Party Down South

Out of chaos rings opportunity…

Currently, downtown Omaha is going through a major transformation. More than $2 billion has been invested in the new pedestrian bridge and Riverfront Development; music and art venues like the Slowdown and Film Streams have become noteworthy attractions; and plans for the construction of a brand-spanking-new baseball stadium to crown the city are in the works.

But where does this leave south Omaha?

This weekend I traveled with companion to check out Kurt and Clyde’s, a south Omaha bar taking measures to adapt to the chaos and the fresh scene.

The outer appearance of Kurt and Clyde’s is unassuming – it is reminiscent of a typical dive bar – but the inside layout tells a different story. The place is composed of three separate sections: a bar with seating, a pool table and sizeable darts area, and a space for live music with enough width for a intimate audience. You’ll find clean wooden floors and brick walls decorated with a myriad of bar “flare” – even the ceiling has plenty for the eye (in case you happen to pass out flat on your back).

The place got its namesake from current host and events promoter Kurt Krajicek (Clyde, a pitbull, is his dog). “I invested a lot of time into this bar. I wanted to create a place with an Old Market feel in south Omaha, a place where you can walk in and feel comfortable any day of the week,” said Krajicek.

I asked him whether or not venues like the Slowdown and the Waiting Room are noticeably taking business from Sokol, a concert venue located next door.

“Is this affecting Kurt and Clyde’s?”

“Yeah, it’s had a big effect, but things are looking up. Sokol is hosting smaller shows but more of them, which is trickling down to us. And I’m making some improvements as well,” he said.

Kurt and Clyde’s is now offering local musicians the opportunity to play live at the bar every weekend. All they have to do is prove that they can bring people through the door.

“How do you see the closing of Rosenblatt Stadium playing out in this area?” I asked.

“We never really got a big boost from the College World Series, but, in truth, it’s going to affect everyone around here, and not just for the two weeks the CWS takes place. The new stadium is going to go up and then they’ll build plenty of new bars and shops around it. Who’s going to want to come out to south Omaha?” Krajicek remarked.

In an effort to counterbalance this effect, Krajicek is going to build a new two-tiered patio connected to the inside and give the entire outside a facelift. “We are going to make Kurt and Clyde’s a live music kind of place. Every weekend there will be different bands playing different kinds of music. We want to see new faces every weekend.”

I could see the possibilities as my companion and I watched a local band warming up for their performance – she commented that they didn’t sound very good, but, then again, she’s a fan of Herbie Hancock. Anyway, I thought it was cool to see a place that offers up-and-comers, who aren’t quite ready for a place like Sokol or the Slowdown, the opportunity to make a name for themselves.

It’s too soon to know whether or not the nightlife in south Omaha will be thriving in a few years time: only history will tell. But Kurt and Clyde’s innovative spirit might be the key.