Every bar has it’s own unique character. When the typical “of age” student thinks of where he/she wants to go that’s close by, the usual suspects are always right up there. The Roost offers that underground party atmosphere with it’s dull lighting and weekly live music. On a busy night, there is not a more tightly packed place in Orono.

Bear Brew on the other hand is more of the hangout for those seeking a club-like atmosphere. The upstairs dance floor is always playing the latest dance music and the lights capture that club feel, albeit on a much smaller scale than some of downtown Bangor’s hot spots. The downstairs and porch offer relief from the onslaught that is the dance floor.

Woodman’s offers a more sophisticated type of party. The live music is of a much more mellow and jazzy nature. The atmosphere is far more conducive to conversation with no crazy lighting. It also rarely gets crowded to the point of discomfort.

This last weekend I paid my first visit to Kingman’s in Old Town. Recently the bar has been trying to move more toward being a concert venue, resulting in changes such as a 9 p.m. opening time. This already puts it on the backfoot compared to the others which open at 4 p.m. In all honesty though, bars don’t reach their peak until after 10 p.m. anyway.

Perhaps my favorite thing about the place from an aesthetic point of view is the large mural that covers the left wall and the wall behind the stage. It’s an eye-catching and unique feature that gives the place an urban sort of feel. On the other hand, the pool tables were pretty old and sometimes the balls would get stuck in the table. A lack of pool sticks was also a slight annoyance, but at least it’s free.

I have yet to find a bar owner or manager that I don’t like, and Tim Taylor is no exception. He’s a chill dude that knows what he wants from his establishment. The fact that he also operates the rage bus is a huge plus as you can start at Kingman’s then rent the bus and continue your adventure somewhere else if the need arises.

The staff overall were a good bunch. The bartenders were very relaxed and conversational and the bouncer was more friendly than some that I have run into before. Tim is very involved with the bar and helped set the band up, even doing soundboard duties during the show.

Line of Force was a fantastic band. The upbeat tempo and grooves that were thrown in made it a joy to dance, sit, converse and drink. This is the type of sound and vibe that Tim is aiming for on a consistent basis, and it’s definitely a nice change from the cover bands that play at The Roost.

Then of course there is the Kingman’s Concert Series, which is aiming to get bigger and better acts over time. Aside from the concert series there are a number of other events that are held including open mic nights and post concert parties for Waterfront and Collins Center shows. The Electronic Resin Ball on Halloween night is something I’m looking forward to in particular.

Now for the brass tax: alcohol. The liquor selection is pretty decent and the barkeep knows some good mixes. My big gripe with the bar is that there aren’t any taps. Beer from the tap just tastes that extra bit better than it does from the bottle and it’s slightly disappointing that they don’t have that.

The beer selection itself is pretty good. If you want darker stuff there’s Guinness and for those looking for a strong lager Sam Adams is right there. I do wish there were more IPA’s but that’s just a personal preference, and after experiencing the rotating taps at Woodman’s I have become a bit more picky as of late.

These are minor complaints though, as Kingman’s isn’t trying to be a bar so much as a concert venue. On a personal note, I’ll probably hit downtown Orono more often because it doesn’t involve driving. However, if Kingman’s continues to get bigger and better acts they have the potential to become a major entertainment hub in the Orono/Old Town area.