Fallout Shelter — Restaurant in Norwood

The Fallout Shelter, what a cool, funky, underground speakeasy vibe! I totally dig this place. I had the pleasure of attending the NE Winter Blues Festival, (1/31/2025) hosted by Mr. Nick & The Wicked Low Down, featuring a stellar lineup: Jerry Portnoy, Sugar Ray Norcia, Jason Ricci, and Rick Estrin. First off, the staff at The Fallout Shelter was great – helpful, attentive, and on top of things. The show was general admission seating, which can sometimes be a nightmare, but the comfortable, sporadic arrangement of tables and individual seats made it a surprisingly chill and enjoyable experience. The bar was easily accessible, and the stage offered great sightlines from seemingly anywhere in the room. Even with a slightly obstructed view from my seat, I was still able to see everything, take videos, and even snap some amazing photos. Now, let's talk about the performances. Jerry Portnoy, a true legend, delivered that classic blues sound with his signature style. It was a treat to witness his mastery. Sugar Ray Norcia, oh, Sugar Ray! What tone, what a voice! Exactly the kind of blues I love. Sweet, sweet Sugar Ray, indeed. Jason Ricci, where do I even begin? As a self-proclaimed harp snob (and I mean that in the sense of appreciating the full spectrum of harp playing, not just traditional styles), I have high standards. Technique, tone, grit, ostinatos, glissandos more ostinatos – it all has to be there. Jason Ricci nailed it. Awesome performance, impressive, and honestly, I'm not easily impressed. Some folks might not always follow the logic of this type of playing, but I'm convinced people are finally catching on... 'cuz it's hot! And then there's Rick Estrin. If you don't know Rick Estrin, you can't call yourself a harp enthusiast. This man is the real deal. He's got it all and then some – that voice and some fine, fine, fine harmonica chops, and a gritty style that just grabs you. Yeah, I love this guy, if you couldn't tell! His harp tone is perfect. Plus, he's got style, class, talent, and a charming, funny, sweet personality. You've got to see him perform. Finally, the host of this festival, Mr. Nick. I do hundreds of reviews a year, but rarely of other musicians, and very rarely do I feel compelled to write about them. But Nick David... Wow! You wanna git shook from your seat? 'Cause he's bringing it! Hard! A powerhouse performer. I loved this guy – vocals, harp, it's all there! Kick-ass raw energy! And on top of it all, he looks too cool! Right? The Wicked Low Down, his band, was absolutely amazing! I love this. I've followed harmonica players my whole life, even married one. And of course, any art is amazing. Now, this (all of this)  is just my personal opinion and perspective on live performance, and I want to emphasize that I, in no way intend to offend or criticize any artist. The same old tone, tunes, and shtick as the original guys 75+ years back just doesn't cut it for me. I want your art to tell me something about You! That's the "it" factor! Why do I think I know so much? On top of living it for over 50 years, I married it!

And I don't typically cross businesses, especially since I've a personal interest, so I think from here on out I will try to stick to my venue/restaurant reviews and save my musicology & opinions for my other office!

What a great night, what a great show! Sincerely, thank you guys! ✌️ ~ N, Manager for Ottomatic Slim & The Deadly...

When arriving at Fallout Shelter in Norwood one can’t be blamed for second guessing the directions. The locale appears to be an old industrial sprawl of brick buildings long abandoned, and more so in the later hours if you are arriving for a show. But when you see it you will know it. And when you descend within you will be amazed. This place is really special. It’s like the granddaddy of all man caves, with a plethora of photos, collections, and artistic displays at which to marvel in the dimly lit room. Aesthetically, and sonically, Fallout Shelter is the perfect small venue for performing arts. There’s the crystalline sound system, the live stream cameras and monitors, the friendly and attentive folks at the bar, the merchandise tables, the give-away posters of the event you’ve just witnessed, the variety of comfortable seating and tables, the friendly staff; it all adds up to one classy presentation. On the night of our arrival there was no food available to my knowledge, but we didn’t come here for that. It was all about the music and a couple drinks. And for that… highly...

This hidden gem is the brain child of Bill Hurley who spent many years working at Atlantic records. It had it's humble beginnings in a small warehouse space and has grown to a 100 person capacity venue. But what hasn't changed is the list of local , regional and internationally touring artists who perform there. One night it is blues, then country, then hip-hop/jive/funk, and then an acoustic artist. You literally can buy a ticket to any show and have an enjoyable evening. Every day, another fan comes out of the shows saying, "please do not tell anyone about this place ... I don't want it to get too popular

But please...