Good for live music. Terrible drinks. No one following public health mandates, even basic pre-pandemic ones. Not exactly diverse or welcoming, to say the least. It's an institution, for sure. I feel torn about these things: preserve history or evolve from an archaic past? I recognize the good and want to honor the hard work--who wants to throw the baby out with the bath water?--and I also believe we can and should do better. read more

They are doing everything to keep live music going in Lincoln and at the same time doing everything in their power to prevent you from getting Covid. Go in. Buy a shirt. Buy a drink. Help the Zoo Bar stay in Lincoln. One of the OG bars of Lincoln. Friendly staff. Great staff. read more

Overly crowded during my visit. Not nearly enough room to enjoy music. People were crammed in very tightly. Left before main attraction started. Didn't have food. read more

We went to the Zoo Bar to listen to the Mezcal Brothers Band. Everytime I go there I image all of the great talent that has played on that stage. The place hasn't changed since I moved to Lincoln 30 some years ago. Still too small, and a little run down but, wow, when the music starts, it brings out something in me that needs to be let out! We danced like teenagers (we are both well over 60) and had a great time. The Zoo Bar is a Lincoln treasure. Good music, good beer, great crowd! I really like this place. read more

First time at ZOO Bar last night! I thought this was a pretty rad dive bar! I did not order anything cause I had already indulged for the evening but I did enjoy the live music! For a long room I thought the sound was great and the atmosphere was nice for hanging out and talking to friends, not too loud.. I dig a listening room with plenty of seating! Great Job ZOO Bar, now feed the animals some brews! read more

First things first, I've been enjoying Zoo for years now. The Place in Lincoln to go to for live music. Had so much fun, so many drinks, never ending music. Most of the time, I was treated with respect. I got what I came for, some slip-ups, nothing worth mentioning. But, a friend shows me this, a picture one of the bartenders posted online. She posted a receipt, including the name of the customer, wrote "DICK" over the receipt. She got close to 10% tip, was not happy about it. I used to bartend and wait tables, I expected around 20%, as it is quite usual around here. I did not always get it, never in my dreams I thought about doing something she did. Zoo, I hate to do this, please look into it. Apologies to Thomas (the customer), you deserve to know. Picture attached.. read more

Zoo Bar - Apologies to Thomas (the customer), you deserve to know. Picture attached.. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

One of the best bars in Lincoln. Live music every night. And it's good stuff too, not just local cover bands. Touring blues guitarists have been some of the best music I've seen here, but we went this past weekend and saw a Rasta jam band that was great as well. Their bar selection is so so, but who cares, come for the music. read more

Zoo Bar - a pint of beer on a table - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

Welcome to the world famous Zoo Bar right here in Lincoln, Nebraska USA. While attending the University of Nebraska, the Zoo Bar served as a nice change of pace from the typical college bars on O street. Artists such as Dave Alvin, Bo Diddley, and FortyTwenty have performed on this stage to a crowd filled with undergrad and grad students, hip locals, middle-aged blues fans, and many others. No matter what classification you claim or disclaim, you're in for a treat any night of the week here. My personal experiences at the Zoo Bar have been pleasurable ones, although it can get packed due to the small size and confined design. If you're at the bar and need to go to the bathroom at the end of the narrow walkway next to the stage, good luck! I recall stepping outside and relieving myself on the Runza next store one night. To sum up: excellent music; surrogate nightlife; you can enjoy a drink or go to the bathroom, but not both. read more

For those of you without a background in acoustic sciences, let me give you a simple lesson in the physics of sound. The intensity of sound is determined not only by the amount of sound pressure, but also the size of the space in which it is played. This simple concept of small spaces and large acoustic signals is what makes the Zoo bar so special. Some of the acts that play here, you would not believe would play in such a small dive of a blues bar. These same artists sell out concerts halls, but you can see them in a much more intimate and acoustically devastating place right in downtown Lincoln. Without a trip to the Zoo Bar, you cannot say that you're lived in Lincoln, only existed. read more

When I wanted a refill, they would only give me a refill in my original drink, which is against code. Plus when I wanted beers to go which was before 1am....they opened all my beers and then reclosed them so I paid for flat beers. Thanks. I didn't want to drink them all night, I just found it convenient to pick the beers I wanted for another night. read more

I called this venue a few minutes ago to ask questions about an upcoming concert. The concert is listed for two different dates on the web and zoobar website was down when I tried to search there. The woman who answered the phone was extremely rude. She did not know the date or cost of the event and did not want to look it up in order to be able to tell me. She told me they don't pre-sell tickets, but when the website finally worked I saw all the information (date, time, cost for both pre-sale and day-of tickets). Comments such as "If it's not listed there I don't know what to tell you." immediately make me not want to give my money to the venue. I went back to the artist's website to see where else she was playing nearby so that I can perhaps give my money to a better establishment. read more

Best Blues Bar in the Midwest... bar none! Blues since 1973! Mondays 5-7 catch Emily Bass on keys and,Chris Siefkes on harp followed by the always amazing house band Friday Afteroon Club with excellent bands 5-7. National, Regional, Local bands featured read more

Zoo Bar - the logo of a bar called blues - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

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The ZOO BAR is without a doubt the center of original live music in Lincoln, NE. The work of countless musicians and bands from around the world has poured over The Zoo Bar stage for the last 47 years of nightly music in this midwestern musical hot spot. Located a half a block off of (main street) "O street" in downtown Lincoln, it is "the wise old man" of music venues in the midwest. Hosting several hundred bands annually, there is something for anybody who loves music on stage at this intimate club. A modest door fee (usually $5 for 1-2 local acts, regionals around $10, national touring $15-20), will introduce you to the widest variety of music of any regional venue. A "hole in the wall bar," who's walls tell the story of the legendary artists who have graced their stage. Blues made the Zoo Bar famous, but rock 'n' roll, country, alternative, punk, jazz, folk, bluegrass, acoustic or electric, local or national, vintage roots to cutting edge....all can be found at the Zoo Bar. The small music venue with the big reputation is the local best friend to anyone serious about seeing live music in an intimate setting. Shows start around 6 PM most nights, with late show starting after 9 PM. Friday Afternoon Club at 5:00. Check out why loyal music lovers all support the Zoo Bar and have for over 45 years! Located in downtown Lincoln just north on 14th St. between "O" & "P" St. P.S. I am just one of many loyal patrons. I do not wok at or for this est. read more

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4 Stars is a bit lower than what Zoo Bar should be. 5 is close, but probably a 4.8. Zoo is a place I love to visit during many weeks in Lincoln. Currently there is Zoo Fest, but there will be Lincoln Calling and the times like that. I don't think there is a better place to catch a band in an 'intimate' setup. The stage is tiny. Zoo has a great bar that greets you as you enter. Memorabilia from the storied 44 year history pleases your eyes. Excellent prices, courteous staff and a venue that is pretty cool. A Typical round here, say like, a PBR, Mixed drink, and soda (for the driver), it's going to be a mere $.50 less than just a Capt & Coke at a tiny venue in Omaha. It can get crowded during some shows and I have never seen groups of such older folks having a blast. If that bothers you then you should just stay home. Zoo Bar has hosted some of the best music, but you had to be there to hear it. So you should really make a point to stop by when you can. read more

Great bar and great prices. There's always killer live music. Every Sunday they have a comedy show with new comedians.

They always have the best concerts and shows at Zoo bar. I have had some great times there! Small which is the only drawback and the restroom is in the back by the stage. A bit awkward. But otherwise great! read more

Came in Sunday night. Not busy and no music so I can't rate the entertainment. What I can say is we ordered pints of two different tap beers. Both were flat. No carbonation at all. Not sure it's like that all the time but I won't be ordering a tap beer here again read more

My wife & I ordered 2 shots. We thought they were rather small, so we watched the bartender to see where the rest of our drinks went. She poured them into 2 coffee cups, which she & another male bartender drank a few minutes later. Not cool. Bathrooms are gross. Good live bands. I know it's a Lincoln landmark but... I've been there a few times & I don't see the charm. The ONLY reason to go is for the good music. read more

Do the comedy on Sunday! The best come through there. Great prices and service. Love s of places nearby to grab a bite before the show.

Great venue and tons of fun. The late bands were a bit too much for us "old folks" but the early band was just right and the sound quality was superior for a bar this size. Wide range on the audience scale and looks like music for everyone at some point. read more

Love love love the Zoo. Great atmosphere, great people, great service, and especially great live music, you WILL dance to!!! Satisfaction guaranteed! read more

This bar is small and crammed when they have live music. Every time I've been there the staff has been really rude. One time my date and I were the only 2 people in the bar so the bartender kicked us out so he could close early and go home. I am big fan of live music, but I will definitely be listening to it elsewhere! read more

Jazz nights are amazing. My favorite place to go to get a bite to eat and listen to some great musicians.

We got in to watch the Jazzocracy play for free. Gave tips into the tip bucket of course, but this place is totally cool. great vibe, great music and definitely great people. Highly recommend it. read more

Zoo Bar - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Lincoln, Nebraska

Great music, came from out of town and was fortunate enough to stumble into this place. Apparently it's a hopping place for Lincoln folks...reasonable drink prices too read more

Greatest dive bar ever! And the bands are always top notch. Plus, you can learn some great lessons from the bathroom walls.

One of the best (dive) bars in Lincoln! It has good live music too! Don't miss out on this one.

We went to the zoo bar last night and were treated rudely by a bar tender. We entered the bar and the lady working the door said no cover and let us in. We went up the bar to order drinks and the bartender said you need to pay the $8 cover. We were confused and told her what the door lady had said. We paid the $8 per person and the bar tender came back and said on second thought I am not serving you. No one in our party was drunk or out of line. We were respectful to the women bar tender. We left and could not believe how rude she was. We wonder why should would not serve us. Was it because we had people of different colors in our group. Either way don't go to this place the bar tender should be fired for her rude behavior. read more

Bar advertised a band at 9. A different band was there, they said was an opening act. We left at 10, other band still playing. Wouldn't refund cover, I'm sure they were over capacity. I'll never go back. read more

Got charged twice for the same show. Girl at the door asks if I'm here for the shows tonight and I pay the cover. The band ends, then the "manager" comes around collecting a different cover while the next band is setting up. He claimed there was an early and late show even though there were no posted signs, the "early" band ended and the "late" band set up immediately following, and literally everyone in the bar argued this point with him. He was unprofessional and rude. One of the WORST bars I have ever been to, I will never go back and I suggest you avoid this bar at all costs. read more