Overview
History
From the Village Gate to Y2K parties
From 1958 until 1994 the Village Gate nightclub occupied the building's lower floors1. About fourteen years after it shut, the space reopened in June 2008 under new ownership and a new name, Le Poisson Rouge2.
Co-owners David Handler and Justin Cantor consulted Art D'Lugoff, the Village Gate's former owner, on the art-cabaret vibe of the 1,100-capacity club2. It opened with 12,300 square feet, a full surround sound system and flexible seating2. When we listed it, we called it an upmarket alternative to Bleecker Street's many music dives.
In March 2026 the retail space at 156-168 Bleecker Street, leased to Le Poisson Rouge and CVS, sold for $21.3 million1. Nostalgia has moved on since the Village Gate days: on Friday, October 2, 2026, Le Poisson Rouge threw a Y2K Party with DJ Stef Nava3. It's still at 158 Bleecker Street4.
Sources
Researched October 2026.