Known as the undisputed birthplace of punk rock, CBGB and OMFUG was a spot beloved by the Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Misfits, Television, Patti Smith Group, The Dead Boys, The Dictators, The Cramps, and Joan Jett, just to name a few.
It was founded in the Bowery in 1973 by Hilly Kristal, who cooked his special chili next door at the CBGB Record Canteen, along with his pet rat.
The chili may or may not have included everything from human waste to cigarette ashes, but people came for the music, not the food.
In the 90's, CBGB was closely associated with bands like Sum41, Korn, Green Day, and Guns n Roses.
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The unique club closed in 2006 with its final concert an absolutely epic performance by Patti Smith. Hilly Kristal passed away the following year.
In 2010, CBGB launched a radio station on the iheartradio platform, as well as a music festival that was (as of 2012) the largest music festival in NYC.
Though its former location was added to the National Register of Historic Places, its name will now hang above a semi-swanky restaurant in Newark Airport (of all places).
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CBGB's trademarks were assigned to a holding company, who is responsible for the restaurant opening in Newark Airport.
Unfortunately, this new spot will besmirch the name and memory of CBGB with menu items including $9 deviled eggs and a $11.50 wedge salad which seem pretty much as far away from punk rock as you can get.
Rumor has it, the restaurant may open by the end of the year, but good luck getting truly excited about a restaurant opening in Newark Airport.
Check out 7 Best New NYC Restaurants of 2015.
[via Gothamist] [Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]