Apt. 78 in Washington Heights Will Close Jan. 1, Owner Says

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Popular local venue Apt. 78 will close its doors at the end of the year after a half-decade of hosting a mix of celebrity events and art exhibits.

Owner Jose Morales announced on Instagram that the venue at 4447 Broadway near West 190th Street is done, effective Jan. 1.

“Once the passion is gone, it's time 2 move on & that's what I'm doing,” Morales wrote on the Instagram post announcing the restaurant’s closure.

The venue opened in late 2010 with the intention of being a home away from home for the community, Morales explained, hence the apartment-style name and design of the space to feel like a living room.

Over the years, the bar hosted several creative and artist-friendly events, including the launch of the Bago Brunch with comedian Michael Diaz in 2011 and the first poetry slam and spoken-word competition in the area in 2014.

In 2012, Apt. 78 also launched its hip-hop summer series, which included a lineup of world-famous DJs and music producers, including Biz Markie and Questlove. It was also featured in the trailer and a few episodes of the short-lived MTV series "Washington Heights" in 2013.  

The venue encountered its share of legal battles over the past year, including a temporary closure by police and disputes with Community Board 12 over its liquor license. It’s these same issues, Morales said in the post, that contributed to him losing his desire to keep the business running.

"There is pretty much nothing else I can possibly accomplish at Apt.78 that can make me happy at this point," he wrote. "I have honestly fulfilled that already."

Morales, who thanked the nonprofits, celebrities and schools that launched or celebrated events at the venue in the same post, said the venue will live on in some form.

“We will relocate the venue in 2016,” Morales wrote in post, “the brand will continue to grow.”

Morales said he's planning to open a new spot, called "Bodega Pizza," in 2016, but declined to provide further details.

He opened the burger joint Hello Bklyn in Williamsburg earlier this year, and had been working last year to launch a Mexican restaurant, Made en Harlem, on Frederick Douglass Boulevard before running into resistance from the location's condo board.

 

When I first decided to open apt78 I wanted to create a venue where it targeted a specific audience that other venues NOT only uptown but the entire NYC lacked.We focused on bringing dope DJ's to come spin at a 100 person venue for FREE!!We wanted to create a space for that individual that had an idea,dream,or talent and help show case whatever it was they wanted to do for FREE. Think about all the shit we did first that everyone else did after?!! Most importantly a judgement free fun party environment. All these thoughts and visions I had were accomplished 100%.There is pretty much nothing else I can possibly accomplish at Apt.78 that can make me happy at this point.I have honestly fulfilled that already.The constant battling (of you know what)took away the fun and passion I once had.Once the passion is gone it's time 2 move on & that's what I'm doing.I never been so clear headed in my life or as happy.The enjoyment of mastering the present moment has allowed me 2 make the right decision for the future.So with that being said the Legendary APT.78 will be closing its doors come January 1st.I want to Thank every single person That has ever worked at APT.78 you helped built some legendary shit in NYC!Thanks 2 every person that has held a charity event,Thank you to all the local schools and organizations that allowed us to host their events and functions. Thanks to all the DJ's tht came thru 2 spin & saw the vision and helped us promote the venue!Thank you 2 every single person that has hosted an event or started at APT.78 with their events or businesses etc.You're all loved and appreciated.Thank you 4 your partnership.All the magazines,blogs, newspapers, tv shows, celebrities, artist, athletes tht showed love thank you. Thank you most importantly 2 the best & most loyal customers/family ever!You left all the judging all your problems, stress, everything at the door bc we only represented 1 thing & that was FUN!We understand the community is changing so we want to play a role in that!Its only the beginning.We will relocate the venue in 2016,the brand will continue to grow,Big events new location etc.Thanks again & look out 4 "BODEGA PIZZA" at APT.78 in 2016 :)

A photo posted by Jose Morales (@apt78) on Dec 15, 2015 at 7:08am PST