Great Scott is a live music venue located in Allston, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The small venue first opened in 1976[1] and has featured many well-known musical acts in their early careers, such as MGMT, Charli XCX, and Beach Bunny.[2] In May 2020, Great Scott announced its closing amidst nationwide shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] In July 2024, they announced they would reopen in a new location in 2026.[4][5]
Great Scott opened in 1976 as a local blues bar at 1222 Commonwealth Ave. Early contributors sought to create a venue to serve the greater Boston music scene. By the late 1980s, the space had transitioned into a popular college bar, attracting students from nearby colleges such as Boston University and Boston College. During the week, the venue featured themed events such as DJ nights, jam bands, and open mics. In 1996, Tim Philbin became General Manager and eventually began booking local indie bands to play Great Scott. By the early 2000s, the dive bar was transformed into a seven-nights-a-week music venue.[1]
When Carl Lavin became the venue's talent buyer in 2003, Great Scott became a popular location for varying music scenes in Boston.[6] Under Lavin, Great Scott started hosting "the pill", a weekly indie dance night, attracting small bands and attendees. This demand eventually allowed Great Scott to host bigger names and attract bigger crowds. The 250-capacity venue has been successful in booking bands ever since.[1]
In March 2020, Great Scott was forced to indefinitely pause programming because of the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 1, 2020, Tim Philbin, manager of the venue, announced on their Facebook page that they would not reopen after the pandemic, writing "From... its emergence as one of the best live music venues in the city, Great Scott has meant many things to many people."[7] A Taco Bell Cantina was opened in its place.[4]
Reopening
Shortly after it closed, a crowdfunding campaign was launched to help save the venue, receiving over 25,000 signatures and raising more than $300,000.[4] On July 30, 2024, Great Scott officially announced its reopening on Facebook. They revealed that former talent buyer Carl Lavin had entered into an agreement to purchase the property at the intersection of Harvard Ave and Cambridge St in Allston, close to its original location.[7] The money raised through the crowdfunding campaign went towards developing the new space. Nearby "sister club" O'Brien's Pub was also acquired by Great Scott, with plans to renovate this venue and run it in collaboration with Great Scott. The new Great Scott would feature a 300-person capacity and various types of performances, including local and national acts, dance nights, comedy showcases, and other community events.[4]
On December 5, 2024, developers filed a letter of intent for a mixed-use building featuring Great Scott at the ground floor.[8]
Significance
In 2016, Great Scott was ranked eighth in Consequence's "100 Greatest American Music Venues."[9]
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