CLUB SCENE Out with the Jim’s, in with the Blue BY JASON BASINER

If no one ever told you about Jim’s, the little nightclub at 650a Congress Street, you probably didn’t even know it existed. But for about seven months it did, and it was undoubtedly one of the coolest places in town. You could just walk in, sit down, eat a slice of great pizza, have a beer, and watch some of Portland’s finest musicians play in an environment as intimate as your own living room.

Twice a day, musicians ranging from still-inexperienced solo artists to seasoned bands like Red Light Review set up their gear and played their hearts out for nothing outside of what was gathered in tips from an old gray hat.

"Jim’s has always been a place for musicians," says 56-year-old founder Jim Peterson, who has been running similar nightclubs under the same name since the Old Port had a mere three bars. "No one was in it for the bread. The bands made Jim’s, not me."

Today Peterson speaks of Jim’s in the past tense. In February, the club closed due to problematic investor relations and his own desire to return to producing films.

Now meet Barry Martin, a long-time social worker, big fan of the old Jim’s, huge local music supporter, and now the new owner of the defunct Jim’s, now called Blue.

"I remember going to Jim’s, and every time I left I told him what a terrific club he had, and that he had to keep it open," says Martin. "That was one of my motivations when the opportunity came around to buy the place."

Martin wants to keep the paramount themes of Jim’s the same. Blue, which will open April 29, will serve pizza, beer, and wine. Blue will also have nightly local music acts that will play for customer tips. But Martin also wants to move it forward with additions like a television, a performance stage, sales of local artist CDs and artwork, and even the addition of a coffee and desert menu.

"I want this place to really support local artists and musicians," says Martin, who admits Blue will mark one of the biggest changes of his life. "It will be challenging to bring an identity to the place."

Indeed, but there’s one thing for sure: When Jim’s collapsed, a lot of musicians lost a great gig; looks like they’ll be getting it back.