Nectar’s Announces Permanent Closure

“Nectar’s” by pdbreen is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Nectar’s, the half-century staple of Burlington, Vt.’s live music landscape and legendary proving ground for the jam scene, has announced its permanent closure. In a message posted to its social channels, the venue shared that it will no longer operate from its iconic home of 188 Main Street, though its “spirit will live on,” alluding to the possibility of relocated programming in the future.

“After 50 unforgettable years at 188 Main Street, and with a heartfelt goodbye, Nectar’s will no longer occupy the space that helped shape the soul of Burlington’s music scene,” the venue confirmed. “While our time at this beloved address is coming to a close, the spirit of Nectar’s will live on. To our family, fans, and friends – thank you. Your energy over the last five decades has meant more than we can ever say. The Nectar’s light will forever burn bright in Burlington.”

Nectar’s closure follows a temporary summer hiatus that began on June 7 and spurred another rally of support for the legendary stage. At that time, owners first made the community aware that they were facing “immense challenges affecting both downtown Burlington and the local live music & entertainment scene.”

“The truth is, we’ve been hit hard. The Main Street Construction Project has taken a heavier toll than we anticipated,” they wrote. “Like many downtown businesses, we’ve felt the impact of reduced foot traffic and public safety concerns. The energy has shifted. And for a small, independent venue like ours, that shift cuts deep. But let us be clear: this is not the end.”

According to a report from independent Vermont publication Seven Days, which preceded the venue’s official announcement on Wednesday afternoon, Nectar’s general manager Tyler Nettleton had intended to reopen the venue following a brief pause, but was unable to negotiate new terms with the building’s manager, Joe Handy. The club’s doors were padlocked for a few days last week, and now “Nettleton and other former employees have begun the process of clearing out sound and lighting equipment and decades worth of memorabilia.” Inside sources have suggested that conversations about ways to preserve the venue’s legacy with a new location or a decentered promotion company are ongoing.

Since 1975, Nectar’s has been the heart of Burlington’s music and a crucial contributor to the broader jam community. Though it’s proved integral in the rise of Grace Potter and set the stage for the first crossing between Cotter Ellis and Goose, its crowning achievement came in the mid-80s, when it became a loving home for the then-unknown local quartet Phish. The pivotal role Nectar’s played in the band’s breakthrough to become one of the most acclaimed groups in the world was immortalized in the title for their 1992 third studio album A Picture of Nectar–again referenced in the lyrics to “Cavern,”–which is covered by a photo of the founder Nectar Rorris. Read more about Nectar’s current management here and the venue’s legacy in a 40th anniversary Q&A from Jambands.com.

Since Nectar’s closure was confirmed, the venue has seen an outpouring of love and remembrances from performers and fans alike. 

“Nectar’s was the heart of the greatest music scene I’ve ever encountered,” Ellis commented. “It kept the dream alive for so many musicians and fans. I didn’t know anyone when I first moved to Burlington and the Nectar’s community welcomed me in with open arms. It quickly became my home. Countless friendships, bands and shows. I wish I kept track but I took that stage hundreds of times over the last 11-12 years. It was the center of my life and I owe who I am as a musician and a person to this place. Seeing it close feels like losing a loved one. I’m so grateful it was there for me when I needed it most and I’ll cherish the memories until the day I die.”

“We love you @nectarsvt,” LaMP–the trio of Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger and Ray Paczkowski–shared. “Thanks for all of the love and magic you made possible over the years, thanks for being our birthing place and musical incubator…we couldn’t have done it without you… 💔”

“I wouldn’t live here or have found my family if it weren’t for you,” Dopapod guitarist Rob Compa wrote. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for so many people.”

Though one incredible chapter of the story of Nectar’s has come to a close, the community center’s legacy still burns brightly in the memories of its myriad fans and its indelible imprint on multiple generations of torchbearing performers. “As always,” the venue wrote in closing, “Stay loud. Stay passionate. Never stop dancing.”