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Thursday, January 31, 2008

Bar Time / Music Indie Rockers Rejoice: The Matinee Cleveland to Open Doors Soon

Posted by Joe Tone on Thu, Jan 31, 2008 at 2:20 PM

Ever since Speak In Tongues closed its doors in 2002, Cleveland's west side has suffered a major drought of quality indie-rock clubs. For nearly eight years, the Ohio City haunt was one of the most important underground venues in the nation, with bands from Modest Mouse to the Brian Jonestown Massacre gracing its stage long before their names became mainstays in Spin and Rolling Stone. Since then, west side rock fans have been forced to make the grueling trek -- at least it seems grueling with a half-dozen PBRs in your system – to the Beachland Ballroom and the Grog Shop to get their musical fix. But that should change in late February, when Mario Nemr opens up The Matinee Cleveland at 2527 West 25th Street, between the West Side Market and Clark Avenue. ... While Nemr’s name might be unfamiliar to most Clevelanders, he’s been dutifully supplying Akron with fine jams and tasty spirits for years. He’s the owner of Akron’s famously sweaty nightclub, Thursdays. And recently, he opened up The Matinee in Akron’s Highland Square – a cozy haunt with the comforts of an old-man bar and the jukebox of a true music fanatic. Since the closing of The Lime Spider last fall, The Matinee has become the new hub for Akron’s burgeoning music scene. Its endearingly small stage has hosted groups from Pat Sweany to Houseguest. And when bands aren’t pumping out the jams, an eclectic array of DJs are always on hand with superb offerings, from obscure Northern Soul to Steely Dan. “The Akron Matinee has been pumping good,” Nemr says. “It’s been doing well. Finally, after 15 years, the crowd is right, the people are into it, and it works out for everybody.” Nemr now hopes to bring that vibe to Cleveland’s near west side: “The real goal is to bridge the alternative music scene between Akron and Cleveland.” For now, Nemr in the early stages of getting his new club together. He bought the bar from the owners of the super chic Velvet Tango Room, who recently renovated the art-deco building with hopes of bringing it back to life after three decades sitting vacant. **(Corrected below)**. But the owners finally gave up and put it up for sale. Nemr jumped on it. “They put a lot of heart and soul into it,” Nemr says. “We’re just gonna add our own flare to it, bring in a younger crowd, and make it less expensive.” Though Nemr says its too early to announce a lineup of acts, he already has an airstrip of eager bands and DJs eagerly awaiting the club’s opening, from Kent’s Beaten Awake to DJ Frank Spicer, who spins everything from the latest electro to classic Brit Pop. “I can't believe no one else saw this place," Nemr says, "and thought to do the same thing,” – Denise Grollmus Correction: A former Tango room employee, not the bar's owners, sold the bar to Nemr. We totally blew that one.

Comments (14)

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This is BIG news! Cleveland dosent even know what its in for!!!!

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Posted by Chas on January 31, 2008 at 6:40 PM

I am the owner of the Velvet Tango Room. I assure you, I have never owned the establishment you mentioned. Please check your facts.

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Posted by Paulius Nasvytis on January 31, 2008 at 7:30 PM

What? Is Dennis Grollmus really that stupid? There are lots of places to eat on the West Side, which is places like. Actually, OH! I forgot what I was going to say. Anywho, what I mean is that there are lots of places to see music on the West Side. I don't think I've ever even SEEN Mr. Grollmus on the West Side, so I am going to go ahead and say he is.

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Posted by Teddy Mallison on January 31, 2008 at 7:35 PM

So excited to have Mario in Cleveland. If you don't know him already, you will. He is amazing

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Posted by No name. on January 31, 2008 at 7:48 PM

I think "Mr. Grollmus" is a woman. I have never heard of a man named Denise.

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Posted by danielle dax on January 31, 2008 at 8:56 PM

Thanks for the correction. And, a big thanks for the mention as well. The VTR welcomes the new bar to Cleveland/Ohio City and wishes them success in making the area a diverse and exciting part of the city. Cheers to the Scene and the new club! Paulius

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Posted by Paulius Nasvytis on February 1, 2008 at 7:30 AM

Woah, Mario is making the move to the "big city". Hopefully it works out. Someone let me know - I'll still be boozing it up at the Akron location. And Ted is right, Denise is indeed a woman, man.

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Posted by Tim on February 1, 2008 at 9:07 AM

Not only did the story have to do a correction but the Velvet Tango Room is not at 2527 West 25th street. The bar 2527 is there. Denise is THE WORST SCENE WRITER.

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Posted by Matt on February 1, 2008 at 11:27 AM

learn how to read dude and stop being a douche

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Posted by No name. on February 1, 2008 at 11:45 AM

i love reading about clevelands!!!! Do any other journalists write stories about der cleveland? where is cleveland, by the way? did you know that hillary clinton once said that cleveland had a lot of "due dilligence" and "gravitas"? she be smart.

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Posted by Steevie on February 1, 2008 at 12:20 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this venue has been vacant for three decades. I believe I was there about two years ago for an R&B show. The place was packed and was actually in good shape.

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Posted by D-S Cee Bee on February 1, 2008 at 6:16 PM

Hello, guys and gals. Denise Grollmus here to clear up a few things. I promise, I didn't pull this story out of the arsenal of tales I usually store in my ass. I simply misunderstood Nemr when he referred to the former owner of his space as the "owners of the Velvet Tango Room." He later clarified that it was simply a former employee. I am devastatingly human. Sorry. And yes, the space that said person bought did lay empty for some time. Cee Bee -- when you went there, it had already been beautifully renovated. i hope you enjoyed yourself. As for Matt: comprehensive reading skills are proving to be a sadly rare thing these days, as you just proved. Still, I will buy that I'm the worst Scene reporter -- I work with some mighty talented folks who I would claim are better than me any day.

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Posted by Denise Grollmus on February 2, 2008 at 1:56 AM

I hear this Mario guy has some talent up his sleeve.

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Posted by Jaredo on February 2, 2008 at 9:29 PM

I heard that they were going to change the name of Ohio City to Bigger Highland Square.

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Posted by little square on February 8, 2008 at 12:05 PM
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