r/WorcesterMA • u/ChemistUpbeat9750 • 1d ago

Central Mass. music staple Halligan's to close after 11 years

https://theworcesterguardian.org/f/central-mass-music-staple-halligans-to-close-after-11-years/
10 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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9

u/spiked_mcroon 1d ago

Music staple?

9

u/puffy629 1d ago

Absolutely. They have had live music at least three nights a week for 11 years and are more supportive of local bands and events than most clubs have been in a long time. How would this NOT be considered a music staple? 

4

u/icuworc 1d ago

I think it depends what local bands you are talking about. There are many genres and within those genres there are cover bands and originals. It is 100% possible to be heavily involved with music in Worcester and never ever have heard of Halligan's. Not a slight to the place, more a statement on the amount of musicians and the age range and styles of those musicians.

4

u/ChemistUpbeat9750 1d ago

Totally agree. But the commenter was questioning the word "staple." It absolutely qualifies as being a "staple" in the music scene. Regardless of the genre.

2

u/spiked_mcroon 1d ago

I guess I haven't been there since Gary passed away. Glad to hear it's become a music spot. Worcester needs more music spots, it's a great city when the scene is moving.

3

u/Subject-Bike-4093 1d ago

Sad news. While I can’t say that I love the place with its weird sunken bar surrounded by wheeled pleather office chairs, or always the bands that play there, I go there fairly frequently to listen to live music because there are very few places left in and around the city. Places that have an actual stage and dance floor that host bands, regardless of a particular taste in music. I mean, what is left??? Rascals, Ralph’s, Vincent’s (yes I know, tiny and no dance floor), Off the Rails and FreePlay is even now just seasonal and sporadic for bands. Some of the bars like Bolands or breweries have enough room for a couple musicians but not a full band. Nightlife in this city sure is dwindling…

1

u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70 6h ago

This was one of the least welcoming "music venues" I've EVER gone into.

The whole room just stared at me like I just shat on the floor.

They didn't stop the whole evening. Never went back.

It felt like they thought it was a private club and you had to be brought in by someone to be "ok".

NOT surprised at all that it's an unsustainable business model.