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Rips Bar
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
25 reviews for Rips Bar
Review Highlights
"I definitely will be coming back next month for Obscura."
(in 12 reviews)
"...fun dance night held at Rips Bar every second Saturday."
(in 3 reviews)
"...a typical night for Rip's, but is an AWESOME dance night."
(in 4 reviews)
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25 reviews in English
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Review from adrian f.
Phoenix, AZ
9/15/2011 3 Check-ins Here
OK... I went to Rip's for my very frist time just two weeks ago. I had very high expectations... the place looks SO RAD from the outside with its old school sign and oddly shaped building! Biggest. Letdown. Ever. It was a Monday night, so as you can probably guess we walked into a pretty empty bar. To make the experience even more awkward, we were greeted by karaoke. Bad karaoke. I mean really bad. I immediately began to draft this Yelp review in my head...
But then my wife suggested we come back for Obscura that following Saturday. So I held off. I wanted to give Rip's a second chance, because deep down I really wanted to like it.
Fast forward to Saturday night: Obscura. Upon walking in, we were greeted with a much different scene... Loud (but good) music, lights, dancing, and PEOPLE... lots and lots of people! We hung out at a table on the smoking patio, crushing $3 Dale's Pale Ale (also a huge draw for me), and after a few drinks decided to go back inside and get our dance on!! The music was great, the drinks were cheap, and everyone was just there to have a great time!
Will I ever be back on a Monday? No way in hell. But I'm at least open to coming back on a weekend, and I'll definitely check out Obscura again in the near future! -
Review from Mr K.
8/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Man, what a wasted opportunity to discover Obscura right before I shoved off to work thousands of miles away on another continent.
I randomly ventured into Rips on my way home after a full night out in Tempe, given that it was practically spitting distance from me. What I encountered once inside was a full-on modern rock dance party going on in the back, folks all chill playing pool up front, and a collection of randoms enjoy their cheap drinks at the bar.
The music that played while I was there? I documented a selection:
* "Crash" by the Primitives
* "Cars" by Gary Numan
* "Cities in Dust" by Siouxsie & The Banshees
* "Lust for Life" by Iggy Pop
* "Close to Me" by the Cure
* "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division
* "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo
* "I Beg Your Pardon (I Never Promised You A Rose Garden)" by Kon Kan
Groups of friends, many in black, dancing up a storm (reminiscent of the Goth kids whenever "Bizarre Love Triange" played during high school dances). I was a little taken aback since so many of the folks on the floor looked no older than their early 20s - about the age of a lot of the songs they were dancing to. Rest assured, there were older folks at Rips enjoying the tunes as well, with memories of their teen selves in their bedrooms recording these songs from the radio on their Sony dual cassette boombox, futilely trying to avoid the DJ's voice from chiming in too early and ruining everything.
Besides the crowd enjoying the dance floor, there were other patrons enjoying the atmosphere by the bar. This included two hipster guys trying to recreate moves by Kid N Play, one girl lying on her chest on top of a bar stool and another guy spinning her around by her legs (amazingly, she didn't fly off), and yet another guy planking between two stools and his friends doing the limbo under him.
Did I mention this place has cheap drinks?
I was enjoying mine while observing everything happening around me, when an old guy with very few teeth came up to me, angry. "Everyone else here is too drunk to play pool! What are these fools doing? Did you see that? Hey, you know what gangsters in Sicily do with anyone who crosses them? They first hit their knees with..."
"Sorry, my English bad. Only here for Kon Kan!" I replied in a thick accent. He walked away, confused and cursing.
All in all, if I'm ever back in town on the weekend that Obscura is happening (and for some reason I've magically conquered jet lag), I'll be here. To me, it's like listening to Live 105 in San Francisco back in high school all over again. Except this time it's combined with a live genetic hybrid of Club MTV, 120 Minutes, Jackass, and just plain old WTF?
4 Stars. -
Review from François M.
Phoenix, AZ
2/9/2012
Obscura hypes up great music and dancing. I say ugly people and bad djs. One of the djs offered me PCP last time I was there. True story.
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Review from Brian S.
Sarasota, FL
2/8/2012
Fantastic place! Soo cool from the outside, pretty cool inside. Cheap good drinks - decent music, the karaoke was, well.. karaoke. I'd definitely go back.
Hey, anyone know if RIPS Sports Bar in Venice, FL is the same owner???? Different vibe, but same name. -
Review from Eric R.
12/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great dive bar that serves up stiff drinks that won't hurt your wallet. The inside is dark, ghetto and retro. They have local art on the walls which I think is awesome. The front entrance is where you'll find a pool table, behind which is a long bar which leads to a dance floor/staging area when they have live entertainment. You'll usually find a friendly crowd and no attitude or pretense from either them or you bartender. As with any dive bar, you will of course have to contend with the requisite weirdo who wants to tell you about his days working the railroad. At this point though you can excuse yourself to the patio for a smoke. This is more of a place where you would probably wind up to end the night......or after brunch after drank all the mimosas.
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Review from James F.
Phoenix, AZ
12/11/2011
More like Rip offs. Got dragged here last night by some friends. Wasn't impressed the first time I went a few months ago so I didn't have much for expectations. $5 dollar cover for 80's music? That's fine I guess. Could've gone to the Crescent where there's a better DJ for free. They also gave us "2 for 1" coupons at the door that we could use for drinks. Not bad I guess. I had a Boddington's and two Sessions that I used my 2fer card on. Ended up leaving in a hurry and didn't notice when I closed my tab that they charged me $24 for my three beers!!!!! One of which was supposedly free!!!!! Seriously!? I didn't realize it until I looked at my bank statement today. Don't have a receipt and don't want to waste the time and effort to go talk to whatever sketchy-ass bartender is working there. Leaves me no choice but to dispute it with my credit card company. Never going back.
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Review from Selina C.
Orange County, CA
4/10/2011
My girl friends and I finally made it to Obscura last night and we had an amazing time! The night started with some indie tunes here and some electro songs there, which was a nice change from the usual, booty-poppin, bumpin n' grindin songs you'd hear at other bars or clubs. As the night progressed, they started playing a lot of old songs from the 80's and 90's, and I was seriously in HEAVEN! (Anybody that knows me well knows that I am in love with 80's music...) Every song that was played kept me out on the dancefloor! If it hadn't been for the plans we made with other friends later in the night, we would have stayed until closing time.
In addition to awesome music, they have wallet-friendly prices on drinks all night. And from my experience last night, the people here were cool. And didn't have to deal with the unpleasant surprise of a creeper sneaking up from behind and dancing with their crotch on me, which is probably why I don't go out to bars or clubs so much anymore.
I wish this place was closer to my house! But of course, being in the West Valley, there isn't anything too cool and exciting until you've reached Phoenix and east...
I definitely will be coming back next month for Obscura! -
Review from Bill B.
Jefferson, CO
2/27/2011
What's to like about this funky geodesic-dome-looking hold-over from the 1960's?
Lots of things:
Drink deals. Tall doubles for $3.50 on the wells the night we were there. They have Stella and some other good beers on tap.
Live music and cool DJ's.
The don't-give-a-fuck feel of a skid row place.
A wild variety of regulars of every race and persuasion. Some old gay guys didn't get the memo that it's no longer a gay club, so they hang around anyway. They're not out to get you.
Go if you know what a dive looks like and enjoy the atmosphere of a dive.
This isn't a place to pose. It's a place to drink cheaply and hear some different tunes, and talk to people with a different outlook on life.
What's not to like about this place?
The pool table is positioned so you need to place the cue between people sitting at the bar to make half of your shots. -
Review from Fred M.
Phoenix, AZ
10/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is not what I expected. I expected a hipster bar with a decent selection of beers (it says ales) in a funky but cool building. What I got was an alcoholic bar with a shit selection of drinks and beers, and a bunch of 60 year olds who had been drinking alone since 'Nam ended.
This place is grimy, dirty, and kind of scary. There were a few charachters who came in through the front door and scared the crap out of everyone. There was a guy smoking in the bar and the bartender didn't ask him to stop. It's just a shit hole. -
Review from Jana S.
1/5/2011
It's like the long lost cousin of Shady's. This place is a random haven for those who like cheap drinks and popcorn to nibble on at the bar. Old arcade games, a pool table and open mic night set the scene for this dirty bar that I am a bit fond of. The building, the music and the people can be lumped into the 'retro' category.
If you're an old dude with long hair, if you like to wear denim jackets and if you like cheap drinks then go to Rips. -
Review from SuckerPunch X.
Phoenix, AZ
2/19/2011
This place reminds me of Ky's in the early days when Randy was working the place. I am a big fan of Ky's, GLAM and Shady's. And if you don't know either then you won't understand this at all.
I know they keep advertising this place to all you tempe kids and scottsdale schmucks, but really Rips is a neighborhood bar. So if you don't like hanging out in the shadows with some shady characters walking in the door once in a while, like the pussy below, and a nice pour on the drinks then head back to your home town and your comfort zone because we are very comfortable without you here.
To the Owners... Dave, Karl and Monique, if you want this place to stay alive don't advertise it. Word of mouth is better. Those tempe kids will drop Rips like a hot potato the day they don't see tons of action. Same with the snottsdale douchbags. If you wanna keep Rip's ripping it up then let it develop a strong local vibe.
BTW Obcsura rocks and so does Dj Manchester. -
Review from Shannon S.
Phoenix, AZ
8/23/2010
I go to Rip's only when Obscura is happening, the second Saturday of each month. I don't know if it's only during Obscura, but drinks are way cheaper than other bars, between $3-$5. I'm not sure how they determine that, as some bartenders only charge me $3 and others $5. Sometimes there are (kind of annoying) drink promoters there handing out such fun things as footballs and key chains and shots of whatever drink they are promoting.
Obscura is a fun time for people who like good music. As in good music, I mean cool music that is considered "indie" and/or Brit pop, good stuff from the 90s. The DJ Roya and DJ Funkfinger always bring a good show. Obscura also features prizes from a raffle. I have never won, but at least one or more of my friends wins each time. The prizes include new release CDs, tickets to shows, etc.
Rip's also has numerous other theme nights, but I have not been yet. I'm sure those might be just as fun. I get invites from their Facebook account for 80s night and other theme nights.
I will definitely be back in the next months during Obscura. -
Review from Alison H.
Phoenix, AZ
1/26/2011
Love my neighborhood bar! The late crowd are always friends of mine and they let you bring your dog if it's leashed and s/he stays on the patio. There's a heater on the patio we congregate around and update each other on the state of our individual affairs, drink cheap drinks, then trickle out towards home.
They have all the typical bar-ry type things like karaoke, live music and deejays, and poker night, but you can tune it all out if you sit outside normally, or participate if you so choose. Obscura weekends are pretty hectic and a little too crowded for me, so I go on a Wednesday night (or whatever) when it's mellow.
Two enthusiastic thumbs up. -
Review from David D.
Phoenix, AZ
10/21/2010
11/21 update - No more William Reed on Friday nights. His show has moved to Bar Smith since. Nice thing about Rips is that one can walk down to Phil's if it's slow here.
Rips is great - but only if you go on a Friday or Saturday night. Friday night is Sticky Fingers - hosted by William F**king Reed, an awesome, versatile DJ. All I can tell you is there's no cover, unless his act is preceding a show. Although this venue is perfectly suited for acts such as Reed's.
Second Saturdays is Obscura which is popular, yet I've not attended. Rips brings back memories of the Rogue east circa 05-06. I think the beers are $3-4. Just a chill environment to listen to great music. On other nights, this will probably be your average dive bar with a few locals. -
Review from michele c.
Tempe, AZ
5/9/2010
Obscura is super fun dance night held at Rips Bar every second Saturday! Obscura is a blend of indie, 80's new wave, with some Britt pop and 60's mod & soul. The crowd is really unpretentious and varied, mostly 20's to mid-to-late 30's. Everyone gets a raffle ticket and tons of prizes are given away all night long, usually concert tickets to almost all of the upcoming local indie shows, cd's, movie tickets along with a bunch of other fun swag. It's packed every month and a total blast!
Expect to hear bands like The Smiths, MGMT, Depeche Mode, Phoenix, MIA, La Roux, Joan Jett, Passion Pit, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, James, Joy Division, The Clash, Rolling Stones, Killers, Vampire Weekend, Gorillaz, The Cure, James Brown, Jackson 5, The Ramones, New Order, Neds Atomic Dustbin, etc. spun by DJ Roya and Phx New Times/Az Republic's best DJ nominee Funkfinger.
Rips is a great neighborhood dive bar, centrally located in Phoenix and sells the cheapest drinks in town! They have darts, fooseball and a pool table. The bar is somewhat split in half, a dance area (when Obscura is happening) and game/lounging area for the folks who want to just hang out and listen to good music but not necessarily dance. There is also an outside smoking patio. -
Review from Brenda L.
Tempe, AZ
12/16/2010
Went in this Wed night to get away from the housemates. Was not in the most upbeat manner. Found the place boring. Football on all screens jukebox cut off. Bunch of old guys mostly. The rest were mostly fat couples getting wasted and guys with to much sideburns.
Then a couple of brothers (black men) also old walked in wearing their throw back Shaft leather jackets. Totally weird crowd!
The bartender was a slim young woman that needs to go to bartending school. I watched her attempt to make cocktails with more than 2 ingredients. What a disaster! She over pours and under pours and added some ingredients like whiskey to what was suppose to be a long island! Pours the largest straigt shoots I have ever seen and I tell you I have been to bars like in MT, WY, AK and New Orleans and not seen anything close to this size of a shoot!
Consulted with some off duty guy on how to make 6 Kamikazes (ended up being 5 and she had to make another that end up being 2.5 drinks instead of 1) and together with a book they came up with a cranberry version because, get this they have no lime juice! What sorta bar in the SW opens its doors without LIMES or LIME JUICE? The guy kept calling the drink Cosmos and I kept repeating I know the difference and the order was KAMIKAZES. Then he brings me the book and is still pointing out Cosmos! I verbally give the bartender the recipe for Kamikazes plus the variation for a blue one. Guy says you must make a lot of drinks! I say you want to hire me - I've got experience?
I tell you if they want to keep the doors open they better get some help with bar and budget knowledge. The budget is being shoot by over pours and wrong pours and if the liquor control sees this they're certian to be busted/fined. Hey but the bartender knows how to wash glasses well so that was a relief to see.
And it's true that drinks are about $4 though the sign says $5! LOL
What an experience. I left confident in my bartending skills though I haven't poured in a month! -
Review from Andrew V.
Phoenix, AZ
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Rip's has become our favorite neighborhood bar for a few reasons. The first and most important being Karaoke. There's a reason it was voted best in the valley (New Times '11). Karaoke is usually pretty terrible, but not at Rip's - the host, Jen, is a great host and singer. And the other singers vary in skill, but the crowd is always supportive. Drinks are usually pretty cheap, and all the bartenders are great - the kind that like to know your name. Obscura is not a typical night for Rip's, but is an AWESOME dance night. Stop by Rip's any day for a good time.
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Review from Rebecca B.
Phoenix, AZ
5/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Rips a few times and I really enjoy the laid back attitude and the fact that it's so close to my house. They used to give you yummy popcorn, when I went yesterday it was stale prezels, boo! I still want to try the Obscura dance night, sounds like fun!
Honestly the only draw back is the not so friendly waitstaff. Get this, I had a 3 dollar well drink laid down a 5 and never saw any change. Even though I would have given you the $2 as a tip, you have NO right to assume it's yours without any communication. Really tacky! I hope to post a more positive review when I check out the Obscura night! -
Review from BeBe H.
Denver, CO
5/11/2010
I am so glad to know there is a place like Rips that's bringing back the younger night crowd to Phoenix. Yes, I do have other neighborhood bars that I casually have a drink at but Rips has great drink specials, the star-like ceiling is beautiful, and i love that it's also showcasing local artwork on its wall.
What Phoenix was lacking was a rocking dance night. Since Hot Pink ended its Friday nights at Carumba's, Obscura at Rips has definitely filled the void. I definitely get pumped up for second Saturdays! I love dancing to music you don't hear everyday on the radio and the mix those two DJs spin is just what the doctor order after a long day of retail.
Drinks, oh the drinks! Rips has an array of liquors and beers. Pinnacle vodkas...what flavor do they not make? I think I saw around a dozen different flavors from Pomegranate to Cotton Candy! Every time I return I try a new one.
But most of all, I love the fact the owner kept the original vintage sign. With the over sized red arrow outlined in light bulbs, you'll have no problem spotting it when driving down 16th street. I suggest you check it out and befriend the bar on Facebook because you don't want to miss out on specials or events. -
Review from Paige S.
Phoenix, AZ
4/17/2011
Rip's is a pleasant surprise. I would rate it 3.5 if that were an option. It's a lot bigger of a place than it actually seems. Bartenders make good drinks (or you can go for the PBR of course) and the prices are better. There have been some good bands there if you like live music, here's a place to check out. The crowd is eclectic. I think if a few more Cen Pho 20s & 30s somethings (Scottsdale crowd and hipsters excluded) made this a regular spot it'd be even more fun, but I do love the extreme variety of people from all walks of life that do make an appearance here. Definitely a good place to stop on a bar crawl night!
Listed in: Cen Pho bar crawl
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Review from Jon K.
3/31/2011
It really depends on the night. If Phil's was still there I'd never come here but since it's not, here I am.
Listed in: My favorite dive bars
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Review from Michael C.
Scottsdale, AZ
8/23/2010
The place feels retro 60's. I love the building and their outdoor sign. Rip's is an old house that was converted into an old bar and it definitely has that old-school vibe. It is inhabited by one of the strangest mash-ups of people you will ever find. If you like to people-watch (and enjoy the circus) come down here on the weekend. I enjoyed myself overall, but I'm not making this an official hangout.
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Review from Tracy D.
Phoenix, AZ
6/9/2010
I ADORE this place!! It is right by my house, i can walk there and not have to worry about anything!!! It is super cool atmosphere with great music and a good mix of people. the bartenders are the best, big shout out to Becki!! the prices are low, the ceiling is popcorn glitter prob with a lil asbestos mixed it, but hey it is a old building!!! Friday nites are the best and then of course Saturdays!!! Gooo there!!!
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Review from Heidi E.
Updated - 4/14/2010
I am updating my review after attending Obscura, the mod/British/80s music night. There are few places in the Valley that spin music I like, where I don't want to leave the dance floor for hours and can get down with my bad self. Drinks and the drink specials were better, despite the bartenders having to work double-time for the packed house. (I also wised up and ordered a tall version of my drink, so I was much happier.)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/17/2010 First to Review
Ok, so I show up on a Sunday night (a.k.a. Valentine's Day in most of the Western world) to grab a… Read more »
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Review from Boyd C.
Phoenix, AZ
3/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Dive Bar Heaven? Maybe. The night we went the jukebox wasn't on but they were playing some groovy 80's tunes. There's a pool table in the front room where you walk in. The roof lines are great mid century modern goodness. I love the ceiling. The bartender pours a fair drink I'm told. I'll have to make another trip after I'm off this diet. I'm looking forward to checking it out on the second Saturday of the month for Obscura (formally at the Ruby Room).
