The Iron Horse — Attraction in Northampton

Not sure how so many people can give this place full 5 stars. This venue seems to get great bands, and every time I see a band here I vow not to come back. It's it seems abundantly clear that the restaurant is terribly inconvenienced to have bands play there, because all they really want to do is sell overpriced food (weak bar fare apps, not that well done; I wouldn't really call it "dinner") and alcohol ($2 a pint more than anywhere else in town, an I've seen better beer and cocktail selections at dive bars). And it doesn't seem to matter to the staff that there are people trying to pay attention to what's going on on stage, they're going to be as loud and disruptive as they please. (Wait until late in the set when the band gets to try to play over the sound of crashing dishes and kitchen conversation and the beeping of the cash register and card payment system.) But they need the bands to sell their food because the food and drink by itself wouldn't be any reason to come in the door. The sound is consistently off, but I will give the sound guy the benefit of the doubt and owe this to a small-ish room with a high tin ceiling, literally cramming a band onto a small stage in a corner, and sound-checking levels in an empty room without adjusting to account for sound-absorbing bodies (people) being there while the band plays... ok, that last point is on the sound guy.

I hope this place gets its act together, but I think it's all likely...

I went to the new Iron Horse last night. The good: It looks better, cleaner and safer. There are now rest rooms on the main floor instead of the basement which is a huge improvement! Unfortunately that's about all they got right. Seating is still cramped and pot luck. It would be so much better if all seats were reserved! The worst part was the food. You have to scan a code and order from your phone. There was no place I could find for special instructions, like no bread or ketchup so you get it one way only. Worse, after tipping when ordering, some guy drops the food on the table. I stop him before he runs away to say we need salt, napkins and silverware. He says get it yourself and points at a counter. When I get there he's standing behind the counter and there's no salt. I ask. He says they don't have salt. After I said something about how do you serve food without salt, he got me a half a teaspoon of salt in a small plastic cup from the kitchen. Unbelievable. I want my tip back just on principle. I really think they sell mostly general admission seating so you'll have to come early to get a seat and since you've got time to fill, you'll buy their food, their way and provide service that says, We Don't Care. It reminds me of the old days when the price of seeing live music was getting treated very badly. There would have to be a band I really like and couldn't see somewhere else before I...

Went Saturday for a show with pre paid tickets. The tickets and the door both said doors open at 9:30. We went to walk in and rude women said we are closed the show starts at 10. Wouldn't even look up. I told her it says 9:30 on the door, actually was posted in 2 different spots. She said wait outside until 10. So we did. Other people who arrived at 9:30 got the same rude response. They had also pre paid for tickets. We all wanted to leave but knew we wouldn't get the money back. So 10:05 rolls around and they still won't let us in!! A few moments later they did but seriously ask this women had to say was that they were super behind or take down the sign. After that we went to the bar to get 3 drinks. We were the first at the bar as we were the first to arrive and there were only 20 people that showed at this point and bartender took 20 minutes to make 2 margaritas because he was making them with one hand. Really stressed by the crappy service. I love the band that played, would have stayed longer but couldn't get...