Music Venue

CBGB

Legendary New York punk club (1973-2006) that launched the Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, and Talking Heads. Now a festival brand with CBGB Festival returning in 2026.

New York, USA

350 capacity

Est. 1973

Visit Website

Music Genres

punknew-wavealternativeunderground

About CBGB

Legendary New York punk club (1973-2006) that launched the Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, and Talking Heads. Now a festival brand with CBGB Festival returning in 2026.

Interested in CBGB?

Visit the official website for event schedules, ticket information, and venue details.

View Events

CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery in Manhattan's East Village, opened in 1973 by Hilly Kristal and closed in 2006. Originally intended for country, bluegrass, and blues, it became the birthplace of American punk rock and new wave, launching the Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, and Television. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

History and Legacy

Hilly Kristal opened CBGB on December 10, 1973, at the site of his former bar, Hilly's on the Bowery. The full name CBGB & OMFUG stood for "Country, Bluegrass, Blues, and Other Music For Uplifting Gourmandizers." Kristal's original vision gave way when Television played the venue in March 1974 for one dollar. Soon after, the Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith Group, Talking Heads, and the Dead Boys became regulars.

Kristal had two rules: bands had to move their own equipment and play mostly original material. This policy attracted artists who could not get booked at cover-band clubs. By 1978, Elvis Costello opened shows at CBGB, and the Police played their first American gigs there.

In the 1980s, CBGB became the center of New York's hardcore punk scene. Sunday matinee shows featured Agnostic Front, Bad Brains, Beastie Boys, Cro-Mags, Murphy's Law, and Gorilla Biscuits. Kristal suspended hardcore bookings in 1990 due to violence but brought them back periodically.

A rent dispute with the Bowery Residents' Committee led to CBGB's closure. Patti Smith played the final show on October 15, 2006, performing for three and a half hours and closing with "Elegie," reading a list of punk musicians who had died. The original awning is now displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The physical space became a clothing boutique.

CBGB Festival

The CBGB brand was revived with the CBGB Festival. The inaugural edition in 2025 celebrated the club's 50th anniversary at Under the K Bridge Park in Brooklyn, headlined by Iggy Pop and Jack White, with nearly 10,000 attendees. The 2026 CBGB Festival is set for September 26 at the same venue, featuring Morrissey, Patti Smith, Interpol, Sex Pistols (Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock) with Frank Carter, Bikini Kill, Buzzcocks, and Sleater-Kinney. The Prodigy will kick off the weekend on Friday night.

The festival recreates the CBGB experience with installations including the original bar and stage from the club, plus Hilly's office assembled in the VIP area.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

CBGB's legacy proves that a small, unglamorous venue can change the course of music history. Kristal's policy of booking original material created a platform for artists who were rejected elsewhere. The club's story is a reminder that independent artists should seek out venues that match their aesthetic, not just the biggest rooms available.

For artists booking shows today, the lesson is to build a scene around a specific venue or community. Play regularly, develop your live show, and connect with other artists on the bill. Use our tour revenue calculator to plan the financial side of your live performances, and read our guide to booking your first tour for a practical framework.