Legendary Jazz Landmark Lenox Lounge will shut its doors forever New Year’s Eve, says longtime owner Alvin Reed. The cool Art Deco cabaret has been open since 1942 and has hosted a Who’s Who of musical icons such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Billie Holiday.
Reed who’s owned the bar since 1988, says the exceedingly high rent –$20,000, double what he has been paying–has forced him to give up the lease.
Richard Notar, a managing partner at Nobu Restaurants is set to take over the space after the new year. Notar told The New York Times he hopes to keep the bar as “an old watering hole” with live music, but it’s unclear if he will work out a deal with Reed to continue using the Lenox Lounge name.
Looks like Richie Notar is heading to harlem. The Nobu guru is planning to take over and restore Harlem’s historic Lenox Lounge. http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/lenox_lounge_call_it_comeback_pVExfzqq9ai1PpatiHTzbJ
Oh really, Red Rooster you mean? Hadn’t hear that yet we heard some Robert Dinero rumors. Would be great if they could preserve it somehow… the bar, the name.
I heard The Red Root might be buying it. Also there are other people I know who might be interested…