55 Bar, Iconic West Village Jazz Club, Permanently Closes: Report

WEST VILLAGE, NY — The legendary West Village jazz club 55 Bar shuttered this week, according to posts on the club's Instagram and a news report from Gothamist.

The club's last call was on Monday when hundreds of musicians and regulars packed into the establishment at 55 Christopher St. to play one last set of music and celebrate the watering hole that had served the neighborhood since 1919.

The unassuming entrance to the bar is directly adjacent to the much more recognizable facade of the Stonewall Inn at 53 Christopher Street.

55 Bar did not make an official closing post on its social media or website, but did share multiple stories on its Instagram page of patrons sending their goodbyes to the West Village business.

“It’s a small place and COVID has had a big impact – a very big impact,” Scott Ellard, the club’s owner, told Gothamist about the reason for closing.

55 Bar created a GoFundMe in September that raised $60,000 of its $100,000 goal.

"We are so incredibly grateful for everyone's assistance and plan to post a final update shortly," Ellard wrote on Monday as an update to the fundraiser. "THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!"

In the end, though, it appears the funds were not enough to keep the jazz club running.

it is unclear at this time what Ellard plans to do with the money raised.

For those who are well versed in the jazz world, regulars at the club included Mike Stern, Leni Stern, Wayne Krantz, David Binney, Adam Rogers, Henry Hey, Keith Carlock, Tim Lefebvre, KJ Denhert, Sweet Georgia Brown, Tessa Souter, Kendra Shank, Ayana Lowe, Duchess, Thana Alexa, Nicole Zuraitis, Ben Monder, Jim Ridl and Jim Campilongo.

At the end of the performances Monday night, musicians tumbled out onto the West Village street and created a 16-piece band out on the pavement for the final send-off to the famous bar, Gothamist reported.

You can read more about 55 Bar's final night and see photos on the Gothamist website.