Another music venue in East Austin is preparing for its last call. The Lost Well, a bar known for serving as a hub for the city's metal and punk communities, has been given 60 days to vacate its premises after the property's sale process was initiated. Marcello Murphy, co-founder and co-owner of The Lost Well, shared the news on his Facebook page, detailing that his landlord is in the process of selling the property and, thus, the bar will eventually need to leave its home of many years at 2412 Webberville Road. According to a report by Eater, there's no final day of service as of yet since the sale has yet to conclude.
At an asking price of $3.5 million cash, or $4.2 million if financed, the opportunity to purchase the property outright was beyond reach for the establishment, a reality that reflects the steep value increases in parts of East Austin. Marcello Murphy, echoing the sentiments of community members to the Austin American-Statesman, declared it "the end of times" for a spot that has been more than just a watering hole, but a venue where the leather-and-denim community found a home.
Despite the somber announcement, there's a contrasting tale unfolding at another Austin institution. Ego's Bar, an iconic karaoke dive since 1979, initially faced the same fate due to building damage; however, they've managed to secure a brief reprieve. As detailed in a MySA article, Ego's suffering from collapsed plumbing pipes has staved off closure and is now "taking it day by day" as they work with a cooperative landlord hoping to address the issues. Ego's regional manager, Laura Kosmerl, stressed that the landlord has been supportive, stating, "Nobody's trying to force us out," which sets a stark contrast to the hard stop faced by The Lost Well.
Community support for The Lost Well has not waned, as demonstrated by a GoFundMe campaign set up to support the bar's staff and transition out of the space. To date, it has raised over $19,000, signifying the community's unwillingness to let the bar's legacy fade quietly. The Lost Well is still planning to host its final anniversary on Aug. 9, featuring performances by bands like Little Foot and Black Eyed Vermillion. "The only reason why I never expected us to be around this long is because this is the coolest thing I’ll ever get to do," Murphy told the Austin American Statesman with marked emotion.
