- Harpers Ferry, a local music venue best known for its intimate setting and unique bands, closed Monday morning at its home after its landlord did not renew the venue’s lease. The club was 40 years old and lived in Allston.
The club’s general manager, Andrew Wolan, announced in early October that the venue was closing at the end of the month. Harpers Ferry’s final show featured the Soul Rebels Brass Band for their Soul-A-Ween Party on Sunday, October 31. The last Saturday event, on October 30, was an Internationals Do It Better Halloween Party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m featuring singer Christine Occhino and DJ Alkan.
The venue, located at 158 Brighton Ave., had a capacity of about 340, making it one of the smallest concert venues in Boston. The owners of the nearby Paradise Rock Club in Allston have expressed interest in buying the property and converting it to Brighton Music Hall, according to the Boston Globe.
Co-owner of the Paradise, Declan Mehigan, said at the monthly Allston Civic Association meeting on October 20 that he wanted the new venue to serve as a mid-way point for smaller bands.
Bands booked through the end of the year have been relocated to other various venues throughout Boston, such as Church and T.T. the Bears.
Although Harpers Ferry was best known for showcasing unique and local bands with a special focus on blues and hip hop, the venue did draw bigger names such as Aerosmith, Maroon 5 and Sister Hazel. The club was also the site for the WBCN Rock n Rumble contest in 2007 and 2008, according to a press release from Vertex Marketing Communication.
The Kells, a bar down the street from Harpers Ferry, closed earlier this year as well.
