Speakeasy Music Venue in Bushwick, Brooklyn (2008-2009)
A.P. Smith, Co-Owner, Talent Booker, General Manager

(Outside) Bodega at 1089 Broadway, Brooklyn NY. Photo: Tod Seelie

(Inside) Bodega at 1089 Broadway, Brooklyn NY. Photo: Tod Seelie

In 2008, my business partner and I leased an old grocery store aka bodega and built an underground music venue. Keeping with the outward appearance, we called it Bodega and even constructed a bodega-like front room.

Working with Ed Zipco, Steve Roberts, Eric Morrell and others, I developed the Bodega from an empty shell into a profitable music venue. I booked performers, facilitated the events and staff, as well as managed all marketing and promotions for the venue.

Bodega co-owner A.P. Smith during construction.

“It’s an all-purpose arts venue,” Chief founder and editor Andy P. Smith says of the bi-level space, which is actually hidden behind a bodega storefront. “Art exhibits, basement dance parties, all-night rock shows, etc.” - The Village Voice

The crowd at Bodega.

Bodega co-owner Ed Zipco “working the door.” Photo: Xavier Veal

Bodega staffer Julie Jamora enjoying her work. Photo: Xavier Veal

“Carved out of the bombed-out interior of an old Bushwick bodega (the exterior signage still touts the El Elevado Deli Corp.), this decrepit-on-purpose tiny music venue is all exposed pipes, slapdash ceiling paint, and caked sweat. The main room is on the ground-level floor, a surprisingly well lit space where large-scale doodles of thunder bolts and Japanese-monster-movie robots deck the white walls. The bands play on the floor in the back, with rambunctious crowds usually spilling into the night’s acts. Downstairs is the expansive, grody basement, the type of place that would be good for stashing bodies if it weren’t already overrun with Brooklynites sucking down $3 Buds.” – New York Magazine

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Throughout the year we hosted events with numerous partners including CMJ Music Festival, BAM Sounds Like Brooklyn Festival, Capcom with Street Fighter IV, MyOpenBar.com and numerous independent production companies.

Here’s a short list of musicians who performed at Bodega…

Monotonix (August, 2008) Photo: Xavier Veal

The Death Set (July, 2008) Photo: Rebecca Smeyne, more photos at Village Voice

Spank Rock and Ninjasonik (February, 2009) Photo: Rebecca Smeyne, more photos at Village Voice

Japanther (July, 2008) Photo: Xavier Veal

As well as…

Future Islands
Adventure
Danger
DJ Dirty Finger
Cerebral Ballzy
Thriller
Pregnant
Mr. Andersonic
DJ Morsey
Fiasco
USA Is A Monster
Juiceboxxx
The Hood Gang
Smarts
Lionshare
The So So Glos
Boogie Boarder
Famous Friends
and so many more!
Thank you all!

Bodega, Brooklyn NY (2008-2009)
A.P. Smith, Co-Owner, Talent Booker, General Manager

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