B Side Ballroom Strikes a Chord in Heart of Oneonta’s Music Scene

By JOSHUA YOUNGQUISTSUNY Institute for Local NewsONEONTA

Tucked into a downtown plaza that once housed the General Clinton Pub, the B Side Ballroom and Supper Club has become one of Oneonta’s most enduring cultural spaces. More than a restaurant or nightlife stop, the venue has established itself as a cornerstone of the local music and performing arts scene—one that brings together longtime residents, area college students and regional musicians in a shared, intimate setting.

Since opening more than a decade ago, the B Side has earned a reputation for thoughtful programming, close-up performances and a listening-first atmosphere that sets it apart from other venues in the region. Its presence downtown has helped sustain live music in Oneonta through shifting economic conditions, changing audiences and the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The venue emerged from a transitional moment for owners Wayne and Rebecca Carrington. Around 2011, the couple was balancing family life and professional careers while feeling pulled back toward music. At the same time, the General Clinton Pub had closed, leaving behind a vacant space in the shopping center located below Main Street at Chestnut and Market streets.

Rebecca Carrington’s uncle, who owned the plaza, suggested they consider reopening it.

“Gravity,” said Wayne Carrington. “We came from various musical backgrounds that had morphed into responsible corporate pursuits, and then we found ourselves at an inflection point around 2011. We resisted the life-long urge to build an intimate music venue as long as we could, and the rest is history.”