Let's face it. B'game is a daytime town. Once you get past the dinner hour, it's basically dead out there. Various establishments have tried to liven up our downtowns--Tavern Grill was awesome for about six months, B'way Grill fights the trend and Towle's Seafood (not breakfast) was even better with fun bands four nights a week. But right now, we are at a low point--well below sea level.
I was out on Saturday night on the Avenew. I had a great time, good meal, saw a bunch of friends, made a couple of new ones and was really looking forward to seeing live music on the "backside" of the Avenew at Rue du The. Kudos to those guys for trying to make something musical happen. One thing led to another and I didn't get to Rue du The until after 9:30. That meant I heard two songs from Kristen Jones and her pick-up band made up of members of Sea Trade who were all down from EssEff.
Kristen came by the table to say hello and told us they had to finish by 10pm due to the rules about outside music. Now that is just sad on a Saturday night on Donnelly Ln. We were surrounded by parking lots and empty retail, not to mention the poor burned-out historic houses. We have to do something about these arcane rules that cause musicians to shut down the amps when any self-respecting musician is still warming up. C'mon B'game. Let's not roll up the sidewalks at 10pm! Here's the band on the back patio at Rue du The.
Sorry but 10 O'clock cutoff on a Saturday night is lame!! Geez at the very least can they make it till 11:00??
If my memory serves me correct does anyone recall the club that existed back in the late 70's or early 80's at the current site of Il Fornaio? There were alot of issues there and believe this may have been when this curfew hour was enacted. Time for a change!
Posted by: Joanne | August 25, 2014 at 11:46 AM
Yes! The missing link in Burlingame and in most 'burbs are a vibrant art and music scene.
Posted by: Give me live music, or give me... | August 25, 2014 at 12:24 PM
In the '70s into the '80s it was the feed store in the mid-80s it was Banyan Bay, the coke store.
Posted by: fred | August 25, 2014 at 12:24 PM
According to bar owners the nightlife changed occurred with the change of council about ten or so years ago. Using Fanny and Alexanders as an excuse the city cracked down on nightlife and many bars closed and the ones that were left lost business due to vigorous police enforcement.
Posted by: fred | August 25, 2014 at 12:28 PM
Has anyone been to Broadway Grill for Motown Mondays? Fun place and all ages. Maybe this is what we need more of!
I haven't heard of any issues there??
Posted by: Joanne | August 25, 2014 at 12:42 PM
I propose a trade: No leaf blowers for a 11pm music curfew. Ears can only take so much and music has less dust.
Posted by: Peter Garrison | August 25, 2014 at 05:16 PM
Joe, I gotta let ya, I think they could'a used a little more cowbell.... just sayin'
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | August 25, 2014 at 10:56 PM
If they build 200 units on the Post Office property there will be plenty of demand for live music downtown. Oh, and whores and more coke. Just like San Mateo.
Posted by: hillsider | August 25, 2014 at 11:06 PM
Hillsider, I think you have described a false choice. We don't need one (more people) in order to have the other (more entertainment). Fred mentioned Banyan Bay and I have fond memories of that place. I listed a few others in the original post. There is demand but no supply and the question is whether or not that is a regulation/licensing issue or not.
Posted by: Joe | August 26, 2014 at 11:53 AM
Agree with Joe. Live music venues are obviously lacking in Burlingame and San Mateo and I believe the demand is there.
Hillsider apparently you have been living up in the "hills" far too long.
There is more to life than shopping, eating and drinking. When was the last time you listened to some good music that made you wanna dance?
And I am not talking about a hip hop joint here!
Posted by: Joanne | August 26, 2014 at 01:47 PM
I can boogie with the best of them, Joanne.
Posted by: hillsider | August 26, 2014 at 05:14 PM
lets start with finding a place that would allow an open mic one night a week. it could be in a restaurant and or café space...it could be acoustic music, spoken word and comedy... the restaurant and or café could turn into an open mic at 8 or 9 on say a Thursday night... who knows businesses that could entertain ideas??? who is willing to give this a try? Russ you have that beatnick hippie vibe give it a try
Posted by: Willy | August 29, 2014 at 06:35 PM
good point... does anyone really come to burlingame hoping "wheeeee lets drive through the tunnel-o-trees" i think not... let us pin our hopes on the vinyl club in downtown (no i refuse to call it "ave" or anything else)
Posted by: jahzebel | September 03, 2014 at 08:24 AM
Congrats to the B Game Ave BID on the recent live music.
Sad that Steelhead doesn't want to use their perfect, central venue for live music. I've even offered to produce the music (foot the upfront money) myself.
Posted by: More live music please. | March 16, 2015 at 07:58 PM
...it's no secret that something free, really has a cost...
Posted by: theFly | March 16, 2015 at 08:30 PM
...it's no secret that BD, is really not Bruce Dickinson.
Let's just call him "Big Daddy" folks.
Posted by: "Big Daddy" | March 16, 2015 at 09:16 PM
Yes, better yet, we can call BD *the walk of the cock*
Posted by: the walk of the cock | March 16, 2015 at 09:56 PM
How 'bout, The Crock of The Cock...
Posted by: The Crock of The Cock... | March 16, 2015 at 11:36 PM
...it's no secret that denial is betrayed by a cock's crow...
Posted by: theFly | March 17, 2015 at 10:34 PM
I love how far live streamed music has come:
http://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/2015/webcast/sun-arrow.html
...it's still "local music" streaming live her at 6:33pm.
You can also watch the archived, excellent quality sound and video.
Posted by: Hardly Strictly... | October 04, 2015 at 06:34 PM