RIVERWALK CAFE AND MUSIC BAR PROFESSIONAL
RIVERWALK CAFE AND MUSIC BAR WINDOWS

Ruddock said the stage will be big enough for a five-piece ensemble. I like all that music, so I think we’ll start booking it and seeing how we do.” … Jazz fans approach me, country and bluegrass fans approach me. “People are hungry for that, I think, from what I’ve been told. “We’re going to give it a go and see,” he said. He hopes to open the doors of the new business, which will be called Riverwalk Cafe & Music Bar, as early as July. But Ruddock hopes to find greater success by merging musical acts with craft cuisine – a model that has worked elsewhere in New England. Studio 99, the 100-seat listening room, was hailed by the arts community for booking live music year-round before it closed its doors last year. Ruddock isn’t the first business owner to try running a small music venue downtown. He anticipates the new venue will have seating for about 70 people during concerts, or more if tables are cleared away during standing-room-only shows. Ruddock is working with Z Master Builders, the local design firm that shaped the interior of Napa East Wine Lounge, to complete the architecture and interior design work.

RIVERWALK CAFE AND MUSIC BAR WINDOWS

It also will create space for new bar rails and a small stage near the glass windows by the sidewalk. The addition will triple the seating area of Riverwalk, which Ruddock said reaches capacity on some weekends. Ruddock took over the lease several weeks ago and began renovating the space, which is now accessible through the back of the cafe. The opportunity to expand arose earlier this year, when next-door business Olga’s Bridal & Alterations of Nashua, moved to Amherst Street, opening up a roughly 1,100-square-foot unit.

Since then, Riverwalk has carved out a niche in downtown Nashua, roasting coffee beans on-site and offering a menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, accompanied by beer and wine. Ruddock bought the cafe at 35 Railroad Square with his wife, Jane, in 2010. I think the combination of both is going to be nice.” “I think there’s going to be an audience for it – both the music and the craft cocktails. “We really want to focus on high-quality bourbons and gins – and not be snobby about it, but sort of just gravitate toward the stuff that we sort of enjoy on our own,” Ruddock said.

RIVERWALK CAFE AND MUSIC BAR PROFESSIONAL

The 59-year-old is embarking on a major expansion of his business that will create a new music venue in Railroad Square, accompanied by a full-service bar, professional sound system, and staff that can mix a whiskey sour, an Old Fashioned and a range of other classic cocktails.

Riverwalk cafe and music bar