Nitecap Says Goodnight to Rivington Street After Six Years
Nitecap probably needs one right about now.
The basement bar – founded in 2014 by David Kaplan and Alex Day of Death & Co. fame – announced its permanent closure on Instagram last night, citing challenges due to COVID-19 and debts still owed.
Nitecap closed down, with the rest of the city, at the outset of the pandemic last March. However, the establishment was unable to take advantage of sidewalk seating due to local zoning, and its cocktails forte was complicated by the lack of a kitchen to pair the required food. All the while, the landlord of 151 Rivington reportedly demanded payment of rent.
The financial situation was apparently so dire, that by August Nitecap allowed its liquor license expire due to an inability to afford the $5,000 renewal fee.
Meanwhile, ownership is still on the hook for the last six months rent, plus the remaining four on the lease. Their goal is to launch several fundraising campaigns over the next several weeks to assist, including merch sales and Zoom happy hours.
Sum told, Nitecap spent six years on Rivington Street. Two years beneath Schapiro’s at number 120, and then taking the place of 151 at its namesake address in 2016.