First, the answer to the obvious question — is EvenFlow Music and Spirits in Geneva named after the Pearl Jam song, “Even Flow?”
The answer, according to owner Mike Knuth, is … “Pearl Jam, yes, but also the beer flows evenly and the music flows evenly.”
Knuth opened EvenFlow in 2011, a few years after he was laid off from the housing industry. One of Knuth’s cousins played with the Zac Brown Band, so Knuth was able to see him tour all over the country in all sorts of restaurants and bars. Knuth was inspired by the combinations of music venues he saw along the way, especially in Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans and Seattle.
“I started thinking about the concept of the live music/restaurant/bar and was formulating what it would look like. I really learned the craft inside and out,” he said.
EvenFlow’s menu is heavy on burgers but includes high-end bar food like skirt steak and fried chicken tacos.
“Our steak tacos are killer!” Knuth enthused. “We have a full food menu for dinner only. There is so much competition for lunch. We have over 200 places to sit and eat.”
Live music is featured every night EvenFlow is open, from open mike nights and live karaoke to local and national acts ranging from rock to jazz to rap.
Knuth is known to hop onstage to sing with the band, following along with the lyrics on his phone. On a recent Saturday, he jumped in with area ’90s alternative band Killing Me Smalls to share vocals on Seven Mary Three’s “Cumbersome.”
“This is my favorite song,” Knuth proclaimed, phone in hand, with its screen flashing the lyrics to sing along.
Philosophy: “The whole industry has changed so much. With Tinder, Amazon and Netflix, people don’t go out, they stay home. And there is so much competition. When I opened, half the buildings in Geneva were empty. We’re very event-oriented, being a place to host your next party. People drive here every weekend for some kind of a party. And we’re blessed to book some great acts,” Knuth said.
Décor: EvenFlow’s home is inside the Old Geneva State Bank, which was built in 1919. Previous owners tore out the safe and built the kitchen in its space. The top level is a loft with tables and its own bar. The main level has tables, a bar and stage.
The lower level is Pub 302, which can be rented out for events. The tables and walls display lyrics. Paintings of Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Dave Grohl and others hang throughout the cavernous establishment. “All are the greatest rock and roll artists of all time,” said Knuth, who counts his favorite his music genre as the British Invasion, “and I grew up during grunge.”
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We’re different because: “We’re one of a kind. We focus on having the best PA and sound and customer service. At normal bars and restaurants you go eat, drink and leave. But here, it’s an event,” Knuth said.
Price range: Opening acts/appetizers from $6 to $13. Soup and salads are $6 and $11. Burgers from $12 to $14. Wraps and sandwiches are $11 and $12. Kids’ meals are $7 and $8. Local brews, handcrafted cocktails, wine, ciders, seltzers and beer are available.
Logistics: EvenFlow Spirits and Music is at 302 W. State St., Geneva. Hours are 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Mondays-Tuesdays-Thursdays, 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Event will determine opening time on Sundays. Closed Wednesdays. Kitchen closes at 11 p.m. Some events are 21 and older and charge a cover. Call 630-802-6581 or go to evenflowmusic.com.
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Shonda Talerico Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.