If you’ve visited The Rialto Theatre during the last several months, you’ve likely been treated to some exciting new offerings: hot coffee, tea and baked goods, plus free acoustic concerts courtesy of The Rialto Living Room.
The Living Room is an intimate performance venue with a stage accommodating solo and duo performers. The bar doubles as a coffee shop operated by SRINA Tea House & Café. Every Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., SRINA serves up organic coffee, tea and pastries made in Kenmore by Summit Croissants’ Sally Ohle.
The welcoming space has already earned its share of regulars, including Joseph Baker, a freelance graphic designer and the frontman of the local band Akronauts.
“I work at coffee shops exclusively when I’m not on location with a client,” Baker said, continuing, “I get tired of going to the same cafe over and over again and The Rialto Living Room is a fresh, cozy, relaxing spot to work.”
The Living Room hosts free midday acoustic concerts Fridays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., which feature regional performers like Ben Gage and Chrissy Strong. Rialto owners Seth & Nate Vaill say they will expand to free early-evening performances Wednesday through Saturday.
“The Living Room is a place where you can meet a friend after work, chat over a drink and hang around for some quality live music,” Seth said. “It’s a way to keep our doors open to the community more often.”