On September 28, Syracuse Common Council unanimously voted to revoke the the Westcott Theater‘s special use permit, leaving the future of the venue uncertain. This decision follows several weeks of postponed votes, lawsuits, and meetings over safety and security concerns surrounding the venue.
City officials and Syracuse police cited a series of disturbances, including fights, a shooting near the venue in 2025, and a reported stabbing incident in August. Theater owner Dan Mastronardi has disputed some of the city’s claims and argued that the venue has not been treated fairly.
The council’s decision also came amid a separate legal challenge from the theater. On September 21, an Onondaga County State Supreme Court judge ruled that the city may have violated the Westcott’s first amendment rights in its closure of the venue last month.
Despite this legal development, the Common Council proceeded to revoke the Westcott Theater’s permit after reviewing evidence from city code enforcement and Syracuse police. The permit revocation prevents the Westcott Theater from continuing to operate as an indoor entertainment venue, putting future concerts and events at the longtime Syracuse music destination in question. Mastronardi has yet to comment on the vote.
The council has indicated that the next chapter could involve a new operator and a new permit. This focus on new ownership has raised some questions about the personal implications of this ruling. Not only has Mastronardi repeatedly claimed to have unfair treatment from the city, Attorney Michael Allen also says that the city has targeted other businesses in similar ways without giving enough time for business owners to solve their issues.
“They’re doing this around the city. They are closing businesses and they’re saying, Too bad, so sad, figure it out,” Allen said.
For Syracuse’s music community, the impact is significant. Promoters and members of the community have also raised concerns about the city’s alleged lack of support for Black owned businesses and events geared towards Black audiences. To some, this decision appears to be another example of the city’s suppression of the local music scene.
Since reopening as a live music venue in 2008, the Westcott Theater has become an established stop for touring artists, local acts, and independent events. Now, the venue might be facing permanent closure. Syracuse artists, promoters, and fans are waiting to see whether the Westcott’s nearly two decade run as a music venue has come to an end.
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