Longtime Sacramento Music Venue Marilyn’s on K To Close Nov. 1, Will Be Replaced By Coin-Op Bar/Arcade

On Thursday, Oct. 16, Submerge got an email from Linda Swanigan, owner of the venue Marilyn’s on K and longtime supporter of Submerge (she advertised in our first-ever issue!), informing us that they had sold the business. Yes, you read that right, after 16 long years the basement-esque K Street venue and bar that many of us have come to love over the years (Submerge even held our “50th Issue Party” there in 2010, remember that?) will unfortunately close up shop after Nov. 1, 2014.

“We thank our loyal customers, whom we consider our friends and family, for your support over the last 16 years,” the official press release states. “We are so proud of our employees who have made the Marilyn’s experience possible over the years.”

Marilyn’s first opened as “Marilyn’s on 12th and K” in 1998, before that corner “became gentrified.” That’s back before IMAX, Esquire, Sheraton, etc. It was the only watering hole in the neighborhood and hosted many construction workers and people staying at the Hyatt. When the 12th and K building got foreclosed on and ultimately acquired by new owners, a bar wasn’t part of the new plans. So Marilyn’s, having already established itself on K Street, moved down the street and found their current spot, a unique underground space that offered them more room to work with. They reopened as Marilyn’s on K in 2005 at 908 K Street. With more space they were able to start hosting eclectic live music seven days a week from local and touring acts; eventually well known artists like Jackie Greene, Mother Hips, Junior Brown, Nicki Bluhm, Sal Valentino and so many others, including countless local bands, graced the stage at Marilyn’s. More than 1,600 different bands have performed at Marilyn’s! The venue has played a crucial role in the local music scene for many years, and it will be sorely missed.

So, what’s next for the space, and will the new owners/operators incorporate live music? According to Swanigan the new business taking over the space is Coin-Op, a bar/arcade, and they will not be hosting live music. “They currently have a very successful bar/arcade operation in San Diego and they will bring that same concept to K Street,” Swanigan told us. Um, can you say “mixed emotions?”

Obviously we are incredibly sad that live music will no longer be a part of the space (also, side note, as a fellow business owner, I know I would be ready for a break after 16 years!), but our inner nerds are a little bit excited about the idea of it becoming a bar that has a large selection of video games.

The website for Coin-Op’s San Diego location says, “We are a neighborhood watering hole offering craft cocktails, craft beer, delicious food and of course, classic arcade games.”

Submerge is planning on reaching out to the Coin-Op owners in the coming days to get more information about their plans for the Sacramento location.

In the meantime, we still have a couple weeks to enjoy Marilyn’s and celebrate their huge mark on Sacramento’s music scene. “We are trying to reach out to many of our favorites to play over the next two weeks,” Swanigan said, noting that they are still confirming some details. “We will be arranging for bands who have played at our club and want one more chance to play at the ‘Institution of Marilyn’s’ over the next two weeks. We are hoping to have a few bands play every night and the last day we will have music throughout the day until closing!” Keep an eye out right here on Submerge and at Marilynsonk.com for more info on the final weeks of Marilyn’s.

As of press time here are some highlights happening at Marilyn’s in the next couple weeks according to their online calendar (subject to change):

Friday, Oct. 17: You Front the Band Live Karaoke
Saturday, Oct. 18: Chuck’s Annual Halloween Party
Thursday, Oct. 23: Color the Sound, We Went to the Moon
Friday, Oct. 24: The Denver J Band, Bellygunner, Be Brave Bold Robot
Saturday, Oct. 25: The Darling Clementines Halloween Spooktacular
Thursday, Oct. 30: Farewell Performance / Halloween Party feat. Zyah Belle, Vanessa O’Connell, Lights and Sirens, Kyle Tuttle, The Bell Boys, The Royal Jelly, Spacewalker, hosted by Task1ne
Friday, Oct. 31: Foresocks (Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute), Abby Normal (Green Day tribute)
Saturday, Nov. 1: Farewell to Marilyn’s Party w/ Live Music All Day!