It’s where the unsigned make their mark
The Boneyard is one of the only places in Atlantic City with a regular schedule of independent, original, up-and-coming musicians from the surrounding region and across the country. It is a small, dark, stripped-down structure that’s filled with character since every weekend brings in different performers from across the musical spectrum, with plenty of punk rock and metal as well as reggae and some hip-hop. “We’ve almost become the hub for independent music in the area,” says Paul Brown, marketing and promotions manager at the bar.
Things get weird during the week
The weeknight schedule at The Boneyard is an exercise in eccentricity. It will change from week to week, but you can regularly expect open-mic and karaoke nights, or people playing video games and making sock puppets at the bar. Whatever it is they can imagine to keep the scene interesting, they will probably implement it. Best to check the bar’s Facebook or Twitter pages before going, or just show up with an open mind at any given time.
Come extra thirsty on Thursdays
One of the most wild nights at the bar is FML Thursdays, and in this case the last letter of that acronym stands for liver. Drink specials such as $2.50 Pabst Blue Ribbon and $3 well drinks get the crowds revved up for DJs playing high-energy house music. These are nights not to miss and certain to misremember.
They are frequently festive
Several times a year The Boneyard hosts major independent music festivals, bringing in long rosters of acts inside and on the small outside patio. The third annual Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival in August brought nearly 100 acts to the venue to perform original music along with comedy and poetry. Just this past weekend, the bar also hosted a benefit called “Revive The Shore” for which six different bands played to raise money and help the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort.
Even the beer’s independent
The taps at Boneyard started getting more eclectic lately with the additions of top-notch craft beers such as Allagash, Dogfish Head, Troegs and Yards among the tasty selections to draw beer lovers or anyone looking to try something different, which at this point you should realize is something they specialize in.
