Continental closing in 2018, building being demolished
Former music venue / current shots bar and East Village mainstay the Continental will close in August 2018 after 27 years on the corner of Bowery and St. Mark’s. The building will be knocked down for a new development. From the bar’s website:
It is with heavy heart that I have to inform everyone that Continental has less than a year left. Some time after the end of August 2018, this corner will be knocked down and developed. It’s truly heartbreaking that we and so many Old Skool places are falling by the wayside but unless you own your building that’s how it goes. For going on 27 years this Bar has been my life. First as a Rock Club and then as a Dive Bar and I’ve loved every minute of it (mostly speaking). Don’t hate my landlords. They’re older now, got a great deal and I can’t blame them and I want to thank them; Eddie, Ruth and Jack (RIP) for treating me like Family and always giving me an affordable rent and I also want to thank Jeff Bezos for not selling Beer. Special Thanks to my Staff- especially Noel and Bingo, the Bands, the Regulars and the rest of you lunatics for coming to my bar all these years! I’m grateful and honored that we’re part of NYC Rock History and I’m also very proud of this incarnation, what I call a Classy, Dive Bar. When I was bartending my way through college- this was my Dream and it happened! I will always be so deeply grateful for this experience…Trigger P.S. if we’re very, very busy for the remainder, it’s possible that we’ll have the funds to relocate!!! P.P.S. to the haters, trollers and people we denied entry to (let me guess- you’ve never owned or managed a bar)- get a life. A busy, centrally located, bar without a Door Policy will soon devolve into chaos, violence and things disappearing. At the Community Board & Precinct meetings, Continental was never in the conversations re underage drinking, bar fights or pocketbook, cell phone or any other common bar theft. Our door policy was strictly about dress code and vibe code. That’s it. And I’m absolutely certain that we denied entry to more intoxicated, caucasian, bro types than any other group or race. P.P.P.S. While it’s true that we’re not closing next week, time flies, so make sure you stop by before we’re done!
Continental hasn’t had live music since 2006 but was once home to Joey Ramone’s annual birthday bash and tons of punk and metal shows. Continental’s marquee will be missed from the East Village corner, as will the always familiar site of owner Trigger’s pointy hat.
HiFi Bar (formerly Brownies) closed at the end of October.
