Problem:
Lynn Varley had the pleasure of leasing the old Spirit’s Tavern space, located at 24 State Street in downtown Auburn, to create an upscale live music venue and lounge. The community missed what Spirit’s had provided, and Lynn jumped at the chance to revive the local music, food & cocktail venue, with her own twist on the theme.
Solution:
Working with local artists to give the venue a unique flair, Moondog’s is a welcoming funky lounge. As a focal point, on the fireplace wall, we created a lovely mosaic featuring an evening sky, crescent moon & star with Lynn and her close friends. I matched the purple grout color to the stage carpeting, and our friend Roxy had some interesting jewelry pieces that we mixed into the moon shape, along with the broken tile & mirror. Other artists did paintings and renderings of the logo to provide those special touches that make the space its own.
The old Spirit’s chalkboard still lists the upcoming live music schedule, and Shane Stillman skillfully repurposed a drum kit as a restroom sink & light fixture. Other musical instruments are scattered throughout, and framed vintage concert posters all around finish the look.
For interior décor, the bar is an ornately carved reception desk from the old Hotel Syracuse, adorned with a marble top. This piece was crafted by Bartolotta Furniture, so it has come back to Auburn full circle. The decorative tin wall, gratefully still intact, and the original wood wainscoting, hard wood floors and exposed brick wall behind the bar provide richness & history. Gold & silver metallic spray paint gives the tin wall depth & dimension- it is beautiful.
New to the space is a curved dual platform stage just to the right of the main entry. The front façade now has large-scale plate glass windows that open onto the street and brighten up the interior space. Seating is a mix of pub tables, including one with a community-made mosaic top. Big thanks go to Moondog’s owners for their vision, commitment & investment in the arts, and their contribution to downtown Auburn’s renaissance.