Wooly's

One recent Friday night, I trekked up to Des Moines for the Friday night concert of one of my favorite musical acts. I border on stalker status for this musician, but that's another story.

Woolys was a great music venue, sans the loud 40-something drunk woman for whom I suspect this was a regular night at her home-away-from-home, versus a night out enjoying live music. Her whisper was far from faint.  No judgment!

I think much of Woolys music is of a louder variety, but for the show I attended, the light coming off the beer cooler(s) was blinding for people along the bar side of the venue. It was horrid when everything else was good. My only suggestion for the venue would be that they tone down the cooler lights. I mean, the bar runs the full length of the venue. People are going to be able to find it. We got it. Drinks available along the left wall. Got it! But that odd visual of having one eye in darkness and one eye in the glare of the sun lasted throughout the show.

But besides that Mrs. Lincoln....

I would make the trek back for another show. For sure. Big venue. High ceiling. Fairly comfy seating with elbow room between you and the next music fan. Big stage. Mostly-good vibe. Cheap drinks (but horrific margarita!). Good sound. Woolys is a good spot fo' sho'. Take in a show but don't sit by the bar.

Wooly's is a really fun place to catch a show -- kind of a mix between a Texas saloon and a dive bar. Is that one in the same? I don't know...

At any rate, Wooly's is one big wide open room. There is a really great, worn, hard wood floor that's great for stomping when you're dancing. There's a big long bar along one wall and some booths along the other. Other than that, it's pretty much wide, wide open space. The only thing to avoid is the metal poles throughout the room. But as long as you don't get stuck behind a pole, you're good.

Beer was good, fresh on tap with good variety and reasonably priced. Fully stocked bar looked more than adequate, but I stuck with beer. The bar staff was super friendly and very helpful and also knew when to cut people off. Much appreciated.

The acoustics are really good for a small venue -- loud, powerful and true to sound. The stage has great lights and even though it's smaller, totally did the job and was high enough that everyone in the room could see well.

Like most venues where you have a wide open space and the opportunity to catch some good music, things can get a bit rowdy. Girls: This is not a nice dress and high heels kind of place. This is a jeans and a T-shirt, travel light and leave your purse at home kind of place. Be prepared and go with that mindset and you'll have a great time. I was absolutely exhausted when I left, having danced myself into oblivion and both spilled beer on a girl (sorry again!) and had beer spilled on me (karma?).

Overall, the staff was well-organized, in control and able to handle a sell-out crowd having a really good time. Props to them for having the brains to hand out fliers for upcoming shows as the crowd exited the building.

There is a coat check for $2 (cause hi, we live in the Midwest) and parking on the street nearby was ample and free. I did wish the girls' room had more than 2 stalls, but other than that, no complaints.

Thumbs up! We'd definitely come back for another show.

Great acoustics for a small venue.