New live music venue
VIENNA – Owner Paul Harton plans to offer big city entertainment at RadioActive, his new bar and concert venue at 102 12th St.
With the music-themed bar, Harton wants to bring live music back to the Parkersburg and Vienna area.
From the bar’s stage, the venue will offer rock, country, folk and dance music. The adjoining 10,000-square-foot concert venue can be used for national acts and other activities.
Brooklyn Ewing of Parkersburg, marketing specialist, said plans call for RadioActive to eventually add art shows, and possibly skateboarding demonstrations, to the music, food and drink at the business.
“We want to bring creativity to one space,” she said. “We want to bring pieces of the community together.”
RadioActive wants to feature the abundant local musical talent, Ewing said. “We want to promote the local music scene,” she said.
It will be a safe environment for all ages, Harton promises. Security will be one of the top priorities at all events, he said.
Chef Barry Jones will be providing food specials and food from scratch – all fresh – for lunch and dinner, Harton said. He mentioned serving a burger inside a doughnut from JR’s Donut Castle and having a “bacon night.”
Why the name RadioActive?
“It has a catchy and young sound,” said Harton, a 1998 graduate of Parkersburg High School.
Harton is considering providing shows for underage people. “There is nothing for those 18 to 20 years old to do,” he said.
A concert or a dance featuring a disc jockey could take place for youth on the concert venue side of the building away from the bar area, Harton said. This entertainment would have chaperones.
People could enjoy dinner and a movie or concert all at one location, Harton noted.
The bar is a roomy 5,000 square feet, with four pool tables available and a karaoke night.
Rock bands Betrayed, Torn in Two and Dino Drive will be featured in concert in the bar at RadioActive on May 21.
The location formerly housed Yellowbeards Tavern and is adjacent to Cheddar’s, off Grand Central Avenue along the Ohio River.
“We want to offer a positive, fun experience,” Ewing said.
This story originally appeared in the Parkersburg News & Sentinel in May.