After 30+ years, The Outland is leaving its home on South Avenue, relocating this spring
The Outland Complex, known as downtown's multi-story music venue, is relocating, leaving the spot on South Avenue it has called home for more than 30 years.
Owner Kevin Dunn made a post to Facebook over the weekend announcing that the upstairs Outland Ballroom and ground-level Odyssey Lounge, the two venues that make up The Outland Complex, are closing in their current spaces at 324 and 322 S. Ave., respectively.
Dunn said in his post, which he provided to the News-Leader, that he has secured a new space for the Odyssey Lounge that is not downtown. Dunn did not wish to provide details yet about the new location, which he expects to open March 1.
"We liked the idea of parking, less police presence and more of an underground vibe that the types of shows we have are often associated with," Dunn said in his post about moving out of downtown. "We have the location secured and it will be open March 1. Now, on to bigger things."
Last year, Dunn expressed interest in purchasing the building that houses the two venues on South Avenue. He ultimately decided against it, he said, due to the cost of the building and necessary maintenance.
Jason Murray, owner of SGF Holdings LLC, which owns the building on South Avenue, told the News-Leader that he is working with a new tenant to take over the space and is looking forward to its future.
"This location on South Avenue has been a successful music venue for decades," Murray said in a statement to the News-Leader. "Live music is very important to our downtown. We are working with a new tenant for the space and look forward to announcing the details soon. We would love to see the live music tradition continue to thrive in this location and look forward to seeing what the next tenants do there."
Hour House, located at 326 S. Ave., will remain in its location. The bar is not a part of The Outland Complex, though the space used to be.
Sweet EMOtion, the vegan ice cream shop that formerly was housed in the walk-up window beside The Odyssey Lounge, is also unaffected by this change. Sweet EMOtion reopened at 211 E. Walnut St. in July 2023.
More: All vegan: Sweet EMOtion, Brunch Box to serve sweet treats, breakfast classics downtown
Johan Collins, owner of SprinGood, a local booking agency, has been booking and promoting concerts at The Outland since 2003. He described his experiences at The Outland as "life-changing."
"I always call it The Church," Collins told the News-Leader. "I honestly feel that The Outland Complex downtown was a church for so many humans. They could go in there, leave their problems at the door ... and escape whatever problems, whatever situations, whatever they're going through ... escape it for three to four hours and lose themselves in the music, walk back, put their shoes back on and go back into their problems."
Moving forward, all SprinGood concerts will be held at The Riff and The Regency Live, Collins told the News-Leader.
"We thank everyone for their support and understanding," Dunn said, concluding his post. "This is a upgrade in life for certain, some nostalgia will be lost but much more is about to be gained. The club life isn't easy, we just roll with the punches in order to keep arts and entertainment alive."
The Outland, the bar that was formerly housed at 326 S. Ave. where Hour House is today, opened in September 1991, according to News-Leader archives. When it first opened, The Outland was a restaurant and pub, open 22 hours a day, serving all-you-can-eat breakfast. Highlife Martini Bar, the bar that was formerly at 322 S. Ave., opened in 1996 and the Outland Ballroom opened in 2003.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: The Outland is relocating, to open in new space this spring
