AMHERST — A live music and entertainment venue that will borrow the name of a famed hotel and bar from the 1960s and 1970s is being planned for downtown Amherst.
With performance space largely absent from Amherst center, and the need for attractions to support business leaders’ vision for the town’s economic recovery, a project called The Drake was to be the subject of a virtual hearing for an all-alcohol license before the Board of License Commissioners on Thursday.
An initiative of the Downtown Amherst Foundation, The Drake is being supported by a $175,000 Massachusetts Office of Business Development’s Regional Pilot Project Grant, which provided money to “lease the largest and most prominent building in downtown Amherst.”
To be located at 44 North Pleasant St., this new version of the old bar will be on the upper level of the former High Horse Brewery and Bistro, using 4,060 square feet of space leased from building owner Barry Roberts, according to plans submitted to the town. High Horse closed shortly before the pandemic hit in March 2020.
Plans show room for 105-119 people to sit during performances, with a lobby and ticket window, a stage, bar and lounge in the music venue and a green room.
The former The Drake hotel was located in a building a block away at 85 Amity St. that was converted into The Perry Apartments in 1985.
The Drake housed the Rathskeller bar and, despite both closing more than 35 years ago, they continue to generate fond memories for longtime area residents and those who attended UMass. They are also remembered in what is arguably the town’s most famous graffiti, on the brick of the Amherst Cinema building, reading “Save the Drake” and “For Willy, for humanity,” the latter referring to Rathskeller bartender Willie Whitfield.
The “Revitalize Downtown Amherst Project” expands upon the Downtown Amherst Foundation’s pre-pandemic goals of “Destination Amherst” which were presented to the Town Council in April 2020 and included restoration of the North Common in front of Town Hall, a project approved by the Town Council that will start in 2022, and construction of a new parking garage, which has led to discussions about rezoning the town parking lot between North Pleasant and North Prospect streets to accommodate such a structure.
The grant also allows the Downtown Amherst Foundation to explore finding grants that would bring a farm-to-fridge market, an artists-in-residence space, a makers space and a cafe, restaurant or brewpub to Amherst center.
Amherst BID Executive Director Gabrielle Gould said previously that the state grant can be used to make Amherst a destination and to complement existing retail, dining establishments and services.
“A way forward for a thriving, vibrant and destination worthy downtown for all ages and interests,” Gould said.