Jake's Bar + Grille is back

And that's good news for local music fans, says Chris Conti, who also has the scoop on local faves Lightning Bolt and their appearance tonight at the Living Room.

The new and improved Jake’s Bar & Grille on Richmond Street reopens tonight (the 9th) and kicks off a Columbus Day welcome back weekend with three highly diverse shows, something this modest venue has always excelled at, thanks to [Jackie] Nichols and her son Jake. The emphasis on live music may also prove to be a wise choice, with new neighbors Rick’s Roadhouse and Stanley’s Burgers on the block. 

“We plan on continuing to host a wide range of artists, now more than ever,” Nichols said. “Jake and I have broad tastes in music, from hip-hop like the CunninLynguists to country-punk and classic rock.” The emphasis on live music this time around is abundantly clear, as Nichols reports that Jake’s will host shows Thursday through Sunday, plus a Wednesday singer/songwriter showcase beginning in November — glorious news for those of us still salty about the loss of the Met Café.

We saw the need for a venue our size and I think we can do a good job with it,” she noted. Some 18-plus shows will be added, and most local shows will remain in the $5-$7 range, with national acts around $10 per head.

“National booking agencies tell us that the bands love playing here because the fans are so enthusiastic, and also because of our hospitality,” she said. “We’ve forged some solid relationships with bookers from LA to NYC.”

Nichols decided to “regroup with some minor repairs and painting,” but the most notable addition will be the subtraction of most of their extensive dinner menu. They will now offer “a limited menu that lends itself more to the venue, like burgers, pizza, and nachos.