Dangerfield's
Dangerfield's was a comedy club located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City, United States, and named after comedian Rodney Dangerfield. The club was founded by Rodney Dangerfield and long-time friend Anthony Bevacqua, who still runs and operates the club today.
| Address | 1118 First Avenue |
|---|---|
| Location | New York City, United States |
| Owner | The Rodney Dangerfield family, Anthony Bevacqua |
| Type | Nightclub |
| Genre(s) | Comedy |
| Opened | September 29, 1969 |
| Closed | October 14, 2020 |
| Website | |
| http://dangerfields.com | |
The club opened on September 29, 1969. Kenny Burrell, Thelma Houston, and Rodney Dangerfield performed on the opening night, while Milton Berle, Ed McMahon, Joan Rivers, and David Frost were in the audience.[1]
Only headliners perform, with no amateur or open mic nights. Performers have included George Carlin, Jay Leno, Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, Andrew Dice Clay, Dom Irrera, Roseanne Barr, Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison, Bob Nelson, Robert Schimmel and Jeff Foxworthy.
The club was home to HBO comedy specials Rodney Dangerfield put on to showcase young comedians.
2020 Closure
The club announced on its website 14 October 2020:
”BREAKING NEWS !!
”Rodney Dangerfield Inc., owner and operator of Dangerfield’s comedy club in New York City, announces with great sadness that after 50 years of continuous operations we will be closing our New York City venue effective immediately. Our flagship location at 1118 1st Ave. has been in the heart of Manhattan for over 50 years, and has enabled us to entertain millions of people from around the world.
”The State of New York and New York City’s continuing Covid-19 lockdown, the banning of public venues, no official guidance as to when or if such public gatherings will be allowed or in what capacity, has placed a severe financial burden on Dangerfield’s making operations in New York City untenable.
”FEAR NOT !!
”Once the Covid-19 crisis passes Dangerfield’s will be reopening in a suitable public venue friendly area. Rodney Dangerfield Inc. will rebuild its iconic comedy club and continue to produce the funniest comedy shows the world has ever known !! This future location may be brand new, but we will make sure it still retains that classic Dangerfield’s look and feel.
”None of this would have been possible without your support and we are eternally grateful !! Please check back on our website and social media for future updates and announcements. We look forward to entertaining the world for another 50 years at our future location. Your patronage means everything to us and we cannot thank you enough. We will see you soon!
”Respectfully,
”The Rodney Dangerfield Inc. Family”[2]
References
- Robinson, Ray (October 4, 1969). "New Club Opens On East Side". New York Amsterdam News. p. 19.
- Official website, Dangerfield's (14 October 2020). "Dangerfield's announcement".