequently, while investment along University Avenue has created a nightclub district that draws visitors from throughout the Inland Empire.
The packed streets on weekend nights demonstrate how Riverside has become a destination for nightlife, attracting young people from well beyond city limits.
Despite this growth, venues that once showcased local original music have dwindled. The Concert Lounge and MTL have closed, while Back to the Grind, Pixels, and Lake Alice host live bands less frequently than in previous years.
The Hideaway Bar & Grill on Mission Inn Avenue books bands approximately twice monthly, maintaining some live music presence downtown. These shows suggest there remains an audience for live music in smaller settings.
The newest addition to downtown's music scene aims to help fill this gap. The Garden Room, located on the lower level of the Riverside Municipal Auditorium, provides space for acts that don't require the main auditorium's capacity.
"The Garden Room at Riverside Municipal Auditorium is an intimate space, perfect for getting up close and personal with some of the most electric local, up-and-coming bands," said Justine Hawelu. "Tucked away at the bottom of the RMA, this small room packs a big punch."
The venue offers a platform for local talent with aspirations of eventually performing in larger venues.
Music industry experts note that cities need venues of various sizes to develop a healthy music ecosystem. Without mid-sized venues, emerging artists often struggle to find appropriate performance spaces as their audiences grow beyond small clubs but remain insufficient for large theaters.
The absence of 200-300 capacity rooms with proper sound systems creates a gap for touring bands making stops between major cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
Local musicians also face challenges finding performance opportunities. Some have advocated for including music venues in downtown development planning discussions.
Some upcoming development projects have designated ground-floor space for entertainment purposes, though specific plans remain unannounced for many of these locations.
Music venues enhance Riverside's identity as an arts-centered community while contributing to the local economy through food, beverage, and parking revenue.
For now, The Garden Room offers one solution as the city's nightlife continues to evolve, potentially inspiring further investment in live music spaces throughout Riverside.
With continued development downtown and in other areas, Riverside has the opportunity to expand its role as a city committed to the arts by supporting venues of all sizes.
