text: In other cities or other years I could see the Barrymore getting a higher score from me But in the last few years other venues in Madison have really stepped up their game and the Barrymore does not seem to care about keeping up with its contemporariesnnIts use of social media is neararchaic The venue does not make an effort to create or even update pages for individual events and good luck if you get any indication that a show is on track to sell out And perhaps it is just my personal taste but the Barrymore used to bring in excellent music acts on a much more regular basis Now it just caters to the aginghippie population of the neighborhood preferring to fill its schedule with predictable offerings about farleftleaning politics These events do not offend my own political views but they are often dull and serve as nothing more than an echo chamber for people who want their beliefs perpetually reaffirmed They sell more tickets that way so I am not sure I can blame them for the strategy but I hardly ever like the shows there Also the tickets are times more expensive than the tickets usually are at other live entertainment venues in townnnThe building itself is not falling into disrepair like the Orpheum is heartbreakingly I might add but areas of infrastructure could certainly benefit from attention There is no public WiFi and you will be hardpressed to get cell phone reception even in the balcony I do appreciate that the open dance area is slanted a bit so that we verticallychallenged folks have a chance to see but if you want to be able to sit and see the acts the balcony is your best bet It is not often open however especially for shows that have not sold a ton of tickets I do not recall this being a problem at prior events but at the show I attended last night there were constant problems with microphone feedback often necessitating acrobatics by the band itself The tap beer selection is good but that is pretty standard in this town Bottled beer selection pales in comparison to other venues and the liquor and wine options are slim pickings The bar is cashonly The only ATM in the place charges a fee for each use so if you need to withdraw cash make sure to get enough in one go The line can be enormous and often is bisected by people exiting and entering the theater The bathrooms are fairly clean and wellstocked although I have used them on more than one occasion to discover that they were out of soap necessitating the use of their hand sanitizer instead Also the saloonstyle doors are an easy way to get smacked in the face entering and exiting the bathroom so exercise plenty of caution around them The bathrooms are so tiny that the lines are formed outside the doors They also do not sell earplugs so make sure you bring your ownnnBottom line in the rare event that they have a show I want to see I will go but I make sure to bring plenty of cash my own earplugs and my plastic Barrymore cups drinks are cents cheaper when you remember to bring your cups back