I was only there once, years ago, before Jimmy started booking shows but have been there quite a few times since so if the music goes I most likely won't be back. I've only been to Katie O's once since they stopped having shows, I went back for the triple decker reuben...

I think it would advantageous to consider still doing shows. Portland needs great small rooms for bands to play. With so many awesome bar/ venues shuttering I think the masterminds behind Club 21, Gold Dust and Barrel Room would make great venue owners with the right booking agent and promoter.

Please consider.

dont take out the stage thats what has made the place great!

It's great that they want to save the business, try and be all nostalgic n' shit... but you can't buy authenticity. The real Sandy Hut, just like the real Club 21, is dead. "Saved" or not, the new clientele will be "slumming". Bring on the faux-ironic denim and PBR trucker hats.

I know you all probably can't muster many tears for a smattering of vanished day-drinkers and video poker addicts, and I'm not sure I can really claim to either. But I think it's an important distinction to be made, in this time of great transition-- that there are bars that are genuinely seedy and shitty, businesses that have earned their reputations-- and then there are those that just wish they had that sort of character. Thankfully for them, there's always a fresh crop of young people who won't know any better.

Love the Hut; and I'm glad this attempt to save this dive bar is happening. Also: please restore the steamed clams to the menu! It was always one of the weirdest/best things about the Handy Slut!

I love seeing shows at The Sandy. It's always entertaining. The first time I went to The Sandy was about a decade ago, and live music has taken the Sandy over top. The only reason I could see for putting a stop to live music would be if it was only bad bands who don't bring a crowd. From what I've seen, this isn't the case. It's usually pretty full when there is a good band playing. Thanks. Joel Bocek

Clean it up all you want, it will ALWAYS be The Handy Slut. I will not be back without the bands.

i don't give a shit about knick-knacks on showcase. you're turning it into a geriatrics nostalgic circle-jerk. I want to see a place supporting portland's music scene which year by year is seeing is venues close their doors.

Never came here before the live jamz and won't be back if they are gone, there was a cool scene building up and a community of familiar faces. Bummer summer.

"...there will still be occasional shows at the nearby Club 21, just less frequently—perhaps once a month or so, and that they will be special events, accordingly."

This is terrible, terrible news...

It doesn't make sense to change anything when things were going well. Bands were bringing people in and the place was definitely having a happy moment.

I love all the people whining about bands going away. You people are what I consider newbies. Yes, on a rare occasion, they would move the pool table away and put on a show at the Hut back in the day, but it was a rare occasion. The place was full to the brim wtih trucker hats and PBRs seventeen years ago. Don't act like it's a new thing or that it's a reinvention of character. New boss/same as old boss. They're going to do what they're going to do and it will be fine.

Taking out the stage is a mistake. Having bands play brings in new customers and gives local musicians a place to showcase their music. There are already too many solid small venues that are closing their doors either all together or just to shows. If the hut kept having shows I know people would recognize that and be more likely to come and check out the renovated space. If anything the new owners should host a reopening show to show people that the hut will still be a solid bar to rely on for good music and good spirits.