I grew up in Appleton but live 1.5 hours away now. Drove in to see the headliner ie committed to this show.
The Bent Keg is a joke. Halloween weekend aside (as I've been in Appleton previously for wilder events-Mile of Music, Wednesday before Thanksgiving, etc.)
Things that happened at this hellacious bar
1) "Doors open at 8" didn't actually mean that. We looked in at 745 and saw people there already so stepped in. Almost didn't get a seat. Apparently doors open isn't a thing?
2) A bartender took a filled garbage bag and gave it to a coworker to dispose of, lifting the bag over the bar, where people set drinks/food. Unreal.
3) When we were seated the bartender asked us what we wanted. My girlfriend asked what beers they have on tap. The bartender replied yeah we have a list over there on the wall. A list we were unable to see given the angle we were at sitting along the bar. Cmon!
4) Whilst the band was doing soundcheck, without asking patrons sitting by the garage door, a bartender opened the garage door (which has the original light fixture of a garage door and is completely obnoxious) halfway up in 40 degrees weather because it "might get hot up near the stage." My girlfriend put her winter coat on at the bar/it was uncomfortably cold. They then adjusted the garage door 2x more within 2 hours nonsensically. At no point was it hot in the bar lol. Moreover opening the garage door in downtown Appleton screwed up the acoustics as choppers and cars revving their engines were more easily heard.
5.) Not really the bar's fault but some of patrons who frequent this joint/Appleton proper are ridiculous. One bum who was probably 6"5 leaned on the bar cranking bottled beers for 30 minutes blocking everyone's view. The bar did nothing. We ended up leaving cuz a patron who appeared stoned out of his mind just about clocked my girlfriend in the head and was completely unaware of how to communicate with people sitting at the bar ie saying excuse me or pardon me and not invading their personal space like a fool.
6) People, barstaff included ,were loud even after the opening act started.
This bar has an identity crisis. It kind of wants to be a music venue, but mostly they just want to sell drinks and hawk you at the bar for your next one. For those of you looking for a music venue, this is not what you're looking for.
Mile of Music has deluded this and other places in downtown Appleton that they are music venues when they have neither the setup or desire to be this.
As a musician myself, if I was to play here in Appleton, I would want to either play at the Lawrence Chapel or the OuterEdge Stage (where I did see 10 string symphony at Mile of Music and was one of the best shows I've seen).
In summary, the Bent Keg is a mess. If you're going to see a musical act here, don't bother. If you're looking for a beer enthusiasts/microbrew bar, this isn't the place for you. If you're out in Appleton looking to slam meh beer and as many rail drinks as you can and sort of also be at a concert, go for it lol.
For those of you who watch Bar Rescue with John Taffer, I can imagine him flummoxed and bewildered by this cluster of a place!!!
I'd rate it a 0/5 if I could!!! read more