BELLINGHAM - A longtime bar known for its live music is closing this weekend.

The Fairhaven Pub and Martini Bar at 1114 Harris Ave. will have its final events Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19-20, said Brian Tines, owner of the pub for the past 10 years. Tines said he made the decision to close earlier in the week. He had been trying to sell the pub in the last six months but said he wasn't pressured to close.

"It has been slow the past one-and-a-half years, but it was particularly slow this summer," said Tines, adding that he wanted to focus on the three other establishments he operates: Main Street Bar & Grill in Ferndale, The Royal in Bellingham and The Big Fat Fish Co. in Fairhaven.

For Bellingham, it means the closure of yet another live music venue. Aeden Hunter, who plays for SpaceBand, said the Fairhaven Pub was a great venue and called it "an end to an era."

SpaceBand, which has played at the Fairhaven bar for seven years, will be the last live band at the pub when it plays Saturday night. Hunter said he's noticed a decline in the number of people going out to live music events in the past two years.

"I think it has to do more with the economy on why we're seeing less people," said Hunter, whose group covers a wide range of music, from old-school dance covers to new classics. Hunter said the band will seek out other Bellingham venues to play.

Tines also believes the economy has hurt the live music scene.

"It's been challenging: People don't want to pay the cover charge that comes with great bands," Tines said.

The Fairhaven Pub will remain for sale after it closes. Tines has had some interest from potential buyers and said one was close but wasn't finalized.

"It's a fun club and I have a lot of good memories, but it was time," Tines said.

For the final two days, the pub is open from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. For details, visit fairhavenpub.com.