The Rite Spot Cafe was shut down last month for health and safety violations.
While this isn’t the first time, usually the closures have been limited to the kitchen and this has definitely been the longest one we’ve seen yet. People and musicians close to the establishment are skeptical it will be revived this time, with repair costs and real estate pressure being major factors.
The Rite Spot has been around for 60 years. It has was a starting place for Jolie Holland, the Dodos, thee Oh Sees, Toshio Hirano, American Idol contestant Emily Anne Reed and even once hosted Norah Jones. The spot can be hit or miss, with service ranging from cold to downright crabby, but I would be seriously bummed to see it go. It is one of the few places you can sit at a table without waiting, get a drink, eat a good burger, and watch some great live music. As a musician myself, some of my first San Francisco shows were there and I met a lot of great people through it.
We’ll keep an eye out for any developments, but in the meantime you may need to settle for Charlottesville, VA’s segregated alternative, the White Spot.
Major bummer. I loved that place.
The White Spot, scene of many a late-night college hamburger, is an institution and I won’t have you speaking ill of it, sir.
Besides, The Virginian was definitely Charlottesville’s best segregated lunch counter: http://www.virginianrestaurant.com/thevirginian/
How can folks help?
Good riddance.
Every time a spot is closing, some asswhipe on this blog has to be glad for it.
What exactly would you prefer that would be better, and has a realistic chance of opening? A Subway sandwich shop? Yet another too fancy sushi place? A shitty cafe? An overly nice cafe? What exactly?
+1
How about a real delicatessen, like they have all over the place in LA and New York?
Either that, or a ping-pong palace.
Oh, sorry, I had this post confused with the one about The Summit.
Now THAT place would make an awesome ping-pong palace!
Wow. Major bummer. I’ve seen some great shows there, including several Lily Taylor performances. Also, pie! I’ll miss the pie a lot.
That a shame, the Rite Spot fucking rocks.
Serious bummer. If there’s anything we can do to help, please post an update!
Awww no, bummer indeed. I love that place. Rite Spot was my girls night out beginning every weekend.
Yo the tin cup serenade started there too! I’m just saying’…