BarFX Brings Contemporary Design to Industrial-Style Building

Classic feel of 90 Commercial St. accented by cutting-edge technology and modern interior

The idea was to create a premier nightclub, restaurant and bar experience in Worcester; the challenge was to find the right space, update the interior and bring in the best sound, lighting and special effects technology and equipment.

The first step was taken care of when the owners of BarFX found what they were looking for in 90 Commercial Street, located across from the DCU Center. With an industrial feel produced by brick walls, high ceilings and an abundance of large windows, the space provided the right foundation to build upon; now, visitors to the club can look forward to an exciting contrast between the industrial roots of the building and the progressive touches added by BarFX.

“The basic layout isn’t being changed, but we’re redecorating everything – it’s all about updating the look to be more modern,” said co-owner Mike Barrasso.

The redesign is an ongoing process as BarFX moves closer to its late November opening. The owners – Mike Barrasso, Paul Barrasso, Rich Hutchinson and Tim Bonito – are painting the walls and adding new carpeting and flooring while installing an array of sound, lighting and special effects technology and equipment.

The sound system relies on six massive EAW mid-cabins – top of the line speakers normally found in large concert venues – powered by racks of Crest and QSC amplifiers. In the special effects department, snow machines and a CO2 cold blast system will be employed.

In the realm of lighting, BarFX’s arsenal includes “Martin MAC” and “Clay Paky Sharpy” moving head fixtures, Diversatronic strobes, and Clay Paky Digiscans, all of which add up to the most potent light show in the region. Most importantly, co-owners Hutchinson and Bonito double as the owners of NV Concepts, a leader in bringing electronic dance music DJs to venues across the Northeast, which means they have their own cache of lighting and special effects equipment, and that equipment will be rotated through BarFX week by week.

“The lighting and special effects at BarFX are never going to get stale,” Hutchinson said. “It could change week to week, day to day.”

Currently putting the final touches on the space, BarFX hopes to open in late November.