Source: Facebook/@knittingfactorybrooklyn
The Knitting Factory is closing down its Brooklyn location
The beloved Williamsburg stage, which had relocated from Manhattan in 2009, said it was ‘time to reinvent itself’ in a statement
Brooklyn’s live music scene is taking another hit.
The Knitting Factory, a beloved indie venue that operated for decades in Manhattan before moving to Williamsburg in 2009, announced on Saturday that it is shutting down on August 21.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the venue’s management wrote “it is time for the Knit to (once again) reinvent itself.”
View this post on Instagram
“Stay tuned for what’s to come and some final show announcements. In the meantime, come say goodbye and catch a show while you can.
“Don’t fret, you’ll see us again in the coming months…” the statement ends, without offering much in the way of clarification.
Fans and local musicians who had graced the Knitting Factory stage lamented the closing on social media.
I loved knitting factory. A good mid level venue that didn't prey on opening acts. Got paid and could play with good touring acts and didn't have to deal with bullshit. Now it's play a shitty bar or buy ons good luck out there up and comers
— east coast tron (@Tronthearcher) June 18, 2022
Their statement feels like they're moving locations but man I love Knitting Factory
— Div (@Contemptress_) June 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/diamond_field/status/1538185173891796993
Well this sucks shit. Now when I say “the old Knitting Factory” I’ll have to explain WHICH old Knitting Factory I’m talking about.
— your good friend, Nick P (@imbobseger) June 18, 2022
Management did not specify why the venue is closing down.
Michael Dorf and Louis Spitzer opened the original Knitting Factory in 1987 on Houston Street in Manhattan, not far from CBGB, and established the small club as an “alternative space,” in Dorf’s words, for up-and-coming performers—especially jazz artists—who couldn’t fill larger rooms.
Over time it began to attract everything from buzzed-about indie rock bands to well-known standup comedians, and became so successful that it spawned a record label and a full-fledged Knitting Factory Entertainment company. New locations followed, including in Los Angeles and Reno; today only the Boise, Idaho, and Spokane, Washington, locations are still operating. (Dorf sold the company in 2003 and went on to found the City Winery franchise.)
In 2009, the Manhattan location relocated to Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, where it has been for the past 13 years.
“We could not be more proud of our stay on Metropolitan Ave. We are going to miss the live music and comedy that graced the stage more than we can say,” the venue’s statement reads.
