After Nearly 20 Years, Greenwich Village Is Getting a New Music Venue

The team behind Café Wha?, Groove and Village Presents is set to open a 200-capacity music venue called Bleecker Bell in Greenwich Village this fall.

Why it matters:

• Bleecker Bell will be the Village’s first new music club in nearly 20 years.

• It’s the newest addition to the Wha Entertainment stable, which includes clubs Café Wha? and Groove, and will connect with Wha Entertainment’s concert promotion arm, Village Presents.

Venue specifics:

• Located at 163 Bleecker St., the venue will feature state-of-the-art sound, lighting and acoustics.

• It will host intimate curated performances from emerging and established artists spanning folk, Americana, jazz and rock.

The team:

• Bleecker Bell’s operative team includes Principals Rani Marom, Ofer Cohen, and Nir Liwnat, who were introduced to the business through management and operations roles at the former B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square and The Blue Note.

• Co-Principal Benjamin Chuchinsky brings his expertise as Managing Director of Café Wha Entertainment and band leader of the Café Wha? House Band.

• Director of Musical Operations Hap Pardo has worked with a broad array of artists, including Van Halen, Elton John, Sabrina Carpenter, and Jon Batiste.

• Drew Hart is the Booker & Talent Buyer.

• Andi Kausch serves as Graphic Designer & Marketing Specialist.

What they said:

• Rani Marom: “While creating Bleecker Bell, we’ve been deeply inspired by the musical and cultural impact of Greenwich Village across decades. Since 1958, the legendary Café Wha? alone has hosted Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Allen Ginsberg, with Bleecker St becoming the place to discover new artists. We’re excited to reintroduce that joy and power of intimate live music to new audiences.”