BY BRITTANY DANIELLE for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 6/26/2026
Did you know Sumner identifies as the rhubarb pie capital of the world?
One day, Jeff Brown came home and asked his wife, Andrea Perry, if she wanted to buy a bar. She thought he was joking. He wasn’t. That spontaneous decision helped create one of Sumner’s most welcoming homes for local music, where seasoned performers and first-time artists can find a stage.
Andrea and Jeff had no background in bars, restaurants, or live music when they took over Rhubarb Restaurant. Andrea works as a surgical technician. Jeff works as an operations manager for a warehouse. When Jeff learned the previous owner was planning to sell the business, the couple decided to take a leap. Shortly after taking ownership, several regulars asked whether the new owners would continue the Friday night open mic that had become a fixture at the location.
“I didn’t even really know what that meant, but we agreed to do a trial and see how it went,” Andrea said.
“After that first night, we were hooked.”
Andrea and Jeff quickly became acquainted with a core group of musicians who returned week after week. What began as an open mic evolved when one performer asked about booking a solo show. Then another followed. Before long, Rhubarb had become a gathering place for local artists and music fans alike.
Today, the restaurant hosts live music on Thursdays and Saturdays while continuing its Friday night open-mic tradition. Andrea and Jeff are especially committed to creating opportunities for musicians.
“We really encourage younger or new musicians to come to open mic to practice being in front of a crowd,” Andrea said. “Last week, we had a ten-year-old come with his instructor to play guitar and sing. It’s a very welcoming environment for all.”
Rhubarb Restaurant offers musicians a place to gain experience, test new material, and connect with an audience. For artists interested in performing, open-mic night often serves as the first introduction.
“It’s kind of an audition where we get to see a three-song set and how the audience responds to your sound,” Andrea said.
Musicians can also reach out through Rhubarb’s social media channels with examples of previous performances.
Andrea and Jeff continued saying yes as the community grew around them.
Rhubarb welcomes all ages for lots of other types of events and hosts Family Karaoke on Sunday evenings. Throughout the month, guests can participate in paint-and-sip events, macramé workshops, and crushed-glass art classes. Andrea hopes to add book clubs and game nights in the future.
That willingness has already brought a variety of artists through the doors, including Sam Parker, James Coates, and Erina McLarin. What started as a single open-mic night has evolved into a regular destination for local performers and music fans seeking an intimate room and an attentive audience.
The calendar continues to grow throughout the summer. On June 25, The Entourage brings its three-piece blend of jazz, heavy metal, psychedelic rock, pop, avant-garde music, funk, and beyond. Rhubarb will host a comedy show on June 27, with tickets required for admission. On July 1, singer-songwriter Gina Belliveau takes the stage, showcasing the looping, mouth trumpet, and signature harmonies that have earned her a reputation as one of the South Sound’s most distinctive performers. Zach Irving follows on July 2 with a versatile blend of acoustic folk, rock, blues, and country. On July 9, Walker Sherman brings his mix of blues, folk, Southern rock, and grunge soul, drawing from Americana, roots, and Southern soul traditions. Sunny Loudin rounds out the lineup on July 11 with a sound rooted in gothic folk, acoustic soul, and folk rock, delivering the emotional storytelling that also fuels her work with the band Sunrust.
For anyone looking to discover local music in the South Sound, Rhubarb has quietly become one of Sumner’s most inviting gathering places. Musicians find a stage there. Families find entertainment. Neighbors find connection.
Follow Rhubarb on Instagram at @rhubarbsumner, where they keep an updated list of upcoming musicians and comedy shows. Find more information at rhubarbsumner.com.
Visit Rhubarb at 16202 64th St. E., Suite 102-103, Sumner, WA 98390.
