UPDATE, August 21: Koto’s live music offerings launched in late July, later than originally predicted. Two of the three stages detailed here are currently in use; read the full update and get a look at Koto’s interior here.
Witch City, meet Mill City.
This winter, Koto will cast a spell well beyond Salem, as the hybrid music venue and Asian fusion restaurant opens a new location in Lowell. Located at 76 Merrimack St. in the heart of the city’s downtown, Koto’s second locale will offer a familiar combination of live music and libations — times three.
The new space spans three stories, each of which is outfitted for live music. The result is a veritable triple decker of entertainment that will burst with metal, punk, folk, and techno starting this February. The restaurant portion of Koto Lowell will open first, with shows starting a few weeks afterwards. Both components of the new establishment should be operational by the end of February.
The search for Koto’s newest outpost began in the Haverhill and Seabrook areas, but pivoted to Lowell when the spacious property on Merrimack Street became available. Koto’s owners Leo Liu and Annie Lin purchased the property last January, and have since updated the flooring, lighting, plumbing, and paint, reinvigorating the space after its prior identity as Bar 74.
“I told them that’s a great spot for food and music these days, so they chose to take it,” says Janeé Cicero, booking agent for both Koto locations.
The building’s multi-floor footprint means it boasts a far larger capacity than its Salem counterpart; the original Koto can accommodate 150 people, while the new Lowell location can host 500 people across all three stories.
Cicero likens the first level to Koto’s home base Salem, noting similarities in style and size (168 people capacity). “The dark reds and blacks [of the room] give it that same cozy vibe that everyone loves about the Salem location for dining,” she notes.
The ground floor is also the only level to offer both food and live music, although much like Koto in Salem, shows will not begin until after dinner service. Upstairs, Cicero plans to use the second floor’s stage for larger acts, festival performances, and public rentals, while the third floor will be used exclusively for DJs.
“All three floors can be utilized at the same time, which is really fantastic,” Cicero shares. “I can even put on some all-ages shows during the day, which is something I’ve wanted to be able to do for a while now.”
Cicero says metal, punk, and goth shows will be in heavy rotation — much like in Salem — but confirms that karaoke and other genres will be in the mix, partially to cater to Lowell’s student population. (Sections of UMass Lowell’s campus are a mere half mile away).
“I will also be branching out to other genres like jam bands and folk since I see that seems to do well in that area with all the festivals and college students,” she explains. “With regards to DJs, I’ve already booked some EDM/techno/house style music. I’m hoping to find more DJs in that area to branch out and have some themed nights like we do in Salem.”
As for the menu in Lowell — despite being a “smidge smaller” in terms of offerings, expect most of the same Chinese, Japanese, and Thai dishes that have entranced Salem visitors for years.
“From a food and music standpoint, we have always taken pride in being a part of the local community in Salem and we plan to extend that into Lowell and surrounding cities,” Cicero concludes. “We can’t wait see where this goes.”