Hotel Congress

Hotel Congress, lodging and music in downtown Tucson

Hotel Congress is a historic establishment located in downtown Tucson, Arizona. According to its own presentation, it combines lodging, dining, bars, a concert hall, and event spaces. The building, constructed in 1919, was designed for travelers arriving on the Southern Pacific line and originally featured guest rooms, a café, a beauty shop, a barber, and the now-famous Tap Room.

Rooms and lodging

The hotel offers several room categories: Cactus Garden Rooms, Club Rooms, Standard Rooms, and Haunted Rooms. Guests can book through the website. The building retains its historic character; the note about the haunted rooms indicates that the elevator was destroyed in the 1934 fire and that guests must climb one flight of stairs to reach them.

Dining and bars

The complex includes the Cup Cafe restaurant, The Lounge, Tiger's Tap Room, and the Century Room bar. The dining offering is complemented by the option to reserve a table. The Cup Cafe and the bars serve food and drinks, and during events, food and beverages are available for purchase.

Live music and nightlife

The hotel has three main spaces for music and events: the Century Room, Club Congress, and the Plaza Stage. The programming is varied and includes jazz, soul, hip-hop, samba, and Brazilian music, among other genres. The Century Room hosts performances such as Hot Jazz Wednesdays, with the Hot Club of Tucson performing jazz manouche in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, and Soul Jazz Lounge, with rotating bands and a Viscount Legend Soul organ. Club Congress hosts events such as First Round, a monthly songwriters' gathering. The Plaza Stage programs outdoor concerts and parties, such as the Farewell Summer Samba Party or Tempo: Tucson Baddie TAKEOVER. Most events are for ages 16 or 21 and over, depending on the case, and some are free and for all ages.

Private events and spaces

The hotel has spaces for private events and offers specific information for booking them. Guided tours about the building's ghost stories are also organized, lasting 30 minutes, held on Fridays at 6 p.m. Tickets for these tours are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for children.

History and heritage

Opened in 1919, Hotel Congress is a witness to Tucson's history. In 1934, infamous bank robber John Dillinger passed through the hotel before a fire revealed the presence of his gang and led to his capture without a single shot fired. The building retains original elements and its architecture reflects the era in which it was built. The guided tour mentions characters such as the lace-shrouded lady, the Victorian Gentleman in Room 214, the Locksmith's Apprentice, Vince the handyman, and the Lady in White, and ends in a rarely seen séance room.

Other services

The hotel has a shop offering gift cards, shirts, calendars, and accessories. It also has a radio station and a news section. For press inquiries, there is a specific contact. Booking rooms, tables, and event tickets can be done through the website.

Location and contact

Phone: 520-622-8848 · Email: reservations@hotelcongress.com