CASTINE – Folks who work at and visit The Reef, the town’s landmark waterfront bar, are breathing a little easier now that they know the pub will continue to operate.

The Reef’s future was up in the air this week when the building’s owner objected to the bar’s musical offerings, which have been a key feature of its atmosphere.

“We’ve worked everything out,” said Reef owner Ruth Van Horn. “He didn’t want heavy-duty bands and I can work around that.”

Van Horn has owned the pub for 12 years, but there has been a bar-restaurant at that location for about three decades.

It has become a mainstay of Castine’s downtown and a popular watering hole for locals and students from Maine Maritime Academy, especially in the winter when few other business are open after dark.

Initially, Van Horn said, she feared she would have to eliminate all music and was concerned about the future of her business. Others shared that concern as word of The Reef’s situation spread quickly through town and beyond.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be here,” she said. “Word spread and people got a little carried away. I was hearing from people I didn’t even know. Some people said they heard about it in Bangor.”

Van Horn met with the building owner earlier this week and the two were able to work out a compromise. Van Horn said she will have to give up bands, which she has been phasing out, but she will be able to keep the rest of the music offerings.

“I’ve agreed to give up bands, but I can keep the DJ and the karaoke,” she said. “We tried to be fair. Things have worked out fine, I think.”