Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Stafford.
Hi Patrick, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Yes, it’s a dive bar with class. But we have been hosting local and touring bands for the past 13 years. In fact, when the Wormhole opened there was hardly anywhere for local bands to play other than the popular Jinx. (Now closed) The Wormhole opened with very meager beginnings at the end of 2008. One of the first Neighborhood bars in the now popular Starland District.
Since then, we have hosted many popular shows from local acts to national touring bands and comedians. To name a few: Green Jello, Band of Horses, Helmet, Hed Pe, Dick Dale, The Safaris, and most recently Rev Horton Heat, Nashville Pussy. Goddamn Gallows and Smile Empty Soul. Also, some pretty famous comedians have graced our stage, such as Doug Stanhope, David Spade, and yes, Dave Chapelle! Who, he and Norman Reedus (Walking Dead) did a TV show here at the venue. Also, several movie scenes have been filmed here as well. I am very passionate about this venue because my daughter Amy is the owner.
She worked so hard to get this venue open. She is a musician herself and started this venue so more local bands would have a professional stage to play on. She went through a lot of setbacks to get the venue open. No one wanted to lease a space to her because of her young age at the time. It was an old furniture store and had to have many renovations to get up to code. But it finally opened in Dec. 2008 after many setbacks. And of course, when Covid hit, the venue struggled to reopen like everyone else in the business.
But thanks to all the wonderful Wormhole regular patrons we got up and running again. This venue over the years has been awarded “Savannahs Best” in Several categories from Best open mic night to Best bar to spot a celebrity. Thank you so much for reading this and if you get a chance you may want to do a little research on this awesome little venue. www.wormholebar.com.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some early struggles were because we were not in the busy downtown tourist area our customers had to know about and becoming to the Wormhole for an advertised show.
Not very much walk-in business in the area then. Also before all the new businesses in the Starland district were here the area was a bit sketchy.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, we have learned that you can’t be prepared enough for catastrophic events to happen.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.wormholebar.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWormhole
Image Credits:
Valentin Sivykov
