Best Live Music Venue
BECU LIVE AT NORTHERN QUEST RESORT & CASINO
The fact that a venue that's only open during the Inland Northwest's warm months continues to dominate this category really speaks to the greatness of BECU Live at Northern Quest. It's an open-air oasis with great sound and views that consistently boasts the best, most diverse summer concert lineup around. What other venue in 2024 brought together country lovers (Kane Brown, Needtobreathe), classic rock aficionados (Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Steve Miller Band), '90s rock kids (The Smashing Pumpkins, Third Eye Blind), and a cappella fans (Pentatonix)? None. And that's why it continues to reign supreme. (SS)
2nd PLACE: Spokane Live at Spokane Tribe Resort & Casino; 3rd PLACE: The Chameleon NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Nashville North, Post Falls
Best Place to Play Dungeons & Dragons
NATURAL 20 BREWING CO.
For the first time in Inlander Best Of history, we asked where the best place to play Dungeons & Dragons was, and readers resoundingly said Natural 20 Brewing Co. On top of hosting trivia nights and sporting event viewings, the nerdy taproom and brewery (with its very fitting name) runs one-shot D&D campaigns for newbies and experienced players alike. Since co-owners Jackie and Reece Carlson opened the space in Spokane Valley in 2019, they've expanded to a second location near downtown Spokane. Not unlike the taverns frequented in D&D campaigns, the space offers a large selection of beer, mead and wine alongside a sizable menu including the "Dwarven Craft" mac and beer cheese, a "Blazing Griffin" pasta, and "Wyverns and Waffles," the brewery's take on chicken and waffles. (CR)
2nd PLACE (tie): Bear Totem, Sage's Portal; 3rd PLACE: Merlyn's
Best Movie Theater
AMC RIVER PARK SQUARE 20
For those seeking out the highest quality big screen experience in Spokane, the AMC at River Park Square is pretty obviously the best choice. Boasting premium IMAX and Dolby screens and the best sound, picture, and reclining seats in the region, it's a haven for blockbuster lovers. But in recent years, AMC has also been using its array screens to spotlight more of the types of foreign and independent features that used to only be available at arthouse theaters. Couple that with their AMC A-List subscription (essentially a still-functioning MoviePass) that's a must for any cinephile, and you've got a formula for folks to continue to take the mall's escalator up to the top floors to discover new cinematic worlds. (SS)
2nd PLACE: The Garland Theater; 3rd PLACE: Magic Lantern TheatreNORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Hayden Cinema
Best Outdoor Concert of the Past Year
KANE BROWN AT BECU LIVE AT NORTHERN QUEST (8/15/24)
Kane Brown might be trying to get the Best Outdoor Concert honor named after him. After already winning the award in 2019 for his previous trip to Northern Quest, Brown was at it again last summer. Boasting a unique country charisma with a dash of hip-hop swagger and strikingly good looks, it's easy to see why Inlander readers swoon over the country superstar. He rolled through a set loaded with hits like "Mile on It," "Heaven," and "Homesick" with a casual cool confidence that kept the crowd locked in all night. Brown ended the set with "I Love Country Music," and it's clear from your votes that you agree with that sentiment. (SS)
2nd PLACE: Five Finger Death Punch at BECU Live (8/29/24)
3rd PLACE: Sammy Hagar and Loverboy at BECU Live (8/13/24)
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Jason Mraz at Festival at Sandpoint (8/2/24)
Best Indoor Concert of the Last Year
JELLY ROLL AT
SPOKANE ARENA (8/30/24)
After Spokane Arena shut down for renovations during the summer of 2024, the venue returned with a bang in the form of country superstar Jelly Roll's visit to town. The tattooed country troubadour whipped fans into a frenzy with an array of fan favorite hits and a slew of new songs from his rightfully acclaimed new album Beautifully Broken. While fans might've been singing along with every word of the set-opening chart-topper like "I Am Not Okay," for at least one night Jelly Roll made it all feel alright. (SS)
2nd PLACE: Def Leppard at Spokane Arena (9/6/24)
3rd PLACE: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Spokane Arena (11/22/24)
Best Singer/Songwriter
MATTHEW
JOSEPH HUGHES
(AUTOMATIC SHOES)
You always feel like you're getting the real deal when taking in the music of Matthew Joseph Hughes, the Atari Ferrari frontman who releases solo material as Automatic Shoes. The singer-songwriter unabashedly wears his heart and his influences on his sleeve, crafting eclectic tunes that often feel like they'd best be oxymoronically described as modern classic rock. His sweet voice and tender soul are on full display on his 2024 album Remember When We Were All Lovers, which at times calls to mind everything from Bob Dylan and Aimee Mann to Donovan and Taylor Swift, all distinctively being in his own voice. Anytime the slightly hermetic Hughes graces a local stage, it serves as a dose of warmth for the Spokane scene. (SS)
2nd PLACE: Allen Stone; 3rd PLACE: Blake Braley
Best Play of the Past Year
CATS, SPOKANE CIVIC THEATRE
Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats isn't the sort of musical that anyone decides to stage on a whim. As of this writing, it's the fifth-longest-running Broadway show of all time and the progenitor of the "megamusical" — a distinction that it earned thanks to the elaborate costumes, bold choreography, ambitious set design and earworms like "Memory" that turned it into a massive cultural phenomenon. Undaunted, the vast collective talents of the Spokane Civic Theatre rose to the challenge and created a clear audience favorite in doing so. Theater industry professionals were equally wowed. The same production also took home 2024 BroadwayWorld Seattle Awards for Best Musical and Best Costume Design. (EJI)
2nd PLACE: Macbeth, Shakespeare Coeur d'Alene; 3rd PLACE: The Buddy Holly Story, Spokane Valley Summer Theatre
Best Touring Broadway Musical of the Past Year
BEETLEJUICE
Based on the eponymous 1988 film by Tim Burton, the stage adaptation of Beetlejuice is about a demon who convinces a dead couple to haunt their former residence. His ulterior motive is to get one of the house's living inhabitants to speak his name aloud three times, thereby lifting his curse of invisibility. While it departs from the original film, the Broadway musical retains iconic scenes (and tunes) like the dinner party possession around "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)." It also doubles down on the zany energy and zingy one-liners. Those qualities were enough to edge out other strong nationally touring productions for the top spot in this category. So feel free to join the conga line if you were lucky enough to catch Beetlejuice when it came through Spokane with the Best of Broadway series. Just don't tempt fate by saying the title of the musical three times in a row. (EJI)
2nd PLACE: Hadestown; 3rd PLACE: Come From Away
BEST BAND, MOSTLY COVERS
Rusty Nail and the Hammers
"Local Spokane band just trying to have fun and get people out to enjoy some fun and great music!" (Shana S.); "The crowd is alive when this band plays. I've gone to countless shows and never been dissatisfied." (Austin V.); "Lead singer is phenomenal, and they play a really good variety!" (Angela D.)
2nd PLACE: Tamarack Ridge Band; 3rd PLACE: Bruiser
BEST RAP ACT / ARTIST
ExZac Change & Matisse
"Found ExZac Change on Instagram and been listening ever since. Love the vibes." (Chad S.); "From the lyrical bars to the infectious energy they give in their live performances, these guys never miss!" (Tif R.); "You can't deny their talent!" (Rose S.)
2nd PLACE: Jang the Goon; 3rd PLACE: T.S The Solution
BEST DJ
GrandMixer GMS
"This guy has been mixing since he was 11 and gets better and better! There isn't anything he can't mix." (Cheyenne D.); "He can rock a turntable!" (Summer J.); "Has repped Spokane since the '80s, won first Inland Northwest DJ battle, was on Sway in The Morning, DJ for Tairrie B (Eazy E's artist), does iHeartRadio, Won 2024 West Coast Radio Mixer of the Year, reps local artists on the international stage!" (Shawn C.)
2nd PLACE: DJ Rosethrow; 3rd PLACE: DJ Donuts
BEST ESCAPE ROOM
Think Tank Escape Rooms
"They are the best escape room I've played out of 150+ all over the world. Their space game is amazing." (Alex W.); "Think Tank has imaginative tech, unique sets and great puzzles that come together to make really immersive escape rooms! I can't wait to see what they have coming out next." (Cody E.)
2nd PLACE: Unit 55 Horror Games; 3rd PLACE: Escape Entertainment
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST ESCAPE ROOM
59: Escape Adventures, Post Falls
"D.B. Cooper Escape is challenging!" (Cheri H.); "They have amazing technology and the best customer service! Their rooms are incredibly immersive and are such a fun experience." (Shayla O.)
BEST OPEN MIC NIGHT
MAC Movement
at Red Room
"Red Room and MAC Movement host the best open mic because all are welcome without judgment and with open arms. They just want to give people with talent a safe space to come show off their talent!" (Joseph S.); "I've spent the past 40+ Monday nights with them and not only has my network circle grown, I'm mastering my craft." (Tajher D.); "RIP Craig." (Britaney B.)
2nd PLACE: The Q Lounge; 3rd PLACE: Spokane Comedy Club
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Black Lodge Brewing, Coeur d'Alene
BEST ARCADE
Chaos Arcade
"Unique concept. Great for all ages. Something fun and different to do in Spokane with friends, family and coworkers." (Andre D.); "Everything about it is amazing and well thought out." (Weston A.); "Lots of great games, good food." (Don H.)
2nd PLACE: Jedi Alliance; 3rd PLACE: Gamers Arcade Bar
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: Triple Play Family Fun Park, Hayden
BEST BAND, MOSTLY ORIGINALS
Snacks at Midnight
"An incredibly driven group of talented artists. They are pushing the needle when it comes to creating a unique and fun style!" (Tanner T.); "Outstanding songwriting, great energy." (David W.); "Great sound, great lead singer, great vibes!" (Abbi M.)
2nd PLACE: Nothing Shameful
3rd PLACE: The Bed Heads
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD PUB
AND BEST TRIVIA NIGHT
Garland Brew Werks with Bearded Trivia
"Everybody knows my name! Great staff, great beers and they participate in local Garland events. Family friendly." (Arron T.); "Fun and personable trivia host, questions strike balance between easy and hard so it's competitive but never demoralizing." (Mary Kate K.); "You have to get there an hour early at minimum. Everyone wants to be at GBW for trivia night!" (Matt S.)
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD PUB
2nd PLACE: The Elk Public House, Browne's Addition
3rd PLACE: Radio Bar, Northwest Spokane
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: The Crown & Thistle Pub, Coeur d'Alene
BEST TRIVIA NIGHT
2nd PLACE: Uprise Brewing Co. with Hans Liezen
3rd PLACE: nYne Bar & Bistro
NORTH IDAHO'S BEST: The Crown & Thistle Pub, Coeur d'Alene
