01Introduction
The greatest rock venues rarely survive. They occupy neglected districts during periods of urban decay, incubate scenes that transform culture, and then fall victim to the gentrification they helped create. Rising rents, noise complaints from new residents, and changing economics conspire to close the very spaces where musical revolutions were born.
But the buildings often remain. The addresses still exist. And for the devoted rock pilgrim, standing where The Ramones first played, or where The Doors were fired, or where punk exploded into public consciousness carries a weight that no museum exhibit can replicate. This guide maps the sacred sites of closed venues—what's there now, what to look for, and how to pay proper respects.
The Gentrification Cycle
02New York City
CBGB — Ground Zero of American Punk
315 Bowery, Manhattan | Closed October 2006
CBGB (Country, Bluegrass, Blues) is perhaps the most paradoxically influential venue in music history. Hilly Kristal opened it in 1973 intending to showcase roots music, but his "original music only" policy—born from avoiding ASCAP fees—accidentally birthed American punk and new wave. The Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, Blondie, and Talking Heads all used CBGB as their laboratory.
The physical space was essential: a narrow, tunnel-like room in a flophouse building, walls layered with decades of flyers and graffiti, bathrooms legendary for their squalor. This aggressive neglect became punk's visual aesthetic.
What's There Now: John Varvatos boutique. The designer preserved some original graffiti behind glass cases, and the iconic CBGB awning remains displayed. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013 as part of the Bowery Historic District.
Pilgrimage Tips: The Varvatos store welcomes visitors interested in the history. Look for the preserved graffiti and ask staff about the venue's legacy. The exterior awning is the best photo opportunity.
The final concert was a 3.5-hour emotional exorcism. Patti Smith covered The Ramones and read the names of those who had passed.
Fillmore East — The Church of Rock and Roll
105 Second Avenue, East Village | Closed June 1971
If CBGB was the gutter from which punk emerged, the Fillmore East was the cathedral where rock ascended to high art. Bill Graham revolutionized the concert industry here, treating rock musicians as serious artists. The "triple bill" format educated audiences by placing blues, jazz, and rock side-by-side.
The Allman Brothers' At Fillmore East (1971) remains one of the finest live albums ever recorded. Jimi Hendrix recorded Band of Gypsys here on New Year's Day 1970.
What's There Now: The auditorium was demolished in 1996 for condominiums. Only the lobby remains (now a bank). A mosaic lamppost on Second Avenue identifies the corner as "Bill Graham Way."
Pilgrimage Tips: Find the "Bill Graham Way" sign at the corner. The bank lobby sometimes has historic photos displayed.
Max's Kansas City — Art Meets Punk
213 Park Avenue South | Closed 1981
Less a concert hall than a clubhouse for the New York underground. The front bar hosted abstract expressionists; the back room—bathed in red from a Dan Flavin light sculpture—was Andy Warhol's court. The Velvet Underground played their final shows with Lou Reed here in 1970. David Bowie met Iggy Pop here, altering both their trajectories.
What's There Now: The building has been converted to residential and commercial use. No markers or memorials.
Pilgrimage Tips: Worth a walk-by for context. The building exterior is unremarkable but the address carries history.
Mudd Club — No Wave's Living Room
77 White Street, TriBeCa | Closed 1983
The Mudd Club was ground zero for the No Wave movement and early 80s downtown scene. Jean-Michel Basquiat worked as a DJ here. The venue hosted early performances by Sonic Youth, DNA, and James Chance and the Contortions.
What's There Now: Luxury condominiums. A Creative Time plaque commemorates the site.
Pilgrimage Tips: Look for the commemorative plaque on the building exterior.
03Los Angeles
Armadillo World Headquarters — Austin's Temple
525 Barton Springs Road, Austin | Closed 1980 (Demolished)
The Armadillo (1970-1980) was the spiritual birthplace of Austin rock and the "cosmic cowboy" movement. This converted National Guard armory hosted Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, and The Ramones—mixing outlaw country with punk before anyone thought to call it "Americana."
The venue's legendary tolerance—naked hippies danced alongside rednecks without incident—defined Austin's "Keep Austin Weird" ethos.
What's There Now: Office development. A memorial plaque marks the site.
Pilgrimage Tips: The plaque is worth finding. Combine with a visit to Austin's surviving rock venues.
The Masque — LA Punk's Birthplace
1655 N. Cherokee Avenue, Hollywood | Closed 1978
The Masque was a basement venue that existed for only about a year (1977-1978) but defined LA punk. The Germs, X, The Weirdos, and The Screamers all played their earliest shows in this illegal space beneath a porno theater. When police shut it down, the scene scattered to the Whisky and other venues.
What's There Now: The building exists; the basement is not accessible. The Cherokee Avenue location is now part of Hollywood's tourist district.
Pilgrimage Tips: Walk-by only. Combine with Sunset Strip visits.
Gazzarri's — Glam Metal's Launch Pad
9039 Sunset Boulevard | Closed 1993 (Demolished)
Bill Gazzarri's club was "The Godfather of Rock and Roll"'s kingdom. In the 1980s, it was the epicenter of the glam metal explosion. Van Halen, Motley Crue, Guns N' Roses, and Poison all played pay-to-play showcases here, competing for record label attention.
What's There Now: The building was demolished. The Key Club occupied the site (also now closed). Currently various commercial uses.
Pilgrimage Tips: The Sunset Strip has historical markers. The Whisky and Roxy remain active nearby.
04London
The Marquee Club — British Rock's Crucible
90 Wardour Street, Soho | Closed 1996
The Marquee was the British equivalent of the Fillmore—a space that defined entire eras of music. The Rolling Stones played their first gig here on July 12, 1962. The Who held their legendary "Maximum R&B" Tuesday residency. Jimi Hendrix's 1967 showcase reset the hierarchy of the London music scene overnight.
The venue later became crucial for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), hosting Iron Maiden and Def Leppard before they ascended to arenas.
What's There Now: Various commercial uses. The original 90 Wardour Street location has no marker. A "new" Marquee opened at different locations but lacks the original's history.
Pilgrimage Tips: Walk Wardour Street for context. The 100 Club on nearby Oxford Street remains active and carries similar history.
The Roxy Club — Punk's 100 Days
41-43 Neal Street, Covent Garden | Closed 1977
The Roxy was London's first venue dedicated exclusively to punk. It existed for only about 100 nights (December 1976 - April 1977) but defined the subculture. The Clash headlined the opening on January 1, 1977. Don Letts, the resident DJ, played heavy dub reggae between fast punk sets—a fusion that fundamentally shaped The Clash, The Slits, and post-punk.
What's There Now: Retail shop in Covent Garden. No marker.
Pilgrimage Tips: The Neal Street location is now upscale shopping. Worth a walk-by when visiting Covent Garden.
The Astoria — Lost to Crossrail
157 Charing Cross Road | Demolished 2009
The 2,000-capacity Astoria (and its smaller sibling Mean Fiddler next door) was demolished for Crossrail development. Countless legendary shows happened in this converted theater. The loss still stings for London rock fans.
What's There Now: Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) development. The Tottenham Court Road station area.
Pilgrimage Tips: The area is unrecognizable. The 100 Club and other surviving venues carry the torch.
Hammersmith Palais — The Clash's Disillusionment
242 Shepherd's Bush Road | Demolished 2012
Immortalized by The Clash in "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais." Joe Strummer visited for an all-night reggae showcase in 1977, expecting "roots rock rebel" music. His disillusionment with the commercial performance inspired one of punk's most sophisticated lyrics.
What's There Now: Demolished. Residential development.
Pilgrimage Tips: The area has transformed completely. Listen to the song before visiting the site.
05Manchester & Berlin
The Hacienda — The Cathedral of Rave
11-13 Whitworth Street West, Manchester | Closed 1997
Financed by Factory Records and New Order, The Hacienda (FAC 51) opened in 1982 in a former yacht showroom. Designed by Ben Kelly, its industrial aesthetic—hazard stripes, bollards, high-tech materials—influenced nightclub design worldwide.
The Hacienda was the birthplace of the "Madchester" scene and the UK's Acid House explosion. But success was its undoing. Ecstasy meant patrons stopped buying alcohol; gang violence escalated; the club hemorrhaged money despite cultural dominance.
What's There Now: Demolished. Luxury apartments called "The Hacienda" occupy the site—a particularly cruel irony.
Pilgrimage Tips: The apartment building acknowledges the history with some design elements. The FAC 51 address is findable. Manchester's Northern Quarter has active venues carrying the spirit.
The Hacienda was the most important venue in the history of electronic dance music. Its success was its undoing.
Knaack Club — East Berlin's Legend
Greifswalder Strasse, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin | Closed 2010
One of East Berlin's most legendary venues, Knaack operated from the late 1950s through 2010. Under East German rule, it was one of the few places where rock could be played—carefully monitored, but tolerated. After the Wall fell, it became a vital indie and alternative venue. Closure came due to noise complaints from new residents—a fate that befell many post-reunification venues.
What's There Now: The building remains but is no longer a music venue.
Pilgrimage Tips: Walk by for context. SO36 and other Berlin venues remain active in Kreuzberg.
06Seattle & Pacific Northwest
OK Hotel — Where "Teen Spirit" Debuted
212 Alaskan Way South, Seattle | Closed 2001
The OK Hotel is where Nirvana first performed "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on April 17, 1991—months before it changed rock history. The venue was a crucial incubator for the Seattle scene, hosting early shows by many grunge bands in its basement performance space.
What's There Now: The building was severely damaged in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake and is now residential lofts called "OK Hotel Apartments."
Pilgrimage Tips: The building exterior is viewable. The Pioneer Square area has active venues including The Central Saloon.
The Vogue — Sub Pop Sundays
2018 First Avenue, Belltown, Seattle | Closed 1993
The Vogue hosted "Sub Pop Sundays"—the weekly showcase where Nirvana, Mudhoney, and Soundgarden built the label's roster. The venue's cramped space and low ceilings created the dense, loud sound that defined early grunge recordings.
What's There Now: Various commercial uses in Belltown.
Pilgrimage Tips: The Crocodile (relocated but active) carries the Seattle scene torch.
Satyricon — Portland's CBGB
125 NW 6th Avenue, Portland | Closed 2010
Satyricon was Portland's most important rock venue for over 25 years (1984-2010). Often called "the CBGB of the West Coast," it hosted every major Pacific Northwest band plus touring punk, metal, and alternative acts. The venue was famous for its anything-goes booking policy and gritty atmosphere.
What's There Now: The building has been redeveloped for housing.
Pilgrimage Tips: Portland's Crystal Ballroom (1332 W Burnside) remains active and hosted many grunge-era shows.
07Pilgrimage Tips
How to Visit Closed Venues
- Research before you go: Know what's there now. Some sites are unmarked; others have memorials or preserved elements.
- Bring context: Listen to live albums recorded at the venue. Read accounts of legendary shows. The physical space means more when you know its history.
- Be respectful: Many former venues are now residences or businesses. Don't trespass or disturb current occupants.
- Combine with active venues: Most cities with legendary closed venues also have active ones carrying the torch. A pilgrimage should include both.
The Pilgrimage Checklist
- ☐ CBGB (315 Bowery, NYC) — John Varvatos store, preserved graffiti
- ☐ Fillmore East (105 2nd Ave, NYC) — "Bill Graham Way" sign
- ☐ Max's Kansas City (213 Park Ave S) — Walk-by, no marker
- ☐ The Marquee (90 Wardour St, London) — Walk Wardour Street
- ☐ The Hacienda (Manchester) — Apartments with history nods
- ☐ OK Hotel (Seattle) — Apartments, exterior viewable
- ☐ Armadillo WHQ (Austin) — Memorial plaque
- ☐ The Masque (1655 Cherokee, LA) — Building exists, basement inaccessible
Supporting Living Venues
The best way to honor closed venues is to support the ones that remain. Every city that lost a legendary venue has active ones fighting the same battles against gentrification, rising rents, and noise complaints.
- NYC: Mercury Lounge, Bowery Ballroom carry the Lower East Side tradition
- London: The 100 Club, The Dublin Castle, The Windmill remain active
- LA: The Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy survive on Sunset Strip
- Seattle: The Crocodile and El Corazon (former Off Ramp) continue
- Berlin: SO36 has survived 45+ years in Kreuzberg
Pro Tip
Related Guides
Visit the cities where these venues once stood:
- NYC Rock Bars — CBGB's neighborhood today
- London Rock Bars — The 100 Club and survivors
- LA Rock Bars — Sunset Strip lives on
- Seattle & Grunge Venues — What remains of the scene
- Berlin Rock Bars — SO36 and Kreuzberg punk
- Austin Rock Bars — Armadillo's legacy