Local musicians mourn the closure of 2 Crows Brewing Company

2 Crows Brewing Company was packed on Monday, Mar. 2, but the gathering was bittersweet. The popular music venue and local brewery closed its Brunswick and Oxford Street locations on March 8.

On Feb. 18, the brewery announced on Instagram that it planned to close after almost 10 years in business. The closure marks a loss for Halifax beer enthusiasts, but it also means a loss of community for local performers who called the 2 Crows venue their stage. 

Seamus Johnson, a local musician, has attended open mic at 2 Crows for the past two years.

“I was shocked when I saw [news of the closure]. I couldn’t believe it.”

The event, called Open Song Circle and hosted by local musician Noah Tye, brought together local musicians and fostered a community among songwriters on Monday nights. 

Lincoln Shriner, a local musician, had been attending Open Song Circle as a way to meet other musicians after moving to Halifax. 

Shriners’ friend, Ryan Napier, a local musician, started tagging along to the event with Shriner. 

“I started going because I was playing in a band with Shriner, and he asked me to come out and play a few of our songs,” said Napier. “I liked the vibe so much I just kept coming back.”

As a musician who’s played in multiple bands, Napier said musicians struggle with the limited availability of venues in Halifax. 

“Something that a lot of bands get caught up in is they have to gig at the same venues over and over again,” said Napier. “As much as Halifax has a very lively downtown scene and an active music scene, we have a bit of a venue shortage.”

Shriner and Napier will follow Tye to the next venue where he hosts an open mic night, but Shriner knows it won’t be the same. 

“The atmosphere and the environment here are very open, a lot of socializing,” said Shriner. “I’ve made and fostered so many meaningful friendships at 2 Crows on Mondays and at other shows. It’s sad to see it go.”