The Bottleneck

YES ON SO MANY LEVELS!
Great specials every day of the week and always live music. This place never disappoints. It’s a Lawrence staple!

Place is pretty bad ass ! Great place to see a show and a Jayhawks game! Tons of beer on draft and bottle selection is sweet!!! I’ll be back next time I’m in town!

Love the live music and atmosphere!

The Bottleneck is an old Lawrence staple, one that for a while had seemed to dim, but lately has started to shine again.
The main room is set up for bands, whether they be local, touring or playing covers. There are some short bleachers at the back if you want to sit. If you don’t then there’s plenty of room to stand. From my last visit it sounds like the sound system has been updated and they’ve added some new lights. Your band will look and sound good.
In the back past the bar there’s a separate room if you want to play pool or darts. Depending what you’re there to do or if you’re there on an off night this could be fun. I myself have never partaken. I’ve just focused on the bands.
One huge note for the gentleman, this bathroom is not one of the best I’ve ever been in. So, without getting too detailed, I’m going to suggest that you do what you have to do before you arrive or forever hold your peace. If you can’t, then you’re on your own.

Oh the Bottleneck. I have frequented this pool/​music venue/​bar a time or two in my time here in Lawrence as a college student. The first thing I will say is that The Bottleneck is a bit hidden from the Down town life that is Mass Street since it sits one street back on New Hampshire.
I have never been to the Bottle neck simply to drink, or hang out with my friends. From what I hear, the regulars here are a bit older, and definitely townie. That aside, I have seen many many concerts here and loved the environment. The Bottleneck is separated into two spaces, one with a bunch of pool tables and booths, and the other with a stage, open floor and then viewing area with more booths. It has a classic, yet rundown feel to it, and I could see it being the place that is referenced when a band is talking about where they did their first show. This being said, the stage is always booked with some local number, tribute band, or even drunk patrons attempting to sing karaōke with their friends. I have heard the Karaōke nights are a blast, though they are in competition with the Jazz Bar’s Tuesday night Karaōke/​open mic nights.
The notorious dynamic duo that is ASSJAMZ calls this place home. If you haven’t ever been to an ASSJAMZ event, you are missing out one amazing party. It is a spectacle not to be missed. Check out their show tomorrow night to see for yourself:

On the note of bands, I have to say I love going to shows here. The stage is small, and low to the ground, and there isnt a formal «backstage.» All of this combines to really make the audience feel connected to whoever is on stage. It’s definitely more personal, and the Bands who I have seen seem to thrive on it.
The reason for my 3 stars is simple. 1. This isnt really somewhere I would go unless there was someone I knew, or wanted to see playing that night. Then again, that might just be me and the fact that my social circle frequents other bars in the area. 2. the place is a bit run down. This isnt always a bad thing, as it could just mean the place has a lot of culture. 3. There is only one bar… This is the biggest thing. When the place gets packed for a show, it becomes nearly impossible to snag a drink.
Check out the bottleneck tomorrow to see the wonder that is ASSJAMZ, and check out their event schedule to see who’s playing. There have been some pretty good lineups in the past.

A local institution. I’ve seen many good shows here. I’d go so far as to say that if you don’t like this place, there is something wrong with you. The Bottleneck has personality, and as they say, this goes a long way. Well worth a visit if you’re in the area. There’s usually someone interesting performing here.

Oh, the Bottleneck. How I miss thee.
When I went to KU I wasn’t yet 21 and so I did not get to appreciate the complete and utter glory that is The Bottleneck. Lucky for me, I have tons of excuses to visit Lawrence now that I’m 22 and so now The Bottleneck has become an easy fun-​times mainstay.
This place has a pretty incredible music scene, especially when you consider how small Lawrence is. The first band I ever saw here was the now-​Grammy-​award-​winning-​band fun. (sic). They were incredible, as you might have guessed– and The Bottleneck was the perfect venue. I brought a whole gaggle of friends to the show AND I got to hug Jack Antonoff, so yeah, I guess you could say my life is pretty great.
But, I digress. My point was that The Bottleneck consistently serves great up-​and-​coming bands to it’s patrons, and I keep bringing gangs of pals to come revel in The Bottleneck’s greatness. Recently, I brought my mom (I have a pretty cool mom), my best friend, and his girlfriend to see the Quiet Corral and we had a darn good time! The drinks were strong, the bands were incredible, and my mom even made nice with the band so we could all fawn over them in person.
So yeah, I love The Bottleneck. You’re making a huge mistake if you pass this gem up for something as lame and sh***y-hipster as The Jackpot.

Bands! Good drinks and nice bartenders!
Very fun place, even on a weeknight!

Lawrence’s only 5 star dive! When I’m going to The Bottleneck I know I’m going to have a great time. Yes it is small and dingy but it’s a bar and my favorite bands play here so I’m there. It’s the best place in Lawrence for live music. It is not a cowboy/​hippie joint at all… it is Rock n Roll all the way!

Best around for live music

Ah, the Bottleneck. It is what it is, and it will never be anything else. Kind of dirty, a little bit of a cowboy hipster (cowster?) bar. Great bands, great bartenders — I can honestly say I’ve never had a bad time there.
Oh and PS — these jerks trying to change downtown Lawrence into the Plaza were going to try to bulldoze the Bottleneck and surrounding businesses in order to put in «high-​end» shopping to mirror the new «high-​end» condos across the street. Stand strong, true citizens of Lawrence! Tell these developers that Johnson County is 20 minutes away if they want some place to destroy.

A
Lawrence
Attraction
Rivaling Mount
Oread and even the Kaw. Rock on.

Great live music venue.

I live in Kansas City but have lived in Lawrence and Bottleneck as I recall is the former Off the Wall Hall — which also enjoyed many great artists and concerts among those Tofu Teddy, Blue Riddim Band, Billy Spears and Secrets (it was another time). Of the Bottleneck, WOW, great shows!!! You gotta keep checking to see who is coming to town as some of the best bands play here and not necessarily KC. I’m giving it 5 stars cause they recently had one of my favorite bands who haven’t toured in over 7 years yet made it to Lawrence, KS. WAY TO GO BOTTLENECK!!! : — D.

Always a fun place to hit up when I’m in town.

Many of the bands I adore will pass up venues in the Kansas City metro area, but they will play The Bottleneck every tour. When I look at venue schedules in The Pitch, I check The Bottleneck first.
I waltzed in a few hours before Sleater-​Kinney was scheduled to go on and was treated to a sound check… no hassle, completely mellow, and yeah, woah!
The lead singer of the Donnas chucked a shoe into the crowd and hit me in the face. How much better than that does it get?

I’ve been going to live shows for more than half my life. That said, one of the most memorable was at the Bottleneck. No, make that two of the most memorable. Hell, make it three.
I first saw the Kills a year and half ago at a packed venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Fast forward a year and I saw them at the Bottleneck and what’s more… I SAW them. As in, right in front of me and I didn’t need binoculars (I jest. I would never put on binoculars to see the Kills). I also didn’t need to elbow anyone away because they were standing too close. Nice.
And then there was John Doe and the Sadies. Oh yes. Not every city in the US was deserving of this show. Lawrence, Kansas got ‘em. And it was easily one of the best concert experiences of my life. I’ve seen John Doe solo, with the Knitters and with X, just to impress upon you the magnitude of this statement.
And then there was the Gogol Bordello after party this past October. They played at Liberty Hall and then told everyone to meet them at their favorite venue in town, The Bottlneck, and so we did. After the scheduled acts for the night finished up their sets, Eugene and co. got on stage and had some fun. Oh yes. Only in Lawrence.
Other stuff: drink specials are INSANE. As in $ 2 double wells and half price calls, not to mention cheap beer, if you want to go there. I love the booths up front by the windows. Sound is excellent. They have pool (not a fan, but I know that is a big deal for some people).
True, sometimes their calendar leaves a lot to be desired. As the story goes, this was THE place to see whomever was up and coming in music and I’m not sure that you can say that 15 years later.

the bottleneck is like stepping back in time to 1994. the bottleneck has become a storied and popular venue in lawrence amid a glut of competiting spaces.
what the bottleneck lacks is any sort of nightlife scene outside its events or programming. whereas replay/​taproom/​jackpot are able to host both heavy regular crowds and events– bottleneck seems content only with event crowds. this is a shame because the bottleneck has potential to be something more important.
as a live club… it is so-​so. sound is usually good and of course you’re intimate with the performers. the stage is in a corner position which makes it a little awkward at times. when the place is really busy– the place is a disaster.
i think the whole place should be remodeled despite its anacronistic flair of the 90s. it looks and feel like a punk or hard rock club, but usually books a variety of performers and events.

I really love the atmosphere in there… low ceilings, wood walls and floor, and a massive amounts of pictures on the walls from all the past played performers ranging from Wilco, The Toadies, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Has a couple pool tables and some booths and bleachers to enjoy the show. The sound is not the greatest and seems like some band members get frustrated with it, but in my mind I actually think it adds to the ambiance. The sound at the Granada is much better, but I refuse to go there because the atmosphere at the Granada is equivalent to an empty closet. Drink specials some nights are great, and some nights are okay (the nightly drink speicals escapes my mind). I will definitely miss this place when I move…

Went here for the first time last week. It’s quite common for Nebraskans to drive down here because they get lots of fantastic shows, and it’s really not TOO far. Sound was okay, though the band we saw seemed to be having some issues. Beers were well-​priced though the Stella Artois on tap was a little flat. Overall, I had a great time. I loved the crowd here… and the bar is a total dive. Wish we had a cool place like this in Lincoln.