On a typical street lined with ordinary houses, there is one house that offers much more than meets the eye.
Inside you'll find musical instruments, vibrant décor and an enthusiastic crowd: This is The Roadhouse, a DIY music venue that's been hosting regular live music performances for the past four years.
The Grove Street venue announced in an Instagram post that it will hold its final show this summer on July 27th.
The decision to close came when owners Bri Reed, an events coordinator, and her husband, Justin Reed, decided to relocate from Gainesville.
Bri Reid called the decision “bittersweet.”
“This place has been a big part of my life for over four years,” Bri Reid said, “I feel so blessed to have had a place for all these weird people to hang out. I'll really miss being immersed in the music and meeting new people all the time.”
Their announcement comes on the heels of the closure of Hi Dive, another popular Gainesville music venue.
Despite the Gainesville store closing, Bri Reed ensured the name lived on by promoting and booking other Gainesville venues like The Ox.
“We're still booking shows as a roadhouse,” they said, “but the space as we know it will be gone.”
Feedback from the community has been positive, Bri Reed said.
“Many people were happy that we did what they felt was the right thing to do,” they say. “Some told us they would miss our special niche as an intimate, cozy place to experience live music.”
Bri Reed wanted to leave a special Roadhouse memory in Gainesville.
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“We want people to remember the Roadhouse based on how it made them feel,” they say. “Memories are very important to me, which is why I take lots of film photos and stack them in albums. [because] That's what I miss.”
Bri Reid, events coordinator for the Roadhouse, saw a variety of bands perform, including Orange Doors, Pigeon Pit and Emperor X.
“The stories are endless,” they say, “when Orange Doors played their cover of 'Time After Time' and everyone went crazy and sang along…when Pigeon Pit played and people came from all over Florida to see us and many of us cried…when Emperor X sat on the floor and played an intimate unplugged set.”
Other bands that have played at the Roadhouse include The Confession Kids, The Nancies, The Boat Stuff and Daydreaming.
Their work at the Roadhouse has inspired others to take on similar projects, Bri Reed said.
“We've spoken to a few people who currently run occasional shows in similar DIY environments,” they say, “and we're excited to meet other people who are curious and eager to try something similar.”
Although the transition will be difficult, Reed said the couple is excited about what the future holds.
“It's really hard to imagine life without the energy and chaos that we love about hosting a show,” they said. “At the same time, my husband and I feel like we're looking for a change and want to spend more time with each other and in nature, so we're excited about this new chapter.”
Nancy's band member Ella Norris said scenes like the Roadhouse are vital to the community.
“The venue has always been very welcoming and accommodating,” Norris said, “and has supported a lot of local bands, even smaller bands like us that aren't as well known.”
Confession Kids bassist Alex Roberts worked the Roadhouse entrance after attending the concert. He thanked the venue for its contributions to the Gainesville music scene and said its legacy will live on beyond its location.
“The Roadhouse changed so many lives,” Roberts said, “and while the space itself may transition away from regular business in the not-too-distant future, the spirit of the Roadhouse will undoubtedly live on.”
Roberts' bandmates, Kill Darling, said they were grateful that Roadhouse took a chance on The Confession Kids.
“I think it represents the great thing about DIY music,” Darling says. “Anyone can have a chance to play there.”
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Ben Nielsen is the Multimedia Editor at The Alligator. He previously worked as a videographer for The Alligator and began working as the Multimedia Editor in January 2024. He specializes in visual storytelling and manages photography, graphics, and video.