Although having spent nearly 30 years in the restaurant business, it was not always John Rinaldo’s intent to enter the bar industry, let alone become the proprietor of his own establishment. The Muse, in downtown Worcester, is looking to offer something new to the area.

The venue currently offers an extensive selection of both cocktails and beer but lacks the distracting televisions that one typically finds in bars. “I just wanted to create something that other places would aspire to be. People can come here and meet new people or hang out with their friends in an environment that might be more than what the typical Worcester bar has to offer,” Rinaldo said.

Located directly across from the Hanover Theatre, The Muse is placed to attract theater-goers, and Rinaldo hopes to further aid in the cultural development of Worcester. The bar is one of the many businesses attempting to revitalize the city, and it attracts a mixed crowd that reflects its atmosphere.

The bar also boasts an extensive art collection, as it is home to a commission-free gallery. Rinaldo spoke of his friends within the art community as the inspiration for the gallery. “They always talk about how expensive galleries are. I thought it would be great to promote Worcester and Worcester’s artists.” The inclusion of such a unique gallery adds to the atmosphere Rinaldo hoped to create for The Muse, which he describes as “a place where people can hang out and have conversation.”

And there’s a lot of drink choices. “We really want to be known as a cocktail bar more than anything else. We’ve created our own recipes that other places may not have,” Rinaldo said. This in-house creation gives the bar an added edge against other local competitors. “We’re constantly changing. We’re trying to do things that other places aren’t doing – or doing as much of.”

But The Muse is also a work in progress, with live music and food on the horizon.

“Unfortunately,” Rinaldo said, “We don’t currently have the area to serve food, so we’re in the process of changing that.” There is no kitchen within the establishment yet, although one is currently in the works. “Hopefully, it will be introduced within the next three to four months. It will totally change the whole vibe of the place.”

The Muse has recently received a license for live music. Rinaldo said he hopes to begin booking a few live acts for Saturday nights within the coming weeks.

The Muse is located at 536 Main St., Worcester, and is open daily at 5 p.m. For more information, visit musebar.com.

By Christina Rossetti