Water Street Music Hall, a cornerstone of Rochester’s music scene since the late 1980s, is making a highly anticipated comeback. Announcing its grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, this historic venue, nestled in a turn-of-the-century red brick warehouse in the St. Paul Quarter, is poised to reclaim its place as a premier destination for live music and entertainment in Rochester.
Owner Peter Sewell is spearheading the extensive renovations, envisioning a revitalized entertainment hub. The revamped space will feature two distinct areas: Jack’s on Water Street, a new restaurant, and Water Street 2020, the larger, redesigned music venue. This dual concept aims to offer a comprehensive entertainment experience, blending dining and live performances.
Sewell emphasizes that this reopening marks a fresh start for Water Street Music Hall Rochester. He is determined to move away from past issues of mismanagement and security concerns that plagued the venue. “I’m not letting in promoters that were infamous for taking the fast buck,” Sewell stated, highlighting his commitment to responsible and sustainable operations. This new direction signals a dedication to creating a welcoming and secure environment for patrons and performers alike.
Senator Joe Robach, a local music enthusiast and frequent attendee of Water Street in its previous iterations, acknowledges the venue’s significant role in the Rochester music landscape. He recalls enjoying many shows at Water Street Music Hall Rochester, noting its history of showcasing both local talent and bringing in notable acts, including “alternative acts before it was really cool and popular.” Robach emphasizes the importance of balancing a vibrant entertainment scene with safety and order, a challenge Sewell is actively addressing in the venue’s relaunch.
Jack’s on Water Street is currently in a soft opening phase, offering a taste of its food and drink menu as the kitchen operations ramp up. Sewell enthusiastically described the “lollipop wings,” a signature hors d’oeuvre created by General Manager and Chef Garrick Umland, as a highlight of the new restaurant’s culinary offerings.
The grand opening of Water Street 2020 is scheduled for October 27th, featuring performances by hip-hop veterans Biz Markie and DJ Spinderella, formerly of Salt-N-Pepa. While acknowledging their classic status, Sewell explains that these artists are strategically chosen to attract a mature, “older professional crowd” – a key demographic for the venue’s renewed focus.
To broaden the appeal of Water Street 2020 and attract diverse musical acts, Sewell is collaborating with local promoter Jay Real and Rams Head Live!, a respected Baltimore-based club. Rams Head Live! brings industry expertise and connections that Sewell believes are crucial to restoring Water Street Music Hall Rochester to its former prominence, when it hosted renowned artists such as David Byrne, Barenaked Ladies, and Marilyn Manson.
“We’re looking for longevity,” Sewell affirms, recognizing that rebuilding Water Street Music Hall Rochester’s reputation and re-establishing relationships with national booking agencies will take time. He has a long history with the building, having owned it for 28 years through its various incarnations, including Country Warehouse, Warehouse, Horizontal Boogie Bar, Boogie Bar, and previously Water Street Music Hall, and even the rave club Piranha in the basement.
Despite periods of success, Water Street Music Hall Rochester faced significant challenges, including a decade marked by violence, closures, and even the temporary loss of its liquor license. The building suffered neglect, and the venue’s reputation was tarnished by incidents like the cancellation of a Dweezil Zappa show and a performance by Anna Nalick in a freezing, unheated venue. These issues culminated in the City of Rochester’s decision not to renew the entertainment license in March 2016, citing numerous public safety concerns.
The arrival of Funk ’n Waffles in 2017 offered a period of relative calm, but the Syracuse-based concept failed to resonate with Rochester audiences and closed after 18 months. Sewell believes Funk ‘n Waffles’ attempt to “import Syracuse” rather than embrace the Rochester market contributed to its failure.
Now, Water Street Music Hall Rochester is embracing a new chapter with Jack’s on Water Street, named after Sewell’s rescue pit bull, Jack. The restaurant space has been redesigned, removing the stage to create more seating and incorporating glass blocks salvaged from the building’s original windows to brighten the atmosphere.
Sewell is confident that nostalgia and positive memories will draw people back to the revitalized Water Street Music Hall Rochester. “I want people to know, ‘It’s the Water Street I grew up with,’” he says. He emphasizes the extensive renovations, particularly in areas like the bathrooms, and recounts hearing countless stories from people who attended their first concerts or significant musical events at Water Street Music Hall Rochester. This reopening represents not just a physical renovation, but a commitment to restoring Water Street Music Hall Rochester as a beloved and respected institution in the city’s vibrant entertainment scene.
