8 famous music venues that have closed forever

Ever wondered what happened to the famous music venues of the past? Once the pinnacle of culture, today many music venues struggle to keep afloat especially with so many different entertainment options available. Long gone are the days of disco nightclubs and New York punk slam dancing. Here are 8 iconic music venues that have closed forever!

Why have so many music venues shut down?

Throughout the 20th and 21st century music consumption has changed a lot, especially due to constant changes in technology and music fruition. During the 70’s and 80’s people in big cities such as London, New York and L.A would be out in nightclubs and music venues to listen to their favorite acts.

Going out to a music venue was also a great way of discovering new artists!

However, music tastes have changed and this has brought many challenges to music venue owners. Also, Covid-19 hit the industry very hard and some of the venues have, unfortunately, never recovered.

Operating a profitable music venue is extremely difficult. Taking into consideration how more young people (Gen-Z) prefer staying indoors using streaming services such as Spotify, YouTube or other to listen and discover new music.

Nonetheless, we think it is important to remember these legendary music venues that have seen the rise and fall of so many music artists!

1. Earls Court Exhibition Centre (1937-2014)

If you saw a gig in London before 2010, you likely visited the Earls Court Exhibition Centre. Located in Earls Court, West London, it was an iconic venue.

With a capacity of 20,000 people, it was London’s premier exhibition venue for decades. It hosted events like the Brit Awards until 2010, the 1948 and 2012 Olympics, and numerous opera productions and pop concerts.

Many acts performed here, including David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Muse, Genesis, Justin Timberlake, Pink Floyd, and the Spice Girls.

However, there were some incidents too. On October 12, 1984, during Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a seating section collapsed, injuring 90 people.

The venue shut down in December 2014 and was demolished in 2015. A 2023 Evening Standard report states the site will become an £8 billion green neighborhood with a large urban park.

2. CBGB – East Village, Manhattan (1973-2006)

When you think of CBGB’s you probably think of punk rock and new wave. Nonetheless, the acronym CBGB stands for Country, Bluegrass, Blues which was the owner’s (Hilly Kristal) main vision for the club.

This venue had been a true icon of New York in the 70s and 80s and also expanded its business in the late 80s with the infamous “CBGB Record Canteen“. The latter was also an art gallery and during the 90s became the “CB’s 313 Gallery“.

Whilst the original CBGB had seen acts such as Ramones, Patti Smith, Madonna, Talking Heads, Agnostic Front, Murphy’s Law; the newer venue was dedicated to a more delicate type of music.

Regardless of its status in New York and also worldwide, following accusations of unpaid rent from the owners, this venue shut down on 15th of October 2006.

A notable mention is Patti Smith’s closing gig with a 3 1/2 hour set! A very punk way of saying goodbye to the beloved CBGB.

3. The Roxy – Chelsea, Manhattan (1978-2008)

The Roxy starting out as a game when the owners hosted private parties in the venue. Popularity rose quickly and what was once a “roller skating rink” became an iconic “New York Night Club“.

This night club was a true melting pot. You could hear early hip hop, electro, funk, soul, disco, rock, punk, dub and electronic dance music.

Also famous for its “dance floor tests” by artists & producers, many would come here to test their records and listen to it on the actual dance floor.

The venue closed for good in March 2007 albeit rumours of reopening for its community around 2008.

However, as of 2017 the building is undergoing demolition to make way for high-end residential condominiums.

Who played at the Roxy? The Beastie Boys, Yello, Dead or Alive, Cher, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Bette Midler, Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Cyndi Lauper.

4. The Hurrah – Lincoln Square, Manhattan (1976-1981)

This short lived venue was the first dance club to feature punk, new wave and industrial music. It was also nicknamed “the rock disco” and pioneered the use of music videos in nightclubs, just before MTV was a big thing. For a matter of fact, David Bowie’s video for Fashion was shot at the Hurrah.

Apart from being an important venue in shaping music videos, it was also famous for an incident in 1978 during a Skafish gig. Sid Vicious got into a fight with Todd Smith (brother of Patti Smith), resulting in the incarceration of Vicious for two months in Rikers Island.

5. London Astoria (1976-2009)

The London Astoria, located at 157 Charing Cross Road, operated as a music venue from 1976 to 2009.

Originally a 1920s warehouse, it later became a cinema and ballroom. In the 1970s, it was converted into a theatre. By the mid-1980s, the Astoria had transformed into a nightclub and live music venue, hosting renowned musical acts. The surrounding area also featured several clubs and smaller music venues.

In 2009, the Astoria closed and was demolished for the Crossrail project. Despite its closure, it remains an iconic venue, instrumental in launching many British rock bands’ careers.

In 2012, Nimax Theatres received approval to build a new in-the-round theatre adjacent to the Astoria site. Construction was delayed by the Crossrail project. The venue was set to open in November 2021 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new theatre, @sohoplace, opened in October 2022. It is the first newly built West End theatre in 50 years and seats 602.

6. Moles – Bath (1977-2023)

Maybe not as iconic as the other venues mentioned so far but still as important. The Moles in Bath has shut down recently due to insolvency in December 2023.

The perfect location for indie music lovers in the last decade but also an important player during the 80s and 90s.

Moles Nightclub shared its stage with acts such as: Oasis, Ed Sheeran, The Killers, Radiohead, The Cure, King Crimson, Eurythmics, and Supergrass. The list can go on and on.

When The Cure first played played at the venue, the club did not have a stage, and the toilets were located behind the band.

After the venue’s closure, an application was made to Bath and North East Somerset Council for Moles to be given Asset of Community Value status.

This would allow the venue to be protected in the event the building was sold, however, in April 2024 the Council voted against this…

7. Fac 51 Haçienda – Manchester (1982-1997)

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