Laugh Lounge Bids Farewell to Lower East Side
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The laughs have gone silent at 151 Essex Street. Doors locked, marquee dark. Crickets. Eight-year-old Laugh Lounge, one of the sole dedicated comedy clubs in the neighborhood, appears to be shuttered for good. Both the storefront itself and Facebook seem to confirm. Ominous chicken-scratch lettering on the windows bids comedic farewell to the Lower East Side (i.e. “knock knock, who’s there, not us”). We were told that the final two shows transpired near the end of August.
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Meanwhile, to confuse matters, a lone paper scrap on the front door claims closure is instead due to “renovations.” We put in a call to the club and learned of plans to reopen by the end of September. As to whether it’s the Laugh Lounge…well, don’t bet on it. Unless it’s all one sick joke.
Laugh Lounge lived in the 36,544 square-foot Gotham Court building, which was listed back in June for $21.25 million. No bites just yet. Frontage for the aluminum twin beast is actually at 152 Ludlow, but goes through the block to 149-151 Essex.
How did you feel about Laugh Lounge? See any cool shows there?
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