The iconic live music venue and cornerstone of the Boston music scene since 1976, Great Scott is making a highly anticipated return just up the street from its original location, at the intersection of Harvard Avenue and Cambridge Street in Allston.
Great Scott hosted a range of musicians before they became a household name. This intimate venue saw an early electro-pop performance from Charli XCX, MGMT’s psychedelic rock beginnings, and Beach Bunny’s energetic dance-pop sets. Hip-hop sensation Jack Harlow has also graced the stage along with Phoebe Bridgers’ astounding vocals. Many artists with local ties, such as Clairo, Vundabar and Oompa, have also performed at Great Scott before debuting at the Boston Calling Music Festival.
Great Scott is clearly dedicated to helping artists develop and contribute to the vibrant Allston music scene. This comeback is about bringing back a space where future music legends take their first steps toward greatness, keeping the gritty yet rich musical tradition of Allston alive.
Oompa performing at Great Scott, April 2018 PHOTO: OMARI SPEARS
Unfortunately, the venue closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, which sparked a remarkable outpouring of community support. A petition gathered over 25,000 signatures and a crowdfunding campaign raised more than $300,000. However, these efforts were not able to keep the venue open as the original location was leased out to another tenant, leaving a void in the Boston music scene.
In mid-2023, Great Scott’s longtime booking manager, Carl Lavin, reached out to Redefined CEO Paul Armstrong among other music-related ventures to join forces in finding a new home for and recreating the magic of Great Scott. Armstrong began this endeavor by reaching out to local real estate developer Jordan Warshaw of The Noannet Group, most recently known for the development of landmark hotel Raffles Boston, to look at potential spaces. In order to secure a stable and lasting future, Warshaw proposed that the team buy rather than rent a new property to house the resurrected Great Scott. Thankfully, they identified and signed an agreement to purchase a new location just two blocks up Harvard Avenue from Great Scott’s former home.
“Since Great Scott closed four years ago, there has been such an outpouring of support for its reopening, but we live in a difficult economic climate where in the past few years more small venues have closed than have opened. This partnership with Paul and Jordan has enabled us to create an economic model that will not only allow a new Great Scott to be built, but for it to be successful for many more years,” Lavin said.
The redevelopment could not be more exciting, as it will feature two separate venues: Great Scott, with room for 300 patrons, and O’Brien’s Pub, its long-time sister club, with room for 75 patrons. These beloved venues will be housed in a mixed-use building, complete with additional retail space and much-needed rental housing. This redevelopment ensures that Great Scott’s legacy as a cultural cornerstone in Allston will flourish for decades, combining classic charm with modern innovation.
Permitting and design for the new space are expected to take six to nine months, followed by an approximate 18-month construction timeline; therefore, the space is expected to open in 2026. Furthermore, the $300,000 plus originally raised by community supporters will be directed towards developing the new space.
Fans and former patrons of Great Scott will be grateful to hear that the new location will not lose its charm. The dive-bar vibes of the old place, where viewers could catch a hardcore punk show one night and a queer dance party the next, will still very much be the case. With this being said, modern back-of-house improvements will be added for artist comfort and state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Redefined will support their success upon reopening and oversee the business aspects of the clubs, including an in-house ticketing system and marketing platform that will help ensure ample exposure for both venues’ artists. Strategic partnerships will also fill the event calendar with a diverse mix of engaging performances by both local and national up-and-coming artists.
The revitalization of the venue has strong backing from stakeholders, including the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, and countless local music fans who rallied to revive Great Scott after the pandemic hit. This overwhelming backing is an example of the community’s deep commitment to preserving Great Scott as a cherished landmark for music, comedy and diverse audiences.
Nestled in Allston, a vibrant neighborhood teeming with young residents and close to universities, Great Scott is set to become a beloved cultural hub once again. As it enters its next chapter alongside O’Brien’s Pub, the ownership team is committed to fostering a thriving musical ecosystem in Allston and to uniting the community through live music and memorable events. Great Scott is certainly honoring its rich history while looking ahead.
