Club Cafe, the beloved South Side venue known as the songwriter’s choice, has announced it will close its doors at the end of the year.
Originally founded as Cardillo’s Club Cafe in 1988, the venue began as a piano bar featuring its namesake, Bobby Cardillo. In 1999, Marco Cardamone, a board member and key supporter of the nearby radio station WYEP, purchased the venue. Under Cardamone’s leadership, the venue’s name was shortened, and Club Cafe gained national attention. In 2011, Cardamone sold the venue to Opus One Productions, led by owner Michael Sanders, who announced the closure this week.
Located just off East Carson Street, Club Cafe has been an intimate part of South Side’s nightlife since the late ’90s. Fans would often spot musicians parking their rickety vans on S. 12th Street if not bouncing between the former Beehive Coffeehouse and Dee’s Cafe. Despite its intimate capacity of just 125 people, local could always find a creative ways to get tickets to a show.
Over the years, artists like Dan Bern, Lisa Loeb, Damien Rice, and KT Tunstall graced its stage. Countless other songwriters also played at the venue, often crashing on couches in South Side before heading to their next tour stop. The staff, known for their welcoming nature, also contributed to the venue’s charm. Denny Stauser, one of the best sound engineers in the world, worked at Club Cafe for eight years between his larger tours with acts like Squonk Opera.
The building itself has been a watering hole for South Side residents since the 1930s, with a brief hiatus following the collapse of the steel industry in the 1980s. However, its true legacy was cemented in the 2000s under Cardamone’s ownership, when Club Cafe hosted nearly 550 shows a year, becoming a hub for both national touring artists.
Club Cafe is the latest South Side venue to announce its closure, amid growing concerns over crime and vacancies along E. Carson Street. Although Michael Sanders did not provide a specific reason for the closure, shows will continue through December 2024. Details for a send-off party are pending, with special guests expected in the final weeks. Opus One plans to sell the business, building, and assets in January 2025.
Until the lights go out, fans are encouraged to bask in music and discover bands on the rise. Share a drink with a musician and enjoy one last night at the Old Club Cafe, where bouncers and barriers were never needed.