CBGB's was a live music club on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I am sure you have seen countless people wear the shirts "CBGB OMFUG"... although half those tool boxes have never even been to the venue. Unfortunately after a long run they closed the doors in October 2006. TONS of bands got their start at CB's and I am sure some can thank their careers for the place. The Ramones being prob the biggest had their first few shows on the CB's stage. I went to only a handful of shows at CB's but the small quarters always gave an intimate feel with you and the band. You were always up close and in the middle of action. I saw Unearth there for the first time and it was a show I will never forget. Growing up in Bayside/Douglaston/Little Neck area most of my friends were in local bands. They also had shows there... usually on a mid weekday and we were a few of the only people in the place. The big draw bands would usually play on other nights, but we were just psyched that they were playing on the stage where past legends plugged in.


CB's is now home to clothing designer John Varvato. If $3,999 jackets and $200 3/4 sleeve tshirts are up your alley head on in for some purchases. If you are like me you can treat the place as a shrine to what it once was. Even though its a huge shame the no one stepped up to keep CB's around whoever designed the store did a good job.

They paid attention to detail keeping parts of the walls preserved behind glass. The walls used to be completely covered in stickers and flyers for future shows. Layers upon layers of paper and plastic covered every inch of the place and its a nice touch to keep some of it still up. Luckily one of the areas they decided to keep has a Manmade sticker behind the glass. As long as this store is in business the memory of CB's will still be around. Lots of band memorabilia and photos are on the display making it almost like a mini museum. I recommend checking it out if you are in the area.

THEN....


NOW....