Smithtown is home to Long Island's newest music venue

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The porch is officially open.

Live on the Porch, the long-awaited intimate music venue from Long Island musician Mike DelGuidice, officially opened last weekend at 602 Smithtown Bypass in Smithtown.

Greater Long Island stopped by just before the launch for a photo tour of the 4,000-square-foot space, which has been nearly a decade in the making for DelGuidice.

The venue, named after DelGuidice’s popular pandemic-era Facebook Live series, was designed to feel like an up-close, living-room-style music experience. It features 127 seats, a mezzanine overlooking the stage, an L-shaped bar and a secondary stage. DelGuidice previously told GLI the goal was to create a place where original music could take center stage on Long Island.

“There’s not going to be a bad seat,” DelGuidice told Greater Long Island during the buildout. “It’s so small that it’s going to be a really nice place for singer/songwriters and even national artists who want to come in and do their thing in a smaller fashion.”

DelGuidice, who fronts the Billy Joel tribute band Big Shot and has toured with Joel’s band since 2013, said the venue will focus heavily on original music, while still leaving room for cover acts, comedy and other live entertainment.

The space was built with music memorabilia, dramatic stage views and a fan-friendly layout that puts guests close to the performers from nearly every angle.

Now, after years of planning, construction and anticipation, DelGuidice’s dream venue is officially welcoming audiences inside.

Tap here to see the upcoming shows.

Check out GLI’s photo tour from inside Live on the Porch below.