Ludlow Rehearsal Space Beneath Max Fish is Booted

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[Photo: Village Voice]Everything is ending on upper Ludlow Street. The proverbial changing of the guard, in which Pink Pony, Max Fish, and Motor City Bar will be naught but history by the end of summer. The latest victim, as reported by the Village Voice, is the decades-old rehearsal space beneath the Fish. Again, we can all thank, at the very least, the Hotel Ludlow next door. We knew this day was coming.

This basement rehearsal space at 178 Ludlow began in 1986 by the hand of Sal Principato, and offered refuge to many musicians. Famous and not. A total of seventeen keys were distributed to the lucky ones for access.

To the article…

Covered in a patchwork of concert posters, throw rugs, instruments, and vinyl records, the basement rehearsal space below Max Fish on Ludlow Street has been managed by Sal Principato for 27 years; predating the bar above, famous for being one of the first nightlife establishments in a neighborhood now overrun with them. Arwen Properties, owner of 178 Ludlow Street, has told the owner of Max Fish and Principato that they’ll both need to vacate the building by early summer.

“They’re in no mood to bargain because they stand to make a killing in the anticipation of the hotel,” says Principato, referring to the Hotel Ludlow, the latest boutique hotel that will soon open next door to Max Fish. “We’re a liability. Who’s gonna pay those big bucks with a bunch of musicians in the basement?”

Basement tenants at 178 Ludlow use words like “community,” “family,” and “collective” when talking about the rehearsal space that’s so much more: a social club, a party spot, or a quiet place to reflect, write lyrics, or nap. Many of its key-holders have been using the space for more than 20 years…

“I remember Fridays there would be people in single file on each side of the street, the most diverse crowd in the world, all waiting for their heroin dealer to show up.”

Check out the full article here.