thePULSEAn Industrial Revolution on Water Street
Rage will become two venues; The Water Street Mining Co. to open in February.
January 2005 – The New Year will bring new changes to club scene favorite, Rage. Owners Tim DeSantis and Ron Loconsolo has big plans for the Water Street disco.
Renovations will begin on the space this month. DeSantis says that a wall will be built to divide the club in half, creating two venues — the rear remaining Rage, and the front becoming the new Water Street Mining Co.
A sound-proof wall will be built through the middle of the huge 48-foot bar, and the front will be entirely redone, with new floors, lighting, bar and pool table. With the help of renowned local designer Matthew Mattus, Wendy’s Decorating Depot in North Grafton, and Light Lab’s Joe Martucci, DeSantis says that the new venue will have an industrial look, featuring new perimeter lighting and décor that will play off of the new coal mining theme.
The Water Street Mining Co. will cater to a crowd looking for a quieter place to have a drink. DeSantis says that he has often received suggestions about creating a comfortable space away from the music for people to sit and talk. Recently, he tried to create such a space at the front of the club, but the music from the disco was still too loud to breed a lounge atmosphere.
Desantis is excited. “This will be a completely new venue, you won’t recognize it,” he says. “This is not just Rage divided in two.”
But what about Rage? regulars are probably wondering right now. Rage will be getting a bit of nose job, but that’s about it. Look for new 42-inch tables, perfect for standing with a cocktail and watching the dance floor. Rage will continue its regular club nights, except Tuesday night karaoke will be moved next door to the new venue.
DeSantis says that he will keep the club open for the month of January, with construction causing only minimal disruptions to their regularly scheduled club nights (check thePULSE Club List for more details).
DeSantis expects that the two new venues will celebrate their grand reopening in early February (pending, you know, inspections and licensing). The Water Street Mining Co. will be open Tuesday through Sunday, and Rage will be open Thursday through Saturday, and for special events.
Why the change? Tim DeSantis says that the new configuration will allow for more versatility.
“We want to do more charity and special events,” he says. “But in the past, it was hard to do without interrupting regular business.”
To keep up to date about what is happening at Rage, check out their website www.rage-worcester.com.
