191 Toole is an all ages venue in Downtown Tucson. With a slogan of ‘standing room, unless otherwise noted,’ this venue is all about live music.
Built in 1923, the warehouse at 191 East Toole Avenue served as a refrigerated transfer station for the Union Pacific Railroad, the initial location for the Tucson Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and community youth center Skrappy’s. In 2016, the non-profit Rialto Theatre Foundation acquired the space in order to create a top-notch smaller live music venue in Tucson.
Improvements to the space include a new stage setup, all new production and lighting, and other updates. Since opening, 191 Toole has played host to hundreds of international, national, and local acts and events.
The venue strives to create a community atmosphere and has a non-for-profit ethos. They regularly host benefit shows and large events such as Folktronic – an event that celebrates the relationships between musicians and modern technology. The event showcases electronic talent and facilitates educational panels along with a producer-meets-songwriter showcase.
Artists that have played 191 Toole include Y la Bamba, Chrome Sparks, Of Montreal, Kero Kero Bonito, The Lemon Twigs, Chief Keef, Mike Pinto, and many more.
