The Bitter End

147 Bleecker St. · btwn Thompson St. & LaGuardia Place
Greenwich Village, Manhattan

In 2026

Still pouring

Checked October 16, 2026.

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Overview

Books up and coming talent for short sets at a high cover and then relies on the musicians to fill the house with friends and family. It's a good business. Every hour the place empties and a whole new group comes in paying a brand new cover.

History

Started as a coffee shop, stayed for the music

The Bitter End began in 1961 as a coffee shop opened by the impresario Fred Weintraub¹. Since then, in Village Preservation's words, it has remained a vital, iconic music club¹.

Weintraub hired Paul Colby and Kenny Gorka from the band The Critters to help run it, until he moved on in 1970¹. Colby's run ended in 2014, Gorka's in 2015, and Paul Rizzo took over¹.

When we listed it, every hour brought a new set, a new crowd and a new cover. It's still at 147 Bleecker Street, still booking shows^{2, 3}.

Sources

Researched October 2026.

What's nearby

Terra Blues under 0.1 mi Still pouring
Peculier Pub under 0.1 mi Still pouring
Wicked Willy's under 0.1 mi Still pouring
Red Lion under 0.1 mi Still pouring
Back Fence under 0.1 mi Closed
Horus Lounge under 0.1 mi No license found in 2026
Le Poisson Rouge under 0.1 mi Still pouring
Society under 0.1 mi No license found in 2026
Falucka 0.1 mi Closed
Kenny's Castaways 0.1 mi Closed; now Carroll Place