Aftershock Shows

First off they started the show like an hour and a half late. Then they decided that though the flyers said 5 dollars at the door 7 if you are a minor. He looked at my license and my girlfriends. I am 29 and she is 27. He decided we needed to pay 7 dollars. I assume that it is because I wouldn’t be drinking because I have a sobriety chip. I was just there to see my buddies band. Terrible venue. Shady place. I am adding the flyer as proof.

Aftershock is a nightclub who lives up to its name.
The venue gives an opportunity for those on the louder end of the aural spectrum to showcase their wares. The room has undergone a decleansing facelift if you will, one that features concrete floors and a new 360 bar in the middle of the two rooms. The bar especially is a nice touch because it allows the bartenders to serve their customers quicker.
The larger room, where most of the magic happens, looks to have an rebuilt stage and updated sound and lighting equipment so your bands will look and sound good. I do wish that the club would remove some of the high top tables that make up the latter half of the room because I think they take away some of the standing space. They also make it a little difficult to get to the merch table however even with the tables, there is still a good amount of room and good sight lines to the stage.
The other room, which features a door to the all important smoking patio, is a little smaller and includes some games (darts, pool, old arcade games,) a couple of tvs and some couches and tables for you to lounge. If you’re hungry, this is the perfect spot to place your order and eat (they do serve food however I’ve never partaken) either during a lull in the action or on an off night.
Be sure to check to the calendar to see who’s one the bill and don’t forget your ear plugs. You’ll need them.

There are many reasons I’m giving the Aftershock this score. I’ve probably been there 7 times to see local bands play, and since I am familiar with one of those bands, I’ve heard the things they do to micromanage.
1. The environment: I understand that it’s a dive bar… but usually dive bars are interesting or charming in their own way, no matter how dark and dirty. They need to update that building, as it doesn’t look like they have put a dime into it over the past 10 years. However, that being said, I do know they changed the tiles in the ceiling to wood slats and put a safety bar up in the front of the band, only because of an incident with a («Psychostick?») concert over the past year.
2. They micromanage the bands: this bar (owner or whoever organizes bands) will take any little thing that is said and take it as a negativism, and kick bands out of a show. They are so petty about it that I can’t even put a personal example on there, for fear that my friend’s band will not be allowed to play there again. The most recent show I went to was 2 weeks ago, and because one of the bands booked another gig in the city (earlier in the week), they were kicked out of this show.
3. Related to the subject above: The band they kicked out had sold a certain amount of tickets to friends/family…which the Aftershock threatened to not honor. I don’t know how they would be able to manage that, but everyone who bought a ticket from this band (even though there were other bands they might like to see) would be denied entry into the bar, because that band sold those tickets. They (the band) ended up reimbursing half of the tickets so the band took the fall for the other half.
4. They don’t notify anybody if a show is canceled, it just falls off of facebook. However, there is nothing on their website canceling the show, and they still will have the bulletin up with that show time.
5. They punish DD’s. Each time I go there they start charging for something that they didn’t charge for before. MOST bars will let you have ice water for free, but they don’t. They insist that you pay $ 1 for bottled water. They also will charge you for soda water (which I guess counts as soda, but yes, it too, is water). When I purchased a few soda waters at the last show the cup got smaller as the night continued. I don’t appreciate having my drinks shrink without a discount.
The only reason I would ever voluntarily go to this bar of my own free will would be to see my friend on stage.

This rating is based on going into this place knowing it was a dive bar concert venue.
First the bad: Set times are all over the place. On their webpage they say one time, the ticket says another time, and their Facebook shows another. None of which were correct. They pulled the whole, hour later than what it says so we get you in the door drinking. We took a chance and showed up an hour later than the website said and we saw the first band. So remember that. Second issue, they lie about their prices on their website. Claimed $ 15 and $ 5 upcharge for minors. Got there and the tickets were $ 20. I am 21+ I mentioned that’s not what the webpage says and I was simply told «It’s $ 20». $ 20, not a big deal to see a bunch of bands but don’t false advertise. There was no «door prices» mentioned anywhere. I paid the money then asked for a ticket, no ticket. So apparently there is no structure to this place, I could have just walked in the side door.
Now the Good. Venue set up is very nice. Main Stage as you enter to the right, small stage straight ahead in a separate room. Central Bar in the middle to feed both rooms. Beer selection wasn’t great but it was a dive bar, PBR is expected. Bathrooms were actually somewhat clean. They even had paper towels and soap, kind of impressed. Sound was way better than I expected, they are set up perfectly to host some Rock/​Metal bands. The lighting was fairly good. Good enough for the type of place.
Overall I would recommend the place for a concert but don’t expect any structure from staff. I think if they can get there advertising and staff in line this place could actually have potential.

My favorite dive bar in KC, the bartenders are nice, the selection kind of sux, the music could use a change as its mostly heavy metal!

This place is your typical dive. A bar in the middle, and decent drink specials. The one thing that makes them different is the great sound and lights for shows. They seem better equipped for bands than other venues of their size/​type.
I didn’t eat, so I can’t comment on the food, but the people seemed friendly enough and I had a good time while I was there. I can’t say it’s a place I’d go back to, though. There are plenty of bars like Aftershock way closer to me I can go to if I feel like drinking in a dirty bar.

Oh Aftershock, what a gem you could be. You get two stars because the sound and lights are great, and I love a place that supports local music. However, if your bathrooms are dirtier than Buzzard Beach, but your drink prices are higher… I’m out! Seriously, no heat, or hot water, in the bathroom in the dead of winter. No locks on any of the stalls. After I went in there once and saw my breath, luckily my bladder stopped sounding.
The only time I ever ordered food it took forever and wasn’t at all appetizing. Below bar food average. The bar staff seems overwhelmed by the volume, maybe updating to computers instead of paper tabs would help. I really hope someday this place can be a little more like the live music venues in the city. Please get a chef that WANTS to inspire the menu, and a better beer selection than Blvd Wheat, or Bud. And please, please, please fix the ladies bathrooms.

Aftershock is definitely a 3.5 star kind of place. Can’t give them the extra half star for the night I was there though because the ladies’ room was a plumbing terror. Usually only one stall semi-​available all night as the others either wouldn’t flush or wouldn’t fill. That said, the drinks were strong and cheap. I went to see some friends’ bands, and the music and sound were great. Bar service was fast and there was lots of available seating all the time. The crowd was super friendly (though the more delicate suburbanites would probably consider it «rough»). Parking is a little dicey when it’s crowded, but no one seemed offended that we were all parking in the warehouse lot across the street. It’s most of what you expect out of a roadside bar in Merriam that hosts metal shows with great regularity.

Aftershock is an «a-​ok» bar which hosts a lot of bands.
I have been to hear bands. The sound quality has really improved over the years.
As for the interior, I’m not sure why they have limited the majority of the seating but ok. The bartenders can be hit or miss. The drink specials aren’t that special. Plus one night, pitchers were on special, but there weren’t any to give to us. A ploy to order more beer? Perhaps.
Now the restroom, I haven’t rocked and rolled on a toilet since a gas station somewhere in Texas in 1995. Good grief, get the toilets attached to the floor please! I might enjoy it drunk but sober it isn’t a good time.
Otherwise, I love going out to listen to music and Aftershock is a good place to go. It is usually priced well and heck why not? Just be wary of the off-​kilter toilets.

My first time here and I expect it to be my last.
Went to see my friends play a gig, but it was so hot I had to leave.
I was pumped because it was an indoor concert, and it’s been really hot out.
10pm, and it was nicer outside.
$ 15 cover charge and no air conditioning?
2 stages, but who cares?

I have only ever been to Aftershock on a Wednesday night and that’s because every other Wednesday (or so. it’s more spaced out sometimes) they have FREE rockabilly, country, alt-​billy whatever you wanna call it shows. Desi is an amazing bar tender and always manages to take care of everyone quickly even when it is packed. Another bonus about these KC Rockabilly shows is that they are relatively early. Expect the music to start by 8:30 — 9:00… and they serve bar food so you can make it a somewhat responsible «school night out» if you work early the next day.
I’m not into metal or hard rock and it seems like that’s what they play during the weekends at this bar. I can’t vouch for the crowd or band on those nights but on the freebie Wednesdays it sounds great, it’s a good crowd, people are friendly and like to dance… good stuff!

This building has gone thru many changes over the years. It used to be Riekes Landing years ago and that’s where a lot of people who lived in Turner would go. Now that it’s Aftershock a «Rock» bar we hang out there often. Especially when our favorite local band is ther… H GAGE!!! I think their drink prices are a little steep but they have to make money to support being able to bring in bands but all in all its a great place to see a local band.

It’s a hole in the wall and if you go in expecting that then it’ll be a fun place. I love their rockabilly nights.

Aftershock just underwent a hardcore makeover. Looks totally different inside now! there is still plenty of work to be done, but it has taken a giant step in a good direction. The round bar breaks up the hard separation of the establishment. More seating and booths are always nice! And I personally like the mis-​matchiness of these new booths! Weird colored lighting down one wall creates a weird ambience (weird being good). I am excited to see where this bar goes when the renovations are finished.
Again, I commend the staff for being so badass! Desira is the best bartender EVER! she is such a sweetheart and works hard!

I want to give Aftershocks the 5 stars it deserves. I went with a friend to see Helluvate, H Gauge, Obsidian, Rocker Lips and Nigel Dupree. I was dreading the smokey filmed atmosphere I experienced the last time I went. I almost didn’t go.
I walked in, and it was like a totally different venue. The air was actually fresh. Fresh and breathable. We were presented a menu, and the choices were well priced, with plenty to choose from. I had my usual boring Coca cola (I live in Independence, and don’t usually drink with a drive this far.)
The show started directly on time. The sound was fresh and well, now you know, I do like metal and loud and obnoxious music that would be noise to some people. The sound was not too brassy, or even too loud. When I wanted to talk to my friend in the wheel chair, we stepped into the other room, where there’s pool tables, and food was also served in the booths. The smoking area is outside this room. When Obsidian began to play, the owner moved the guy I was with (in the wheel chair), and we got to be in the section right next to the band, and I got to sit on the couch.
At 11:00, they turned on the house lights, and made all the minors go home. At 1:00, they were about to wind things down.
This was a totally different Aftershocks than the first time I went. I love it that there’s no smoking, which I am deathly allergic to. The owners are great. The service is excellent. Plenty of tables. Cannot complain, and I will be back.

Previously Martys, which had a great menu and catered to my genre, now looks more like the old dive that used to be in this space that was trouble. We won’t be back.

I must again comment on the great sound at Aftershock. I saw another kick-​ass show last night and as always, it’s a good time. The sole reason I give this place this many stars is because of the quality of the live shows, plus the fact that they have really more than adequate seating (in both rooms and I like that you can retire to the adjoining room should it get too loud). I’m such a fan of these components that I give Aftershock 3 stars… the drink prices still buck the heck out of me, though. Are buy backs a foreign concept in Kansas? Just wondering. It still baffles me how 6 drinks (hardly top shelf) plus 1 PBR came to over 40 dollars plus the 20 percent tip I always give because it’s not the staff’s fault the prices of this alleged «dive» are so high.
I haven’t tried the food, but it smells pretty good (standard comfort food/​bar fare from the looks of the menu). Staff are all quite capable and the waitresses are very sweet and friendly.
I am also definitely not a fan of all the smoking that is still allowed at Aftershock (when is the damn smoking ban going into effect for Kansas?) I don’t miss the days of airing my clothes out for a week.
Ah well. I’ll still keep coming back for those great shows (local faves, Federation of Horsepower, Rumblejetts and Little Rachel). What am I gonna do? I don’t boycott places unless they treat me badly.