Legendary 75-Year-Old Schenectady Music Lounge To Make Way For New Restaurant

Schenectady will be losing a historical music lounge that hosted legends while gaining a new bistro.

I guess it is a classic good news bad news scenario. While we hate to see a legendary spot go away that has hosted some legendary musicians over the years, it is great to see something new opening in it's place.

If you are not familiar with the Van Dyck, it is a legendary jazz music lounge that opened in Schenectady's Stockade District in 1947, according to the Van Dyck website. Over the years the lounge, regarded as one of the nation's premier "listening rooms," hosted jazz legends like Dizzie Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, and many more.

The venue has even hosted pop and rock performers over the year, which the Van Dyck website says include Richie Havens. The location eventually evolved into a restaurant and the home Mad Jack Brewing Company.

Stella Pasta and Bistro Bar To Take Over The Van Dyck

According to a Times Union story, the Van Dyck now "seems" to be closed. While it will be sad to see a venue with such a storied history close, the good news is the space will be repurposed. Stella Pasta Bar and Bistro, which used to operate in Burnt Hills, announced on it's Facebook page they will be opening at the 237 Union Street location. In the Stella Facebook post they wrote a brewery called "Seven Points" will also be operating out of the Stockade location. No details were revealed when the new operations would open, but the post did tease info on a grand opening coming soon.

Regardless of who opens in the Van Dyck location, the history in that building will always remain. Maybe the Stella Bistro will do something cool in the new establishment to honor and recognize that history?