Out with the Old(field's)
By Steve Croyle |
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Kobo co-owner Jacob Wooten (Photo by Chris Casella) Oldfield's on High has been a key destination for live music for decades, but in recent years it was politely being referred to as a "no frills" sort of joint.
To be painfully honest, it had become an unpleasant hole. Some people loved it and remained obstinately loyal, but the bar wasn't drawing in any new blood. What's more (and possibly worse) was that a lot of the bands felt slighted by management, and with other venues competing for the top live acts in the area, Oldfield's was in danger of becoming a shell of its former self.
Things changed back in May when Evolved Body Art owner Nick Wolack and Jacob Wooten, who have teamed up for countless live endeavors around the city, stepped up and bought it. "We saw it for sale in an ad on Craigslist," Wooten said.
Seasoned veterans of the Columbus live music scene, the pair is best known for their collaboration on the annual extreme Halloween event, Trauma, and at High Five (now Circus), where Wooten managed the local bookings.
He thinks highly of local acts. "Columbus has one of the best live music scenes around," he boasted.
Wooten clearly mistook me for an entertainment writer while we talked over beers during his new club's generous happy hour - 6 to 9 p.m. every night and half off everything. That means Long Island iced teas for $3, craft brews for $2.50 and great deals on some specialty drinks themed around the act of the night. He discussed the bands he's worked with over the years and the things they do that he really appreciates. He is a music man, man, and that's important for a bar that puts live sounds first.
Wooten also seems to understand that he's got to focus on the bar as well, something which the previous owners may have taken for granted.
Wooten and Wolack don't have a huge war chest, so improvements are coming along slowly but they are coming. The first change is the name: Kobo.
"It's Japanese for 'artist's workspace,'" Wooten explained. "That's really what we want to be. If you take care of the bands - make sure they're paid, give them drinks, take care of their sound - everything else will fall into place."
Aside from the name, which Wooten hopes will be displayed on a new marquee in time for their grand opening bash July 4th week, other changes patrons will notice include fresh paint, the removal of the identity crisis decor (they got rid of the random pub placards), a little cleanliness and the absence of that funky smell neglected bars sometimes get. They also upped the beer selection, offering craft beers on tap and in the bottle.
Kobo will still maintain a schedule of live entertainment seven days a week, and Wooten has made assurances that Oldfield's bookings will be honored. He also made it clear that cover charges, when applicable, won't get out of hand. "I think $5 is more than generous."
So Long, Sugar
Sugar Bar (525 Park St.) will close out a five-year run as one of Central Ohio's premier nightclubs with a farewell bash on July 3rd. Brian Swanson of the CGS Group said that it was just time to take the space in a new direction.
"We will be shutting the doors for a few months while it undergoes a COMPLETE renovation. It will open sometime in the fall of 2010 with a new name, new interior and completely different concept," he said via email.
No word on what that direction is, but Swanson also indicated that the new member of their nightlife lineup will complement existing clubs. Based on what they did to Spice, one can only assume the "complete" in all caps means dynamite could be involved. Clues can be found at www.thecgsgroup.com in the coming weeks.
Originally Published: July 1, 2010
