OPEN BARS (2)
The Bitter End
🇺🇸New York, United States
The oldest continuously operating rock and roll club in New York City, having opened its doors in 1961. Founded by Fred Weintraub, the club began as a coffeehouse during the height of the Greenwich Village folk boom. A pivotal moment in its history involves Weintraub personally chipping away the crumbling plaster of the interior to reveal the red brick wall underneath—this wall became the venue's visual signature, the iconic backdrop for thousands of performances and album covers over six decades.
The Troubadour
🇺🇸Los Angeles, United States
Opened in 1957 by Doug Weston, The Troubadour functioned as a community center for the Laurel Canyon folk-rock set. It was famously the place where The Eagles' Don Henley and Glenn Frey first met at the bar, leading to the formation of one of the best-selling bands in history.
CLOSED BARS (3)
The Main Point
🇺🇸Philadelphia, United States
A suburban folk club with national renown, The Main Point hosted both folk luminaries and rock/folk rock acts. The venue is remembered for intimate performances by legends like Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne before its closure.
The 2nd Fret
🇺🇸Philadelphia, United States
The city's premier folk club in the 1960s, The 2nd Fret also welcomed folk rock pioneers like James Taylor and Joni Mitchell before experimenting with rock acts—though it remained best known for folk.
The Bottom Line
🇺🇸New York, United States
A celebrated showcase club in Greenwich Village on the NYU campus. The Bottom Line became known for its high-quality sound and for hosting legendary performances, especially by singer-songwriters and rock acts on the rise. Seating ~400, it had a cabaret-style table setup.