Bowery Electric space to reopen as the Bowery Palace; Jesse Malin up first in new theater

ICYMI: Bowery Electric will close on Jan. 30, ending a 17-year run of live bands and performances. 

The space, however, will remain in the family. 

Beginning on Feb. 18, the venue at 327 Bowery near Second Street will reopen as the Bowery Palace, a 100-seat theater. 

The inaugural production will be a six-week Off-Broadway run of “Silver Manhattan,” Jesse Malin’s theatrical show, following a sold-out workshop residency at the Gramercy Theatre starting this past September. 

"Silver Manhattan" will play five nights a week from Feb. 18 through March 29. Performances are scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. The 90-minute show will feature special guest appearances throughout the run, along with nightly pre-show gatherings.

"'Silver Manhattan' is the most personal thing I've ever done on stage," Malin said in a statement announcing the Bowery Palace. "I wanted to run it in a smaller theater and look into the eyes of everyone in the room. I have so much history on the Bowery — I played CBGB as a kid and grew up in the neighborhood. My grandfather sold liquor to the bars up and down the Bowery. It's nice to go back to the scene of the crime."

Tickets are on sale now at SilverManhattan.com.

In May 2023, Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Malin, a partner in several local establishments, including Niagara, 96 Tears, and the Bowery Electric, returned to the stage for the first time since early 2023 in December 2024 at the Beacon Theater, billed as "the largest hometown show of his career." 

Malin, a Queens native, launched his music career at age 12 while fronting the hardcore band Heart Attack. He later served as the lead vocalist of D Generation in the 1990s. 

He has become a prolific singer-songwriter with nine studio albums and a variety of collaborations, including Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and Billie Joe Armstrong. 

Photo below of Malin (left) and photographer Bob Gruen from last May on the Bowery by Stacie Joy

Here's Johnny on the Bowery

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Earlier this month, we previewed Johnny, a new lounge that wants to bring a little glamour and grit to the local nightlife scene.

Johnny, a concept from East Village hospitality veterans Laura Stemmer and Johnny T. (pictured below), is located at 327 Bowery in the former ground-floor space of the Bowery Electric. (Live music still continues downstairs at the Bowery Electric via a separate entrance.)

The space is intimate and thoughtfully designed, with red velvet booths, a VIP nook and a back lounge. It's a comfortable space and a nice companion to Johnny T's other local spots, including Lovers of Today on Seventh Street, 96 Tears on Avenue A, and Berlin on Avenue A and Second Street.

The preview evening included a set from Johnny regular DJ Elliott Brakebill...

There’s also a food program led by Chef Carlos Sandoval, though we had to leave before the service started.

For now, there is a guest list for entry. You can follow Johnny on Instagram here.

These 3 East Village venues are hosting concerts to benefit L.A. wildfire relief efforts

Three East Village music venues are hosting benefit concerts on Jan. 27-29. Proceeds will benefit L.A. wildfire relief. 

Details via Instagram: 

The New York music scene is coming together to raise funds for the fallout caused by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Taking place January 27th through 29th, this event promises to be an unmissable convergence of music and community action.

Each night's ticket proceeds will go directly to mutual aid efforts providing resources, support, and relief to those affected by the fires. In addition to live music, there will be DJ sets, tattoos, raffles, and more. Full lineup TBA. Any ticket purchased will be honored at all venues day of show, capacity allowing. 

The venues:

• Berlin, 25 Avenue A 

• The Bowery Electric, 327 Bowery 

• Heaven Can Wait, 169 Avenue A 

Ticket info here.