The Roadhouse  Sacramento, CA 

The Roadhouse is an amazing place. I just wasn't sure where I was at when I got there. I don’t think it should have been that difficult to find. I had interviewed Burn.Heal.Scar at their studio and was given what seemed to be clear directions. Some how I ended up on a dead end street, drove around for a while and poof there it was.  The town I live in is really small and you have to be drunk to get lost.  If you live in the Sacramento area you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it and when you do it is worth the time.

Roadhouse owners Myke Briggs and his wife "T" purchased the business in March of last year. They have been putting everything back into the business to achieve their ultimate goal of having the 55-year-old Roadhouse claim it’s spot in Sacramento’s music history.

The previous owner had been unable to keep up the building and going in they knew this was going to be a backbreaking labor of love. The first order of business was to make sure that the facilities were up to code with the local Health Department. With that squared away, they moved on to dealing with ABC and getting their liquor license in order.

Myke played in bands for over 20 years and knew they needed was a new sound and lighting system.  That night the sound system was able to carry the load of some very high-power bands.  The new lighting system added depth and character to the huge stage. The combination of space, light and sound makes The Roadhouse a place bands are going to enjoy working and wanting to return to over and over.

This summer The Roadhouse will be the place to be! They have an unbelievable outdoor concert area. A full covered stage and enclosed patio that is going to rock Sacramento. The summer concerts are definitely something to look forward to.

Bands are not charged to play at The Roadhouse. Myke is passionate about making sure that the bands get their cut and are treated fairly. He can remember playing clubs and where his band was paid “…$20, $50, sometimes nothing. This is a way for me to give back.”, he said.  The only thing he asks is that bookers put up flyers.  

Performances range from from old school to Christian Rock to Heavy Metal. They are, “…willing to give anyone a shot.” Myke said there is a guy that wants to do poetry readings,  he is unsure what that is, but the guy said he could pack the house.  For four months Thursday night was blues night, but it never took off so they are going to go plan to go with the poetry readings. “I am down to try anything.” Then he added, “ I am not going to do hip hop here, just pretty much live bands.” If I understood him correctly his security company requires more personnel when there is a hip hop show.

Security is on duty every night to make sure you and your car are safe. Someone checks the parking lot every 15 minutes.  The parking is well lighted and I felt very safe going to my car to change my camera batteries and get film. Myke said, “We want women to feel safe and secure here. If you feel uncomfortable going to your car, come and get me and I will walk you your car.” That is a nice touch; we have all met the “creepy” guy in the bar that made you a little uncomfortable when you left.

Myke and T care about their customers. Recently they treated their staff to breakfast at Denny’s. People were coming in completely sauced. That isn’t what they want their bar to be, “…you won’t see people leaving The Roadhouse like that and we make sure people leave here in taxis.” 

They are slowly making cosmetic changes. There are plans for new carpet; more renovation and some much needed parking lot repairs. Hopefully the changes won’t be too severe. The Roadhouse is the kind of place amateur history buffs love. It has a rich and colorful past. At one time it was an old-fashioned biker bar, rough and tumble just like in the movies. That has all changed now, but without much imagination you can still see Steve McQueen or Marlon Brandon swaggering in the door wearing a leather jacket on a hot July afternoon demanding a cold beer. 

There is an inherent charm about The Roadhouse that you can’t find in the new glass and steel monstrosities that have taken over the landscape. We need places like The Roadhouse where you can think about what it was like when your grandparents partied, about what it was like to be there in the 50’s. Wouldn't you know what kind of music was playing at the Roadhouse when you were born?  In the movie “Peggy Sue Got Married” Peggy goes back to her teen years and sneaks into a 50’s bar not unlike The Roadhouse to see a fantastic band. I wonder, had I been there would I have had  the courage to sneak into The Roadhouse wearing my poodle skirt, bobby socks and saddle shoes?