Once Somerville

We absolutely love Once Somerville! They are incredibly supportive of local artists and always welcoming to new talent. Rosie is a true standout. This is a fant... read more We absolutely love Once Somerville! They are incredibly supportive of local artists and always welcoming to new talent. Rosie is a true standout. This is a fantastic place to visit and show your support!

The venue falls short in catering to its customers. There was only one food vendor offering Indian empanada-like pastries from a cooler, which were served cold... read more The venue falls short in catering to its customers. There was only one food vendor offering Indian empanada-like pastries from a cooler, which were served cold and lacked flavor. While the location has its charm—with an industrial vibe adjacent to a railroad track—the atmosphere felt awkward and uncomfortable, featuring a large, empty space with no seating and no option to rent chairs. Improving the professionalism of the performance line-ups could enhance the experience. The first two performers awkwardly inquired if anyone knew of job openings while singing to karaoke tracks of their own music. The main act, Brandi Blaze, injected energy and creativity into her half-hour set. Although the sound and lighting systems worked well, the overall setup—including the lack of dining tables, an asphalt parking lot as the listening space, and portapotties for restrooms—felt unfinished. One of the beers I tried was enjoyable, priced at $12 a can. Several non-food vendors arrived around 9 PM, even though the music started at 8 PM and gates opened at 7 PM; I would have liked to browse those vendors before the show began. It would be beneficial for them to set up ahead of time. Overall, for the same price, you can find better experiences elsewhere, like at the Lawn on D Street. If you want to encourage return visits, consider these improvements: (1) provide a food truck with hot food; (2) set up tables for dining; (3) have non-food vendors ready before opening; (4) offer chairs for rent or use.

It's great to see that ONCE is still going strong, and this location is fantastic! While there isn't a lot of seating available, there's plenty of room to bring... read more It's great to see that ONCE is still going strong, and this location is fantastic! While there isn't a lot of seating available, there's plenty of room to bring your own chair.

ONCE Ballroom is a beloved venue in Somerville, known for its role in the underground music scene. What sets it apart is how accessible it is for artists lookin... read more ONCE Ballroom is a beloved venue in Somerville, known for its role in the underground music scene. What sets it apart is how accessible it is for artists looking to book shows. The interior is really cool, featuring furniture from its previous life as a bowling alley, and the stage setup makes the space feel much larger than it actually is. Halloween shows here are especially fantastic. The last performance I attended before 2020 was by Guerrilla Toss, and it was so incredible that I woke up with whiplash and a serious hangover. I can't wait for more amazing events at this place.

It's one of the best and coolest clubs around! I love that I can walk there, and they also offer parking. read more It's one of the best and coolest clubs around! I love that I can walk there, and they also offer parking.