Madrid Theatre

The Madrid theatre is a well-kept secret in Kansas City, as far as concerts go.  The Madrid is an excellent venue to see a show, due to its intimate size and wrap-around balcony, but it loses out on many opportunities because of the popularity of the Uptown Theater.

The Madrid recently underwent a renovation to clean up and update the structure and amenities.  It offers a full bar at the back of the venue to keep our pallet whet during any show or event.  The capacity supports up to 80 people for private parties and events and the Madrid hosts a "salsa dancing" night every second Friday of the month.

Not great for concerts...

This place definitely is lovely and historic.  Unfortunately, I think the circumstances under which I was there definitely altered my perception of this venue.  I saw a free concert here, so they were allowed to fill the place to capacity.  I'm sure this place is great when there is medium to moderate crowd control.

There was limited room to dance, and no room to sit; we slumped against the wall.  The line for the bar was a joke; both upstairs and down.  I just can't picture going back based on my experience.

My recommendation;  Don't attend free concerts at the Madrid.

This is certainly one of the crown jewels of Kansas City's unique architecture.  Love the brick work.  Love the old-style marquis.  Glad I wore my black Marilyn Monroe-style silk halter dress - fit in well with the ambience here.  The inside is dark with rich reds and browns, vaguely reminiscent of burlesque venues.  Unfortunately, the closest we came to hotties on stage was a group of drunken ladies on stage with the wedding band - yes, we "sang" along (a la "Girls just wanna have fun" karaoke style) & rocked to Journey.  Sorry Madrid theatre staff.

Food was mediocre and filling - very down-home cooking style: sloppy gravy-covered meats, green salad with creamy dressing, over-cooked green beans.  The bartenders were quick and pouring large.  (Although the minus 1 star is largely for not having green olives to make dirty martinis, and for appearing utterly confused by my order for a lemondrop instead.)

I'd go back in a heartbeat, mostly to soak up the excellent architecture and ambiance inside.