Music venue reinvigorates Orono nights

Even with traces of sawdust, whirring power tools and ghostly sheets of protective plastic all obscuring the view, one could still see the major transformation that had taken place on the second floor of Orono’s Bear Brew Pub.

It was midmorning on Jan. 27, and in only a few hours, the doors of Soma 36, the pub’s new second-floor music lounge, would have its grand opening. And while the new space would later greet a well-dressed evening crowd, a crew of Carhartt-clad workers putting on the finishing touches would occupy the space until then.

Just a month or so before, this part of the building housed a sporting goods store. Now, with the space cleared and a few walls punched out, it’s home to a bar, lounge and music venue with a streamlined, urban look: bright blue walls, matching cushioned booths, a steel-and-glass accented bar, as well as a spanking-new sound and light system. It’s a radical aesthetic departure from the mellow brew pub atmosphere of just a floor below or the dress-casual vibe of the new billiard room above.

Now two weeks after Soma’s opening night, the once sleepy little brew pub is pretty darn close to being a towering food and entertainment complex, with a restaurant on the first floor, an enclosed balcony bar and Soma on the second, and the game room on the third.

The idea, says Bear Brew owner Matt Haskell, was just that, to add a new dimension to the pub by providing patrons with a choice of distinctly different rooms and entertainment, and hopefully help reinvigorate nightlife in the college town.

“The scene seems to be dead, and I wanted to offer a facility where everybody could find something,” Haskell said.

To revamp the pub’s d?cor, Haskell enlisted the help of designer Chez Cherry, whose resume includes acclaimed set design work for local theatrical productions, as well as the inspired interiors of Finger Rock at Ushuaia just down the road and the Bangor pool hall Classics. The pair collaborated to create both the earth-toned, casual look of the top floor game room and Soma’s sleeker, more adventurous interior. Combined, Haskell estimates the renovations cost $340,000.

With the opening of Soma, the pub will also be stepping up its entertainment offerings. Local jazz trio Noir, headed-up by guitarist Mike Billings, will hold down a regular spot from 6-9 p.m. on Saturdays. Wednesday nights will feature an open mic from 6-9 p.m. Fridays will alternate week to week between live music and special events. Deejays Caliber and Foodstamp will spin classic hip-hop Thursday nights, and everything from rock to dance-hall on Saturdays. Also, look for special live music events such as local talent showcase from 2 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 20.

For upcoming events at Soma 36, call 866-2739. George Bragdon can be reached gbragdon@bangordailynews.net.