Crowbar = Nobar

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Well, another live music venue has bitten the dust. Crowbar in State College closed down yesterday. This time the PLCB isn't to blame . . . it was done in by slow business, it seems. That's a shame, because they've had so many great shows there over the years. Nothing but memories now.

AtoMikEnRtiA · Post by **AtoMikEnRtiA** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

NO WAY?!?!

Please tell me this is NOT true...

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Well, unfortunately this is how the bar business is going. When customers don't want to pay a cover charge to listen to a band, bands want $300+ for playing, and we only sell $500 in alcohol, we loose money. We can only loose it for so long and decisions need to be made on staying opened or not. We tried bringing them in...we've given away a lot of prizes, etc and create a fun atmosphere but we are losing out to private parties at camps in our area mostly. A lot of bars are hurting big time. I suppose at some point there will only be a few bars left for them to go to when they want to go out and then they'll complain about no variety being offered.

I personally will have a lot of fond memories of the Crowbar.....

Post by **Jim Price** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

That's a blow to the area music scene if this is indeed the case. Crowbar not only provided a stage for a number of local acts, but also rising national bands as well.

I was checking on the websites of a few bands that play there regularly; Green Eggs' site reports that Crowbar's lease expired.

The PLCB might have had a hand in Crowbar's demise; I'm not sure that the place ever fully recovered after the PLCB changed the chaperone provision a few years ago. Crowbar hasn't done nearly as many all-ages national shows ever since then.

There's hope, though. It's downtown State College, and I wouldn't expect that facility to remain empty for long. There's probably somebody there willing to take it over and open it as a new club; Crowbar itself took over from a previous club.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Aside from the Train Station, that was the longest Herlocher kept anything at that location.

Once, he even turned it into a luxury class Burger King with "balcony" seating.

What's next?

nightcrawler_steve · Post by **nightcrawler_steve** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Im not surprized. Chuck has been saying all semester this is the worst one theyve had since they opened.

This is State College - trust me business isnt slow here. Summer is definitely slower and Ill bet theyll be open next semester either totally remodeled/renamed and reinvented or all of the above. Just a hunch. That place needs a breath of fresh air anyway - I wish them all the best and am glad to have played there as often as I have - some great memories.

AtoMikEnRtiA · Post by **AtoMikEnRtiA** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Lets hope this place gets sold to somebody who will try to turn this into an all ages geared venue and a kickass one at that..

No offense to the bar people here, im all for a bar on the top floor again, but this area needs all ages venues A LOT more than it needs a bar..

just a thought..

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

I don't see how business is slow for any bar in central PA unless
the service, entertainment, or drink prices suck. There's so many
alcoholics around. For example there are bars that serve breakfast around here for Christ's sake. But OVERCHARGE or book shitty fly by night entertainment and you get what you deserve. I believe what NC Steve said and agree the place does need a fresh perspective.
Wow all this typing made me thirsty. Is it 5:00 yet?

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

An average bar band got $300 over 20 years ago. An average band in a small bar still gets that same amount. I wish I could pay what I paid 20 years ago for gas, auto repair & maintenance, food, insurance, clothing, music gear, and other related expenses. Blaming the bands is a cop out.
Booking a guaranteed draw is an option... Hair Force One always draws a crowd, but you won't get them for $300... it COSTS them more than that to play.
I think $300 is a bargain.
Flame away.
--------->JMS

f.sciarrillo · Post by **f.sciarrillo** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

I say the rockpagers get together and start a venue of their own ...

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

$300 is fucking peanuts! Why do you think I moved? I wanted to make a living playing...period. Christ, some people act like the bands are trying to rob the fuckin bars for $300 fuckin dollars...gimme a break! If paying $300 breaks your fuckin bar, then you need to invest in a new career. $300 bucks barely pays a band to travel from Harrisburg to Altoona let alone the cost to eat and stay somewhere if they have to. Jeez!

.....Sorry, I've been listenin to the Big Man, feels good to let go from time to time....

Starr · Post by **Starr** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Vic and I were just discussing this place earlier today. That really sucks.

DirtySanchez · Post by **DirtySanchez** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

I agree Songsmith. $300 won't run the sound for an average bar.
But there are so many "my cousins a one man band/DJ/Karaoke host"
idiots out there cutting everybody's throat.(Including the club owner because people come in and hear this unprofessional CRAP and never
want to pay a cover charge there again). Nothing against people trying to get a start, but that's what open mic nights and band practice are for.

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

On another note...Say a bottle of Jager costs a bar $18.00. I know for a fact that a shot at the crowbar was $4.00. So it takes 5 shots to make back the money from that bottle. How many shots do ya get out of a bottle? Roughly 25 shots from a bottle. SO....damn! $100 bucks from a bottle? Holy fuck! Bring the prices down! College kids are already broker than shit, they can't afford to drink all the time at that price! Even a $2.00 shot will get ya $50 bucks from one bottle, what's the problem here?

nightcrawler_steve · Post by **nightcrawler_steve** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

AtoMikEnRtiA wrote:Lets hope this place gets sold to somebody who will try to turn this into an all ages geared venue and a kickass one at that..

No offense to the bar people here, im all for a bar on the top floor again, but this area needs all ages venues A LOT more than it needs a bar..

just a thought..

Are you from State College? There are 2 All Ages venues in State College: Dragon Chasers and Hookah Lounge.

The Crowbar does NOT need to be an exclusive all ages venue. Its great that they hold all ages shows - lord knows weve benefited from them there. But this place needs to have the same type of shows it always has (local/National and the All ages/+21 mix).

My personal feeling has always been its not a great place to just go and chill (like most other SC bars). Unless there is a national band there, nickel night or one of the weekend cover bands and the place is full it just feels like a big empty cave. I honestly dont know what the answer for that place is - it needs a change. I think making it a place that is cool to chill when there arent bands would be a good step in the right direction.

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Crowbar needs some good food in there, and the bathrooms suck!

Best sound in SC though! It was always my favorite place to see bands, but Steve you are right! I wouldn't just go there to hang if there's no band.

Viva la Pelt · Post by **Viva la Pelt** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Its not just with clubs ! This whole area is suffering!!!!!!!!!!!!!the economy sux!!!!!!!

AtoMikEnRtiA · Post by **AtoMikEnRtiA** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

nightcrawler_steve wrote:
AtoMikEnRtiA wrote:Lets hope this place gets sold to somebody who will try to turn this into an all ages geared venue and a kickass one at that..

No offense to the bar people here, im all for a bar on the top floor again, but this area needs all ages venues A LOT more than it needs a bar..

just a thought..
Are you from State College? There are 2 All Ages venues in State College: Dragon Chasers and Hookah Lounge.

I understand State College has Dragon Chasers Emporium and Hookah - but how many National bands went there? (serious question)

Crowbar was right on the main strip, easy access for the PSU kids, and kids not too familiar with State College, plus with National shows - it had an awesome feel to it..

I just feel Crowbar served a purpose for National acts who wanted an "in-between tour" stop and not worry about Philadelphia or Pittsburgh (usual tour stops) - being a college town, you always could assume a crowd would draw - Ive never been to Dragon Chasers or Hookah, but I have a feeling they were more geared to the "regional" scene..

I guess this is where, I am looking at it from a younger, original scene perspective - with no disrespect to the older original scene or cover scene, but Crowbar always always had good shows for the local original scene - whether it be just normal show nites (example: At Hopes End was booked there for later on in May or June), I believe 4 Days Dirty and Second Offense played a normal show nite at Crowbar, or bands like In the Eyes Of, Not Without Resistance, ect ect - If Im not mistaken, they have done "normal" night shows..

Crowbar also had battles of the bands (which bands like SeVeR, and i believe Neocracy took part in) or festivals on Labor and Memorial day - Crowbar was a great service for the local/regional scene - not to mention.. i did see the Nightcrawlers booked there a lot, so to say it's "unnecessary" to have another place LIKE the crowbar, is wrong.

I do agree tho, Crowbar needs a breath of air - in the past year I've seen 1 good show there to my liking, whereas a few years ago, I spent a hefty chunk of change/gas money to go to shows 1, 2, 3 nights in a row.. I just hope Crowbar or whatever it becomes, if it becomes something - works out

AtoMikEnRtiA · Post by **AtoMikEnRtiA** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

f.sciarrillo wrote:I say the rockpagers get together and start a venue of their own ...

this is being tried by Vocal Youth - i like the idea of starting a venue of our own, that would be nice.. maybe somebody should look into the crowbar haha - offer some better ammenities for days when there are no shows, make some money

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

All age venues rarely work. There's no money in it...you know why a business is called a business?

AtoMikEnRtiA · Post by **AtoMikEnRtiA** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

RobTheDrummer wrote:All age venues rarely work. There's no money in it...you know why a business is called a business?

If sales and useage of Alcohol are your 2 defining terms of "business" - i feel bad..

Championship in Lemoyne.. All ages - I believe they're moving because they need a bigger space (this is what im told)

The Silo in Reading ... All ages (with a bar) - successful venue for local, regional and national acts - I call it the Crowbar of Berks county - only larger

The Hangout in Edinboro (Erie county) All Ages venue - run by a man named Michael Torti I believe - he balances his time being in the hxc band "Hank Jones" and running the Hangout and erieshows.com

Solid Rock Cafe - Seneca, PA - all ages venue (christian run)

I can go on forever.. now tell me why an all ages venue wont work - I live 2 feet from a youth center that specializes in shit like this, there may not be alcohol money in it, or adult money - but thats why this great American government of ours.. gives you grants..

nightcrawler_steve · Post by **nightcrawler_steve** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

Atomic....i think I misunderstood you or perhaps you misunderstood me. I thought you were saying make Crowbar All Ages exclusively. I of course would totally disagree with that. Its too nice and perfect a venue to do that. If you misunderstood me, I was saying the Crowbar doesnt need to change its format. It needs to change its atmosphere.

I agree....Crowbar was great for the local/regional original music scene. When we played Crowbar this last year, we only did original shows. Those shows USUALLY only occured Sun-Wed. We tried our best to add to the local original scene at Crowbar and Crowbar did its best to support it when it could. While our draw for those shows wasnt bad, I think if you asked any of the bands you mentioned in your last post, that drawing a crowd during the week at Crowbar is no easy task.

What I was really trying to say in my first post was that the atmosphere there isnt that great unless its full of people. I think thats what the new place should address. I think the format is perfect.

Im not even going to mention the details of the new pay structure they instituted after our first original show there last semester. Absolutely the most rediculous unfair deal ive ever heard of. But....if ya wanted to play all original music at Crowbar....that was the deal.

~S

AtoMikEnRtiA · Post by **AtoMikEnRtiA** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

nightcrawler_steve wrote:Atomic....i think I misunderstood you or perhaps you misunderstood me. I thought you were saying make Crowbar All Ages exclusively. I of course would totally disagree with that. Its too nice and perfect a venue to do that. If you misunderstood me, I was saying the Crowbar doesnt need to change its format. It needs to change its atmosphere.

I agree....Crowbar was great for the local/regional original music scene. When we played Crowbar this last year, we only did original shows. Those shows USUALLY only occured Sun-Wed. We tried our best to add to the local original scene at Crowbar and Crowbar did its best to support it when it could. While our draw for those shows wasnt bad, I think if you asked any of the bands you mentioned in your last post, that drawing a crowd during the week at Crowbar is no easy task.

What I was really trying to say in my first post was that the atmosphere there isnt that great unless its full of people. I think thats what the new place should address. I think the format is perfect.

Im not even going to mention the details of the new pay structure they instituted after our first original show there last semester. Absolutely the most rediculous unfair deal ive ever heard of. But....if ya wanted to play all original music at Crowbar....that was the deal.

~S

Thanks for explaining yourself, actually I agree with that - and yeah, Crowbar would prolly be lame without the 400+ people packing the building..

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

So you named 4 venues...One is Christian where they are very giving and generous (most shows won't be great bands, or are confined to be proper, but bands nonetheless). THe one seems to be run by an independantly wealthy guy who has time on his side, which is rare. One has a bar, and that's the only reason they can probably have all ages at times, and what does Championships do to stay afloat?

If you want kids around, you need kid things like a skatepark, arcade, or somethin fun like that. The bad thing about the all age venues, it's hard to have bands come regularly and pay them regularly, also they aren't allowed to be open as late. Parents don't want their kids out past any certain time. I would rather see more all age venues, I really would! Its better to have kids with somethin to do...other than drugs especially. I remember goin to shows at the YWCA in Altoona. Coinmonster would come through and play early, then go play the bar at night. They maybe got gas money for playin the Y, but they also sold CDs, T-shirts, and stickers. Crowbar was cool for all age shows during the week, but there's no money in it. A bunch of kids gettin McDonalds across the road and payin $3-5 to get into Crowbar. Crowbar makes no sales, they gotta pay the band. Maybe 20 people upstairs buying drinks at the most. Whether you wanna look at it my way or not. Alcohol is what keeps these places open.

nightcrawler_steve · Post by **nightcrawler_steve** » Tuesday May 16, 2006

I think the topic at hand here is Crowbar in State College. Not all age venues across the state. State College is a bird of a different feather. This is a drinking town with a football problem. There is plenty for the youth to do here. aside from Dragon Chasers and Hookah, PSU late night and all the student run organizations do all ages shows all the time.

Crowbar needs to be the same format - local/national, all ages/+21 mix.