The Burlap Room is located on Bert Driver’s Nursery in Smithville and is a true hub for creatives of all kinds to gather and enjoy live music, peruse the work of a variety of local artists, have a cold glass of craft beer and purchase locally made CBD products. 

There is a genuine feeling of comfort and friendship on the premises. Bert and his team care about making those who come gather on the property feel at home and provide an enjoyable time for all. Besides having a good experience, the focus of the Burlap Room is showcasing all of the local talent in the area and enjoying some of the best buds and brews around.

The Burlap Room sits on seven acres with all of the beautiful nursery items lining the entire property. It truly encompasses the meaning of a beer garden. 

A pond filled with fish is located behind the tap house, along with a sand pit for children to play in or adults to sink their feet into. The main stage is 20 by 20 feet and called the Red Bud Stage. The other three primary stages include the indoor Burlap Room stage inside of the tap room, the Wisteria stage on the front porch outside of the tap room and the Solstice Stage inside of a large greenhouse with professional lighting, heaters for the cooler nights and cover from the elements to keep the music coming despite uncooperative weather. 

A cozy fire pit sits right outside the Wisteria stage where the music and warmth from the fire floats through the air and wraps itself around you. 

Bert Driver, the owner of the nursery, Burlap Room, hemp farm and beer garden, began the process of turning his nursery into an outdoor concert venue six years ago and held the first show on the premises on Earth Day of that year. He strongly supports local businesses and creativity. The care he has for Smithville and the surrounding towns is apparent when speaking to him. 

“I wanted to feature local talent, to crow about what we’ve got here and show people they don’t have to go anywhere else to enjoy good beer and a good time,” said Driver.

The Burlap Room is busiest during the summer months. The large shows begin on Earth Day and last through October, occurring once a month. The majority of musicians who play at the nursery are from around the region. Many different art vendors come to display their wares and offer them for sale. A variety of music is offered, including classic and modern rock, bluegrass, jazz, country and reggae. Acoustic performances take place on the Wisteria stage porch or inside the tap room in an intimate setting.

During events, Tio’s Taco Truck is on site serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The Burlap Room is a great location for drinking a Calf Killer beer or Von Seitz Theoretic Ales craft beer. The ability to buy CBD products on the grounds of the nursery, which are grown on the property’s own hemp farm and made in Smithville by the Hemp Brothers, allows for relaxation. 

Kevin Zalesak is the bartender of the tap room. Zalesak’s brother is the owner and main brewer of Von Seitz Theoretic Ales, which is available on four taps along with four taps that rotate an array of Calf Killer brews. The Burlap Room’s tap room is looking to grow its craft beer selection and provide more beer on tap with hopes of expanding the location to provide a cold room. 

“Smithville itself and the places around it are such nice little areas, and they really deserve to have something different here to show off what these places have and what they can be,” said Zalesak.