So far, via Gawker and previous reporting, we've learned that Rumor Mill, a secret music venue and recording studio, is located on the LES, has a website, and is protective of its secrecy. Now a tipster writes in with the pertinent geographic details: "It's 80 clinton st. but why does anyone care? it's where j. ralph lives, and it's basically a recording studio." Here's why we care: 1) The location was a secret, 2) bands play secret shows there, and 3) if you can get drinks here, it is functioning as a secret bar. From a Flickr page, we learn that the space was, in fact, a vaudeville theater back in the day:

"Located at 80 Clinton Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. This had opened by 1914 as the Clinton Star Theatre, screening movies and also was used as a Yiddish theatre. It had a seating capacity of 1,228. By 1926 it was known as the Clinton Theatre. It closed by 1949 and today is used as a Home Basics store in the former orchestra level, which still has some decorative detail to be seen. The former balcony was in use in 2000 as a recording studio, but I believe this closed and the space is currently unused."

Photo Credit

UPDATE: Gothamist has some new intel on The Rumor Mill, including the tidbit that the entrance is actually over on Attorney St. and that the inside looks like "a spectacular time capsule...all decaying grandeur and faded opulence." [Gothamist]

Filed under Dish, Manhattan: Lower East Side, Rumor Mill

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