This is a dual sided review..as a band member who got to play there and also as a customer who went there twice to see what the place was about before we played!
I am a refinery controls technician and a vocalist for a band, and was a journalism/writing major in college, so my reviews are NOT short.
First off, I am very new to local music venues, only having been in a band for about a year. (The band guys all have 40+years, I’m “the Kid”). When our promoter/organizer Donna Jean saw that Papa’s needed a short notice fill in she jumped. The owner was as cool as could be and we made a deal to be the fill in.
I had never heard of Papa’s so I stopped in to check the place out. Nice little “Everybody knows you name” bar. Totally my style! It’s a bit off the beaten path. A couple blocks off Woodville Rd, past some warehouses and tucked in a residential area. Literally this is the definition of “Your neighborhood bar”.
I was skeptical and taking in the place when I saw a mural on the wall. I said to the bartender, “Gosh! That sure looks like Bobby May!” Yep…that’s because it is. He plays open jam for steak nights there every other Thursday. Well, if Bobby May plays there, I want to be on that stage!
The stage is more than adaquate for a standard 4 piece band. Based on square footage overall, the owner truly gave up a lot of room for that stage, which tells me he has a real feel for supporting local music. The bartenders were laughing and flipping off customers who were messing with them and laughing as the three a bird back. Enclosed smoking area and back courtyard for warmer days. Literally the feel of this place was simply….good!
The houses around the place had grass cut, nice cars, and well maintained properties. This feels like one of those really nice Toledo neighborhoods of retired factory and trades workers who really take pride in their piece of dirt and likely would never leave. That’s my jam!
I liked the spot so much that when I saw Bobby May popped in for Steak and Jam, I had to check it out. Lemme tell you…the guy grilling the steaks knocked it out of the park! Go there on a Thursday! But…call ahead and order early and tell them when you will be in. They can’t prep too much food and waste, so if you don’t call ahead they may run out before you get in.
Anyway, to sum things up. My 6 piece band squeezed in the stage. The place was full everyone stayed the whole night. The feedback was amazing. I was a bit nervous that a country band on the East side may or may not do well. The folks there set that at ease quick.
Our band slogan is “Hootin’ Leads to Hollerin’” because when fun loving people come to our shows…they just straight up have a great time.
5 people told me they weren’t really country music people but when they heard our band…they had to stay for more. What a compliment!
7 people told me that their spot doesn’t get county bands often or at all, and it was a REALLY great change of pace.
And…Bobby May popped in after his gig tonight and caught our last song and chatted us up showing support and being the kind of gem Bobby is.
To bands looking to get out and play more local venues I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Papa’s Tavern.
To those driving down Woodville Rdor in the area killing time, I highly recommend getting off the main road by the refinery, and driving two blocks to visit this “Cheers” type bar.
And even more, to those who love local music…get out for one of Bobby May’s Steak and Jam sessions every other Thursday. My table had 2 steak dinners and a chicken dinner. We added fixins’. It was $40. It was also the second best steak I have had in the last 2 years I didn’t make myself…and the spice mix was insanely good!
Papa’s Tavern has definitely not seen the last of me…and I would bet the farm that Papa’s Tavern will see The Muddy Maumee...
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