New Brunswick bar reopens, hopeful to expand and build reputation

If residents of New Brunswick thought they saw the last of the Court Tavern back when it closed in July, think again.

The local rock club and bar reopened in the beginning of July under new management with open optimism toward booking gigs for bands and artists, as well as collecting Rutgers audiences and music lovers.

Manager Brittney Dixon, who organizes 70 percent of the music shows, said she wants to ensure she is in control of what is happening at the Tavern to ensure the club is booking fun and compelling shows and attracting as many bands as possible.

“We really want to be able to accommodate everyone,” Dixon said. "We want to have a place for everyone, we don’t want to exclude by using certain genres.”

Dixon said the Tavern is also working with all-ages groups. The first all-ages show will be on Sept. 26.

“Most bars don’t allow younger bands to come in, so we’re trying to market to younger people and be a space where we can accommodate them when we can," she said. "We want to provide them a safer space and be able to enjoy (music)."

Brett Donovan, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, said having all-ages shows at the Tavern seems like an interesting idea especially since similar venues in New Brunswick have yet to accommodate all-age groups.

Alexandra Singh, a School of Arts and Sciences junior under the age of 21, said she and a handful of her friends have been eager to visit the Court Tavern, but have unfortunately not been able to get in during past shows, especially since there have been a few bands at the Tavern whom she wanted to see live. 

“I would definitely go if they had shows for everyone,” Singh said. “I know for a fact that they would get a lot more customers if they had shows open to everyone, even just 18-plus. (The Court Tavern) seems like a really awesome place if you’re into the kind of music they showcase, which I definitely am.”

Dixon said the audience and music scene varies at the Tavern due to their goal to accommodate various interests and kinds of audiences.

“There’s the old school people who used to be here all the time before it ever closed down, and then there’s a lot of the New Brunswick bands that like to come out and hang here,” Dixon said. “There’s people anywhere from the metal kids to the punk kids to the alternative kids — anybody that’s into music.”

Dixon said she is trying to incorporate visual artists by encouraging some to exhibit their work in The Tavern.

“I’ve had artists come through here because I want the art community to get involved with the Court Tavern as well,” Dixon said.

The response at the Tavern since the beginning of the month has been positive, Dixon said. Everyone seems to have a good time. Many of the guests who stop by do so because of advertising and word-of-mouth.

Dixon said the future success of the Tavern would rely partially on keeping everything from shows to events fairly consistent. 

“Our staff (also) really cares about this place, and that’s going to show ... when they come here,” she said.

Under its current financial condition, the Tavern has not been able open everyday since the reopening. The hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dixon said the shows have done really well so far and the Tavern staff hopes to expand the number of events so they could be open more days.

“We’re just really trying to get it rolling,” Dixon said.