When Tyler Vogt starts a new business, he isn’t necessarily rushed. He meticulously works until the business is up to his standards.
The results usually speak for themselves.
So is the latest with the Westsider Lounge, opened next door to the Westsider Diner on Third Avenue on the west side of Wausau.
The first thing you’ll notice is the piano — the stage at the lounge is centered on it, and remarkably photogenic.
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Along the walls are decorative sound dampeners, something many venues don’t consider. Behind the piano, against those dampening panels is a digital art canvas, which displays artwork that makes it hard to distinguish it from a real painting. (I assumed it was a painting until Vogt showed me otherwise.) Above the art display is a 60-pound curtain system, and that hides wiring and a pull-down projector that’s so bright, you’ll see it clearly even during the day with the windows open.
The vision for the space, which was once home to Sandbom Guitars and, once upon a time, a pharmacy among other businesses, is to have piano nights once per week during non-summer months, plus serve as a space people can rent for private events, or host ticketed events. (Vogt says he is working on a system to avoid the huge cuts big ticketing companies take.)
He also plans to host regular comedy shows there. Vogt says he is working with Next Up Comedy to bring those shows to the lounge on a regular basis.
And Vogt still retains all those connections with the music world he’s had since the Malarkey’s days. So hosting bands when they happen to be coming through town between gigs is a strong possibility. But Vogt says not to expect some of the loud rock bands that once graced Malarkey’s stage. The Lounge is more geared toward the chill end of music.
And one thing Vogt says he learned from the Malarkey’s days that he’s improving at the lounge: lighting. Everyone had a blue tinge to them when they played at Malarkey’s (I have an old photo from the Blueheels in which the lead singer is indeed Smurf colored). At The Lounge, Vogt installed a variable temperature lighting system that can change to fit the act playing.
One thing he envisions that is pretty interesting: live art classes. The technology would allow an artist to project what they’re doing on a screen while students/participants follow along. He’s had some interest already from some wanting to put on some classes there.
At the back, an old office space was converted into a bar to help serve the piano nights. Vogt explains their license extends to the whole building. Patrons could also eat at Westsider first and then head to the lounge for a cocktail.
And, the space also serves as overflow for the Westsider Diner, which has become popular faster than he anticipated. Right now there is nowhere to wait for a table, and the lounge will help with that.
But Vogt says the space is intended to be a destination onto its own. The Wausau area doesn’t have enough venues in between those that host 20 and 200 people, Vogt told The Wausonian, and he thinks the lounge can fulfill that need. A catering kitchen is being built in the back to help provide food at those events.
The lounge has its first comedy show scheduled for Sept. 24, and its first piano bar night planned for Sept. 25, with Wausau Symphony member and band teacher Dan Larson.
In fact, that comedy show has already been selling so many tickets that he says the organizers are already considering offering a second show. And a newsletter Vogt created for the venue already has 3,000 subscribers.
Vogt’s business creations tend to become Wausau institutions, such as Malarkey’s Pub and Townies, and now the Westsider Diner.
If all goes as planned, Westsider Lounge will join that group.
Westsider Lounge is next door to The Westsider Diner at 628 N Third Avenue in Wausau. Find out more at westsiderdiner.com or on its Facebook page.
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