What a way to open a new version of a classic music venue.

Thrash metal legends Anthrax headlined a reopening night on Sept. 4 for Saint Vitus Bar, a beloved heavy metal music venue. Vitus, as fans know it, is back in business two and a half years since the last show at the the original location in Greenpoint.

“There was a lot of love, a lot of great music, a lot of great bands, and we are continuing on with all of that,” said Arty Shepherd, co-owner of the new location on Troutman Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn. 

The original venue opened in 2011 as, essentially, a bar with a stage, and added more live music as the years passed. Eventually bands like Anthrax, Megadeath and Carcass would play there. On one special night, the surviving members of Nirvana played Vitus after their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The new spot continues the Vitus tradition in a bigger way.

“It’s twice the size of the old space, and the bar area is bigger, so just overall, it’s a lot more accommodating,” Shepherd said.

There are amenities like comfortable green rooms and a VIP area overlooking the stage. Shepherd says it’s also a huge step up in production, which will allow for bigger tours and events.

“The second people walk in here, they’re just like, ‘Oh my God, this is incredible,’ and this is what we got, so it’s not going to be as gritty as the old space. It’s just, we couldn’t find a space like that. This is what we got. It’s New York real estate. This is what we can do,” he said.

Shepherd says it’s good to have a space open again for lovers of metal and hardcore, noting that the underground scene welcomes everyone.

“We’re all misfits, and we’re all music nerds. We’re all searchers, like we’re all searching for that next band that’s going to give us that feeling that’s amazing. And that’s the thing, us as owners, that’s who we are, and that’s who our crowd is, and it’s awesome.”

Shepherd says Saint Vitus has become more than just a venue — it’s a brand. As in, it’s not just a show, it’s a Saint Vitus show. He thinks the space is already making its mark with bands and fans.