Stonefly
I'm always hesitant to pass final judgement soon after changes have been made at a bar/club. For example, while I didn't like the Foundation Tiki-bar remodelling job right away, it has really grown on me and I like it quite a bit now. So given that disclaimer, here are some initial thoughts on the new Stonefly (ex Onopa):
1. They have managed to make the bar feel cramped while at the same time make it sound cavernous (read: not good).
2. My drinks were overpriced and weak. $2.75 for a Premium Grainbelt?! The Blatz of Minneapolis? My whiskey diet (coke) tasted like is was half Coke and half seltzer, no whiskey.
3. The sound guy had two problems last night: one, he was situated in an awkward corner, which may be visually appealing but not well designed for mixing sound...and two, he needs to make sure that he checks if both PA speakers are plugged in (namely the right side) before the headliner TAKES THE STAGE AND BEGINS TO PLAY.
4. The front of the bar looks great - I love the booths on the old stage. However, the immediate bar area looks AWFUL. Hopefully they still have some work planned, because it looks like a construction team walked off the job. And put something, anything, onto the walls.
Why would you bother to open a club without making sure all the finishing touches are in place? First impressions say a lot, and my first impression is to never go back. I understand that a bar needs to be open to be able to pay the bills, but they needed to make sure that their space seemed inviting before reopening. This they did not do. Maybe, in time, the Stonopa will have a transformation, but I was given no reason to go back and find out.
1. They have managed to make the bar feel cramped while at the same time make it sound cavernous (read: not good).
2. My drinks were overpriced and weak. $2.75 for a Premium Grainbelt?! The Blatz of Minneapolis? My whiskey diet (coke) tasted like is was half Coke and half seltzer, no whiskey.
3. The sound guy had two problems last night: one, he was situated in an awkward corner, which may be visually appealing but not well designed for mixing sound...and two, he needs to make sure that he checks if both PA speakers are plugged in (namely the right side) before the headliner TAKES THE STAGE AND BEGINS TO PLAY.
4. The front of the bar looks great - I love the booths on the old stage. However, the immediate bar area looks AWFUL. Hopefully they still have some work planned, because it looks like a construction team walked off the job. And put something, anything, onto the walls.
Why would you bother to open a club without making sure all the finishing touches are in place? First impressions say a lot, and my first impression is to never go back. I understand that a bar needs to be open to be able to pay the bills, but they needed to make sure that their space seemed inviting before reopening. This they did not do. Maybe, in time, the Stonopa will have a transformation, but I was given no reason to go back and find out.