Finally got here to see a band, Newspaper Taxis and Dead Flowers on Friday 11/13.
Had a good night here, mostly due to the decent band and nice employees. But it is an odd layout and a bit of a strange experience seeing a band here. Bit of an identity crisis, is this a music venue or a bar restaurant?
The front part of the restaurant seems to be just that, a bar\restaurant with lots of people having dinner and drinks at the bar\tables. Do these people pay a cover charge to have dinner? Or do you get a free show by having dinner? I'm not sure how that works...
They really need some more space here, it's quite tight with their layout.
The music area starts abruptly where the tables stop, and the dance floor begins...Is this what intimate means? It's quite tight in the stage area, and since the kitchen is back there as well as the bathrooms...there is a constant flow of people back and forth. It seems funny to see servers dancing thru the crowd with someone's dinner in their hands. Unless it's your dinner, then it may seem a bit gross...your food having to traipse thru the dance floor to get to your table...
It is also tough to eat if you are going to a show. The dining area was packed, as was the bar. So I didn't know where I would order, or where I would eat. I ended up waiting till the bar started to clear out and got a spot at the bar. Ordered their burger from the late night menu(which I can't find online), which was decent for 9 bucks. Bartenders were on point, friendly and efficient.
I forgot this place is run by the folks at Ripplewood. When I ordered the burger I was asked the same question...Pink or No Pink. I got the Pink at Ripplewood and it was a huge mistake. It was almost like beef tartar on a bun and I absolutely detested it. I got the No Pink this time, and was surprised at how pink the No Pink still was, but it was definitely more to my liking. Same fries as ripplewood too, very good. I'm also glad there wasn't any bologna\pickled onions on my burger...Where would I eat if I didn't snag a spot at the bar? Stand on the dance floor with a burger and drink in my hand?
Best thing going here...The staff...
Everyone was very nice and personable, from the front desk ticket takers, to the bartenders and barbacks dancing thru the dance floor with their buckets of ice and trays of food...
I'm glad to see another place for live music on the main line, but the space isn't the best for this concept. read more