After The Old Pink got knocked down in June 2024, Mulligan’s Brick Bar was torn down in early January, and Mohawk Place closed at the end of January; it was a rough six months for a lot of us.
Thankfully, Mohawk Place has come back to life with a different look and a different mission. It will still be the dive bar and music venue you know and love. However, it will now be run as a cultural nonprofit.
Operator Mike Thorpe says the new Mohawk Place still has the same feel. Expect the same dedication to both local talent and hidden gems on the touring circuit. In theory, being a nonprofit will allow the bar to book more acts that are about to blow up.
“The phrase I’ve started using lately is: The chickens are now running the hen house,” Mike explains. “The staff that’s currently working there is the staff that’s been there for the last several years. This concept is what they’ve always wanted to do with the place.”
Long-time booker Marty Boratin has been the beating heart of Mohawk Place for decades. Every year, he heads down to the massive SXSW (South By Southwest) music festival in Austin to scout up-and-coming talent. Over the years, Marty’s keen eye has helped to bring in The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Matt & Kim, Fleet Foxes, and many other acts that have gone on to bigger and better.
But here’s a reality check: A lot of these acts played to a handful of people.
Promoting up-and-coming acts is tough, and Mike says his team has a plan in place to balance the books.
“We try to give the most back to the artists and musicians every step of the way, and it’s tough trying to find that happy medium,” he says. “We’ll be doing a handful of big shows to make money that will support those smaller acts coming through.”
Over the years, Mohawk Place has also been a haven for local bands. Mike says it will continue to be.
“We know that we’re going to take a loss on some of those local bands starting out,” he says. “Nobody’s trying to get rich on this. We’re trying to break even at best.”
A big part of the new Mohawk Place is providing more of an experience. In addition to your dive bar favorites, there’s also going to be a small craft cocktail program. Mohawk Place will also add a small food menu. The details of that are still being worked out, but expect food in keeping with the whole dive bar aesthetic.
“We’re never going to replace the steak sandwich at the Old Pink, but we’re looking to find something like that to offer,” Mike says.
A lot of things are still up in the air right now. The bar currently only has a tentative license, but expects a full liquor license to be approved soon. Whatever shape the new Mohawk takes, it’ll have a long-term mindset, instead of focusing on short-term financial goals.
“We’re working toward a place that lasts generations,” Mike says. “The overarching plan is to get to that business model that has Mohawk going on for a long time, so that our kids can do it, and the community just keeps passing it to the next generation.”
Want to share info or news with us? Send us a note!