Cafe 611 Restaurant

Leo Fibino

6 months ago

★★★★★

I am absolutely appalled by the lack of professionalism and safety at Café 611. My team hosted an event here in December after our original venue had complications, simply put this place is way too overpriced for a venue in Frederick Maryland to be treating people this poorly. Less than an hour into the event, security was already aggressive and condescending toward our patrons. At our events we invite a community made up of our friends, loved ones and locals that share ideals and beliefs, such as PLURR and Decency. So this off rip didn’t sit well with me. While we fully support ID checks and safety procedures, this behavior was unnecessary, hostile and unacceptable. Things escalated when a man assisting security—who was not authorized to work there and is allegedly the security’s brother—made inappropriate sexual comments to our staff greeter such as asking her to sit in his lap because she looked tired of standing while gesturing towards his genitalia, this happened in the entry hallway. (being dressed up and looking good is not an invite to be inappropriate, we condemn that disgusting behavior to the highest degree). Along with multiple patrons including my fiancé coming to me about being groped and touched during pat downs. When I calmly addressed security about their aggression, the security’s brother started threatening, telling me he would “take me outside and put me to sleep permanently” and tried to physically escalate the situation in front of multiple witnesses. Patrons that hadn’t even been in the building for more the 10 minutes had to step in to prevent violence. When it was brought to their attention, Management was dismissive, and proceeded laugh it off with security when he went to speak with them, and allowed the individual to remain in the building for over an hour until he left on his own accord. At the end of the night, staff yelled obscenities at guests and made inappropriate racial comments directed towards white people, further making everyone uncomfortable. When we tried to discuss accountability with the owner—after multiple independent complaints—he defended his staff, harassed us for payment while we were actively loading out, and shut the door on us entirely after being paid. This venue has a reputation, and unfortunately everything we were warned about proved true. I will never host, attend, or promote events here again. Extremely unsafe and unprofessional, you all should be ashamed of yourselves. You know as good as everyone else this isn’t your first instance or situation here.

Jamie van Dyck

8 months ago

★★★★★

My band played Cafe 611 on tour way back in 2016. Of the 100+ shows my band has performed on tour, this was easily the place that treated us the worst of any venue staff we've ever encountered. During changeover, 3 minutes before our set was due to begin, I realized I was extremely thirsty and left the stage and raced over to the bar. I asked the bartender if I could grab some stage waters. He said "5 bucks!". I re-iterated that I was in the band performing, and he didn't blink. I asked him if I could have tap water. Nothing. I then told him I didn't have my wallet on my person when performing, but could get my wallet after our set, and he wouldn't lose sight of me for the next 45 minutes given I was going to be on stage. He simply re-iterated "5 bucks!"...Finally a fan sitting at the bar cut in, "this is ridiculous" and handed the bartender 5 bucks on my behalf so that I could have water on stage and not perform completely de-hydrated. This is the most irresponsible treatment of us as performers we've experienced in the decade since, and it's about time that I properly punish this venue with a review.

Joel Beavin

11 months ago

★★★★★

If you're an artist don't bother playing here. Booked a show here, was given 0 information, no contract. No communication for 5+ months, didn't find out there was no one to run sound til we got there. Ran it ourselves using half our own equipment, ran the door ourselves half the night and still got stiffed out of 2/3 of the money we made. Disorganized, unprofessional, sloppy mess, no prior agreements made, house shows and DIY venues have their shit together more than here. Its a shame because the space itself is fine (its grungy, but that's fine) and there's not very many places for a small band to play without going to the bigger cities. Disappointing experience. Won't bother booking any more shows here.