Support York's DIY Music Revival
Donation protected
Live original music in York. LFG.
Ten years ago, FH Pappys started as a tiny punk venue in an alley in Royal Square District in Downtown York. Now, a decade later and armed with a lot of life experience and a all-star crew of passionate souls, we’re coming back to build a foundation for the DIY and all-ages music scene at 243 W Market st (Yes, the former Garage).
Who are we?
Rita and William Whitney
Tom Klimek
Cal Weary
Stay in touch:
Instagram: FHPappys
Discord: FHPappys
FB: F.H. Pappy’s
What’s Up:
We believe there are punks in every genre. It’s an attitude not just a sound. FH Pappy’s exists to create a comfortable and secure environment for folks of all ages to be themselves and access high quality shows locally.
York is a grassroots scene with a built-in music community that has been rocked by the loss of 2 small music venues in the last year. The ripple effect of this loss reaches up and down the east coast (not an exaggeration). The lack of a full-time music venue that is not primarily a bar or restaurant has left a void not only for our dedicated community of punks and metalheads, but for touring musicians in Central, PA and beyond who play shows in surrounding cities, but end up skipping over York for lack of a venue.
Our team has 3 main goals:
-Purchase the building at 243 W. Market St. so that the venue located within it can be secure for the long haul.
-Re-open the venue and create a safe and welcoming environment for live music in the region
-Work with the dedicated network of booking agents and promoters in the area to bolster the live music scene across all of York.
FH Pappys: What can you expect?
-Yes, we are keeping the sound guy, Garrett. We’d be idiots not to. Stop asking.
-Yes, the bar will operate the same way as the previous venue. Only open during scheduled shows and still the cheapest beer in town (more than $3 a can though, let’s be real)
-Better accessibility: safety first, comfortable for bodies of all abilities, etc.
-We plan to kick off shows with a focus on the bands who were previously lined up to play in 2025 but got canceled.
-Thursday-Sunday shows to start with a $10-$15 cover
-Food will be available anytime the bar is open, aiming for super easy grab-and-go type of stuff from the bar and the merch area so you don’t have to stand in a hallway to order food.
-Sweet locally made merch: collab with us, lets sell some cool weird, co-branded stuff.
-Other unique/fringe/wierd programming that supports the local art scene: York Fringe Festival performances, local film screenings, drag shows, punk flea markets
-Millennial Matinees. Some of us are old and want to see a show and drink a beer at 3pm and be home by 6. We got you.
-Pappy’s Unlisted, our Patreon. Let’s be honest, we need this venue to continue and if you can kick in a little extra to help us make sure that happens, we will be so grateful.
Money Stuff:
- We have to keep our monthly overhead as low as possible to make this work, so money from this fundraiser will partially go toward the down payment on the building. We are trying to put as much down as possible to keep the mortgage low.
- We are also trying to save up a 6 month runway of utilities and base expenses so we have a cushion to get this off the ground.
- No one is expecting to make money here. We are all volunteers with full-time jobs and will be relying on our community for volunteers at the door etc .
- The money you’re kicking in will also help accomplish the goals we have set based on feedback: AKA updates to clean up the bathrooms, use the space more efficiently, add storage and shelving for bands and equipment in the green room, refresh all the branding, signage, murals on the outside and inside of the building, etc.
This project is built by folks who just couldn’t allow York’s music scene to die. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who have talked with us and helped us bring this vision forward. The number one response any of us has gotten is “anything you need, just ask”.
So, help us buy this building and get reopened asap. Tell what you are looking for, what bands you love, which booking agents you work with, what you want to see this space be. If you’re from outside PA, let us know where you hail from!
If you’re willing to consider making a sizeable donation but want to vet us beyond what is here, reach out. We are also seeking folks who would be a good fit for sponsors at different levels. Let collaborate!
Organizer
Rita Whitney
Organizer
York, PA