As of today, Room 710 is closed for good. The venue was one of the first on the scene, before Red River became synonymic with local rock music. With the economy and the cost of running a live music venue, owner Asher Garber is calling it quits. Here’s my opinion. Share yours in the comments or poll below.
Check out interviews with Asher here at the Austinist and here at Austin Decider.
One one hand, it’s too bad that one of the original Red River spots has to close. Room 710 was a no-apologies cock rock venue that tried to play by it’s own rules. It turned it’s back to Transmission Entertainment and tried to stay true to its vision of Red River.
On the other (more logical) hand, it’s surprising the little opium den lasted as long as it did. Reading the interviews with Asher, it sure seems like the world was out to get him and Room 710, as if other music venues do not face the same problems. Yes, running a successful music venue is tough. No, complaining about it won’t make it easier. The amount of fingers being pointed by Asher makes me question if he has more than two hands. Everyone was at fault, but not him. Room 710 was a dark, dirty, loud venue and catered to a crowd with the same characteristics.
It’s great that there are venues that allow anyone to take the stage. Many Austin bands get their start by playing the 700 block of Red River. However, is it really expected that putting no-name bands on stage and not charging a cover is a successful business model? Night after night, bands would hop on stage to play to 5 people. Add to that the fact the rotation of bands wasn’t especially dynamic. It takes a pretty myopic vision to see that there isn’t a lot of room to advance if you don’t put together shows people want to see.
For better or worse, Room 710 started on a path and never changed course, sped up, or slowed down. Actually check that, it should be “for worse” since it’s closing. Goodbye, Room 710. Someone out there will probably miss you.
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I don’t disagree, but I think 710′s more a victim of its terrible physical design than anything else. To say the smoking ordinance did him in ignores the fact that no one is enforcing the smoking ordinance anymore, particularly at 710. Half the available space was taken up either by walls, bar, or band equipment. Too hard to enjoy the music with all the interference, not to mention how it limit how many customers you can fit thru the doors.
It’s is a pretty good bellwether of the not-too-distant future, tho – the contraction of the live music scene has already begun. Transmission venues routinely take $250 from the door take to pay for security and sound. The emergence of pay-to-play pretty much makes the death of the underground a fait-accompli’. Expect to see more DIY venues as there were in the 15-20 years ago, BYO all-ages venues that cater to bands that clubs can no longer afford to host. Probably a good thing for the music overall.
That’s a good point. I liked the central bar layout until I really looked at it. Walking in the north entrance, you had to walk to the end of the bar, around the back, and then back again to make it to the stage. And yeah, the smoking ordinance comment was a joke. That place consistently smelled of stale smoke.
One weird thing I remember about 710 is that bands had to sign a form. Something about not playing covers. I wish I could remember more about it, but that was the only venue I’ve seen doing that. Were they under watch by some licensing agency or something?
Just found your blog. Never been to Room 710, but I’ve been to places like it. It’s really too bad there’s not a successful way to balance letting new bands on stage and making enough money to keep in business.
I know they got the ASCAP lawyer letter that circulated thru the clubs after SXSW one year, but they’ve hosted so many tribute bands lately I doubt it’s been an issue since then.
I always had a soft spot for this venue. Yeah it was a little mismanaged, but what do you expect with the corporate rock monster making its den just down the street. I have seen numerous kickass shows here, but you are right….the recent lineups have been less than impressive.
It has been a slow transition, but there are fewer and fewer places to find unadulterated rock in this town. It seems 90% of the bands in this town are castrati hipsters in skinny jeans …but maybe I am getting too close to 30 to be cool anymore.
You and me both.
I agree with HookersBreath.
Room 710 hosted Electric Frankenstein, a New Jersey band I never thought would come to Austin. They were absolutely fantastic so I’ll always love thev place for that show alone.
It’s always a shame to have a Venue close that caters to new/breaking/amateur Artists. Yes, some aspects need to be executed properly (business model, environment, evolution), but “cutting your chops” for a live audience, for most Artists, is becoming more difficult as the industry changes. Sounds as if it were time for 710 to “pass way”, but still leaves a “downer” feel for some…
M. Jordan
RandomStarMusic.com
[...] Background: On Monday, I wrote an opinion about Room 710 closing. It was posted both here and on Examiner.com. I noted that owner Asher Garber seemed to blame everyone but himself for the venue closing. You can read the article here. [...]
[...] River cock rock live music venue Room 710 recently closed its doors. Tyler over at TwoGrooves wrote his eulogy to the renegade bar and noted that owner Asher Garber seemed to place the blame on everyone except [...]