Vino Di Sedona Open Mic Review: Live Music Under the Sedona Stars
There are open mics you attend because they are convenient.
Then there are open mics that make you want to plan an entire trip around going back.
For Emma and me, Vino Di Sedona fell into the second category.
We made the drive to Sedona on Thursday, September 10, 2026, not really knowing what to expect beyond the fact that the venue hosted a weekly open mic.
A few hours later, we had played twice, met a group of regulars who wanted us to come back, connected with several musicians, talked with the person responsible for booking live music, eaten some great food, and performed originals under the stars as the temperature finally dropped with the setting sun.
It felt like an open mic and a miniature Sedona getaway at the same time.
Quick Details: Vino Di Sedona Open Mic
Venue: Vino Di Sedona
Address: 2575 Arizona 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Open mic: Thursday nights
Sign-up (based on our experience: Between approximately 5:00 and 6:00 PM
Music: Approximately 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sign-up: Paper list numbered 1 through 20
Set length: Up to 15 minutes
Cost: Free; no food or drink minimum during our visit
Host: Hosts rotate; Tommy hosted our night
Stage: Outdoor patio stage
Sound: PA, microphones, monitors, and instrument hookups provided
Drum kit: No; Backing tracks: Yes; Duos/trios: Yes
Food: Full menu with gluten-free options
Drinks: Extensive wine selection, craft beer, full bar, and nonalcoholic choices
Parking: Free lot at the venue
Atmosphere: Relaxed outdoor Sedona patio with music, food, conversation, and a supportive crowd
Best for: Singer-songwriters, acoustic performers, duos, trios, beginners, experienced musicians and performers interested in eventually playing paid gigs in Sedona.
The official site confirms Thursday bar hours of 11 AM to 10 PM, as well as the large patio, food service, and nightly live music.
Sign-up Was Easy, but Everyone Wanted the Cooler Spots
We arrived around 5:30 PM.
A paper signup sheet numbered 1 through 20 was sitting near the stage, and surprisingly, it was still almost completely empty.
There were already several musicians around, so at first we could not figure out why nobody had signed up.
Then we remembered we were standing outside in Sedona in early September.
It was still around 95 degrees.
People were strategically choosing later slots so they could perform after sunset.
Emma and I signed up sixth, but because other musicians chose numbers farther down the list, we ended up going second.
By the time darkness arrived, we understood their strategy.
The patio filled in, the temperature dropped, the table lights came on, and Vino Di Sedona turned into a very different place.
Tommy Set the Tone for a Very Relaxed Open Mic
Our host that night was Tommy.
When we arrived, he was onstage checking sound, but he stopped what he was doing to welcome us and explain how everything worked.
That interaction pretty much predicted the entire evening.
Tommy was friendly, relaxed, and easygoing.
He opened with three songs of his own, introduced each performer and made sure everyone was connected properly. After that, he mostly let musicians do their thing.
I appreciated that.
There are open mics where the host is constantly adjusting something or micromanaging every part of the performance.
This was more:
Your sound is good.
Your 15 minutes are yours.
Have fun.
The entire venue seemed to operate with that same laid-back energy.
Fifteen Minutes Gives You Room to Actually Perform
One thing musicians will appreciate is the longer set.
Instead of the common two-song or 10-minute format, performers received up to 15 minutes during our visit.
Depending on the length of your songs, that can mean three or four.
You also do not have to fill the entire slot.
Several performers played only one or two songs.
That makes this surprisingly beginner-friendly. If you only have one song you feel ready to perform, you don't have to stretch your set just because time is available.
Our First Set Started With About 12 People
When we first took the stage, the sun was still going down, and the crowd was small.
Maybe 12 people.
Most appeared to be regular patrons who come on Thursdays to eat, drink wine, and listen to whoever signs up.
We opened with our original “I Need Another Hero.”
Then we played another original, “They’re Comin’ for You (Wolves).”
That song sometimes causes audiences to howl along during the chorus.
This crowd needed absolutely no encouragement.
They howled loudly.
Then they kept doing it after the song ended.
At that point we knew we were going to get along.
We followed with our cover of “Extreme Ways,” known from the Jason Bourne films, and finished at sunset with our original “When the Sun Goes Down.”
The timing on that last one could not have been better.
Tommy encouraged us to keep playing because nobody was rushing to get onstage, but we did not want to abuse our slot.
So we stopped after four.
When we walked offstage, the large table of local regulars called us over.
They wanted to know where we were from, where else we played, and whether we planned to come back.
That was our first indication that this crowd was paying much closer attention than it might appear.
This Crowd Taught Me Something About Listening
Vino Di Sedona is not a traditional silent listening room.
People talk.
They eat.
They open bottles of wine.
They laugh with friends.
But they are also listening.
During our soundcheck, we played part of “Walkin’ After Midnight” by Patsy Cline.
As soon as we stopped, I overheard the conversation at the big table change.
Suddenly they were talking about Patsy Cline, her career and her tragic death.
They had been carrying on their own conversation the entire time, yet what we played changed what they were talking about.
That was interesting to me.
Sometimes musicians assume that if people are talking, they are not listening.
Vino Di Sedona reminded me that those things are not mutually exclusive.
People would talk during songs, cheer when we finished, ask us to play more, and then go right back to their conversations when the next song started.
The live music was part of their evening, not something demanding complete silence.
It was a great balance.
The Patio Changes Completely After Dark
The patio is one of the biggest reasons this open mic stands out.
It is huge, with round tables spread throughout the courtyard.
After sunset, small table lights and subtle patio lighting create the kind of intimate atmosphere you would expect from a Sedona wine bar.
Look up, and you see stars.
Behind you, you can hear the gentle sound of the patio waterfall.
The official venue describes the space as a spacious courtyard patio, and its public materials make outdoor seating a major part of the Vino Di Sedona experience.
Once darkness settled in, the stage was illuminated while much of the audience disappeared into the softer lighting around the tables.
For a nervous beginner, that could actually help.
You know people are there, but you are not staring directly into dozens of faces.
Then Tommy Asked Us to Play Again
Tommy wanted us to experience the later crowd, so he offered us another opening around 8 PM.
We accepted.
For our second set, we played “Fever” and our original “Savior.”
“Fever” immediately became interactive.
People snapped and sang along, while Carl, a local percussionist who had brought hand drums and shakers, joined us gently from beside the stage.
Then we switched gears completely.
“Savior” carries a much stronger message about world peace.
Carl moved over to the hand drums.
The crowd quieted.
People listened to the lyrics.
When we finished, Tommy encouraged us to keep going again, but musicians were waiting, so we gave the stage back.
Afterward, the regulars started asking where they could follow us and telling us we needed our own gig there.
Tommy agreed.
That is when we met Jill.
If You Want a Gig Here, Open Mic Matters
Tommy introduced us to Jill, who runs Vino Di Sedona and handles the music booking.
She explained a system that immediately made sense once we looked around at the quality of the venue.
Vino Di Sedona's official website currently advertises live music seven nights a week.
According to Jill, for the regular local booking rotation, musicians should first perform at the open mic so she can actually see and hear what they do.
If she is interested after that, the musician sends an EPK for consideration.
She explained that newer acts may begin with a weekday opportunity before being considered for busier weekend rotations. She also tries to avoid booking the same musicians too close together and plans her calendar well in advance.
She told us she was already booked through the end of the year and into 2027.
Emma and I sent her our EPK.
Now we wait.
One thing I would emphasize to musicians reading this: showing up matters.
Do not treat this article as an invitation to bombard the restaurant with booking requests.
If you are interested in becoming part of the regular local music rotation, our experience suggests the best introduction is simple:
Go play the open mic.
Meet the people.
Let them hear you.
Food Allergies Were Surprisingly Easy Here
The official menu is extensive, with tapas, salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, and desserts. It specifically marks several gluten-free dishes and offers gluten-free flatbread crusts and chips as substitutions.
That worked well for us.
We had hummus with a gluten-free substitution, a gluten-free and dairy-free pizza, and dolmas.
Then we ordered another plate of dolmas because apparently one order was not enough.
The staff was attentive when we explained our food sensitivities and
helped us figure out modifications.
And then there was the water.
Emma and I grew up with well water, so we have become annoyingly picky about tap water.
Most restaurant water tastes like a swimming pool to us.
The complimentary water station at Vino Di Sedona passed the test.
No noticeable chlorine taste.
That may not make most restaurant reviews.
It made ours.
Would We Go Back?
Absolutely.
The only drawback is that Sedona is roughly a two-hour drive from home for us.
Next time, we would probably turn the open mic into a full day or overnight trip.
Hike.
Explore Sedona.
Eat dinner.
Play music under the stars.
If Jill eventually finds a spot for Emma & James Music in the live music rotation, we are already joking about planning the hiking itinerary around the gig.
Wishful thinking?
Possibly.
Or maybe that is just Sedona doing what Sedona does.
Who Is This Open Mic Best For?
Vino Di Sedona works for beginners, experienced musicians, singer-songwriters, acoustic performers, duos and trios.
Backing tracks were used during our visit, so performers who rely on them should feel more comfortable here than at open mics where they are discouraged.
The biggest limitation is the lack of a house drum kit or bass amp, which makes a conventional full-band setup less straightforward.
This is also a particularly useful open mic for musicians hoping to expand beyond their usual part of Arizona.
For Emma and me, Sedona feels far enough away to be an adventure but close enough to realistically become part of our music circuit.
That might be what I liked most about this one.
You can drive up as strangers.
Play a few songs while the sun disappears behind Sedona.
Hear a patio full of people howl during one of your originals.
Make a few new friends.
Send someone your EPK.
Then drive home wondering when you can do it again.
That is a pretty good Thursday night.
About the Author
James Mattison is a musician and blog writer for the Desert Vibe Podcast. He is one half of Emma & James Music, an Arizona-based husband-and-wife music duo performing mostly original music with select covers that fit their soulful, guitar-driven style.
Emma Mattison is known for her expressive vocal style and also manages the website, social media, marketing and online presence that help Desert Vibe reach listeners and musicians across Arizona.
Together, Emma and James are exploring live music events around the state for Desert Vibe's “What’s Vibin' in the Desert” segment, sharing firsthand reviews designed to help musicians understand what to expect before trying a new open mic.
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