Our goal is to bring smaller bands and local acts and re-create the scene that the Handlebar once had.”
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THE HANDLEBAR RETURNS Reviving a Local Music Landmark by Morgan Cole & Nicole Willis
If you grew up in Pensacola or lived in the area in the 80s or 90s, you more than likely remember the staple of the city’s underground music scene, The Handlebar. Whether you have only been once to see a big name perform as they passed through town, stopped in occasionally to catch a local band perform or were one of the regulars, you likely ended up staying for the good company, sometimescold beer and great music.
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The name “The Handlebar” most likely conjures up images of some sort of biker bar, and rightfully so, but the iconic Pensacola dive was a place for everyone. The truth is that the Handlebar served as a melting pot of styles and genre, with live music that included everything from heavy metal and punk rock, to pop, folk and even country. The stage of the iconic dive served as a platform for local up-and-coming artists and traveling bands alike. Several artists, now world-renowned, have played on The Handlebar stage during the start of their music career, including the likes
of Run-D.M.C., The Replacements and Suicidal Tendencies. Since The Handlebar opened its doors in 1983, it has served as a community gathering space for all types of crowds. For most of its life, the local dive was owned and operated by Pensacola-natives, Sue and Jimmy Lamar III. After the building caught fire in 2001, it eventually reopened, but ultimately closed its doors for good in November of 2018. When The Handlebar hit the market, it caught the attention of Kathy Sandstrom and her husband, Chris McKean who are now co-owners of the new space.
