Review: Rock & Brews at ilani hits perfect balance between food and music

Guitars from famous acts welcome folks to Rock & Brews at ilani, which had its grand opening last week. Photo by Paul Valencia

Family restaurant held its grand opening at ilani last week

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

A large chair is positioned outside the entrance, a rock ‘n roll throne, with more than a dozen guitars, representing famous acts, stretching above the backrest.

That is just outside Rock & Brews Restaurant and Concert Bar at ilani.

Inside, more music decor, delicious food, and a friendly staff. And, oh yes, music. Of course, music.

The Dueling Hobbits — a dueling piano show — performed Thursday during the opening week of Rock & Brews at ilani. Photo by Paul Valencia

Rock & Brews opened last week, with Gene Simmons of KISS fame performing. Simmons is a co-founder of the chain of restaurants featuring rock music and history.

The performances continued throughout the week, and the show will go on from here on out, as well. Last week, the Dueling Hobbits played on Thursday — a dueling piano act — and a Tina Turner tribute was scheduled for Friday. A hits band and a rock band were on the list for the weekend. And this week, Rock & Brews is starting out with a Motown Monday show.

Gene Simmons of KISS Fame performed with the Gene Simmons Band on opening night of Rock & Brews at ilani. Simmons is a co-founder of Rock & Brews. Photo courtesy Chris Barker

On most nights, Rock & Brews is family friendly, a restaurant open to all ages. That includes right in front of the state. (Minors are not allowed in the area around the two bars.) It should be noted that when bigger acts are scheduled and management makes it a standing room only venue in front of the stage, that will be a 21-and-over night.

For the most part, though, Rock & Brews allows for families to enjoy their meals, and get a taste of rock history.

There is a wall of art featuring the Seattle Sound of the grunge era.

There are posters of big-name concerts that were held in the Northwest, including a Led Zeppelin poster that notes the concert is on May 7, 1969 at Portland Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Washington. Yes, Portland, Washington! Led Zeppelin did not teach geography but did play some incredible music.

And one wall has art of AC/DC, KISS, and more rock influences from the 1970s and 80s.

The restaurant part of Rock & Brews extends well beyond the stage. And in one room, there is more memorabilia featuring Washington artists such as Heart, the Foo Fighters, and Sir Mix-a-Lot.

There is a wall at Rock & Brews at ilani dedicated to the Seattle Sound. Photo by Paul Valencia

Rock & Brews is located at what was formerly known as The Muze Lounge, and extends to what was previously known as Rose n Thorn. Those operations closed last year in order for construction on Rock & Brews.

Kaleb Jarvis, a bartender at Rock & Brews, used to work at The Muze. He was working elsewhere on property during construction. He said returning to this location makes him feel at home.

But in a much nicer home.

“When I first saw this, it gave me chills. It really did. It’s a beautiful restaurant,” Jarvis said. “It was so spectacular.”

The live entertainment creates quite a vibe.

“If you have never seen dueling pianos, you really have to come out,” he said. “It brings out that energy that people love.”

The food was fantastic, and the prices not out of range of any other large chain family restaurant. Two of us shared the We Salute You pulled pork sandwich, named in honor of a legendary AC/DC song, and the blackened chicken pasta. Great size portion, very flavorful.

Of course, as Clark County’s No. 1 Prince fan, I ordered the Purple Rain Drops for dessert, chocolate filled donuts with raspberry sauce and whipped cream. Highly recommend it.

Rock & Brews opened Tuesday, April 24, on the 7th anniversary of ilani’s opening.

The festivities began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring remarks from Simmons, ilani President and General Manager Kara Fox-LaRose, Cowlitz Indian Tribe Chairwoman Patty Kinswa-Gaiser, and Adam Goldberg, CEO and partner at Rock & Brews.

“As we open the doors to Rock & Brews, we invite you to join us in celebrating not just a meal, but an experience — a celebration of great food and rock ‘n roll music,” Fox–LaRose said. “This is a one-of-a-kind experience, offering amazing food, supporting our local craft breweries and entertainers, and providing memorable experiences for our guests as we continue to celebrate our community and our region.”

Here is some of the signage on the walls and the ceiling at Rock & Brews at ilani. The restaurant and live music spot opened last week. Photo by Paul Valencia

Rock & Brews features 10,000 square feet with 15 LED screens and a vast performance stage to host local artists and well known national acts. The venue features two full-service bars, and a dance floor in front of the stage.

“It’s really something special,” Jarvis said.

Note: The ilani website updated its schedule for acts at Rock & Brews through the end of May. Here is the link: https://ilaniresort.com/events-and-promotions/schedule-of-events.ilani@venue_rock-and-brews.html