UPDATE: Highline Ballroom issued a new statement on the closure, and revealed plans for a new location.

NYC's Highline Ballroom is set to close on February 8, after over a decade in the meatpacking district. The news started to circulate after promoter and Bedlam/Club Cumming owner Daniel Nardicio posted "RIP Highline Ballroom" on Facebook. The venue still hasn't announced anything, but we reached out to Thirsty Girl Productions, the promoters for the Filthy Gorgeous Burlesque Valentines Spectacular, which was scheduled for Valentine's Day at Highline Ballroom, and they confirmed the news too, saying the venue "just contacted me yesterday to say they are closing." They're working on moving it to a new location, so stay tuned for that.

David Daisy also provided some background on his Daisy Does It blog:



I was recently at Highline Ballroom and have to say my shock may be short-lived. The place was getting grimy and perhaps not being well-cared for by its owners. Most memorable was a severe leak happening from the upper mezzanine over the entry area, directly under the bathroom area with a backed up line. So guests were treated to a lovely waterfall of sewage to ring in the New Year - fierce. (Update: I’m told the leak originated from an ice machine. Still gross.)

This closing would also come less than a year after the closing of one its sister venues, BB Kings (also previously host to MEAT) which occurred in April 2018. Blue Note Entertainment Group, the owning company of the venues, cited high rent issues on that occasion - a common theme currently.

You can see Highline Ballroom's remaining schedule -- including Voss Events Drag Brunches every Sunday, a M.E.A.T. party, a Vertical Horizon show, a Funk Flex party, a Neil Diamond tribute, and more -- here.

We have many positive memories from Highline Ballroom through the years -- including their very first show which was Lou Reed and John Zorn, and then PAUL MCCARTNEY and what now feels like a legendary Robyn show back in 2008 (her first US show ever). That was right after a memorable Hot Chip show, and Q-Tip was there the same year, as was Santigold back when she was Santogold, and a big deal Gnarls Barkley show. Also: Super Furry Animals, Propagandhi /Paint It Black, Yann Tiersen, Bouncing Souls, Arctic Monkeys, Washed Out, Diamondsnake (with Moby), Lily Allen, Tallest Man on Earth, Peter Murphy, Helmet/Prong, Isaiah Rashad, and Brockhampton (and many more).

Stay tuned for more info.