A Montrose hang for lovers of live punk, metal and experimental sounds, Mango’s nightclub has sprouted a “for lease” sign.

The building at 403 Westheimer Rd. next door to Avant Garden has a history as colorful as its newly-painted exterior walls and patio:

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Over the last 30 years it has been in the possession of German-born chef Willie Rometsch (of Michelangelo’s and the Bismarck fame), and later cooked for a time as the Oven punk club (pictured at right). When the Oven’s pilot light went out in 2002, it became a restaurant called the Appetite Repair Shop for a short while.

In 2006 the building was purchased by its current owners, the couple behind Richmond Ave Mexican and Central American restaurant mainstay El Pueblito Place, who renamed it Mango’s and operated it as a Mexican restaurant, which later became a vegetarian restaurant and coffeehouse with some live music.

Gradually the bands elbowed aside the kitchen staff and most recently Mango’s has been operating as a full-time music venue, open until 2 a.m. every night.

Photos: Ayn Morgan (Mango’s); Loopnet (The Oven)

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