The following column appeared in Soundcheck, for which Matt served as Managing Editor for three years.
Matt Robinson’s “Venue Menu”
Name: Bill’s Bar
Address: 51/2 Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617 421 9595
Proprietor: The Lyons Group
Capacity: 250
Booking Agent: Jeff Marshall
Booking Phone: 617 437 0117 (M, W 2-4)
Booking policy: Artists are welcome to send materials, but please expect to wait 6-8 weeks to be considered.
Music schedule: Sunday = Reggae; Monday = “Monster Mondays” (Heavy Metal – 18+); Tuesday = “Phat Tuesday” (Old School Hip-Hop Dance w/ DJ – 19+); Wednesday = Funk & Groove (live bands w/ DJ between – 18+); Thursday = “the Underground” (up and coming local and national bands – 18+); Friday = “Nocturnal Friday” (touring bands with with WBCN’s Bill Abbatte – 19+); Saturday = World/Euro-House Dance w/ DJ (19+)
Famous alumni: The Artifacts, Monster Magnet, Guster, The Push Stars, The Dude of Life
Motto: “The bastard child of Lansdowne Street”
For all its wonders, Lansdowne Street was without an honest-to-goodness, straight-up bar for some time. Then, in 1989, musical buddies Mick Jagger and Peter Wolf called Patrick Lyons hoping to find a bar where they could share a “protected” beer. Though Mr. Lyons was unable to honor the marquee request, he had found a marquee for a “Bill’s Bar” on Mass Ave recently and, with a quick purchase and a restructuring of what had been the storage room for Venus De Milo (now Karma Club), Bill’s was born. Ten years later, Bill’s is as strong as ever and, thanks toa recent renovation, prettier than ever!
Known for its cozy atmosphere surrounded by a n ever-evolving décor, Bill’s is both a favorite hangout and a great place to start on “World Famous” Lansdowne Street. From Rock to Reggae, Bill’s offers a wide variety of sounds and sights. With its mix of musical styles and means (i.e., live bands, top DJ’s and the occasional singing patron), Bill’s is great for those who love to dance and those who just want to hang. It’s a place where nobody knows your name, yet where you might end up getting some numbers before the night is through!
