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The History of The Ritz In New York City, USA Venue

The Ritz is a music venue located at 119 East 11th Street in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Originally a German dance hall known as the Thalia Theatre, it was converted into a rock club in 1978 by Steve Paul, brother of Ramones drummer Marky Ramone.

The Ritz quickly became a popular venue for punk, new wave, and alternative rock bands, hosting shows by artists such as the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Bob Marley, U2, and R.E.M. In the 1980s, the Ritz also became known for its dance parties, which were attended by celebrities such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Andy Warhol.

In 1989, the Ritz was closed by the city after a riot broke out following a show by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The club remained closed for two years, before reopening in 1991 under new ownership. In the 1990s, the Ritz continued to host a variety of musical acts, including grunge bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam, as well as hip hop artists such as Nas and Jay-Z.

In 2007, the Ritz was sold to the Bowery Presents, a concert promotion company. The Bowery Presents renovated the club and reopened it in 2008. Since then, the Ritz has continued to host a variety of musical acts, including indie rock bands, electronic music artists, and hip hop artists.

The Ritz is a landmark in the New York City music scene and has played an important role in the development of punk, new wave, and alternative rock music. The club has also been a popular venue for dance parties and has been attended by many celebrities.

Here are some notable events that have taken place at the Ritz:

The Ritz is a historic music venue that has played an important role in the development of popular music. The club continues to be a popular venue for concerts, dance parties, and other events.

Bands That Played The Ritz In New York City, USA