Overview
Relaxed and inexpensive jazz venue way off the beaten track.
History
Avant-jazz on Avenue C, eight bucks at the door
In 2007 one write-up counted Charles Gayle, Andrew Bemkey and Evans Thompson among the avant-jazz players 5C brought in, and said the cover never topped eight bucks1. When we listed it, we called it a relaxed and inexpensive jazz venue way off the beaten track.
Three Lower East Side social activists founded it in 1989 to provide an environment for education, activism and the performing arts2. From 1995 Bruce and Trudy Silver ran it at 68 Avenue C1.
After more than 30 years, 5C closed its doors3. While it was closing up, it was robbed of all its artwork, music equipment, kitchen appliances and rented equipment, and Trudy's beloved baby grand piano3.
Sources
Researched October 2026.