Finding ways to keep gathering
Tattooed Mom has not stopped operating as a bar and restaurant and continues to hold events that do not constitute live entertainment.
While Perry said he feels a “profound sense of loss” over the performances that have disappeared, the bar has adjusted its programming, continuing to host pop-up shops, art shows, activist meetups and fundraisers while live entertainment remains off limits.
“We work really hard to make sure that people know that they’re welcome to create and produce events here,” Perry said. “There’s just stricter guidelines about what they can and cannot do at the moment. We actively talk to our community and encourage them to hit us up if they have an idea, a cool idea for an event that doesn’t fall outside of those restrictions that we currently have.”
Perry said Tattooed Mom has been working with neighborhood supporters, city officials and others to understand the zoning, permitting and licensing requirements it must meet. He said those conversations have been “extremely helpful and extremely supportive.”
Perry said his goal is eventually to welcome performers back “legally, safely and properly.”
“It’s really fun to see someone come up here for the first time, especially upstairs,” said Robert Perry, founder of Tattooed Mom. (Chelsea Lubbe/WHYY)
As Tattooed Mom approaches its 30th anniversary in April, Perry said the restrictions have underscored for him how much the South Street bar means to its patrons and performers, some of whom have told him how strongly connected they feel to the space.
“I’ve learned how much I value and love our creative community, and how grateful I am to them for being so kind, supportive, understanding, patient and creative about the ways they’ve pivoted through this,” Perry said.
For now, Perry said he is prepared to wait until he better understands the city’s requirements.
“I’m a patient person, and I’m in it to do it right,” he said. “And once I have more clarity around that, I’ll be able to pursue those things.”