315 Bowery between 1st and 2nd Avenues

The full name of this club is CBGB & OMFUG, which stands for “Country, Bluegrass, Blues, and Other Music For Uplifting Gourmandizers.” The club was opened in 1973 by Hilly Kristal; he spent the first year showcasing country singers, but by 1974 the focus had changed to rock bands and protean punk. In fact, it is commonly accepted that American Punk was born here. The club is dim, dank, and crumbling, but any number of stars (from many genres) have graced its grimy stage, including Blondie, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Sid Vicious, and the Ramones.