Double Down — a self-described “funky rock & roll” group — was all set to play at the Blu Parrot this Saturday (May 4). The 1st show was scheduled for 9 p.m.
But an email sent at 5:30 this afternoon to fans says:
Ha … Double Down has seen a lot in our time but this is a first …
Unfortunately our show on Saturday has been canceled due to the venue going out of business. Very sad that they couldn’t have closed next weekend!
Oh well … wish those guys the best and we’ll see you all soon.
Have a great weekend … Rock on!
I just called the Blu Parrot — the restaurant/music venue that opened last October in the building previously owned by Jasmine. (And — for decades before that — the Arrow Restaurant.)
A recorded announcement thanked me for calling the Blu Parrot, “the fun place for dining, dancing and good music.” It described tonight’s band — but said to call back “after 11 a.m.” for reservations or more information.
It was 6:20 p.m. when I called.
Uh oh…
(UPDATE: An email sent at 11:55 a.m. today — Wednesday, May 1 — says:
To all of our Friends, customers and muscians who have supported us here at The Blu Parrot: we will be closing our doors as of 5/1/13. There are parties that are interested in buying the business and we can only hope that they will continue to bring the best in live music to the Westport area.
Thank you for all of your support and making this such a great place.
Really sorry to hear this. We went there a couple of times. The food was good and it seemed to be a perfect venue for music.
Too bad I never got a chance to go. Heard lots of good things about it. It is so hard for restaurants to make it in Westport.
I’m still trying to figure out how the Arrow Restaurant went out of business….
I can’t believe this. No way. The food and atmosphere was too good.
I’ve often said — the average life span of a restaurant in Westport is six months. Nonetheless, I’m sorry to learn about this. It wasn’t my sort of place, but it was nice to have something like this in Westport for those who love it.
Just ate there on Sun night. The music was not for me but the food was great and the service even better. Too bad. Nice people. Westport could use a place like that and they did a nice renovation too!
Dan- I hope I did it right this time. Full name and email
Awful news! The Blu Parrot had great bands and was the perfect place to go dancing. They were always packed on the weekends, and I thought they were doing well during the week. I wonder why they closed?
This isn’t a Monty Python bit is it?
The Blu Parrot was not really very good. The food was inconsistent and the service was mediocre. Who was thinking about designing a restaurant that looked like a cross between an after hours dance area of a wedding and a Boca Lounge. BTW i was rooting for the place when it opened.
Dan, I might know of a place that Double Down could play at on saturday night, how can I contact them?
Jen, please use your full name when commenting from now on (new policy). I have their email at home — I’ll email it to you when I’m there tonight.
Hi Jen, the email is info@doubledownct.com
You can get there from the website http://www.doubledownct.com and there’s a phone number as well.
Ouch!! We went there many open mike nights!! The food was always good and the service just right!! Loved to see the local talent show off- including a 13 year old guitarist, several older potbellied guys who could belt it out and an Elvis impersonator.
It was great while lasted!!
An email sent out at 11:55 a.m. today from the Blu Parrot confirms the news:
“To all of our Friends, customers and muscians who have supported us here at The Blu Parrot: we will be closing our doors as of 5/1/13. There are parties that are interested in buying the business and we can only hope that they will continue to bring the best in live music to the Westport area.
“Thank you for all of your support and making this such a great place.”
Bummer! Adam Lubarsky is a local guy and his young family was part of the business – do you have to be an outsider with big bucks to make it here any more? It has been so long since we’ve had regular live music and dancing in town.
There seemed to be a disconnect with the “vision” and the paying customers that showed up. Retirees in Westport have time and money. They flocked to the place and there seemed to be a disconnect between the type of music and the people. Customers looked like they’d prefer a Beatles cover band over hard rocking originals. Another problem: THE BAR…a windowless, tight little cell in the corner…no ambiance…I get that the goal is to MOVE the folks into the room where they pay cover and buy food too…but…it was a total waste. I’d LOVE to see a rock & roll joint like “Player’s Tavern” back in the day…Now, that was FUN!
We need to bring back the Arrow and save the Parrot. Maybe the Nisticos and the Lubarskys can team up and call it The Arrowneous Parrot.
The Parrot was a great place and fun while it lasted. Very friendly and fun owners and staff. The open mic was a blast. Had the pleasure of subbing for the house band guitarist one night. What could have been a fright turned into such a relief when they called out songs like Little Wing and Cinnamon Girl. Best of luck to the owners and crew there in the future.
Where’s the 06880 spirit???? We can save the Blu Parrot!!! It isn’t over until WE say its over. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Was it over when Dubya said “Mission Accomplished”? Was it over when Barack said: “Change has come to America!” This is Westport and we are capable of one desperate futile act on which we can all disagree!!! And that foot is ME.