Lizard Lounge, Cambridge Common will close next year
WBUR • • entertainment
Key Points:
- The Lizard Lounge, a beloved independent music venue in Cambridge located in the basement of the Cambridge Common restaurant, will close at the end of May 2024 as owners Holly Heslop and Charlie Christopher plan to sell the building.
- The decision to close stems from Heslop and Christopher's advanced age, health issues, and the departure of their longtime chef, marking the end of a 27-year run since opening in 1997.
- The venue was renowned for its intimate atmosphere and support of local and emerging Boston musicians, hosting notable acts like Patty Griffin, Guster, and Lake Street Dive, and was a key part of the Cambridge/Somerville music scene.
- The closure highlights growing economic pressures on small independent music venues in the Boston area, following similar shutdowns of other iconic clubs, raising concerns about the future diversity of live music spaces.
- Plans for a celebratory sendoff are underway, with staff committed to making the final eight months memorable despite the bittersweet circumstances.
