Context: I visited…read moreGuitar Bar on September 10th, 2025 and had the pleasure of being helped by Don, who has been with the store for three years. The store itself has been around for 30 years, and you can really feel the history and passion in every corner. As someone who loves documenting experiences, I took plenty of photos to capture the vibe and inventory. Also, support small businesses. I began my guitar career after piano violin around junior high, and ultimately after my career started to grow, have not played for over 15 years. Bought a dreadnought about two years ago, but due to the move from the Bay Area to West New York, New Jersey - rarely played it. Read great reviews, and most importantly when I looked at photos from existing yelp users, everything seemed really genuine and reminded me of those old school and authentic vibes. I got from when I first started in Chicago. Guitar bar did not disappoint at all and I had an amazing experience learning more about the business. Staff and service: Don was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and after a very enjoyable conversation with him learned that he came from a musician background. Don told me he worked there for three years, but the Business has been there for 30 years. He took the time to walk me through everything. I came in specifically for a few picks, including a soft one because I wanted to teach my wife, a digital tuner as my ability to tune, has gone down the drain, as well as a new capo. As you can see from my photos, inventory is fantastic, and even though it might look cluttered - you can see authentic acoustic guitars to base and guitar amps of all sizes to ukuleles. The transaction was quick, but what really made experience a 15 out of 10 was my conversation with Don. Although he does not have a favorite guitarist, he shared his family background as well as some of his favorite guitarist. I am a millennial - but growing up in addition to church music, I had a deep respect for classic rock as well, and we really had a great conversation in regards to that. He truly knows his history and you could feel genuine passion in every corner. As someone who loves documenting experiences, I took plenty of photos to capture the vibe and inventory. It was clear he genuinely cared about my experience and not just making a sale. The store is extremely spacious, cozy and well organized, even if the photos seemed like it cluttered. I promise you to go inside and give it a try because if you have time - you will be there for at least an hour. Products & inventory: I mentioned the products already and everything is authentic. Pricing is reqsoanble, with selections you normally would not see in E.G. Guitar Hero. The musical equipment caters toward skill of all levels and every single one you can play and test out - with no pressure at all. Highly highly recommend giving the store a chance if you're looking for any kind of musical instruments or just want a really cool and down-to-earth guy who knows this stuff to answer and address any of your questions - without that sales and pushiness. Vintage, authentic - we need to keep these businesses alive because it stores like these they got me into music in the first place. See photos for yourself Rock On!!!!!!

This shop is truly a piece of nostalgia, and harkens back to the old days where independent music…read moreshops were the place to acquire your gear. Walking into this shop feels like walking into a different era, and I mean this in the most positive of ways. The store has a great selection of anything you could need. They have integrity, and will work with you to meet your needs. As others have said, if they don't have it, they will get it or point you in the right direction. I could not imagine a better place to bring a young, budding, musician to purchase their first instrument, as this is what a music shop should be. This will certainly be an experience for them as compared to a big-box store. The personal touch is what makes this great. Recommended!

I normally don't write reviews but everyone needs to know about Pearson Studios. I have been a…read morebroadway actor for 8 years, most recently in Beetlejuice the Musical, and I FINALLY found a brilliant vocal coach, music director, arranger and accompanist. But Scott offers so much more! Due to the pandemic everything has gone virtual and because of Pearson Studios I was able to pivot during the pandemic. Scott also has a state of the art recording studio and is a fabulous sound engineer and videographer. I now have a commercial voice-over demo (which landed me a commercial agent and a few v/o gigs), and also very professional self-tapes for my theatre and tv/film auditions. Not only does he offer his accompaniment and coaching skills, but he uses a professional microphone and protools, and a very fancy camera and back drop which totally ups my game! He also offers excellent acting coaching as well as acts as my reader. He is a one stop shop! Once I went to Pearson studios all my stress was taken away. I started receiving callbacks and just booked a brand new Off-Broadway show from only my self-tape submission. I can't speak highly enough about Scott. He is very professional and personable and makes music and theatre fun. I promise you'll have an amazing experience.

Scott is the best. My daughter was a member of the HCT Junior Company and is currently a member of…read morethe TaDa Resident Youth Ensemble. She's had a number of teachers since she started singing at the age of 5 - and Scott has been the most helpful and knowledgeable teacher of them all. She loves him.

These guys are killer. There's no other way to put it. They offer an incredible selection of drums,…read moreand I'm thrilled with the vintage slingerland snare drum I purchased from them. They truly love what they do. Communication was excellent and the entire process was professional. This shop is a gem, and I wish this place existed when I was coming up playing drums during my youth. Can't recommend it enough!

I have to come clean and say.... I don't have kid's, nor do I take lessons here.... but that did…read moreNOT stop me from wanting to leave a review for The Drum Den. I was in attendance for their annual recital at Willie McBrides. My friends daughter takes drum lessons, and I was graciously invited to come watch. I had NO idea what to expect.... but was told "its kids, its drums, its a bar". Let me tell you something... IT WAS SUCH A GREAT TIME. The kids went up and played one or two songs along with the teachers. These teachers.... They just look like they LOVE their job. The kids were awesome, the songs they played were a mix of Beatles, and Bowie, and Iggy Azealia! The whole recital was just very well done, and well put together. The parents just RAVE about this place and how great the teachers are. As for Willie McBrides, the beer was cold, the food was good and our server Brenda was awesome. Drum Den- keep up the awesome work, and I'll be there next year!

Great work! I got my les Paul set up recently and it plays like a dream! I was kept in…read morecommunication while my instrument was being worked on and given updates along the way. Super fast turn around 10/10 would recommend

Matt brought my guitar and ukelele from "Rustic Grime" to Masterpiece!…read more I brought my 20-year-old Walden Natura D550 and a vintage 1953 ukulele to Matt, and the results are honestly shocking. The '53 uke was in rough shape--old, rustic, and covered in decades of grime. Matt transformed it completely. He finely detailed the body until it was shining like a mantle piece, fixed the tuners, and recommended Nylgut strings that make it sound incredible. It went from a dusty relic to a daily player that I can't put down. For my Walden guitar, Matt performed "wild work." The action was high and the strings were dead, but he used a "cold clamp" technique on the neck and hand-carved a perfect unbleached bone saddle. He even recommended a spectacular cocobolo bridge to match the guitar's aesthetic and tone. Both instruments came back sounding "shockingly fantastic." If you have an instrument that has lost its "soul" or just needs expert engineering to sing again, Matt is the man to see. A true master of his craft and a total professional.

A pleasure dealing with Erica. She did a great job refreshing my father's violin. All my dealings…read morewith this organization have been excellent.

I would give 10 stars if I could. They are the nicest kindest people you'd ever want to meet…read more Clearly they love what they do. Since the services they offer are rare, they could be ridiculously expensive and unhelpful. They are the extreme opposite of that. I wish I had more reason to do business with them. This is a one-of-a-kind shop.

J was awesome getting my brand new bass restrung and tuned up. Now my matte black axe has some…read morebeautiful neon green strings that sounds just as sick as it looks.

Guitar Bar is just a great place overall. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They have things…read morefor every level of musician - from really cool gear to bits and bobs to upgrade your gear to lessons to learn how to better play your gear! Plus the store is an old florist shop - so much to look at!

Turn around time was excellent, went in, had my Buescher TT alto checked and PR gave me a quote for…read morean overhaul.. I decided to get a patch job for the meantime, his service was excellent. One day to the next, the fastest turn around time I ever experienced. I asked him a few questions about gear and man... he is an encyclopedia! Gave me recommendations for some of my gear. Got my TT, plays beautifully! I can imagine what an overhaul would do to this thing.. WOW!

Excellent repair of my tenor sax. Perry was informative, friendly, and completed the work quickly…read more Very reasonable price.

Brought my SG in and it was pretty beat up. I was given an estimate…read more My guitar was returned to me and as soon as I played, it felt like it used. And, the work done came in under estimate. I could not recommend these guys more highly!

I emailed them off their website and never received a response. I guess they have no interest in…read moreworking on my vintage Martin acoustic.