THE STOPOVER: THE ELIOT HOTEL

370 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE, BOSTON MA

NEXT STOP: Psychedelic Supermarket (590 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA)

Boston is a town renowned for its rich musical history. That said, musicians and fans alike have seen far too many iconic venues and historical artifacts close their doors. Chet’s Last Call is a venue that would never be able to exist today - at least for very long. Although earlier in the century, in 1942, a fire at a Boston nightclub called Cocoanut Grove killed almost 500 people. The emergency doors were locked or difficult to find, and the entire establishment was built and decorated with flammable materials, resulting in one of the deadliest single-building fires in history. (1) Almost 50 years later, in 2003, at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island, 100 people died in a fire and injured many more. An incredible concert hall is buried just off the Boston Common and Boylston Street. Steinert Hall, situated 40 feet below street level, was once one of the “city’s finest performing arts sites.” (2) Think Carnegie Hall, but built in a basement with no safe egress in case of an emergency. City fire codes are strict, and upgrading the building is far too expensive. It now sits gathering dust, rotting away.

These venues exemplify the gentrification of Boston. One of our next stops, The Rathskeller, set in the center of Kenmore Square in the Fenway Park area, would not survive the neighborhood change and high rents. The reasons behind these closures, whether due to economics or urban development, exemplify the many challenges the music industry faces. These venues were crucial to their neighborhood’s cultural and community identity. Additionally, the loss of a venue often reverberates beyond the realm of entertainment, affecting the social fabric of neighborhoods and the sense of belonging for residents. The social and cultural significance of these venues must not be overlooked. Fortunately, many enthusiasts continue to preserve and document the performances, photographs, and recordings that show the importance of remembering the city's cultural heritage.

The economic realities of the music industry dictate the many reasons venues are so challenging to maintain and keep open. With fluctuating revenue streams and the changing economics of how music is heard and presented, smaller venues might seem unsustainable. Perhaps. But musicians and their audiences tend to gather where they can - to enjoy the ambiance - the sweaty and smelly air - and the close quarters - to see and hear the music they love so much.

Continue on to the next stop on the tour: Psychedelic Supermarket. This is about an 11-minute walk. (0.5 miles) 

Below: Steinert Hall

REFERENCES:

1. Reilly, William A. "Report concerning the Cocoanut Grove Fire - November 28, 1942." (1944).

2. Ganniger, Daniel. "The Forgotten Concert Hall Under Boston." Medium. July 14, 2021.
   https://doi.org/https://medium.com/knowledge-stew/the-forgotten-concert-hall-under-boston-13a19cbdf4cb.