Cafe Stritch is closing down for good.
It’s a big loss for South Bay jazz lovers, who have flocked to the downtown San Jose club — located on First Street in the SoFA District — for years to hear live music played in an intimate setting.
The club has actually been shuttered for nearly two years, during a time when COVID-19 has ravaged much of the local live music scene. Yet, fans were looking forward to a day when the club would reopen its doors.
Instead, the club owners — who also once ran the popular Eulipia venue — have decided to say goodbye to the venture.
“We’d like to thank you for your patience since our closure almost two years ago, and let you know that Cafe Stritch will not be reopening,” said the Borkenhagen family in a statement. “Thank you very much for sharing with us in all the live music, shared meals, and enduring memories that were the essence of Cafe Stritch, and Eulipia before it. We could never have done it if not together: musicians and audience, bartenders and barbacks, servers and bussers, cooks and dishwashers.”
But as one venue closes, another prepares to open. That new venue is named Mama Kin and will take over the spot vacated by Cafe Stritch.
More information about that new venue will be posted as it becomes available. Check back here for updates.
The Borkenhagen family ends their statement about the closing of Cafe Stritch on a hopeful note, imploring people to keep supporting live music.
“Without your regular support (through the good times and especially the bad) spaces like Stritch simply
cannot survive,” the family says. “With that said, we have great confidence in the resilience of our beloved downtown San Jose music and arts community, and look forward to seeing what new spaces and experiences it will offer in the future, especially the new venture at our old location, Mama Kin.
“Once again, we thank you for sharing in these bright moments in this valley of heart’s delight.”