The C Note in Hull Is Closing

A South Shore music venue that shut down during the early part of the pandemic only to be reborn thanks to fundraisers, benefit concerts, and the sale of merchandise is closing permanently.

According to a Facebook post from the business, The C Note in Hull is going to be shutting down for good, with the note saying the following:

It is with heavy hearts and a deep sense of gratitude that we announce The C Note will soon be closing its doors on Saturday, September 26. After decades of serving as your local music club, the time has come for us to move on. Stepping away from a place that has been our home for so long is incredibly difficult, but we are immensely proud of the incredible run we have shared with all of you. 

Back in the summer of 2020, it was announced that the music club would be shuttering, but a grassroots campaign helped them return the following year. (The C Note had formerly been called the Sea Note, with an ownership change taking place a bit more than 15 years ago.)

The address for the C Note is 159 Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA, 02045.

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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McCarthy's and Toad Opening in Cambridge's Porter Square April 5

A long-awaited Irish pub in Cambridge that has two sections--including a music club that had previously presided within the space--is on the verge of opening.

According to a couple of sources, @CheeksMcGee9 who posted on Threads, McCarthy's and Toad are planning to open in Porter Square on Saturday, April 5, with a note from the business saying the following on its website:

From the proud owners of The Burren in Somerville and The Bebop in Back Bay, we we bring you McCarthy's and Toad -- your new Irish pub in Porter Square, Cambridge. With perfect pints, live music, and the greatest craic in town, we can't wait to welcome you in.

Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello are behind McCarthy's, which replaces Christopher's at 1920 Massachusetts Avenue, and Toad, which will remain in its old home next door at 1912 Massachusetts Avenue. The website for McCarthy's and Toad is at https://www.mccarthystoad.com/

[Earlier Article]
Owners of The Burren Buying Toad and Christopher's in Cambridge's Porter Square; Christopher's to Become McCarthy’s

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Rockwood Music Hall in Boston's Fenway Has Closed

A small music venue in Boston's Fenway neighborhood has closed after less than a year in operation.

According to an article from Vanyaland, Rockwood Music Hall on Van Ness Street shut down as of May 1, with a note on the website for the place saying the following:

As a business that depends on bar sales to survive, unfortunately we were not generating enough to make operating sustainable. Thank you for all your support. All shows beyond Apr. 30th have been cancelled, tickets will be refunded automatically within 7 business days.

Rockwood first opened in the summer of 2023, having a connection to Rockwood Music Hall in Manhattan; the Boston space had a capacity of 120 and mainly featured local acts.

The address for the now-closed Rockwood Music Hall in the Fenway was 88 Van Ness Street, Boston, MA, 02215.

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Owners of The Burren Buying Toad and Christopher's in Cambridge's Porter Square; Christopher's to Become McCarthy’s

Last summer, it looked like a restaurant and a music club in Cambridge were both going to be changing hands, though those plans subsequently fell through. Now we have learned that the people behind a nearby Irish pub will be buying the two spots, and changes will be coming to one of them.

Cambridge Day is confirming what a source told us earlier, that both Toad and Christopher's in Porter Square are set to be sold to Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello of The Burren in Somerville's Davis Square, with Toad remaining unchanged while Christopher's will become a new place called McCarthy's. The article says that the former Christopher's space will be renovated including moving the bar and reworking the front windows and entrance, though the pass-through to Toad will remain in place.

The sale of the two spaces to McCarthy and Costello is not official as of yet, as the deal is pending approvals by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission and Cambridge building officials which could happen over the next three weeks or so; if all goes well, construction could commence in May with a slated opening sometime in September. 

Toad is at 1912 Massachusetts Avenue while Christopher's space is at 1920 Massachusetts Avenue.

[Earlier Article]
Toad and Christopher's in Cambridge's Porter Square Have Apparently Been Sold

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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Toad and Christopher's in Cambridge's Porter Square Have Apparently Been Sold

Earlier this year, it was reported that a restaurant and a music club in Cambridge were both facing an uncertain future, but now we have learned that the music club will remain in place, though we are still waiting to hear specific details on the restaurant.

According to an article in The Boston Globe, both Toad and Christopher's in Porter Square have apparently been sold to an unnamed buyer for approximately $3 million, and the Toad space will likely open soon after temporarily closing down on September 16, though it is possible that it could have a different name. It appears that the Christopher's space will also reopen, as current co-owner Holly Heslop says that the new owner is a restaurant investor who wants to keep Toad and the restaurant as two separate places.

Toad is a bar and no-cover music club that has featured countless local acts over the years while Christopher's, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic after being in operation for more than 40 years, has been known for its classic American fare and cozy digs (including a fireplace).

Toad is at 1912 Massachusetts Avenue while Christopher's space is at 1920 Massachusetts Avenue.

[September 18 update: A check on the place confirms that Toad is now closed.]

[Earlier Article]
The Futures of Christopher's and Toad in Cambridge's Porter Square Are Now in Doubt

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Jazz Urbane Cafe Still Planning to Open in Roxbury

A few years ago, it was reported that a cafe featuring live music could be coming to an historic building in Roxbury. Now we have learned that the plans are still on the table and appear to be moving forward.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Jazz Urbane Cafe continues to look at opening within the Ferdinand storefront section of the Bolling Building in Nubian Square. The people behind the proposed spot--Nia Grace of Darryl's Corner Kitchen & Bar, Berkeley Professor Bill Banfield, and entrepreneur Turahn Dorsey--will need to get approval for a variance by the Zoning Board of Appeal due to a lack of parking, as well as licenses to serve food and drink. If they get the green light to open, the new spot would feature live jazz music from both local and national performers (including acts from Banfield's Jazz Urbane record label) while the space may also be used for community events.

As mentioned earlier, the Bolling Building dates back to the 1880s.

The website for Jazz Urbane Cafe can be found at jazzurbanecafe.com

[Earlier Article]
Jazz Urbane Cafe Could Be Opening in Roxbury's Dudley Square

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Hotel Proposed for Middle East Space in Cambridge's Central Square

The exact future of one of the region's best-known music complexes continues to be unknown, especially based on a new proposal now on the table that mentions the potential tearing down of the building.

According to an article from Cambridge Day (via a Cambridge Historical Commission Meeting notice), The Sater family--who own The Middle East along with the property itself--have put out a plan that would demolish the Mass. Ave. structure and replace it with a six-story hotel that would have two stages for live entertainment. A blueprint posted shows that the basement has a section labeled "Middle East Music Venue" while the first floor has a section simply labeled "Music Venue," and the first floor also shows three spaces for retail while the 6th floor has a restaurant/bar space. Cambridge Day mentions that there is a request to postpone the September 8 meeting which could mean that the proposal might not be heard until next month at the earliest, as the next commission meeting is slated to take place on October 6.

Nabil and Joseph Sater, who purchased The Middle East in 2014, put the site up for sale in early 2020, though the listing was ultimately taken down and no sale took place.

The address for The Middle East is 472-480 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website is at https://www.mideastoffers.com/

[September 19 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that The Middle East apparently won't be going anywhere, with the note saying that "Over the coming months, we and our team will present a plan to improve the Middle East, in cooperation with CSQ Realty, to include a two stage music venue, a modernized restaurant and event space, and a lounge, as well as a hotel and retail space....The Middle East plans to remain open until such time as the planned renovations are to take place, which we currently expect to occur no earlier than 2024. While there may be a short interruption during the redevelopment of the space, rest assured that the Middle East will remain the venue that our customers, performers, friends, and neighbors have come to love for years and decades to come."]

[Earlier Article]
The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub in Cambridge's Central Square Has Been Put Up for Sale

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Lizard Lounge in Cambridge Is Reopening

A popular basement music spot that has been closed since the start of the pandemic is finally getting ready to open back up.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Lizard Lounge in Cambridge is reopening on September 30, with an Instagram post from the place--which resides underneath Cambridge Common on Mass. Ave. between Porter Square and Harvard Square--saying that "It's true, Lizard Lounge is reopening...after almost 2 and a half years of being closed due to the pandemic. Stay tuned for more information, we are so excited to be back." The people behind Cambridge Common and Lizard Lounge also run Christopher's, a restaurant and bar in Porter Square that remains shuttered though it looks like that place may open back up soon as well.

The address for Lizard Lounge is 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. Its website can be found at https://lizardloungeclub.com/

[October 4 update: The Instagram page for Lizard Lounge confirms that it is open once again.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

The Middle East in Cambridge's Central Square Is Reopening This Weekend

An iconic music complex whose future was up in the air not too long ago is opening back up.

According to a source from earlier this month, The Middle East in Cambridge's Central Square had signs in the windows out front saying "Coming June 2021" and "Our Smallest Stage Ever," with a picture sent to us confirming this. Today, we learned through a Facebook post from the place that it will be officially reopening this weekend, saying that "We are opening the restaurant, Zuzu, and The Corner first at regular hours but slowly, you will see other events hosted in our various rooms as we get everything in order to bring happiness and entertainment into your lives and ours." (Its website is indeed displaying posts for upcoming shows.) Early last year, it was reported that The Middle East was up for sale, while the complex has also been closed since the start of the pandemic.

The Middle East, which was originally a Middle Eastern restaurant before becoming a music venue in 1987, has been the site of countless shows over the years, including local, national, and international acts.

The address for The Middle East is 472-480 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139. Its website can be found at https://www.mideastoffers.com/

[Earlier Article]
The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub in Cambridge's Central Square Has Been Put Up for Sale

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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The Cantab Lounge in Cambridge's Central Square Is Reopening Under New Ownership

Last summer, it was reported that a landmark bar and music club in Cambridge was up for sale, and now we have learned that a new owner is indeed seeking to open the place back up.

According to a Cambridge License Commission page, a transfer of the liquor license for The Cantab Lounge in Central Square is in the works, with Richard "Fitzy" Fitzgerald and parent company Crystal Lunch, Inc. looking to transfer the license to Dancing in the Dark, LLC, with Michael Cronin being the proposed manager. In an earlier article here from last July, Fitzgerald mentioned that the club was going on the market, though no details on a prospective owner had been given at the time; Fitzgerald said that "After 50 years of good times and good friends I have made the decision to put The Cantab Lounge up for sale....The Cantab is currently closed, due to the governor's order that all bars will remain closed until a vaccine or credible treatment has been identified. We look forward to opening just as soon as it is safe to do so."

The Cantab was once known for being home to legendary R&B group Little Joe & The Thrillers. Its address is 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139.

Thanks to Cambridge Day for initially bringing this to our attention.

[June 9 update: A new article from Cambridge Day indicates that the city has given its approval for The Cantab to reopen under new ownership, with former Cambridge resident Tim Dibble, (who is a partner in a private equity firm) being the new owner and--as mentioned earlier--Michael Cronin (Tony C's, Jillian's) being the manager. The post mentions that the space needs renovations which could take a couple of months, though the plan is to have The Cantab remain a center for music and the arts; one of the next steps for the club is for the state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission to give its approval for the liquor license.]

[October 25 update: Cambridge Day states that The Cantab plans to reopen on December 2, though the Boston Poetry Slam won't be returning there.]

[December 8 update: A new article from Cambridge Day mentions that The Cantab now plans to reopen on December 15.]

[December 16 update: A check on its social media indicates that The Cantab is now open.]

[Earlier Article]
The Cantab Lounge in Cambridge's Central Square Is Up for Sale

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Roadrunner Is Opening at Boston Landing in Brighton

The owner and operator of a number of music venues in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region--including two in the local area--is bringing a new venue to Boston, with this one coming to a growing development next to the Mass. Pike.

According to a press release, The Bowery Presents is planning to open Roadrunner at Boston Landing in Brighton, with the 50,000-square-foot spot having a capacity of 3,500 and being the largest general admission indoor music venue in New England once it opens. If all goes as planned, Roadrunner will open in the spring of 2022.

The Bowery Presents is also behind Royale in Boston and The Sinclair in Cambridge.

The address for Roadrunner is 89 Guest Street, Brighton, MA, 02135. Its website can be found at https://roadrunnerboston.com/ while the website for The Bowery Presents is at https://www.bowerypresents.com/

[March 1, 2022 update: A tweet from Roadrunner indicates that its grand opening takes place on March 15.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Update: Two Alarm Fire Destroys The Tradesman in Milford

A popular music club southwest of Boston has been hit by a fire.

According to a message sent to us on Facebook, The Tradesman in Milford caught fire today, with the West Street spot appearing to sustain major damage in the blaze. Sources tell us that the building turned out to be a total loss and has been razed, and while there is chatter that it may be rebuilt, it doesn't appear that anything has been decided for sure as of yet.

The Tradesman has been a place to go for local music while also offering food such as burgers, clam chowder, wings, hot dogs, and subs along with beer, wine, and spirits.

The address for The Tradesman is 284 West Street (Route 140), Milford, MA, 01757. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/tradesmanbar/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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All Souls Lounge Is Taking Over the Former Cilantro Space in Salem

It looks like a music club is on its way to the North Shore, taking over the space where a Mexican restaurant currently resides.

According to a source, All Souls Lounge is planning to open in Salem in the Cilantro space on Derby Street, with a Facebook post within the Downtown Neighborhood Association (Salem, MA) group page mentioning that Cilantro has been sold and that All Souls would be a "small, retro jazz themed club" whose owners are "local and very experienced on the local hospitality scene." A notice within the City of Salem site confirms that the lounge is indeed seeking the liquor license from Cilantro, while a more detailed notice within mypublicnotices.com says that the space would include a dining room and bar along with a full kitchen.

In addition to All Souls Lounge, the Facebook post also mentions that a new restaurant is coming to the former Fresh Taste/Bistro 118 space on Washington Street, a Latino place is opening in the former Stella's/Strega/Smokin' Bettys space on Lafayette Street, and Sweet Boba Tea shop is planning to open in a former Dunkins space in the same building as Cilantro.

The address for All Souls Lounge (and Cilantro) is 282 Derby Street, Salem, MA, 01970. Its website can be found at https://allsoulssalem.com/

[July 5 update: According to its social media posts, All Souls Lounge is now open, with its menu showing hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and cocktails.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Rockwood Music Hall Plans to Open in Boston's Fenway Neighborhood

It looks like a popular music venue in New York may be expanding to Boston.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Rockwood Music Hall is seeking a liquor license to operate on Van Ness Street in the Fenway section of the city, with the proposed club having 1,847 square feet of space and including a ground floor and mezzanine floor with both seating and standing options (the seated option would have a total occupancy of 95 persons with 43 seats and the standing option would have a total occupancy of 120 persons with 27 seats). The manager listed for the place is Andrew Kaplan, whose Twitter page shows a link to Rockwood Music Hall on the Lower East Side of Manhattan while also indicating that he is based in Boston.

Rockwood Music Hall, which first started out in New York in 2005, has grown from one to three stages over the years and according to the behindthescenesnyc.com site, has hosted such acts as Mumford & Sons, Lady Gaga, Gary Clark Jr., and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day while also hosting local bands and singers as well.

The address for Rockwood Music Hall would be 88 Van Ness Street, Boston, MA, 02215. The website for the New York location is at https://rockwoodmusichall.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Cuisine en Locale in Somerville Is Going Out of Business; ONCE Hopes to Find a New Home

A catering company in Somerville is shutting down, and its event venue that has attracted countless music acts will be looking for a new home.

According to a source (Ron Newman), Cuisine en Locale on Highland Avenue is calling it a day while ONCE Lounge and Ballroom will not be opening within the space, with an email from founder JJ Gonson saying that "COVID has made it impossible to make the kind of money we need to occupy a space of that size." The note says that the plan is for ONCE to fine a new space in which it will be able to host "in-person shows, flea markets, benefits, and community-building events," but that Cuisine en Locale appears to be shuttered permanently.

Cuisine en Locale first opened in the former Anthony's space in 2013, with ONCE debuting there the following year. 

The address for Cuisine en Locale and ONCE Lounge and Ballroom is 156 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Plans Moving Ahead for The Former Beachcomber Site in Quincy to Be Turned into Open Space

After at least a couple of years of proposals submitted for the former site of an iconic seaside music spot that have included restaurants, stores, function spaces, a food hall, and residential property, it now looks like the space could be returned to the wild.

According to an article from The Patriot Ledger, the Quincy Community Preservation Committee has given its approval for the city to purchase the old Beachcomber property across from Wollaston Beach and turn it into a "passive park" while also approving of a separate project where a parcel of land near Presidents Golf Course would also be turned into preservation land. The article mentions that the Quincy Shore Drive site is below the flood plain and that the worry has been that any new development of the Beachcomber site could increase the potential for flooding of nearby properties, with local resident Joe Cardone saying at a meeting last week that "Every time we have a storm surge, there is water coming out of the storm drains. It's a salt marsh back there." As mentioned here earlier, there had been proposals for the Beachcomber space that included development of an Asian restaurant along with retail and residential space in 2018, then a scaled down proposal that would include a food hall, a sushi spot with a function hall, and office space a year later--and that the property had been sold to the developers involved in the project back in 2018.

The article says that the proposal will soon be looked at by the city council, presumably including concerns such as the purchase price; Community Preservation Committee member Susan McPhearson noted this during the meeting, saying "An $800,000 profit for something they did nothing on? That's a lot of money....These projects are really important, and I support them in principal, I'm just really concerned about the money – specifically the Beachcomber. I just don't see why we're paying $2.5 million for it. If you could find a way to reduce that, I'd be a happy camper."

The Beachcomber closed in 2015 after more than 50 years in business.

[Earlier Articles]
Asian Restaurant, Retail, Condos Could Be Coming to the Former Beachcomber Site in Quincy
Food Court, Sushi Restaurant, Office Space Now Being Planned for the Former Beachcomber Site in Quincy

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Confirmed: Wonder Bar in Allston Has Indeed Closed

[Ed note: This article was updated on November 23 to reflect confirmation of its closure.]

It looks like a nightclub known in part for its live music has closed its doors.

According to several sources within the local restaurant industry, Wonder Bar in Allston has shut down, with a Facebook post from Thunderbar Comedy (which had open mics on Thursdays at the Harvard Avenue club) seeming to confirm this, saying "Hey Chums, Wonder Bar closed. We're bummed but not dead. Post pandemic we're looking to move our East Coast Mic to an adventageous spot in Boston if we can find a bar with sticky enough floors....Thank you for making the past 5 years in an Allston basement the funnest of hot messes." Wonder Bar featured music via live acts and DJs along with open mic nights and private parties, while also serving food and drink.

We reached out to Wonder Bar earlier this week for more information on its closing but have not received a response as of yet.

The address for Wonder Bar in Allston is 186 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134.

[November 23 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page has put up a post from Wonder Bar, confirming that it has indeed closed.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Phase 3, Step 2 Begins for Lower Risk Communities in Massachusetts October 5; Some Indoor Performance Venues Can Open with Restrictions

Back in early July, Phase 3 of the reopening of the Massachusetts economy commenced, and now a second step of that phase is getting ready to begin--though not for everybody.

In today's press conference, the Baker administration gave the green light for Phase 3, Step 2 to commence as of Monday, October 5, though just for lower risk communities in the state (those cities and towns that have not been a "red" community over the past three weekly reports). Step 2 affects a small number of businesses, and it includes permitting indoor performance venues such as concert halls to open at 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 250 people while outdoor performance venues will be able to increase to the same amounts--50 percent capacity with a maximum of 250 people. Those communities that are not lower risk will remain at Phase 3, Step 1, which means that indoor performance venues cannot open in those cities and towns, while outdoor performance venues will stay at 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 100 people. 

As indicated in earlier press conferences, large capacity venues such as stadiums and arenas will not be able to open in any communities until Phase 4.

[September 30 update: A tweet from @AbbeyNBCBoston states that the city of Boston will not be moving to Phase 3, Step 2, as Mayor Marty Walsh says that coronavirus cases are rising in the city and that Boston will likely move into the red zone soon.]

[October 1 update: A Twitter post from @maureencaught confirms that Boston is now in the red zone, joining a number of other communities in Massachusetts that are in the high-risk category for COVID.]

[Earlier Article]
Phase 3 of Reopening Plan for Massachusetts Begins for Many on Monday; Phase 4 Not Happening Anytime Soon

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Thunder Road in Somerville Has Closed for Good

Last year, it was reported that a Somerville music club was facing an uncertain future, as its space could become the site of new development. Now we have learned that the place has indeed shut down, though the pandemic certainly seems to have played a role in its closure.

According to a couple of sources, Thunder Road in the city's Union Square area is no longer in operation, with a Facebook post from the Somerville Avenue spot saying that "The challenges upon us all at this time are far too great to keep our doors open and remain as a staple music venue in the Boston area." The club had been temporarily closed since March due to the coronavirus outbreak, and with music clubs not being able to reopen until Phase 4 of the reopening of the Massachusetts economy, it appears that music venues in general might not have a chance to open back up for a long time, since Phase 4 is contingent upon a therapeutic and/or vaccine being available.

Thunder Road first opened its doors in 2015, taking over the space where the Radio music club had been, and before that, a dance spot called Club Choices.The address for Thunder Road was 379 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143.

[Earlier Article]
Future of Thunder Road in Somerville Unclear; Development Proposed for Space

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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Great Scott Eyeing Former Pizzeria Regina Space in Allston

In June, it was reported that an iconic music club that had closed down could be returning to its space, only to find out that the space would apparently go to another tenant. Now we have learned that there is a chance the club could be reborn in a former restaurant space with a good amount of room.

According to an article from Vanyaland, Great Scott's booking agent Carl Lavin--who has been working with the Salem-based investment platform Mainvest--is looking at opening the club in the Pizzeria Regina space on Cambridge Street in Allston, not too far from Great Scott's old space on Commonwealth Avenue. In the article, Lavin says (via the Mainvest fundraising page) the following:

We have located the perfect location to relocate the Great Scott amidst the craziness of 2020....I'm proud to say that we've entered into negotiations with the landlord of the former location of Pizzeria Regina, whose roots and passion for Allston have proven undeniable over the years....Additionally, we've been working with a well-known locally-owned pizzeria to partner on the location so that Great Scott will be able to work to reopen as a loyal Allstonian hub for the arts and watering hole and before Phase 4 of reopening, to help secure our long-term success.

Great Scott, which first started out in 1976, had closed temporarily in the middle of March due to the stay-at-home advisory issued by the state of Massachusetts, and was told by its landlord that its lease would not be renewed, resulting in an announcement that the closure would be permanent. Lavin's collaborative fundraiser with Mainvest gave hope that the club could return to its old space, but Oak Hill Properties LLC reportedly found a new tenant for the space.

The Allston location of Pizzeria Regina closed last month after being in business for approximately 10 years. (Their other locations remain in operation.)

[August 25 update: Eater Boston states that Rock City Pizza on Cambridge Street is the pizzeria previously mentioned as the spot that would collaborate with Great Scott.]

[Earlier Articles]
Great Scott in Allston Has Closed for Good
Could Great Scott in Allston Be Returning?
Great Scott Space in Allston to Go to Another Tenant
Pizzeria Regina in Allston Is Closing for Good

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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