| The National Underground | |
| Type: | casual dining, restaurants, live shows |
| Closed: | Permanently closed |
The National Underground was a music venue in New York City, that was launched in December 2007. It was a roots rock Americana music bar founded in Manhattan's Lower East Side, at 159 East Houston Street between Allen and Eldridge Streets.[1] In 2011, a further venue opened at 105 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201 (expanding and changing its name to “Nashville Underground” in 2018[2]), which remains open as of December 2024, even as the original NYC location has permanently closed.
The venue was co-owned by brothers Joey DeGraw and Gavin DeGraw, and offered music, food, and drink.[3] [4] [5] Joey DeGraw is an independent artist whose first record sold 40,000 copies without any label support. Gavin DeGraw is a multi-platinum J Records recording artist.[6] The former New York space once was home to Martignetti Liquors, and had been decorated with hanging tapestries and a pair of Texas longhorns above the bar.[7] [8]
The idea for the venue came about because the brothers wanted a place where they could hang out on a regular basis, and where other musicians could come in. "We were picky about the quality of musicians that played there," Gavin DeGraw says. "We wanted a place where the players were so good, other musicians were like, 'Wow! I really respect what they're doing.'"[9]
Musicians that have played at The National Underground include Gavin DeGraw, Joss Stone, Chris Barron, and The Shells.[10] [11] Irish musician Rob Smith played his first ever US show at the venue in 2010.[12] Musician PARIS RAY played a weekly gig every Sunday in 2012.
https://www.nashunderground.com/