Banjo Jim’s is a bar located at Avenue C and 9th Street in the East Village which presents live music seven days a week. As of Thursday night (July 28th), on several places on the Banjo Jim’s website, you can read the following:
Banjo Jim’s is closing! The last day of concerts is Tuesday, Aug. 2nd
This is a story I’ve been quietly following for some time. The word out on the street this year was that the current owners of Banjo Jim’s were looking to sell the place. There have been meetings of Community Board 3 and its State Liquor Authority and Department of Consumer Affairs Licensing Committee much earlier this year where transfer of Banjo Jim’s liquor license has been discussed. On July 18, there was another Community Board SLA & DCA Licensing Committee meeting where the transfer of the license was recommended under the conditions that the new owners of the bar which will replace Banjo Jim’s agree that:
1) it will operate as a tavern lounge,
2) it will close any facade doors and windows at 10:00 P.M. every night or during any live music or DJ performance,
3) it will have recorded music and live music consisting of acoustic musicians amplified by a microphone only, and will not have promoted events or any event at which a cover fee will be charged, and
4) it will have DJs no more than twice a week.
Of course, what the third condition above means is that not only are electric guitars out, so are amplified acoustic guitars, the guitars which even acoustic acts use these days.
Whatever we end up doing it will be pretty low-key. We would always plan it for earlier than later and we aren’t getting any of the amplification equipment from Banjo’s. All we’re hoping to hang onto is the old piano.
The new bar is currently slated to be called The James Daniel.
There is a Celebrate Banjo Jim’s party with musicians to be announced scheduled for this Saturday, July 30 at 9pm. The last slot on the final day of August 2nd, 10pm, is currently blank.
This is terrible news. I was never disappointed at Banjo Jim’s: The acts were all excellent and Sean (wrong spelling) did a great job of managing every aspect of running the show. This is a serious loss for the LES and the music scene.