July 08, 2006

CBGB to move earlier than planned, heads to Vegas

Halloween was supposed to be the final night of CBGB on the Bowery, but owner Hilly Kristal told MTV News he's in such a rush to move the legendary club to Las Vegas that he will start tearing up the interiors as early as September.

"I am taking the bars with me, I am taking the stage — I'm taking the urinal that Joey [Ramone] pissed in with me. I'm going to take a lot of things — anything that makes this place CBGB," he told MTV.

Hillel told MTV last call will come sometime in mid-October, but Billboard reported September 30 as the final night for CBGB in New York.

Last year after a back-rent battle, the lease-less club was ordered by a judge to vacate its premises at 315 Bowery, its location since 1973. An agreement was worked out between the club and landlord (a non-profit agency that houses the homeless in the building's upper floors,) that would let CBGB remain through October 2006 for a monthly rent of $35,000 rather than the $19,000 it had been paying.

"I have been looking for space in New York and the rent's $125,000 a month on Broadway," Kristal told MTV. He also pursued an Essex Street location but that failed as well.

Kristal said he would still like to open another CBGB in New York, but that's several years away. Three weeks ago he was diagnosed with lung cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy.

(Link found via LAist.)

Earlier: CBGB scoping out Times Square, East Village, Noho
CBGB's final night: Halloween 2006
CBGB negotiating for extra 10 months on Bowery
CBGB gets eviction notice but the bands play on
CBGB: "while we don’t have a lease, we are still open"
CBGB wins back-rent court fight, lease still expiring
CBGB's landlord is done negotiating
CBGB desperately seeking 'landmark status'
CBGB fundraiser: punk rock chocolates
CBGB owes $75,000 in back rent
Bad news for Luna Lounge, Fez, CBGB and Tonic

July 8, 2006 10:15 AM in Downtown, Drinkology, History, Sightsology

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