With hundreds of LPs embedded in its floor, a capacity of 500, two stages and a full-on American-tavern-style restaurant, the long-awaited the Needle is set to officially open Thursday. The 400-square-metre, mixed-use venue is on the main floor of the old CKUA building at 10524 Jasper Ave.
The first two bands to play Thursday will be Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, with openers the Pistolwhips. Multi-bass, dual-drumkit dance panthers Shout Out Out Out Out headlines Saturday.
General manager Wesley Littke points out the always-open restaurant can help fund the costs of keeping the venue open, last year being an especially destructive time for music-only stages. “We also own a portion of the building,” Littke notes, “and we are well funded.”
Cover for shows will range from $5 at the door to $150 in a special mezzanine area on occasion. Security includes PatronScan at the door.
While the venue’s website hints no shows during Oilers games, Littke says the Needle will push back start times.
“We want to engage Edmonton on a daily basis. That’s why we have live music every day.”
The Needle Vinyl Tavern opens Thursday, a mixed-use venue on the main floor of the old CKUA building at 10524 Jasper Ave.