A new independent music venue and bar, Gamma Ray Bar, will open in downtown Madison at 121 W. Main St. on June 1, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The spot, owned and operated by Madison musician Kevin Willmott II, will be housed in the space formerly occupied by Barley Pop Live and The Frequency.
Willmott, who is part of the Madison-based nine-piece soul band Don’t Mess With Cupid, managed the bars at The Sylvee and the Majestic Theatre until last November; he will continue to work at both venues part-time until Gamma Ray Bar opens.
The roughly 2,000-square-foot venue includes a front lounge and a stage room and will offer alcoholic beverages and frozen pizzas. It will have a capacity of 118 and expects to employ 15–20 staff. Anticipated hours will run Monday–Thursday from 4 p.m.–2 a.m., Friday from 4 p.m.–2:30 a.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.–2:30 a.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m.–2 a.m.
The venue will host live performances, sometimes with a cover charge and sometimes as ticketed shows, featuring local and regional acts. There will also be shows for children every Saturday morning.
