About

Ivy Room is a women owned, all-inclusive venue with an audience spanning different age groups and ethnicities, and a special home for the LGBTQ+ community. Patrons come from the Bay Area and beyond to see artists from all genres of music - from roots and country to jazz, rock and hip hop. Our success is founded on a deeply held mission of creating a safe, friendly and diverse environment for our community to express their art and enjoy a show.

Ivy Room is a historic neighborhood bar in Albany, California that was founded in the early 1940’s. It’s beloved past owner, Dottie MacBeath, managed the Ivy in the 1990’s. Her son, Bill MacBeath booked blues, rockabilly, country, rock, and swing acts like Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Jim Campilongo, the Loved Ones, Deke Dickerson, and Chuck Prophet. A recurring sentiment that the music community kept telling us when we took over was how we “brought the Ivy Room back to what it was and more”.

There was a hole in this area that hadn’t been filled until we resurrected the Ivy Room and brought American roots, blues, country and so much more music back to the Ivy Room stage. Since taking over, we are the only venue offering 7-nights a week of music to fuel the Bay Area music scene. We are a drumming heartbeat in our community, a place where everyone can come in and partake in music, and do so in a safe space.

LANI TORRES
Co-Owner and Talent Buyer

Lani got her start in the bar business at The Blue Lagoon in Santa Cruz where her love for live music inspired a move to New York to experience what the world had to offer. In 2001 she joined the team at CBGB’s and The Bowery Ballroom. With the East Village quickly becoming her stomping ground, Lani’s work at these two legendary venues built her foundation of how live music shows should run night after night. 

 In 2004, Lani moved to San Francisco and began working for Another Planet Entertainment at The Independent. As Bar Manager since 2008, she credits the venue with teaching her attention to detail and the ins and outs of running a successful music venue. 

After meeting Summer Jager in 2007 at 12 Galaxies, the pair built a trust and mutual respect that would establish the foundation for their dream of opening a bar and venue of their own. Looking to create a safe and inviting space where everyone in the community feels welcome, Ivy Room has become that place. Home to national and local acts, the pair’s vision was realized in 2015 and they have been kicking ass ever since.

SUMMER JAGER
Co-Owner & Beverage Director

Raised in Los Angeles and having started her career early in the bar and restaurant industry, Summer made the move to San Francisco in 1995. Summer earned a Bachelor's degree in Urban Studies at SFSU, spending time off traveling and bartending, ultimately spending 14 years tending bar and managing North Beach's famed Columbus Cafe. She has been employed at several reputable venues including The Warfield, The Regency Ballroom, 111 Minna Gallery, and the Fox Theater in Oakland. In 2011, knowing that opening a bar and venue was a dream both she and friend Lani Torres shared, the plan to acquire and refurbish Ivy Room was put in motion. Together, they have built a home for the community to gather and a stage that plays host to national and local acts. While continuing in her role at the Ivy Room, Summer has recently joined a reputable commercial real estate team in the Bay Area and enjoys assisting folks in making their dreams of small business ownership a reality.