I've been going to the Lucky Dog for the last 10 years, and it's awesome to know that it really hasn't changed much at all. I used to spend alot of time in Worcester and this was the place we would always end up at. I returned recently for the first time in a few years, and it is still the coolest dive bar ever. The staff is so friendly and attentive, and they absolutely overpour the drinks pretty regularly. The last two times I've been there, I've gone specifically to check out my favorite local band (Mullethead - check em out!), and the sound system in there is pretty beefy for a place like the Lucky Dog. You wouldn't expect a great sounding show by the look of the joint, but that's what we got. I'm looking forward to the next time I get to rock out there.
Oh and I should have mentioned - the reason for 4 stars instead of 5 isn't really the bar's fault. The most recent experiences I've had here included a whole bunch of frat boy types being obnoxious and loud and disrespectful to all the bands who played. I know they can't help it that there are alot of college kids in the area (and that probably does great things for their business), but for those of us OUT of college, college kid antics are way less entertaining than they were when we were IN college.
I absolutely love the Luck Dog Music hall. Eric the owner and lead singer of the Flock of A-holes is a great guy, I have known him for probably ten years and every time I go here he makes a point to come and say hi. His band is awesome. I see a few unhappy reviews all I can say is give the place a chance for yourself and I'm sure you will feel the way most of the reviews do "5 star".
Review Source:Some times I seriously doubt the point of even writing a review for a bar anymore.
It seems like Yelp bar reviews are more a forum for the bars competition, and jilted ex employees / girlfriends to slam the place.
Live music and cold beer in the "don't throw at people" plastic is a win-win for me. I like to try and look fancy by not drinking right out of the pitcher.
Never been here before, but decided to go last night to check out some punk bands. The owner/manager/whoever is a GIANT PIECE OF SHIT, I overheard him at the end of the show screaming at one of the bands (who had come all the way from Boston to play his shit hole) that they had to pay him $200 because the door didn't make enough. Since when is that how it works?
If you are a band DO NOT PLAY HERE! The owner will most definitely try to rob you.
If you are a person DO NOT GO HERE!
I repeat: DO NOT GO HERE. EVER.
My countless 4 star reviews continue! Dear Lucky Dog, you are like that old pair of shoes in my closet that are dirty and gross, but I keep you around because you are so comfy and worn in!
So as this place grows older and further away from FOND memories, It is still a rockin place for the music. Not for the divey DIVE bathrooms- Ladies this is your nasty bathroom alert... I'd rather piss in the alley! But Flock of Assholes is probably the greatest thing to ever happen to Central Massachusetts when it comes to entertainment. Save all the whining about their attitude or the owner... blah blah blah who cares? you came to get drunk and have a good time right? Not sip on fine Merlot from Argentina and call yourself a music critic right?? Â Get over yourselves and get some 80s gear on and go on Thursday nights for Flock. Â not feeling the spandex? Teased hair or blue eyeshadow? Well its just as acceptable to walk in in sneakers n jeans. Â It can get really full in here and ordering a drink can be a bit of a chore, so why not be comfortable?
There's a guy that goes to EVERY flock show and you will know him when you see him- he ALWAYS has a white suit on and looks like your typical 80s neighbor .. friend . .. if you will.
Word of advice when ordering drinks- if all you are drinking is beer, don't even bother with the main bar. The bartenders have other things to do like check their cellphones instead of serve the heavy tipping masses. Head to the back bar. jussayin.!!!
I come here alot on Thursday's nights for flock off assholes Thursday night is by far the best night to go there it is always a good crowd there and a very calm atmosphere and you hardly ever experience any loud meat heads or any shitheads that want to start a fight... The bartenders and staff there are very nice and friendly as well..
However when it comes to the appearance and cleanness of the bar I must say this place is kind of a dump.. The place is falling apart.. if the band playing there is loud enough you can seriously start to see dust fall off the ceiling... It constantly smells like someone shit themselves in there.. The bathroom has nude pics which is kind of cool.. hahaha but overall its a cool little dump to go to.. hahaha
I adore this place! We started coming on a whim about 5 years ago and became fast friends with the staff. Always friendly and fun! I wish it was closer as I would come more often. 5 years ago I didn't care so much about staying there all night drinking and driving the 20 minutes home but, oh well, I guess as you get older things change in that department. I have nothing bad to say about this place except for the cover charge can be a bit much at times especially if you aren't really there to see the particular band that is playing that night and just want to stay an hour or so for a drink or two. I woldn't mind dropping $5 to stop in for a couple drinks, but $10? ehhhhh thats pushing it a little.
BUT, thats my only problem and it really isn't a big one.
So...The Lucky Dog. Â This review pertains to an experience my band had playing at this place. Â We were booked on a Thursday, and to those of you who don't know what happens here on Thursdays, a certain band, calling themselves "A Flock of Assholes", headline on this night once a week. Â The thing about this band is that the lead singer is also the bar owner, who's name is Eric. Â More on this guy later.
So, we're set to go first. Â The sound guy mic'd all my drums up before I finished setting up my kit (as in, my cymbals weren't even mounted yet, and my snare was sitting 4 feet away from the rest of my kit). Because of this, the mic's got in the way of my cymbals, which had to be mounted about a foot higher than I normally have them. Â No big deal; I'll manage.
First band to play? Want a sound check? Not gonna happen. Â We get a "you guys are good" from the sound guy, as he walks away from his station. No level checks? Drum mic checks? Vocal Checks? Nothing. Â The bleed from the cymbals into the tom mics was unbelievable, and it didn't help that the levels on the tom mics were up way to high in the first place. Â The floor tom almost drowned out the sound of the snare (never experienced this before). Â And there was no chance for it to be fixed, as the sound guy wasn't doing his job. Â
After our set, we had a chance to mingle with the people that come here before A Flock of Assholes to watch the other two bands. Â 10-15 mid thirty males standing around, talking as the bands played, not even showing respect to the live, original music being played by clapping after songs. Â I'm glad this live music venue caters to people who enjoy live music. Â I don't know how they get away with charging a cover to get into this place. Â
A Flock of Assholes gets on stage, and its a group of mid-late thirty year old's, dressed up with 80's cloths and ridiculous wigs on, and they kick into their poorly covered versions of awful songs from the most bi-polar musical decade in history. Â I keep my ear plugs in and continue to drink to attempt to avoid a headache. Â Of course, I give them a fair chance as I do with any live act, and I even clap (*gasp*) after each one of their songs... you know, because its a form of musicians etiquette...Hell, its the Golden Rule. Â Apparently A Flock of Assholes do not share the same ideals.
About halfway through their set, the lead singer/bar owner Eric goes up to the mic between one of their songs and says "Hey, lets give it up to the only other band worth mentioning tonight, *insert 3rd act band name*", which happened to be the band that played right before them. Â Uh, excuse me? All the members of my band and the band that played second were still in the audience to, i don't know, show support to the other musicians playing? Â And what does this asshole do but go out of his way to blatantly insult two acts that played at his club in a room full of people... Even when the first two bands played their own songs, as opposed to crappy, easy to cover, easier to sing 80's songs that they play every Thursday night, over and over again? Yeah, right, compared to you, we're not worth mentioning.
So, we all confronted him after they stopped playing, and instead of saying "Oh, I'm sorry guys, i didn't mean it that way, I just wanted to point out how much I liked the third band", he went ahead and insulted us further by saying things like "You guys sounded Tin-y" (Could that possibly be the fault of your inept sound guy?) and "you guys didn't even bring anyone here" (For a band NOT from Worcester to bring 8 people to the opening slot on a Thursday night at this dive is probably more than any other band brings to this place this night of the week). It didn't help that his gang of Worcester thugs kept asking him as we chewed him out if he needed help, as if someone was going to start throwing punches. Â
So to wrap it up: this place is a horrible music venue. Â It simply doesn't apply to musicians or people who like live music. Â Its for people who like to get drunk cheaply, and who like to watch old dudes dressed up in a ridiculous fashion prance around stage with a false sense of self-importance. Â I mean, this guy had to buy his own bar just so he could get people to listen to his "music". Â
Avoid at all costs.
imagine an awesome pair of old shoes, frozen in time, staying forever old and awesome without failling apart. Â always comfortable.. you take them for granted sometimes, because they are so comfortable, but then you put on some other shoes and are instantly reminded how much you miss your comfortable old shoes. Â oh, one more thing - these are magic shoes that have a full bar in them and make really good cheap drinks AND these shoes have a solid sound system and friendly staff and you can meet some good looking girls who hang out in these shoes. Â what i want to know is why all of my shoes don't have a full bar and good looking girls hanging out in them???
Review Source:A real, no joke ROKK bar. Â The type that has been shuttering in Boston ever since developers decided they'd rather have rich assholes dancing to Kelly Clarkson then a nice mix of people rockin to good, hot, soulful beats. Â
My first trip to the 'Dawg was March of 2006 to see Love Weapon, the greatest band that never was. Â They rokk'd the house and so did the bartenders, what with their cheap beverages over-served with a smile.
I actually played here last night with a GNR cover band I am temporarily helpin out on bass, and playing there is just as fun as going to see a show there. Â The whole crew took good care of us, especially the sound guy. Â I'd trust him with my first born (especially if they were triplets wielding bass drums and guitars...).
Go here, rip some Jagers, drink some brews, and see some good music.
This is definitely my favorite place in Worcester.
I live in Cali, and every time I come home for a week I spend at least 5 nights there.
Seriously, this is one of those bars that any night of the week there is something awesome going on.
And everyone once in their lives MUST see Flock of Assholes.
Great watering hole!
I love their cheap pitchers, and shots. The bar is set up so that's no matter where you sit, you can see everything  great. It's a little on the small side, but it's comfortable and I like that. It's in a strange area, with all kinds of asian video stores and markets that close early. Places that look interesting lol....
The bathroom's are a little cramped, with wooden stalls and doors that are difficult to get closed. But oh well, I'll live.
They let you outside and back in....I like that. I can't stand clubs/bars that limit you to the inside area and give you shit for going outside. But this establishment is easy going, and the bartenders are nice.