EP

I went to this venue during CMJ. It was the site of the Purevolume Lounge every night. Its a great venue tucked away in an alley. I had no idea it was the basement of CBGB’s. The shows I saw here this week were great and the space is definitely cool looking. I would definitely come here again.

People have all these sayings that they use to try to get them through life. One that’s always stood out for me is, «Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.» I think it’s a really nice way to think about things that come to an end because, really, everything comes to an end at some point. However, when CBGB’s closed it’s doors on NYers and tourists alike some years ago, I am quite positive not that many people were smiling, comparitively to all of us who were crying our eyes out. As of present time, that space is occupied by John Varvatos and an Art Gallery, but things are not always what they seem!
As we know, CBGB’s entrance was on Bowery, however EP, the lounge I went to last night, actually has an entrance down a «back alley,» by the name of Extra Place. In fact, EP, as this place is known, is actually short for Extra Place, which is actually a pretty clever play on words. Named after the street it’s on, but it’s also an extra place attached to the art gallery around the corner on Bowery.
So you walk down Extra Place, to the very END of the small street, and there is a very inconspicious and old door, that leads you downstairs. Once you’re down there however, it’s awesome! You walk through a small bit of a dungy hallway and it leads to a very sleak, very red lounge. There’s a pool table with cues at the ready but it was covered up when I came in, because the event I was at (live performance by Alabama rapper Yelawolf, sponsored by Fader Magazine) didn’t really call for pool. Right as you walk in, off to your left is the men’s bathroom (not sure if the women’s bathroom is there). Go past that and you’ve entered the first part of the space, which is a very nice size. Complete with 2 «bars» and a ministage, that the DJ was on spinning some dirty south rap jams. I put the word bars in quotation marks because this space, as cool as it is, is specifically for private events. Having said that, there is no alcohol at the bar per se. The event I went to had free beer, but there isn’t a bar in the thought that behind the bar is a large amount of liquor and beers on tap. This may sound like a bad thing, but when you think about it, if you have the privilege of coming inside this hidden gem, chances are the drinks you are having are free!
While the «bars» are on the left, to the right there is ample seating, to the tune of long cushy benches. Behind that are some really cool lights as well as artwork on the wall. Man it’s a cool space.
When you walk to the end of the first section of EP, if you turn right you will get to the 2^nd section. It’s smaller than the first but there are a few tables, and even a projector, if you had something that needed to be put up on the wall. On the opposite wall back here is some artwork as well as some writing on the brick walls, kinda like the other section. The door back there leads to backstage, where you could find Yela putting down a large amount of beer before showtime, then a large amount of beer after showtime!
The show itself was great, if you’ve never heard Yelawolf and you’re a fan of hip-​hop I would advise looking him up on youtube, he’s LEGIT! It was such an awesome experience that I didn’t even care that it was pouring when we got out, and I hate the rain! If you ever, EVER, get a chance to go to this place, do it… do not pass it up, you will NOT regret it!