What a hidden gem in Ann Arbor. Parking is abundant with both garages and street meters. Meters are free after 6. Yay! Many bars and restaurants nearby if you want a drink or snack before or after your show. Entry was easy as I had tickets on my phone. I purchased general admission tickets. They do have reserved seats available at a higher price point. How GA works is you get there and the attendants tell you to sit anywhere that isn't reserved. The earlier you get there, the better seat selection you'll have. We sat at the stage for one of my favorite bands. You have a little table and chairs (either two or four). It was so intimate and cozy. I loved it. The temperature was perfect. Not freezing from AC, but not muggy. Very comfortable. Sound was excellent and electrical worked perfectly for this show. They do have drinks for sale, but I didn't have anything. Other reviews mention paying low membership dues and then you can buy alcoholic drinks. They have water and cups available too. Really great experience and can't wait to go back! read more

The Ark - Augustana front row - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I really really love this venue. The only update that dropped it down a star was the interaction with the person working at the bar. She was not friendly, and not very kind, and I even saw her scouring in the bathroom later that night. So maybe she was having a bad day. But I certainly didn't do anything to deserve it. Still my go to place for music in the area. Price is wonderful too! read more

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The Ark may be small and a bit awkward but that's part of the appeal. It's a teeny venue that has had many a legendary act perform on it's tiny but mighty stage. It's a joy to be here for a show, especially when it's one of your favorites playing. Most recently we came to see John Hiatt. It was just him and his guitar and it was an amazing show full of beautiful music but also some storytelling. The only time I'd previously seen him was on stage at the Michigan Theatre with Lyle Lovett. Also a great show but a MUCH bigger venue. Compared to that, this Ark show felt like a cozy hug. They're also great at grabbing both legacy acts but also showcasing local and up and coming national artists. A few years ago we saw Billy Strings on their stage and just yesterday we watched him perform on The Tonight Show. The bookers know their stuff and everyone here is passionate about music. It's also a non-profit so you know it's run on blood, sweat, and tears. I can see how the space could be off putting to some. It's a bit awkwardly shaped, seating isn't particularly comfortable, etc. But I've been lucky enough to see shows in many a legendary, historic venue and I have to tell you, this is par for the course. From the cramped seating butting right up to the stage of the Blue Note to the VERY audible subway regularly passing by the Village Vanguard (both in NYC) it's just par for the course for being a part of history. And we're lucky enough to have a venue like this here. read more

The Ark - John Hiatt - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

They have wonderful music and wonderful atmosphere. I immediately joined to become a member . read more

Always a welcoming, fun venu. Easy access and great nearby shopping and restaurants.

The que que out side in the cold was no problem as the folks in line fun to chat with. Then quickly up stairs to a somewhat small venue. Laith played my favorite - his wandering rendition of the Beatles tune "Dear Prudence ". Which is an entrancing journey to other songs like "Sweet Home Alabama ". He also played a Bowie tune "Major Tom". Holy cow...perfection. His own song "Dead in the Ground" was pretty cool too written in a steamy New Orleans afternoon. The venue it self is cozy and a nice table mate bought me a Two Hearted. The sound quality was superb and the guy at the sound board was excellent. He had Laith and the room dialed in. The volunteers were so helpful and you could tell they were there to have fun too. Most enjoyable. See Laith when you can. read more

The Ark - Laith Al Saadi performs the great Bowie hit Major Tom. - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Place: The Ark was first founded to bring the community together (especially the youth) and promote positive bonding. They have a good cause and many local and global artists come through this place. The atmosphere is very different from a different "concert". The audience are seated and it is a listening experience focusing on the music. Service: The service is very nice they try to seat you in a place where you can see the artists. However, sometimes you can be placed in front of the pillars isn't ideal. Food/price: They do sell food but I was more focused on what the Ark was about so I did not buy any. Audience: The ark is for everyone as kids and families are welcome. Recommend/tips? I personally saw the jigjam and it had an Irish folk vibe to it. I enjoyed it a lot and they made sure the audience was part of the band. Great experience overall and would visit the ark again. read more

The Ark - Jigjam - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Arc is a small intimate venue that reminds me of City Theatre in Detroit but maybe a little smaller. This is a pretty tame family venue. There's no standing floor pit. There are chairs surrounding the stage and going up a few steps for elevated viewing. When you purchase tickets there are General Admission at a lower price and Golden Arc reserved seats in the center which are pricier. Most of the auditorium seemed to actually be reserved seating. The Arc draws in an older senior crowd. They serve beer and alcohol but it's only available to Arc members and you cannot order it unless you have a membership. They also serve popcorn and coffee. The auditorium was filled with the delicious smell of popcorn and that's what my friend ordered. The show we saw was really great! We came to see The Accidentals and Sawyer Fredericks opened. Sawyer was on The Voice. Such a talented guitarist and songwriter and loved his bluesy voice. The Accidentals were great too! They were comprised of three girl guitarists and a male drummer. The girls also played violins and electric violins. So talented and they had great stage presence and audience interaction. I could see them opening for a large name at a festival or at a larger venue. Great lighting, and acoustics. Not a bad view of the stage except in one area in the middle where there were some beams that could block your view. General Admission tickets are sparse and first come first serve so line up early or in time. Nice venue with staff that volunteers because they're passionate about keeping the establishment alive. They check for proof of vaccination at the door and require masks while you are seated and are only allowed to be taken off briefly if eating. They'd right next door to Blue Llama Jazz Club which I also need to check out soon. Fun night and I'd love to return again. read more

The Ark - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Excellent atmosphere. Service by volunteers was excellent. Music fantastic. Had a ginger cookie which was very tasty.

This was the first time I had been here. I was invited to a Christmas concert by a friend. Extra tickets are always nice. I am always open for some place new to check out. It was a busy night. The parking was actually in a decent spot which is about a block away. The place is small and was under renovation. The other interesting part was the $5 Beer and Wine fee which had to be paid before you could actually get the Beer or wine. After you pay for the card you can than get the Beer or wine which is an additional cost. It was also kind of inconvenient because they only accepted cash. Interesting. However, the staff were kind and helpful. The theater is smaill and quaint. There is not really a bad seat. I did enjoy the concert and you also got a chance to mingle among the artist which was cool. I will go back again after the construction is completed to check out another venue. read more

The Ark - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I've now been here twice for shows (blues guitarist Johnny Winter, and bluegrass rock The Reverend Peyton and the Big Damn Band), and each time I feel like the artist performing is wasting its time in a venue that's too small and the set up isn't conducive to a fun event. The room looks like a lecture hall with stadium seating with a ledge in front of each row. While you can be a lot closer to the performer than at other locations, you as the audience are forced to sit at your seat for a show that's supposed to be fun and lively. If you stand up and dance, you not only look like an idiot, you will block someone else's view. The acoustics and view, especially if you're sitting on the sides, aren't that grade either. Here's the kicker, you have to be a member to buy a drink. For someone who doesn't live in Ann Arbor, you forcing me to buy a membership before I can buy a drink is, for a lack of a better term, entrapment. Booking agents can certainly do better. read more

Finally made it back for the first time since the pandemic. Just a wonderful place to hear music. There are no bad seats in the house. The volunteers are fantastic, the prices are really reasonable, and the experience is unmatched. Check out the big name artists and the Open Stage nights! read more

Cool place to see a concert. A friend and I came here yesterday for the Michelle Chamuel Sonic Lunch concert, since the venue changed from outdoors to the Ark due to possible rain. The seats aren't super comfortable but it's a very intimate venue, which I liked. I've seen Michelle Chamuel play in a lot of different venues (I've been a fan of hers since the My Dear Disco days) and this was a fun place to see her play ... she seemed to like the venue as well. Fun fact: I had been to the Ark before although had never seen a concert there, as a class I took at UM "back in the day" (in 2007. lol) called music in Detroit and Ann Arbor had taken us there for a tour (a "field trip") of sorts. It's definitely different when you're actually experiencing a concert there, though. As you walk to the restrooms you'll see black and white photos of all of the past concerts/musicians who have played at the Ark previously, too, which was cool. read more

My favorite concert venue in the state. Intimate comfortable and the volunteers there are as friendly as they come. The sound is incredible. There is a small bar for refreshments. I saw a local talent Al Bettis an incredible singer/ songwriter he was fantastic and so was his band. I've been coming here for years and tell anyone who listens you have to check this place out. So once again to the Ark thanks for another great night out. read more

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I absolutely love this venue, we used to see some of our top Blues musicians here. Get place a lot of fun!!!!

I tried this place on a whim last month and had one of the best nights out in recent memory. Even though the card machines were down at the bar, the volunteer bar staff were working double time to get drinks in hands before the performance began. A spectacularly laid out venue. It seats about two hundred fifty (ish?). Large enough to feel like an big event but intimate enough that you can see the performers clearly from any seat in the house. The sound quality and mix was top notch. Loud enough to give you that full body experience without being cranked up to decibels that will blow you away. This was a packed house and everyone seemed perfectly happy to wear a mask if they weren't sipping a beer or cocktail. read more

Music Is great but we came for the New and Revised Ark. new paint but BOY DO YOU PAY FOR IT. Non reserved seats only in the crappy area. Seagrams scotch $6 for a less than an ounce glass. After coming here for years I'll buycd and stay home Months later here again because I was feeling guilty about always saying no thanks. A guy next to us asked what I thought about the place. I started to tell him my experience and he turned away to talk to someone else in the row behind us. Not an impressive place. Maybe 100 people on a Saturday night. read more

The Ark - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

This is an incredible venue to see a show! The Ark is located on the main drag of downtown Ann Arbor. I've been to three concerts at the Ark and have loved each experience. The concert room is on the second floor of the building and is an intimate space with low ceilings. Tickets for concerts here are usually very reasonable and general seating is on a first come first served basis. I recommend getting in line early so that you can snag a close up spot. That being said, there really isn't a bad seat in the house, and the sound quality is great throughout the room. A bonus for this venue is that they have inexpensive concessions like popcorn, baked goods, full bar, coffee and Northwoods soda. read more

The Ark - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Completely agree with all the other one star reviews. This place is beyond pretentious and horrible. I didn't buy reserved seats because as a first timer, I thought I'd have a chance to get better GA seats. Nope. All the meet and greet people get in first and then a bunch of seats had "Ark family" signs on them...so they technically were reserved??? The bar is the slowest thing ever. I realize it's run by volunteers but wtf. I went out a the beginning of a song, had zero people in front of me and I ended up missing two whole songs. I had to hand fill out an entire card to become a member in order to get a drink. Then the volunteer VERY SLOWLY filled out yet another card and took forever to pour a glass of red wine. Before this debacle, we were talking OUTSIDE the closed door show in normal voices and another volunteer yelled at us and said to keep down our voices. The show was so boring. Everyone sat, a few people whisper sung. It's just not a fun experience. I felt awkward moving. Not how I want to feel seeing one of my favorite artists. read more

this is without a doubt the premier venue to see quality acoustic music. Put your feet up on the stage and relax with the phenomenal sounds! FYI: Membership is required for adult beverages. read more

The Ark - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Loved it. just saw Ricky Skaggs and thought the show and the place was outstanding. Very small room, but thats what makes this pace great. Make sure you get in line early. I was there about 45 min early and a line was already going. I will be back. Also you can get drinks, you need to buy a member ship for 5 bucks. read more

The Ark - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

This is an intimate and eclectic concert hall, that sits about 400 people. There is literally not a bad seat in the place. Stage center seating is reversed, about 100 seats, all the other seats are general admin. Doors typically open at 7:30pm, with shows starting promptly at 8pm. People start lining up in from of the Ark, to either purchase tickets or they are holding general admin tickets, around 7pm. They have a small bar and pop corn stand. The Ark is a not for profit organization, and all of the ushers are volunteers. These people are passionate and knowledgeable about music and the performers. It's a great location to see a long lost musical acts, or a talented local group just starting or a place to sing a long to classic folk songs. We typically go 2-3 times a year, depending on the artists/band. You buy tickets online or you can go to the Michigan University Student Union and pay a $1 dollar service charge. I've Bruce Cockburn here, and last Friday night we saw Jill Sobule and Julia Sweeney. Occasionally a big name will play at The Ark, but mostly is regional (Michigan) specific artist. Its worth looking at their calendar, pick a music genre you like, and show up - its better than watching most Hollywood movies. read more

Ann Arbor is clearly supportive of this fantastic venue. That's great to see. When we come to town, we usually try to catch a show and dinner at Grazi; for a great night. We keep returning, keep up the fantastic job. Remember, open seating, and they que up early. read more

The music artist selection has certainly gone downhill in recent years. We used to be members and go several times a year and now haven't been even once in the last 3 years. There just isn't much available we want to see. Looked again at the calendar again tonight in trying to give it another chance and mostly obscure bands, a few odd and really out there ones and several old geezers. On the plus side, the price for tickets seems to still be very reasonable for such a small unique venue. read more

I really liked this place. Reminds me of Birdland in nyc minus the dinner service. I don't really think there's a bad spot in the house. Very intimate. read more

The Ark - Waiting to hear Al Bettis - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

My wife and I had not heard of The Ark until some friends invited us to the Christmas Cieli in December 2015. The show included dinner, which was next door at Conor O'Neills. Now, both of these places have become our favorites. If you have a few extra minutes take a trip over to the Conor O'Neills Yelp page and check out my review. As I mentioned, my wife and I have fallen in love with The Ark and have now seen a number of shows there since our friends brought us for the first time. In fact, my wife is now a member. The Ark is a nonprofit that relies heavily on memberships and volunteers. As a result, you won't see tons of advertisements on the walls or anywhere within The Ark. They have completed some updates and remodels over the last year and have some more planned, which will make The Ark even nicer. Keep in mind, they sell alcohol but you must be a member to purchase drinks. However, they do have a very inexpensive $5 Introductory membership that allows you purchase alcohol. Also, your membership is 100% tax deductible. The workers are all volunteers and we have always had pleasant encounters with the volunteers. They have been willing to assist and answer questions when needed. As far as the seating is concerned, the auditorium is intimate and almost all seats provide good vantage points. There are a few seats that are partially obstructed by poles but those are the exception rather than the rule. Some seats are theater style, some are chairs with a ledge in front for setting drinks, phones, etc. on, and others are tables & chairs on the main floor. Some shows don't have the tables on the main floor in order to increase the number of seats. The sound is good and depending on the show can be loud. Not to worry if you forget ear plugs, though. They provide free ear plugs if you ask for them. Door usually open 30 minutes before shows. However, because of the weather, there have been times when they have opened the doors earlier. Nonetheless, make sure you are dressed for the weather if you plan on standing in line waiting for the doors to open. For those few reviews that have complained about shows being cancelled or other patrons heckling or using their phones there are remedies for these things. First, checking their website before leaving for a show can help to alleviate the disappointment of a cancelled show because they do their best to update this as soon as possible. Of course, sometimes the artist will decide at the last minute that they can't perform, which is out of the control of The Ark. Also, if you're having problems with another patron then let a volunteer know so they can address the issue. Overall, my wife and I love The Ark and all of the eccentricities that make it unique. We would definitely recommend The Ark for anyone that wants a nice evening out at a show. read more

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My first ever coming to this place the ark very disappointed actually angry. My daughter bought tickets thinking and seeing that asking Alexandria was suppose to be playing. I drove from Whitehall Mi to Ann Arbor Mi no refunds nothing bs driving 3 hours for nothing read more

The Ark - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Love the Ark, but the concert they sponsored with the Royal Oak Theater featuring Rosanne Cash was the worst concert I have been to since the 80's. She covered a Beatles song and claimed to have written Bobbie Gentry's song Ode to Billy Joe. GET THIS WOMAN OFF THE STAGE!!! read more

More than a year since my '16 review, I find The Ark is only improving. The Ark has been able to buy its building, and have started the first step in renovations. The Guest Services area is much nicer, and the hallway is brighter and cleaner. We enjoy this venue more than any other, and treasure being among people who value listening to music first. read more

The Ark - Soundboard in the background, right after the Milk Carton Kids show concluded on Halloween night - Music Venues Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I love the Ark. I really do. But the problem I have with it, and the reason I don't go much, is because it's largely a folk club. Most of the music that comes is another Celtic artist or another neo-folk pop singer-songwriter artist. There's not much variety there. It's all pretty white (I am not accusing racism), and it seems aimed at people who's taste runs from the Kingston Trio and bluegrass to Peter, Paul & Mary. There's very little blues, rockabilly, gospel, Cajun, zydeco...types of music that began as regional forms and grew. These are forms that, in a larger sense can be called folk. Great acts I have seen there: George Bedard, of course, and Dr. John, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Magic Slim, Kim Lenz, Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen, Bill Kirchen... read more

We drive from Grand Rapids but it is always worth the trip. This venue is often the musicians favorite and we all become the beneficiaries as a result. There are no bad seats in this great listening space. The new lights and sound system only enhance the experience. It is pretty clear that magic happens here almost very night of the year. read more

Here's why I love The Ark: *They have chairs! This isn't your stand-up and get bumped into and knocked over kind of venue. *It's small. You don't have to spend 20 minutes trying to find the right place to sit--or stand. You just walk in and sit down. *Non-smoking!!! It's nice to be able to breathe while you listen to great music like The Ditty Bops or The Ginn Sisters. Plain and simple, I'm an old-fashioned kind of gal. This is the kind of place I like to listen to music. It's not that expensive, I don't know what everyone else is talking about. $17.50 or $20.00 isn't THAT much. Think about how much kids today spend on Jonas Brothers tickets. read more

I just caught the Jer Coons concert there last night with a couple friends and it was a blast. My first visit to The Ark can be counted as a win! The Ark is a very intimate venue to watch an artist play and it is different then any other space I have seen a performance. I was slightly disappointed that a membership was needed to purchase an alcoholic beverage but got over it pretty quickly. If I go back for another show in the next couple months I definitely think a membership would be a good investment. read more

The Ark. Ann Ann Arbor staple since '65. This is one of the best venues in Metro Detroit to see a live show. There are no bad seats in this place, and the venue makes it so intimate that you feel like the concerts are performed in your basement. It is chock full 'a history, posters, photos, and rumor has it walls backstage with plenty of messages from performers. The storytelling festival annually is one of my favorite things. And the annual fundraiser, the Folk Festival, is one of the best bargains around--multiple national acts all over the course of a few days. That's held over at Hill Auditorium. Even if you are not particularly in love with a band or singer, The Ark seems to change your mind. Get tickets early and be on time, as it's general admission. If it's raining, bring an umbrella, because you'll stand outside for a while. If it's cold, bring friends to huddle and snuggle with. If you are a member, you can buy alcohol and popcorn. They have daily memberships to purchase if you plan on visiting only once and need to get your drink on. Just go. Listen to music. Make friends. It's where music lives, according to their tagline, and they couldn't be more right. read more

As David Byrne said..... "Same as it ever was, same as it ever was" Although the concert line up has grown and become a bit more eclectic, The Ark is the same as it ever was. It's the perfect spot in Ann Arbor to see a concert. It's still the only place where you can actually hear the performer louder from the stage than through the sound system. Although it tends to cater to the singer/songwriter crowd, they are equally good at handling high volume bands. Another thing that I appreciate at the Ark is that the concessions are away from the performing area. These days too many clubs have bars set up in the performance spaces which are a real distraction for both the audience and performer. Lastly the Ark is loaded with memorabilia. Old concert posters and photos cover the walls, but the one that caught my eye and brought back lots of good memories was the small tribute to Dave and Linda Siglin, the previous managers of the Ark, whose vision really made the club what it is today: The premier place to enjoy music in the Ann Arbor. read more

The Ark is in my top 10 places I will miss the most when I move to Ferndale list. I started volunteering at the Ark in 2001 and was instantly in love with the venue for its welcoming staff, and friendly patrons. I have seen some really big names come through this little venue including Dar Williams, Arlo Guthrie, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Greg Brown and Tom Paxton. I still cannot believe how close I sat to these legends! Not to mention that alothough the tickets are reasonably priced I saw all of these shows for free in exchange for volunteering which consists of working the bar before the show and at intermission followed by sweeping up stray popcorn after the show. (Anyone could do this) read more

Really nice, quaint, intimate place to see a show. Would be 5 stars except for the way you have to buy beers. They make you sign up for a membership in order to buy beers. It wasn't expensive or anything.Just had never seen anything like that before. I would definitely go back though read more

I can't tell you how many shows I've seen a the Ark. If there's a folk artist to be seen there, I'm in. And, while some are better than others, they're all beautiful. Thanks for hosting. read more

I've been to hundreds of concerts across the country and I'm attempting to write a review of every venue to assist my concert going troubadours. Chris Knight - November 2012 Kathy Mattea - April 2008 The Ark is an institution and you should attend a show there at least once in your life. The sound is perfect, there's not a bad seat, and you'll more than likely get to meet your favorite artist after the show. The venue is a little less stuffy than most theater shows, but still hushed like a public library. In fact, you even have to apply and pay for a library card in order to drink beer or wine. There's a ton to do downtown Ann Arbor (a great city) before and after a show at The Ark. read more

I moved from Ann Arbor to San Diego about a year ago now, and of the few things that I miss about A2, the Ark is definitely on that list. The Ark houses great musicians of different flavors for a relatively cheap price (and cheap beers). For first timers, the look of the venue isn't that impressive, but don't let that bother you! Go for (and enjoy) the acoustic music! A few artists that I discovered at the Ark were (see links below): Darlingside, William Fitzsimmons, and Johnnyswim. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llcm6imaRVE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5qcpflwF9w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhg-kycwLnE read more