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We received an email update last night to inform us that the James Club 88 at 55 W. Long Street Downtown has closed effective immediately. The jazz and piano bar opened up two years ago and hosted a variety of musicians and events. No reason was given for their closure.
Comments
- Eliza Ho: Looking forward to try both TILL and Glaze! This interview educates my sens
- James: We went tonight for Valentines. It was absolutely sublime. The house wine,
- howatzer: When's happy hour?
- Down the Lane: @mbeaumont,@SJT, @Mercurius, @drew thanks for all the love and support! @J
- SJT: We had our employee xmas party here and the service and food were excellent
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The James Club 88 Has Closed Their Doors
By: Walker
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Seemed like there was usually a decent crowd there, kinda wish I had gone more often.
Now I feel guilty… Couldn’t possibly live closer and only made it to the CU meetup. Was always on my “to do” list…
The atmosphere in downtown Columbus just doesn’t seem conducive to an establishment like that succeeding. Maybe if it had be located along Gay Street or had a more visible location along High street it could have been a success. It’s too bad that it closed because Columbus really needs more diversity in its nightlife. Too bad the owners couldn’t relocate to the Short North…. Maybe there should be a cap on rent in this city or some sort of business assistance program (if they don’t already have one) that will allow more small businesses to set up shop in areas where rents are too high. Maybe like section 8 for businesses… if that makes sense or is even feasible. Because I think that’s what’s missing in the central city area, besides the big name stores; those small unique businesses that really give an area a unique identity. Maybe if there was a program like that, this city could establish a bunch of small businesses at or around the same time, preferably in or around the same area, so they would have a better shot at survival. Not too many people are going to come all the way to downtown for one thing…
I’m sadly not surprised. Rockmastermike and I had gone there several times but rarely saw it full. Half the time there were only two other tables with people and they were friends of the entertainer on stage. It’s a shame because it was that quiet loungy feel that I’d been craving in this town.
I can’t imagine their rent was too awfully high for that spot. It’s not a prime location, but I think a great nightlife venue can be a destination in itself. They didn’t need foottraffic… they just needed more people to know that they exist.
Before we start wishing for the city to bail out their business, let me quickly say that I never once saw the James Club 88 advertised anywhere. They barely had any online presence outside of their own website, no event listings, no flyers or posters or anything. Maybe they did do some of that stuff and I just missed it… but if I was really keeping an eye out for it and didn’t see it, then something was wrong. I mean… even when we dd the CU meetup there earlier this year, probably 90% of the people who showed up told me that they had no idea the place even existed. And I consider most CU regulars to be fairly knowledgeable about what’s out there.
That being said, I enjoyed myself the few times I had stopped in. I heard that they sometimes had good crowds on the weekends for music, but I always stopped in on weekdays and was usually one of three people in the place.
I can imagine another venue opening here, and with the right concept (and some solid promotional work), I think it could do very well.
I’ve been wanting to check it out. Damn shame I missed out.
i’m sorry to see them close. i hope a new business opens up there soon.
Reading these comments I guess I am way off base, but the place seemed kinda sketchy just walking by. I never go into a bar with boarded up windows. I just assumed they were trying to hide something.
The place wasn’t sketchy at all. Very friendly staff, and a nice lowkey vibe (if not a little too lowkey). The lack of windows I think was either to contribute to the dark/private atmosphere of a jazz club, or because replacing them would have been too expensive…. or both.
if you can’t afford windows than maybe u should not own a business…i mean not trying to be mean…also i don’t feel like i ever saw an ad in the columbus alive for that place or anywhere for that matter, i agree with walkers previous post, hold the businesses themselves accountable before you blame the city. the james club was on my list of places to try like others but did not make it out..maybe that is because they did not advertise hard enough, who knows? also, i really am tired of hearing “shoulda moved to the short north”. we need vibrant areas all over town. i am really glad we have people like liz lessner, creating cool independent QUALITY businesses and people go wherever it is…look at dirty franks its in the middle of a practical dessert downtown and people flock to it, so we can not blame the city is all i am saying.
So sad to see James 88 close. I have visited at least a dozen times since it opened. My favorite night was in June when the cast of the Chorus line came after their performance and had the cast party there for all to enjoy! What an amazing night. So sorry to hear it closed, hopefully James will regroup and open again in another location. My only bad experience was not the bar’s fault, the night of the CU happy hour in January, I parked in that lot to the East, not realizing it had a new electronic parking board. My car got towed along with my friend’s, so f-ing Shamrock made $330 off us that night. ughh!
I guess the Obamatini’s didn’t keep them afloat
I never made it. I always wanted to go, but it was totally off my radar. I just never heard about it all that much.
Not surprised, is all I’m willing to say on the interwebs. I agree with the lack of advertising.(though I have seen a couple articles in the past). 3 or 4 people seemed to be the norm as far as customers, if that many everytime I entered.
This place was cool. Went there 3 times. Agree with the above posts 1 – sketchy looking part of town not near anything; being next to homeless shelter or whatever that is next door didn’t help. 2 – no ambiance, being inside there with no windows made me fell like being in a low rent Chinese restaurant in some strip mall. 3 – no promotional activity. Someone will take this concept and run with it. We need a jazz club like Vonn jazz club in the central area. Too bad I have no musical talent.
Agreed…Columbus badly needs a good jazz venue with a focus on great live music. With all the music majors at OSU and other young musicians in town, you should be able to stock the place with affordable live acts several nights a week. Perhaps I was just spoiled when I lived in Boston and went to Wally’s every week. Perhaps I’m just going to have to save up the money and start one myself.
My friend Brad used to work with the owners and I had met them before. Super nice guys who let me jam with them. It was a great place, short lived as it was.