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Three venues collectively known as The Outland Complex are staying closed after the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to shutter temporarily.
SBJ photo by Geoff Pickle
Three venues collectively known as The Outland Complex are staying closed after the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to shutter temporarily.

Downtown concert venue ends 17-year run

Posted online

A downtown concert venue and bar establishment is calling it quits after 17 years in operation.

A Facebook post yesterday cited the COVID-19 pandemic for the closure of the three venues collectively known as The Outland Complex, comprising The Outland Bar, Outland Ballroom and Front of House Lounge. The venues have been closed temporarily amid the pandemic.

"The past few months have seen our current business model of three varying rooms suffer due to the pandemic and made us reconsider what we need to do moving forward so we can survive," the post reads, noting the establishment was on “the verge of bankruptcy.”

"With the uncertainty of when touring bands will come back or when we can fully operate, we had to weigh all of our options – condensing down to less rooms, relocating, changing concepts. At the end of the day it had to be a financial decision as we were always very DIY and did it for the love of music."

The Facebook post further indicates the business has been sold. The post did not name the new ownership group but indicated they’re “starting to work on some different changes and concepts for the rooms … Everything will start changing ASAP and you’ll see a lot of work starting on the building over the next few weeks.” Outland officials could not be reached for comment by deadline.

A flyer circulating on Facebook showed concepts called 2 Hotties Entertainment Complex, 8 Seconds Saloon and Jesters Sports Bar listed at The Outland Complex addresses with an Aug. 15 date and the words "coming soon." A Facebook message to one of the organizers seeking comment was not returned by deadline.

Last month, Outland officials hosted a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign seeking to keep the business in operation. It hit $12,633 of its $15,000 goal. Outland officials in the Facebook post this week thanked donors for their “very generous contributions to help keep us afloat during these very difficult past few months.”

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