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Rodeo Bar Will Close by End of July After Nearly 30 Years, Owner Says

By Heather Holland | July 10, 2014 12:54pm | Updated on July 11, 2014 4:31pm
  Texas-themed Rodeo Bar and Grill will close for good by the end of the month, owner said.
Rodeo Bar and Grill
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KIPS BAY — Texas-themed Rodeo Bar and Grill is closing its doors for good at the end of the month, after nearly 30 years, the owner confirmed.

The honky-tonk restaurant at 375 Third Ave. — which opened in 1985 and offered Texas-style barbecue, live music and karaoke nights — is closing shop on July 27 due to financial struggles, said owner Mitch Pollak.

"Here at New York's longest-running honky-tonk, we stayed open during some of the city’s toughest times — Hurricane Sandy, the 2003 blackout, 9/11 — but recent rent increases, combined with a changing landscape, have made it impossible for us continue," the bar posted on its Facebook page on Thursday afternoon.

"For the past three decades, Rodeo Bar has been home to thousands of bands, and we’re proud to have helped define the country, Americana and rockabilly scene in New York City for all these years. But more than that, we were supported by an incredible community of people from New York and all over the world who helped make this bar great. We can’t thank y’all enough."

Customers mourned the loss of the neighborhood staple on Facebook.

“I loved the Rodeo bar & Grill,” posted Tom Gould, bassist with Bossa Nova Beatnicks. “I ate there often, sang there many times and generally had way too much fun there. So sorry to hear that it’s closing.”

Others were shocked by the news.

“Can’t believe it,” Lori Anna Pizzo posted on the bar’s Facebook page. “Seems all the venues, restaurants I’ve grown up with are all closing down because of rents they can’t afford. Sad."

The bar’s landlord did not immediately respond to a request for comment.