The Rockwell nightclub in Fells Point to close this summer

Bryan Burkert considers it “amazing” that his club, The Rockwell, has stood for 15 years — long enough to see its original crowd age out and those who were in elementary school when they opened hit their dance floors.

The time has come, though, for the Rockwell’s last dance. The popular nightclub will close on June 7, Burkert said in a post on social media Monday. Noted as a “modern rock tavern,” the Rockwell was known for karaoke nights, major weekend parties and a happy hour that lasted until 10 p.m. every night they’re open.

The best thing about the Rockwell, Burkert said, were the many people who attended the Fells Point club over the years. Though he and his partner, Scott Chmielewski, created the location, the people are what have driven it to be a mainstay in Baltimore nightlife.

“I can build the venue and put up the artwork,” he said. “It’s the DJs and the culture that make the place.”

Burkert said the Rockwell has enjoyed partygoers mostly ages 21-30 and from all over the region and globe. Rockwell staffers have seen passports from as far as Australia and Japan, thanks in part to Burkert’s original partner, Jack Barakat, the guitarist of All Time Low, the Baltimore-based pop punk band with a global following.

The announcement Monday comes just after Burkert, who also owns the award-winning record store Soundgarden, opened Wonderland Baltimore, another nightclub also in Fells Point. The caption of the social post encourages people to “check out our new space” at Wonderland in the 1600 block of Aliceanna Street.

Burkert previously owned Fletcher’s, a live music venue in Fells Point that closed in 2009, and The Get Down, a dance club that closed in 2015. Fletcher’s and The Get Down were in the same building.

“Wonderland is not like a replacement for Rockwell, just like The Get Down wasn’t a replacement for Fletcher’s,” Burkert said.

The venue will feature two floors, Burkert said, one of which has already opened as a lounge.

For the Rockwell, though, Burkert said the focus will be on honoring the space, its thousands of parties and many, many memories. In the lead-up to closing day, the Rockwell will share photos from their more than a decade in operation.

Burkert said they’re already planning for a very special final weekend.

“We promise you that the celebrations we’re gonna throw over these next 60 days — culminating with June 5 and 6 — are going to be memorable and are going to honor this place,” he said in a post on social media.