Here’s to Five Years of Saint Vitus, Brooklyn’s Coolest Metal Venue
My first visit to Saint Vitus was an exploratory one. I was writing for a nightlife website and heard rumors of a new metal bar opening in Greenpoint, so I braved the G Train (hey, it’s that or the F and a walk over the Pulaski Bridge) to check the place out. From the moment I walked inside the unmarked entrance, I was in love. Dead roses hanging over the bar, votive candles flickering throughout, and all-black everything. There was nowhere like it.
Five years and a billion Bishops later, Saint Vitus has become Brooklyn’s most important metal venue. I’ve seen some of the coolest, weirdest, most insane shows of my life there, including — but certainly not limited to — High On Fire, Pig Destroyer, Weedeater, Impiety, Hammers Of Misfortune, Revenge, Ghoul, Mutilation Rites, and Mortician that one time where Will’s bass amp kept picking up Polish pop radio. I shook Tony Iommi’s hand there. It will forever be the metal venue where I feel most comfortable seeing a show, so it’s cool that it has stood the test of time in a city known for its bars and restaurants disappearing overnight.
And damn if the guys aren’t throwing themselves one Hell of a birthday party! Tonight is the second of two sold-out Corrosion of Conformity shows, followed by Pallbearer, Sannhett, and Primitive Weapons’ album release party Friday night. Royal Thunder play early Saturday before 13th Chime play a late show, and then there’s another Pallbearer show Sunday. This is a good week to be a metalhead in New York, so go here to stay up to date on who’s playing when.
So, to David, George, Arty, and everyone else at Saint Vitus, we salute you. Here’s to another five years of bringing the world’s best metal to New York. Thanks for giving us somewhere to call home.
