Café Montmartre closing, Cardinal Bar "up in the air"
Tiffany Mason
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The fate of local restaurant/bar/venue Café Montmartre was a bit uncertain between last night and this morning—until 77 Square's Rob Thomas confirmed with the owners that the place has indeed closed for good. The first Decider heard of it was a press release from concert promoter Tag Evers of True Endeavors Monday night, announcing the closing and informing us that Jessica Lea Mayfield, who was scheduled to perform there on July 7, will move over to the High Noon Saloon instead. The Momo hasn't yet returned a Decider phone message from early this morning, but Montmartre booker Justin Bricco tells Decider that he's "working on alternate venues" for the many shows the place still had booked for the summer. "I am saddened by the loss of this venue," Bricco, also lead guitarist for local band Blueheels, adds in an email. "It has been a home and launch pad for Blueheels over the past few years."
In short, we've lost a venue that's had its ups and downs but usually managed to fill some interesting gaps in local music. Montmartre had an uncanny knack for drawing people who talk at the top of their voices during nearly every show, but some of those shows were pretty damn good regardless. Over the past few years, Decider's caught artists at the Momo ranging from blueswoman Rory Block to comedian Eugene Mirman to Duluth bluesman Charlie Parr, not to mention the dozens of Madison-bred bands the club welcomed. In an amazing exception to the place's often chatty-as-hell atmosphere, a sold-out crowd (including many folks seated on the floor) in March 2007 kept completely hushed for a show from the wondrous Icelandic band Amiina (video below). Speaking of delicate, quieter fare, we're hoping that Denison Witmer's scheduled show there on July 9 finds another venue.
In addition, word has spread recently via Dane101 and local queer organization/dance-party promoter Indie Queer that another downtown spot, the Cardinal Bar, is due to close up. However, this isn't for sure. Former Cardinal Bar owner Ricardo Gonzalez tells Decider that "everything is kinda up in the air right now" between the club's current owners and landlord, and insists that "there's nothing to report." One of the current owners, Corey Rogers, would only say that "We'll know after today."
