Kenka hosting its first punk show this weekend on St. Mark's Place

A longtime East Village late-night destination for adventurous Japanese cuisine is about to get a little louder. 

Kenka, 25 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, will host its first-ever punk show late tomorrow (Saturday) night, with five bands taking over the restaurant from midnight to 4 a.m. 

The lineup features Blu Anxxiety, Nisemono, Hated, Kleptocracy and Infernal Spawn. Tickets are $8 in advance here or $10 cash at the door, with all proceeds going directly to the bands. There will also be $3 Sapporos. 

The show is being organized by Kyota Umeki, whose father, Yuji Umeki, the longtime owner of Kenka and the punk-vintage shop Search & Destroy upstairs, died unexpectedly last year. 

Kyota, who grew up in the East Village, has said he hopes to use Kenka as a venue to support and reconnect with the neighborhood's punk community.

Search & Destroy is still Search & Destroy on St. Mark's Place; plus, free babies

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

We've fielded a few questions about Search & Destroy, the punk-vintage emporium that opened in 1992 at 25 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

Yuji Umeki, owner of Search & Destroy and Kenka on the lower level, passed away last month. 

The arrival of a new sidewalk sandwich board reading "Chaotic Vintage Clothing Store" prompted some readers to ask if the place has a new name (or new owner).

An S&D employee says the sign is meant to describe what potential shoppers can find inside. 

Also, once inside the front door, help yourself to a free baby...

Remembering Yuji Umeki, owner of Search & Destroy and Kenka on St. Mark's Place

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

We were sorry to learn of the passing of Yuji Umeki, who for years anchored 25 St. Mark's Place with Search & Destroy and Kenka. He died unexpectedly earlier this month. 

There is a notice about his death on the front door of Kenka, the popular Izakaya-style restaurant on the lower level here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

Kenka, which has served unconventional fare such as bull penis for 20+ years, was closed this past week, with signs stating it will reopen today.

Upstairs at Search & Destroy, the punk-vintage emporium that opened in 1992...

... staff didn't offer any details about the owner's passing. When asked if the store would remain open, an employee said, "We have to keep going." 

Instagram tributes describe him as "vibrant" and "a true punk rocker." He will be missed.

 

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Saturday's parting shot

The holidays are on at Search & Destroy, 25 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue ... the anarchy Christmas wreath recently arrived over the door...

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Prepping Search & Destroy on St. Mark's Place for Halloween today...

Saturday's opening shot

The anarchy Christmas wreath is now in place over the door outside Search & Destroy, 25 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue ...

It's anarchy Christmas time...

The holidays arrived early (like everywhere else!) at Search & Destroy, 25 St. Mark's Place... the anarchy Christmas wreath is now in place over the door...