End of the Line for The Bottom Line?

NPR | By Jennifer Ludden

Published September 20, 2003 at 12:00 AM EDT

A revered nightclub in New York's West Village is being threatened with eviction due to $185,000 owed in back rent.

The Bottom Line Cabaret opened in 1974, with a show featuring Dr. John and Stevie Wonder. An astonishing variety of artists followed over the years: Bruce Springsteen. Neil Young. Dolly Parton. Aaron Copland. The Ramones. A parade of jazz greats and many lesser lights who can still say they made an appearance at The Bottom Line.

Allan Pepper is a co-founder of The Bottom Line, and he's been at almost every show since the club opened. Now he's in a court battle with the building's owner, New York University, as he tries to keep the venue open. NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks to Pepper about the club's past and future.

Jennifer Ludden

NPR National Correspondent Jennifer Ludden covers economic inequality, exploring systemic disparities in housing, food insecurity and wealth.

See stories by Jennifer Ludden

WRVO runs on listener support.

WRVO is now well into its second year without federal funding. Through it all, our mission has stayed the same: serving central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. Listeners like you are what keep journalists on the ground, asking the hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today. You'll be supporting more than yourself. You'll be supporting everyone who depends on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.

Support WRVO now