Tidball's

This terrific little music spot is pretty much the epicenter of the music scene in Bowling Green. Cage the Elephant got their start here, and they seem to hang out there quite a bit.

John Tidball, the owner, is around for almost every show and books them himself. He's also usually right there serving drinks on the weekends. He treat bands very fairly, and usually insists on keeping the cover charge at a reasonable $5.

If you're in Bowling Green and looking for live music, this is easily the best place to be.

Like other reviewers have said- this is a dive bar, in a good way.
This is a small place, almost too small for what it is. This was ok for me as I am a people person and like being close to my fellow pub-goers but this is not the place to go if you want to have a steady conversation with the people you are with. There was a live band playing and IT WAS LOUD!

Looks like they have moved the smoking area outside because the air was clear and a crowd was in the alleyway lighting up.

There are 3 rooms in the downstairs, all of them belly-up to the bar which is centrally located. The larger one has the stage and you are encouraged to get up close and personal with the band. (Was told Cage the Elephant played there a couple of weeks back and am sorry I missed that). There is a foozball table in one of the smaller rooms and a pool table area upstairs, the rest of the upstairs is a balcony with some tables that overlooks the stage area.

Most of the downstairs was standing room but there are some tables on the edges. Drinks were reasonably priced and STRONG!

There is a cover on band nights ($5). Will keep this on my radar if a band of my flavor comes to town.

OK, I have to start by saying that I would give this place a MUCH better review if I would have been able to breathe which in the bar. The smoke was so thick that my smoker friend had to leave because she was getting uncomfortable with the haze in the air.

With that said, I tend to favor this type of bar. A great mix of college students, hippy-types, parents, locals, and all others mixed together. A great place for people-watching and good music with local bands.

The setup of the bar is a bit odd with small rooms connected to one another and a stage area in the largest. It is mostly concrete and retro (aka old and worn) finishes and makes you feel like you could just sit down and drink for a good while while being entertained by all of the surrounding atmosphere.

The bartenders tend to be bigger guys who give quick efficient service and really appreciate even a decent tip (please tip these guys better, I gave them a $2 tip for a small bill and the guy actually took time to look at me and say thanks!). The beer selection is kind of limited, but you get the basic draft styles as well as domestics and a few craft beers. Prices are cheap and there are some specials. There's a cover if there's a band, so be prepared for that.

Overall I loved this place, but wish they would at least add some kind of air filtration system in the building (I swear there was none...at all). Until the air gets a little clearer I doubt I can even get my smoker friend to go back. Let's face it, everyone hates waking up the next day after drinking a few too many and smelling your smoky self...nothing makes me personally sick faster than the stale bar/smoke smell coming from myself with a mild hangover.