Article Contributed by Shore Fire Media
Published on 2026-07-09
Thursday, July 9, 2026 – The team behind Café Wha?, Groove and Village Presents is proud to announce Bleecker Bell, a new 200-capacity music venue at 163 Bleecker St. in New York City’s Greenwich Village, set to open this fall. Rooted in the neighborhood’s deep history of iconic music experiences, the venue will feature state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and acoustics. As the Village’s first new club in nearly 20 years, Bleecker Bell is poised to reactivate the culturally significant locale for a new generation of music fans.
Created by the owners of New York music institutions Café Wha? and Groove, along with concert promotion company Village Presents, Bleecker Bell will present intimate curated performances from emerging and established artists spanning folk, Americana, jazz, and rock & roll, reflecting and celebrating the area’s musical roots.
Located just steps from the legendary Café Wha?, the new venue will also provide a welcoming environment and warm hospitality for both audiences and artists. The comfortably modern design will feature a full bar, green room, table and banquette seating, and a double-high ceiling with a mezzanine overlooking the stage, expanding the space to accommodate a range of memorable experiences.
Bleecker Bell’s operative team includes Principals Rani Marom, Ofer Cohen, and Nir Liwnat, who were introduced to the business through management and operations roles at the former B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square and The Blue Note. Co-Principal Benjamin Chuchinsky brings his expertise as Managing Director of Cafe Wha Entertainment and Band Leader of the Cafe Wha? House Band, while Director of Musical Operations Hap Pardo has worked with an exceptionally wide range of artists, from Van Halen and Elton John to Sabrina Carpenter and Jon Batiste. They are joined by Booker & Talent Buyer Drew Hart and Graphic Designer & Marketing Specialist Andi Kausch.
Rani Marom says: “While creating Bleecker Bell, we’ve been deeply inspired by the musical and cultural impact of Greenwich Village across decades. Since 1958, the legendary Café Wha? alone has hosted Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Allen Ginsberg, with Bleecker St becoming the place to discover new artists. We’re excited to reintroduce that joy and power of intimate live music to new audiences.”
Visit https://www.bleeckerbell.com/ for upcoming news and calendar announcements coming soon.
Bleecker Bell:
Bleecker Bell is an intimate live music venue in Greenwich Village, NYC, rooted in the neighborhood’s rich tradition of iconic listening rooms. Honoring the neighborhood’s history where legendary artists once connected with their audiences in tiny basement clubs and smoky cafes, Bleecker Bell brings that spirit into a modern, artist-first space with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Featuring everything from folk troubadours to rock bands to jazz combos, the unifying principle behind Bleecker Bell is to keep live music LIVE and to bring fans an up-close and personal concert experience with their favorite artists. Bleecker Bell is a new member of the Wha Entertainment family, including clubs Café Wha? and Groove, and will connect with Wha Entertainment’s concert promotion arm, Village Presents.
Principals Rani Marom, Ofer Cohen, Nir Liwnat
Rani Marom, Ofer Cohen, and Nir Liwnat began their careers in the live music industry after moving to New York City in the late 1990s. They were first introduced to the business through management and operations roles at the former B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in Times Square and The Blue Note. Building on that experience, they expanded their focus to Greenwich Village, acquiring and revitalizing the historic Café Wha? along with several other live music and hospitality venues throughout the city. Bleecker Bell will be the third live music venue in their portfolio, continuing their commitment to high-quality contemporary programming while honoring Greenwich Village’s rich legacy as a center for music, entertainment, and cultural expression.
Co-Principal Benjamin Chuchinsky:
Benjamin Chuchinsky graduated from Columbia University with a concentration in physics. Although he pursued a scientific education, his lifelong passion for music led him to begin his career as a professional musician with the renowned Cafe Wha? House Band, where he developed a deep appreciation for both live performance and artist development. He later co-founded Cafe Wha Entertainment, growing the company from a single band into a leading live entertainment provider with eight bands, DJs, and immersive entertainment experiences for corporate, private, and special events. As a Principal of Bleecker Bell, Chuchinsky continues his commitment to creating exceptional live music experiences while supporting both emerging and established artists in one of New York City's most iconic music neighborhoods.
Director of Musical Operations Hap Pardo:
A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans’ Music Industry Studies program, Hap’s career reflects a deep, hands-on understanding of the music and live event business. He started as a guitarist in New Orleans before moving to New York City in 2010, where he shifted into management, talent buying, producing, and tour management. Now in his 15th year as Director of Musical Operations at Wha Entertainment, Hap has worked with an exceptionally wide range of artists, from Van Halen and Elton John to Sabrina Carpenter and Jon Batiste.
Booker & Talent Buyer Drew Hart:
Originally from Atlanta, Drew Hart is a musician, music lover, and longtime Brooklyn resident. After spending years as a touring bassist, he developed a deep appreciation for what makes live music special — for both artists and fans. Today, he brings that perspective to Village Presents, which began with bringing original music programming back to Cafe Wha? and has since expanded to producing and promoting shows at venues across New York City. Whether it’s a packed boat ride concert or an intimate acoustic set, Drew is passionate about creating memorable experiences built around great music and genuine connection. He also performs regularly with The National Reserve and other country, blues, and rock & roll artists, staying closely connected to New York City’s music scene.
