The Rhythm Room is one of the few places in Phoenix where you can listen to real blues. The bands are very good and they have national touring bands. Bands play on an elevated stage and the sound system is very good.
It's not just blues either -- many varieties of music is featured.
The cover charges are often too high -- even sometimes for local bands.
They have craft beers on tap that are reasonably priced.
I like the floor layout but narrow walkways cause traffic wrecks. The railing with the bar stools that divides the room is very cool. It's homey and divey and the best thing is that you can sit near the band.
It doesn't seem that maintenance is done very often Restrooms are dirty and the tables and chairs are shoddy.
The dance floor is pitiful. It's a parkay wood floor that is usually dirty and often damp with beer. It's too small to accommodate more than about 3 swing dancers at a time but that's no big deal because it's rare to meet somebody at the RR that does anything besides wiggling in place.
Given that the stand-alone building that houses the RR is small it would be impossible to improve the dance situation without building an extension.
Despite the negatives I love the Rhythm Room, but I don't go there very often. Dancing is important for me and I hate high door charges -- especially when I don't know anything about the band that is playing.