Page 32 - MACC Guide 2019/2020

ACT. SING.
DANCE.

Flourishing

Downtown Music Scene

Remember as a young kid how you and your friends MORE THAN LIVE MUSIC
would put together a show—dancing, singing, music,
The Bike presents music two to three times a month,
whatever—and then you were so excited to share it with
and it has also evolved into a very popular venue for
the neighborhood?
receptions, meetings, and parties. The atmosphere for
That’s the same spirit that drove Kevin Watkins to
music is clubby, comfortable, and friendly. For wedding
open Red Bicycle Hall. He wanted to put on shows and
receptions the space transforms into an elegant and dra-
share it with the community. He rounded up a group of
matic setting with sit-down seating for up to 150 guests.
friends and family to partner in the venture, and today
“It’s come a long way since we bought the building
“The Bike” is Madison’s premiere venue for live music
five years ago,” says Kevin. “We’ve upgraded the heat-
concerts.
ing and air conditioning, the bathrooms, the lighting,
“It’s a long-time dream of mine,” states Kevin, “to
and the sound system. We built a huge cherry and oak
create a kind of cultural hub in the heart of downtown
bar. And we’re not done yet! Our motto is ‘Keeping
Madison. I wanted to model it on some of the other great
Madison Convivial’ and there’s so much more we want
small concert halls I’ve been to in larger cities.”
to bring to our town.” 

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