The more things change, the more they stay the same. Groan, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Some things endure because of their worn familiarity.
Take the iconic Waterfront Tavern in Holyoke for instance, which is undergoing a revitalization. Don’t worry. It’s still got that same dive bar charm that made it a cornerstone — albeit an often shaky one — in the first place. But things may soon settle into place.
Don Roberts, the owner of Maximum Capacity in Chicopee, is almost certain to assume ownership soon. He’s vowed to return the place to its “glory days,” and he seems on his way to fulfilling that promise. He’s already taken the reigns and has implemented some serious changes. The frayed, beer-stained carpet has been replaced with a sleek hardwood floor. Patrons are served at attractive booths that line the glass wall overlooking the porch. Damn Yankees BBQ of Granby has got the smoker going and is serving wings, pulled pork, and comfort food at the bar.
Tommy Whalen and the Ragged Edge, the Tavern’s regular Tuesday night band, belt out the blues under hot red and blue lights. The crowd, which seems to be made up of regulars, is a splash of short skirts, tight jeans, and high heels. A little cheap beer has the crowd bobbing along unrestrained to the music. A hint of pot hangs in the air, but is untraceable. Whalen croons an impassioned version of “Fire Down Below” to the delight of the band and crowd. The harmonica reaches a feverish climax as the blues blows through the crowd. A moment later, the spell is broken and the patrons put down their glasses to applaud.
They can put as many coats of paint as they want on the walls at the Waterfront Tavern, but the dirty-blues soul of a classic American roadhouse dive bar still shows through. And I hope it always does.
