PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia has seen its share of bars and restaurants forced to close permanently during the pandemic. Now, you can add a popular music venue to the list.
Boot & Saddle turned what was only shuttered doors into an intimate music venue at the corner of Broad and Ellsworth streets in 2013, and its bright neon sign bearing the name has lit up the street ever since.
Music sensations Sam Smith and Lizzo had their first Philadelphia performances at Boot & Saddle. There have been more than 1,500 performances there.
But the problem is since the pandemic began, the total number of performances has been zero.
“After eight months without a show,” the venue said in a statement, “and without a clear opening date on sight, we no longer have the luxury of paying the bills for two closed venues.”
Union Transfer is the other venue.
Music icons and local bands have performed at Boot & Saddle over the years, including KYW Newsradio editor Greg Orlandini and his band.
“It was a great venue and what really stuck out to me was just how professional it was, how well the band was treated,” he said. “It was a really enjoyable place. It’s a sad day for Philly music, live music in general, which has really taken the brunt of this pandemic.”
Not long after the closure was announced Tuesday morning, workers were seen moving boxes out of the place.
One worker told KYW Newsradio Boot & Saddle was like a family, and she hopes this isn’t the start of a trend with music venue closures throughout the city.
Boot & Saddle will be selling T-shirts to help raise money for staff members who are now out of a job.
They are also going to turn the neon sign on all week long so people can get one last look.
Money will be refunded to anyone who bought tickets to an upcoming show.