rockshop1

new venue opening in Park Slope (where Cattyshack was)

The Rock Shop
The Rock Shop

“[Today], Michael Winsch of the Bowery Ballroom will give the bi-level space that once housed Cattyshack a butch makeover. He’s teaming up with Brian Harkenrider (a former Bowery manager) to open what you might or might not consider a sports bar — “we’re not necessarily going to call ourselves a sports bar,” says Harkenrider, “but we have a bunch of flat-screens.” Ten of them, to be exact. But sports won’t be the only focus here: With a new stage and soundboard intact, the first floor will eventually host the sort of live bands you’d expect to see at the Bowery Ballroom’s sister club, Mercury Lounge (the booker is Diane Perini, who’s also responsible for the just-announced lineup of the 2010 Siren Music Festival).

Upstairs, a bar will offer nightly $3 drink specials, and Cattyshack’s roof deck remains. In about a month, the Rock Shop will serve “simple bar food” (burgers, pizzas, panini, etc.) — until then, you can score grub across the street at another newcomer, Oaxaca.

The Rock Shop, 249 Fourth Ave.; 718-230-5740″
[New York Magazine]

The above photo is via NY Magazine who have more like it. As you can sort of see in the picture, the venue is next to a tire shop on 4th Ave. Cattyshack was seen as brave for venturing past 5th Ave which is the prettier and more foot-trafficked avenue with lots of shops and restaurants. Southpaw and Union Hall are both on 5th Ave. Of course, Littlefield and The Bell House are even braver – their locations are even further in the “middle of nowhere”.

“Bowery Presents” is a complicated company. Michael Winsch is one of two owners of Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge which are part of Bowery Presents. The Rock Shop will not be part of Bowery Presents. How they coordinate remains to be seen. In the meantime, check out some videos taken inside the space when it was Cattyshack (RIP), below….

Keith Porter @ ABHJ Labor Day Jam

James Vincent @ ABHJ Labor Day Jam

Drag King Cali @ Cattyshack

ciara @ cattyshack new york

switch n play @ cattyshack brooklyn, new york

“Barbarellaman” Live At The CattyShack

Kat Devlin “Both Hands” a cappella

‘F**k Her Gently’