How to book a show at The Parish Publick House
I’ve heard that what makes a good pub is its purpose and spirit. If this is true, local Westside watering hole The Parish Publick House is in good shape. In addition to providing an insane selection of beer and fried food, the spirit of The Parish Publick House is all about supporting a community of very cool people. You’ll find newbie artists exhibited on its walls and local music scenesters bellied up to the bar. Two years young in June, The Parish Publick House started hosting live music because, in the words of owner Erik Granath, “pubs should have music.”
Bordering residential neighborhoods in the corner of the newly renovated Almar Plaza, at 841 Almar Ave. in Santa Cruz, The Parish Publick House’s glass windows can be seen dripping as local and touring bands light up the bar with their finger pickin’ goodness. Although open to most genres that won’t incite the neighbors, strings with a punk sensibility currently seem to be the preference. Music is generally booked Thursday through Saturday, starting after 10 p.m.—when dinner and hockey games end.
Music booking is a fairly casual affair, initially revolving around Granath booking his friends or his friends’ friends. If you want to entertain the crowd, you should start by calling Granath to have a conversation about your band. Dropping off a CD may garner you the Big Sur Test: With a sister pub down on the river (The Maiden Publick House), Granath often uses his time driving up and down the California coast to listen to new material.
Plenty of touring bands have already identified The Parish Publick House as a sweet hidden gem between San Francisco and venues further south. Bands as far flung as Lawrence, Kan., have discovered not only an appreciative new crowd, but a secret spot to pitch a tent hosted by the best local tour guides the Westside has to offer.
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