Club Congress @clubcongress is a small, dark, intimate club space for musicians to perform for a standing crowd. It has thick, red velvet curtains draped against black pillow walls with blue lighting and cut out art, setting a great frame for the artists performing on stage. It is part of Hotel Congress @hotelcongress Behind the crowd, one can enter the bar area which leads to the exit onto Church Street on the left, or it leads to the Hotel Congress lobby, restrooms, and another bar area to the right. There is also a small café that stays open till 9 PM near the lobby area, so we grabbed a few lattes between the opener and the main show. We were excited to see Bar Italia @baritaliaa perform tonight. My daughter recommended them as it is one of her favorites. The room was packed with men and women of all ages from senior citizens to many U of A college students. They seem to have some sound issues in the sound booth, and the band kept performing throughout while trying to correct this. It was a good show and worth the wait. I'm glad I brought my @loopearplugs . I saw other folks my age with earplugs on as well lol. It is what it is. I felt sorry for those who didn't and were plugging their ears because the feedback and sound issues were a bit much. Merch is sold to the left of the stage behind the counter and caged area. We picked up a few T-shirts and albums because the prices were very affordable compared to other shows I've been to. I can't wait to play my new album, The Twits. Happy 50th birthday to me
Rogue Texan
The place is actually pretty dam cool. Drinks are great, and the atmosphere is chill. Music is on the spot. However, having been in the entertainment industry for decades, I must give the bartender an epic fail. We sat down and ordered our drinks, and they were on the spot. Three gentlemen came in, and we immediately noticed they were from our of town. We struck a conversation, and it was all laughs and good conversation from the start. They bought my girl and my I 2 rounds of drinks, and the bartender still charged our tab instead of the New Yorkers. The New Yorkers called them out on the discrepancy and told him he needed to fix it. They were matter of fact and not rude. They had that typical New York mannerism. It's in their tone. However, if you have any people skills, you'd understand they weren't being rude, aggressive, or offensive. Instead, the male bartender with the pony tail took great offense, cut them off, and refused to serve them any further. Despite the fact that they had just arrived and had just begun their evening. I didn't know these guys, but as a law enforcement officer, I am able to read people. These guys were not drunk or aggressive, yet the bartender got in his feels and asked them to leave and refused to serve them. I tried talking to the manager on this matter, but she backed his play and stated that the bartender didn't feel safe. Wow!!! Really!?!?!? Didn't feel safe!?!?!?! Pathetic. These guys were professional contractors just hanging out and happened to buy us a couple of rounds of drinks. It's sad that they were cut off and refused service. As a former bartender, you sir failed massively.
Sarah Rose
Great bar tender. Great d.js good people.
Sam Nicolary
Always a
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andy G.
How about a little truth in advertising! Jenny and the Mexicats were advertised as starting at 7:30 pm. The opening band started well after 8. It's 9:37 and we're still waiting. Signed, a disgruntled geezer!
Patrick S.
If it wasn't for the 90 min we killed chatting it up in the Tap Room while getting the run around from the staff and manager on duty this would have been a complete failure. Fortunately, our party of 13 had a good time gabbing it up, but when we finally got seated the evening just fell even flatter. They were out of chicken, ribs, several drinks and various other things. Had we know that at any point along the way, we probably would have moved on. Too many other prime food options around for this kind of experience.
Tod Persellin
Didn't order here but wish I had - way more quiet than inside, pretty lights at night - shame I didn't end up here - did go a LOOK at it
Atmosphere: 5
Sand Theb
Rilley is a good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
TPersellin
Didn't order here but wish I had - way more quiet than inside, pretty lights at night - shame I didn't end up here - did go a LOOK at it
Atmosphere: 5
Ashlynn B.
I literally only come here for the Lady Haha open mics and it's always great. I would give 5 stars if they had more Lady Haha nights instead of just twice a month
Club Congress hired a security guard that is now making calls for Club Congress. I am Marti McFly entertainment and she had me 86 for personal problems she's a hater. Now she's trying to promote her own events with Twisted clovers and cutting Talent. DJ's will no longer work with Club Congress for these issues less followers will now go on the dates that she's working. VEE ( Vyola)She's a Gangster Ex convict on a power trip. Taking her personal stuff out on people that she doesn't like very unprofessional she shouldn't even be in the business she's never been in the scene of EDM!
Derrick M.
A little bit rowdy. Maybe Friday night rush, but not an entirely pleasant experience.
jael99
The mains here were excellent. We had farro salmon salad and gnocchi at our table. We sat outside in March and the heaters kept us quite comfortable. Service was standard. Dessert was a disappointment. Ordered the apple pie bread pudding and it was very dry inside. The outside was warm, but inside was still cold.
STLBob27
The restaurant is nestled inside the hotel. It was very crowded for lunch the day we visited, but we were able to get 2 seats at the bar. The bartender/ waiter was very engaging and entertaining. Food was excellent
D5150DTryang
I got the gnocchi and it was amazing, as were the cocktails from the bartender. Our server had obviously been crying and we told her it's ok sweetie!! She was professional and got back to work but I just felt like the staff was miserable in general...not a great look. Maybe it was just an off day.
Club Congress @clubcongress is a small, dark, intimate club space for musicians to perform for a standing crowd. It has thick, red velvet curtains draped against black pillow walls with blue lighting and cut out art, setting a great frame for the artists performing on stage. It is part of Hotel Congress @hotelcongress Behind the crowd, one can enter the bar area which leads to the exit onto Church Street on the left, or it leads to the Hotel Congress lobby, restrooms, and another bar area to the right. There is also a small café that stays open till 9 PM near the lobby area, so we grabbed a few lattes between the opener and the main show. We were excited to see Bar Italia @baritaliaa perform tonight. My daughter recommended them as it is one of her favorites. The room was packed with men and women of all ages from senior citizens to many U of A college students. They seem to have some sound issues in the sound booth, and the band kept performing throughout while trying to correct this. It was a good show and worth the wait. I'm glad I brought my @loopearplugs . I saw other folks my age with earplugs on as well lol. It is what it is. I felt sorry for those who didn't and were plugging their ears because the feedback and sound issues were a bit much. Merch is sold to the left of the stage behind the counter and caged area. We picked up a few T-shirts and albums because the prices were very affordable compared to other shows I've been to. I can't wait to play my new album, The Twits. Happy 50th birthday to me
The place is actually pretty dam cool. Drinks are great, and the atmosphere is chill. Music is on the spot. However, having been in the entertainment industry for decades, I must give the bartender an epic fail. We sat down and ordered our drinks, and they were on the spot. Three gentlemen came in, and we immediately noticed they were from our of town. We struck a conversation, and it was all laughs and good conversation from the start. They bought my girl and my I 2 rounds of drinks, and the bartender still charged our tab instead of the New Yorkers. The New Yorkers called them out on the discrepancy and told him he needed to fix it. They were matter of fact and not rude. They had that typical New York mannerism. It's in their tone. However, if you have any people skills, you'd understand they weren't being rude, aggressive, or offensive. Instead, the male bartender with the pony tail took great offense, cut them off, and refused to serve them any further. Despite the fact that they had just arrived and had just begun their evening. I didn't know these guys, but as a law enforcement officer, I am able to read people. These guys were not drunk or aggressive, yet the bartender got in his feels and asked them to leave and refused to serve them. I tried talking to the manager on this matter, but she backed his play and stated that the bartender didn't feel safe. Wow!!! Really!?!?!? Didn't feel safe!?!?!?! Pathetic. These guys were professional contractors just hanging out and happened to buy us a couple of rounds of drinks. It's sad that they were cut off and refused service. As a former bartender, you sir failed massively.
Great bar tender. Great d.js good people.
Always a
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
How about a little truth in advertising! Jenny and the Mexicats were advertised as starting at 7:30 pm. The opening band started well after 8. It's 9:37 and we're still waiting. Signed, a disgruntled geezer!
If it wasn't for the 90 min we killed chatting it up in the Tap Room while getting the run around from the staff and manager on duty this would have been a complete failure. Fortunately, our party of 13 had a good time gabbing it up, but when we finally got seated the evening just fell even flatter. They were out of chicken, ribs, several drinks and various other things. Had we know that at any point along the way, we probably would have moved on. Too many other prime food options around for this kind of experience.
Didn't order here but wish I had - way more quiet than inside, pretty lights at night - shame I didn't end up here - did go a LOOK at it
Atmosphere: 5
Rilley is a good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Didn't order here but wish I had - way more quiet than inside, pretty lights at night - shame I didn't end up here - did go a LOOK at it
Atmosphere: 5
I literally only come here for the Lady Haha open mics and it's always great. I would give 5 stars if they had more Lady Haha nights instead of just twice a month
Restaurantji Recommends
Club Congress hired a security guard that is now making calls for Club Congress. I am Marti McFly entertainment and she had me 86 for personal problems she's a hater. Now she's trying to promote her own events with Twisted clovers and cutting Talent. DJ's will no longer work with Club Congress for these issues less followers will now go on the dates that she's working. VEE ( Vyola)She's a Gangster Ex convict on a power trip. Taking her personal stuff out on people that she doesn't like very unprofessional she shouldn't even be in the business she's never been in the scene of EDM!
A little bit rowdy. Maybe Friday night rush, but not an entirely pleasant experience.
The mains here were excellent. We had farro salmon salad and gnocchi at our table. We sat outside in March and the heaters kept us quite comfortable. Service was standard. Dessert was a disappointment. Ordered the apple pie bread pudding and it was very dry inside. The outside was warm, but inside was still cold.
The restaurant is nestled inside the hotel. It was very crowded for lunch the day we visited, but we were able to get 2 seats at the bar. The bartender/ waiter was very engaging and entertaining. Food was excellent
I got the gnocchi and it was amazing, as were the cocktails from the bartender. Our server had obviously been crying and we told her it's ok sweetie!! She was professional and got back to work but I just felt like the staff was miserable in general...not a great look. Maybe it was just an off day.