"We've got to do something to stop this. It's getting totally, totally out of control," one speaker said to applause.
Crowd members hit on a host of concerns from protecting Social Security to stopping cuts to veteran services, energizing younger voters, wealth inequality, and what direction the Democratic Party will take as it looks to counter GOP dominance in Washington.
KDP chair Coleman Elridge, and former Congressman John Yarmuth spoke as part of the event — with Yarmuth describing it as an "anger channeling session." Elridge urged the audience not to normalize the political moment.
"This is not normal. And we can't talk about it like it's normal," he said.
With a "Fire Andy Barr" sign in hand, attendee Ethan Wallace was on board.
"It's happening all over the country. Republicans nationwide are telling their members not to hold town halls. Democrats are showing up. They're listening to the people. That's why I'm here," he told WUKY.
Barr had described a similar recent event in Lexington as "manufactured outrage" featuring "paid activists" in a social media post that provided no evidence. He went on to hold a tele-town hall on Monday.
"I saw on Twitter (Barr) said that there were were Soros-backed paid advocates. I wish we had Soros money. We don't have Soros money," Wallace joked, adding, "I think he's scared to listen to what his people have to say. That's why he won't show up in person at a town hall and actually hear us out."
In a statement before the town hall, the Republican Party of Kentucky echoed Barr's earlier language, dubbing the town hall "fake outrage" and "political theater."
"It's a textbook example of just how out of touch Kentucy Democrats are with voters across the commonwealth," the statement said.
But the mood in the room was more alarmed than up in arms. And while the event may have provided an outlet for frustration, KDP executive director Morgan Eaves said, in this atmosphere, town halls and even voting aren't enough.
"Showing up is amazing. Showing up one time does not move the needle," she cautioned.
Speakers said the message now for a party on the ropes is to get out of their comfort zone, get on the phone, and hit the pavement.
(Note: A previous version of this story estimated attendance at around 200. That was based on a brief informal headcount an hour into the program. Organizers say Lyric staff estimated the crowd at 400+.)