The B-side

The term “B Side” has been etched in music history since recordings were first composed and distributed on a 7” flat vinyl disc.   Downtown Pensacola’s “B Side, was conceived to be the architectural flip side of the more famous “cover song”, Vinyl Music Hall, a live music performance venue that opened in 2010 and occupies the former Masonic Lodge, originally constructed in 1897.  Confronted with the opportunity to purchase four single-story, adjacent unoccupied/shuttered storefront buildings , the owners of Vinyl Music Hall reimagined the adjacent parcel to be an expansion to Vinyl’s indoor performance hall in the form of an outdoor bar, food, and recreation venue.  Although the four 60’s era buildings were not identified as contributing historic structures in downtown Pensacola’s Historic District, the demolition and re-use of the parcel was subjected to the rigorous review and approval process by the City of Pensacola Architectural Review Board.  The clients requested a design solution that was a deliberate and noticeable departure from the surrounding historic masonry load bearing buildings in order to extend a visible invitation that attracts a youthful, family oriented customer base during daytime hours while projecting a hip, nighttime vibe for the late night post-performance audience.    Subtle references to the former Masonic Lodge gable forms can be found in the ornamental metal entry gateway, the green tile pattern at the bar surround, and the application of photographic images on the roll-down bar shutters that safely secures beverage inventory during non-operating hours.

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