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The owners of New York venues Café Wha? and Groove have announced the opening of a new 200-capacity venue in New York City’s Greenwich Village called Bleecker Bell, in partnership with concert promotion company Village Presents.

Bleecker Bell’s operative team consists of principals Rani Marom, Ofer Cohen and Nir Liwnat. Hap Pardo serves as the venue’s director of musical operations, Drew Hart joins the team as booker and talent buyer, and Andi Kausch serves as the venue’s graphic designer and marketing specialist. Benjamin Chuchinsky, who serves as managing director of Café Wha Entertainment and is the band leader of the Café Wha? House Band, comes in as a co-principal.

The new venue opens two blocks away from Café Wha? at 163 Bleecker St. this fall. Sticking to the original club’s roots, Bleecker Bell will host folk, Americana, jazz and rock music, with the venue’s calendar to be announced in the coming months.

Village Presents also serves as the promotion company for Café Wha? and Groove.

“While creating Bleeker Bell, we’ve been deeply inspired by the musical and cultural impact of Greenwich Village across decades,” Marom said in a statement. “Since 1968, the legendary Café Wha? alone has hosted Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Allen Ginsberg, with Bleecker St becoming the place to discover new artists. We’re excited to reintroduce that joy and power of intimate live music to new audiences.”

Bleecker Bell will include a full bar, table and banquette seating, and a double-high ceiling. A mezzanine will also overlook the stage, allowing for expanded space.

Café Wha? remains one of New York City’s most storied venues and is where Bob Dylan got his start after first moving to New York City. Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Bruce and Bruce Springsteen were also among the legendary performers who cut their teeth at the venue.

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