Irving Plaza is a ballroom-style music venue located at 17 Irving Place in the Union Square neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Since opening as a rock concert space on July 14, 1978, it has served as one of the city’s most enduring mid-size stages, with a total capacity of approximately 1,200.
The building’s history stretches back further than its rock-and-roll era. The Polish Army Veterans Association of America purchased it in 1948, operating it as a community center before its conversion to a live music venue. When Irving Plaza pivoted to rock in 1978, it quickly became a home for the city’s punk and new wave scene, hosting the Ramones, Blondie, and Talking Heads, and earning a reputation as a crucial stepping stone for artists moving from small clubs to major arenas.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 17 Irving Place, Union Square, Manhattan, NYC
- Type: Ballroom-style music venue
- Opened: 1978
- Capacity: About 1,200 (floor: ~750)
- Owner: Polish Army Veterans Association of America
- Operator: Live Nation
- Famous for: Punk and new wave roots; intimate shows by stadium-level artists
A Launching Pad for Rock Royalty
Irving Plaza built its legacy on being the right-sized room at the right moment. In its earliest years as a concert hall, it became a vital venue for the late-1970s punk and new wave explosion, with the Ramones, B-52s, Blondie, and Talking Heads all taking the stage. The Ramones played their final show at Irving Plaza on December 31, 1988.
That tradition of intimate performances by outsized names continued for decades. Stadium-level acts including U2, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Strokes have all performed at Irving Plaza, and on Valentine’s Day 2015, Paul McCartney played a surprise show at the venue. The room’s relatively compact size meant fans stood just feet away from artists who routinely filled arenas and stadiums.
Renovations and the Fillmore Years
Live Nation took over operations of Irving Plaza in the mid-2000s, and from 2007 to 2010 the venue operated under the name Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, aligning it with Live Nation’s Fillmore brand of mid-size rooms before reverting to its historic name.
After more than four decades of near-continuous operation, Irving Plaza closed in 2019 for a multi-million-dollar renovation. The project upgraded the VIP lounge, bars, and mezzanine box seating before the venue reopened in August 2021, carrying its original name and reputation into a new era.
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Irving Plaza FAQs
Where is Irving Plaza located?
Irving Plaza is located at 17 Irving Place in the Union Square neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, and is easily accessible via the 14th Street–Union Square subway station.
What is the capacity of Irving Plaza?
Irving Plaza holds approximately 1,200 patrons in total, with a general admission standing floor capacity of around 750.
When did Irving Plaza open as a music venue?
Irving Plaza opened as a rock music venue on July 14, 1978. It closed temporarily in 2019 for renovations and reopened in August 2021.
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Photo: Svaugell / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.