Otto's

Okay, to be clear, the 4 star "Yay! I'm a fan." Yelp rating is for CONCERT MAINSTAGE of Otto's space, and not it's "underground" bar, which I haven't been to in a long while. This place has gone through its ups and downs but I used to be a patron of the "underground" back in my younger days. Lately I've only been around for the above ground concerts, but  I don't think the whole establishment deserves it's current 1 1/2 star rating.

This venue has gotten some pretty damn good acts the DeKalb area, including the House of Pain, U.S.S.A, Southern Culture on the Skids, Drive by Truckers, the Legendary Shack Shakers, Captured! by Robots, and one of my all-time favorite acts, the MELVINS!!!  

Now I admit I'm not really interested in ALL the acts Otto's brings in but I appreciate that they bring in a lot of talent that would not otherwise make it to DeKalb, and they do it in a cool, crusty dive venue setting, a setting that has a lot of history of great bands playing.

Yeah, the venue isn't super modern and there might be an occasional post blocking your view, but  this is DeKalb, and we should be happy that we have a place like Ottos! The staff and security doesn't treat you like scum (like they do at a lot of Chicago venues), the drinks are reasonably priced...

I think a lot of the ratings towards this place are focused at the underground bar, and I'm not sure how to rate that, but the venue as a concert space is awesome and can be a great opportunity to see some acts up close and personal!

In conclusion: I'm not sure about the "bar" itself but Otto's is a great venue to catch some great acts! It's hard to get the great acts out here in DeKalb but Otto's seems to try harder than most, and I thank them for that!!!

The only reason I've ever gone to Otto's is to see bands that I really love... if I didn't love the bands that played, it wouldn't be worth it. But I've been there multiple times. The women's bathroom is literally falling apart, haha. Like, when you're washing your hands you are just hoping the floor won't give out beneath you. But other than that and the general dive-y atmosphere, it's fine. I mean if you have a reason to go there, don't skip it, but I really wouldn't hang out there just for fun.

All of my reviews are of the main stage area, this one ad the previous one.  On my  visit from the first review, the person in the downstairs bar was really pleasant, served me tap water, and they had a better beer selection down there.  Everyone upstairs was rude as all get out.  And I live in Chicago.  This second review is of only the upstairs because the downstairs was shut down for the night:

Well, I did it - I went back to Otto's (even though the person that has claimed the "owner" profile on Yelp told me I was not welcome).  I bit the bullet and went for it.  Otto's HAS improved!  The floors in the main venue area - FIXED!  There are no longer rugs hiding holes/dips in the floor.  Safety!

They also served tap water for free the evening I was there.  Ahhh.  The staff was also fairly pleasant the evening I was there recently, which is more than what I can say about the first time I was there.

So overall, I had a way better experience this time.  There are still many improvements to be made before I would give it 4 or 5 stars but its an old venue, old building, so I guess you can say that about a lot of other places that are similar.  

Things that would make it awesome - better beer choices and better sound person - or something on the walls/ceiling to help absorb the sound bouncing all around off of the walls.  

Finally, the "owner" on Yelp has gone away for now, but if he ever comes back, it would serve him and Otto's well to be a little bit more polite.  He wanted me to change my stars after my bad experience, and I told him that I wanted to wait until I went back and had a better experience before I could do that.  That is when the s*** hit the fan.  Treat your customers well and you will see them coming back again & again.

Maybe I'll see you again someday, Ottos.