Times Square Venue B.B. King Blues Club To Close After 18 Years

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A Times Square concert venue that drew big name-musicians is closing down after 18 years of business, owners said in a statement posted to Facebook.

B.B. King Blues Club & Grill will host its last performance on April 29, owners said in a statement. The venue — which has hosted performers such as Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Jay Z and James Brown since its opening in 2000 — is being forced out of is West 42nd Street location due to "escalating rents," ownership said in a statement.

"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share that after 18 wonderful years bringing you live performances by some of the most talented names in music and entertainment, we have announced our final run of shows in the current Times Square location. As a result of escalating rent, we are being forced to close our doors at the end of April," a statement posted to the business' Facebook page reads.

Venue ownership announced that a special closing week concert series will be held the last week of April that will feature shows by Rick Ross (4/23), Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh (4/25), El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico (4/26), George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (4/28) and Buddy Guy (4/29).

Shows that were planned for after April 29 will be hosted at different music venues throughout the city, B.B. King's owners said in a statement. Lucille's Grill, which is located inside the venue, will remain open until April 29. The club is currently searching for a new location in Manhattan.

"We look forward to celebrating the past and looking toward the future with you all. Your patronage means the world to us and we cannot thank you enough," a statement on the venue's Facebook page reads.

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