Rififi to Close, the Laughter Dies Tonight!

Troubled comedy hotspot Rififi (also known as Cinema Classics) will close tonight due to “an impasse with the landlord,” who is now “asking for substantially more money,” according to Matt Ruby's blog Sandpaper Suit. One "disillusioned ex-employee" tells Gothamist that “employees received text messages yesterday announcing tonight (Wednesday) as the last night open. One day’s notice, and there was a crazy insinuation that if more money had been made over the weekend the venue could have been open for another month, which seems to contradict the claim the landlord is the reason for the closure. Who knows at this point? Tonight is, as far as I know, the last night. It's being treated as such by the comedians and employees.”

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By John Del Signore in Arts and Events on July 30, 2008 3:38 PM

Comments [rss]

Potosi

Agreed, the place was never as good after it was remodeled. But still, it's a big hit to the world of comedy in New York. RIP Mo Pitkin's, Comedy Village, Rififi's... what's next?

HellsYeah

LandLords are scum. 1z

KiljoyWasHere

I used to go on Mondays for bad horror movies. After they remodeled the place about two years back they killed the good vibe they had going. Haven't been back since.

sinisterteashop

I have to agree that I'm happy to see it close. It survived because of its liquor license. One drunken asshole is the same as another.

cucarachita

Eh, that place was cramped and had bugs, was not crazy about it. The people who performed there were good, though.

bornbrednewyorker

What a shame, that was a nice space.

TheKlaus

.... Greg Johnson, Joe Mande, Noah Garfinkle, John Gemberling, Neil Casey, Chris Gethard also added ....

neckbeard

eugene mirman, john mulaney and more will be there tonight.

Gwinny

....annnnd another comedy venue bites the dust. Where are people supposed to go for downtown comedy in Manhattan nowadays!? And don't say "Comix" which is pretty much the Wal-Mart of comedy... they banish the best comedians to the stage near the bathrooms in the basement, for chrissakes...