Good news, music fans! The Bluebird Cafe just announced it is reopening again, after being closed since March of 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s the news everyone has been waiting for!!!” an announcement reads on social media. “After a long and challenging year and a half, we are ecstatic to announce that The Bluebird Cafe’s doors will soon be opening and we will once again have music filling our room! Our reopening is scheduled for Friday, July 16th. Please see our website, bluebirdcafe.com, to check on sale dates/times for shows and to reserve your tickets.”
Big news!!! We’re ecstatic to announce that The Bluebird’s doors will soon be opening! Our reopening is scheduled for Friday, July 16th. Please see our website, https://t.co/56j2FjDY3O, to check onsale dates/times for shows and to reserve your tickets. #BluebirdisBack pic.twitter.com/RPJFUR93Qt
— The Bluebird Cafe (@BluebirdCafeTN) July 7, 2021
The Bluebird Cafe has been hosting virtual shows online since the start of the pandemic. Last July, General Manager Erika Wollam Nichols said opening the venue was a challenge because of the intimate seating in The Bluebird Cafe.
“We’re receiving calls every day – to check on whether we are currently open (which is no, we are not) and when we will open,” Nichols announced. “I wanted to answer everyone straightforwardly. We don’t know. What makes The Bluebird such a unique experience; the intimacy and interaction, where our audience of song lovers and fans is seated close to the writers and each other…our small room of 90 seats … right now, that is not a safe or healthy environment.
“We plan to remain closed until we can open safely, keeping the health of our visitors, our songwriters and our staff in mind,” she continued. “This includes both public performances and private events. Right now, we have no idea, and cannot predict when that might be.”
The Bluebird Cafe, which hosted an open house over the July 4 weekend, also has a new look when guests arrive.
“Over the past year and a half, Nashville was hit by several strong storms,” The Bluebird Cafe announces. “Sadly, one of those storms tore our beloved awning. We’re so excited that our brand-new awning arrived this week– it is installed & ready for all your pics! Stay tuned for other exciting news this week…”
Over the past year and a half, Nashville was hit by several strong storms. Sadly, one of those storms tore our beloved awning. We’re so excited that our brand-new awning arrived this week– it is installed & ready for all your pics! 📸Stay tuned for other exciting news this week… pic.twitter.com/nj0nEDaKMy
— The Bluebird Cafe (@BluebirdCafeTN) July 4, 2021
As the cases of COVID-19 dwindled in Nashville, The Bluebird Cafe could have opened sooner, but were plagued by finding workers, who were suddenly in very high demand.
“People are asking, ‘So, are you going to be open next weekend?’ It’s like, ‘Oh my word,'” Nichols told WSMV. “Everybody’s having trouble hiring kitchen staff in Nashville now. Our opening date is going to be dependent on when we can get a kitchen staff in place.”
The Bluebird Cafe’s inaugural show since the pandemic will feature Joel Shewmake, Annie Mosher & Jason Matthews, See a calendar of events, and purchase tickets, at BluebirdCafe.com.