In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition — Wednesday, Nov. 13 — the new Still & Stir is open and pouring craft cocktails, Sam James is making more national music waves, Revolution Pie + Pint is closed (but not for long!), the city’s got a contract to do group buying for electricity to cut your costs and carbon footprint and a meeting for the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association is planned.
Niche Hospitality Group Officially Launches Still & Stir
Still & Stir celebrated its grand opening this past weekend at 90 Commercial St. The craft cocktail bar and kitchen was previously located at One Exchange Place within The Citizen Wine Bar. Niche Hospitality has renovated the space formerly known as Railers Tavern to re-introduce Still & Stir as a standalone concept spotlighting cocktails, while paying homage to some Citizen classics from the kitchen.
The decor has been updated to a swanky bar and lounge with mid-century modern furniture in a loft style space of brick and beam. Leading up to the grand opening, Still & Stir offered a prelude with various public and private events, most recently including the second annual Run the Woo cocktail competition, which hosted a sold-out crowd and raised proceeds to benefit Girls Inc. of Worcester.
“We’re thrilled to finally have the official grand-opening weekend of Still & Stir arrive,” said Niche President Michael Covino. “The craft cocktail concept, as it was known at The Citizen, was loved by many while it was open, and missed when it closed. We’re excited to get back to our roots at the new location. We have an incredibly talented staff behind the bar led by Derek Grimm (formerly of Deadhorse Hill) and in the kitchen with Johnny Giddix (Block 5 Bistro/The People’s Kitchen) leading the helm as head chef.”
The new Still & Stir boasts an ever-changing menu dedicated to unique, approachable craft food that includes: chef’s cheese and charcuterie Boards, deluxe burgers, American chop suey and more. Grimm has worked to put together a great cocktail program that features both classic and modern drinks, including bottled and draft cocktails, freshly squeezed juice, house made syrups and tinctures, and an ice program dedicated to serving both spirits and cocktails with the perfect cube.
In addition, the bar will be open on Sundays for an all-day brunch menu featuring signature Bloody Marys and upscale breakfast food including stuffed French toast, duck hash, eggs benedict, and more.
Good News/Bad News for Revolution Pie + Pint
First, the bad news, because it isn’t really that bad. Revolution Pie and Pint is closed for about a week, until Nov. 19.
The reason? They’re renovating to re-open as a sports bar, replete with many TVs for your sportball viewing, as well as an all-new, exciting menu.
Revolution Pie + Pint is located in the bottom level of Worcester’s historic Bancroft Hotel and serving hand-crafted pies and 40 craft beers.
Abominable Gets Big Music Award Nomination
The soundtrack for Dreamworks’ latest film Abominable was nominated for a Hollywood Music in Media award this week in the category “best original score for an animated film.”
A trio of Worcester songwriters and producers make up three-quarters of the creativity behind the new single off Abominable called “Beautiful Life.” It is performed by country music and pop star Bebe Rexha and was co-written by Rexha and Worcester’s own Sam James and Nicholas Black. David Saint Fleur, also from Worcester, produced “Beautiful Life” for the Abominable soundtrack.
The Hollywood Music In Media Awards honors the music of visual mediums (film, TV, movie trailers, video games, commercials, etc.), the talented individuals responsible for creating, producing and placing it and the music of mainstream and indie artists from around the globe.
Worcester Community Choice Electricity Aggregation Program Launches in February
The city lodged a 34-month contract with Direct Energy Services to buy electricity for the Worcester Community Choice Electricity Aggregation program, which launches in February.
This will help Worcester take significant steps toward decreasing its carbon footprint, officials say, by “providing its electricity customers with at least double the amount of local renewable energy compared to what is required by state law.”
Worcester started the aggregation process in the summer of 2017 when City Council voted to authorize its administration to develop and file the Aggregation Plan with the state. Want to know a whole lot more about how it actually works? Go here.
If you want to ask questions about the program, visit meetings on Monday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m., at City Hall or Thursday, Nov. 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Worcester Senior Center.
Public Invited to Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association Meeting
The November meeting of the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association takes place on Thursday, Nov. 21, at the KIVA Center, 209 Shrewsbury St., at 7 p.m. and you should go. The Worcester Police Department, Code Department, the DA’s Office, City Manager’s office, other city departments, and elected officials will be present to answer any concerns area residents may have.
There is free parking in the lot behind Mac’s Diner.
Area residents are encouraged to attend and raise any issues that need to be addressed by city and state governments. Refreshments served and there is free parking behind Mac’s Diner.
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