The Ritz was founded in 1980 by Jerry Brandt in the historic Webster Hall ballroom and concert space on 11th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues in the East Village neighborhood of New York City. The address was 119 East 11th Street. The Ritz focused primarily on live performances, often of newer acts, but also featured dancing. The Ritz was one of the first clubs to incorporate video screens into the club experience with a 30' screen and a projector which cost $120,000. MTV made its debut at The Ritz. In April 1989, The Ritz moved to the site of the former Studio 54 on 254 West 54th Street, where it was called "The New Ritz" and continued to host concerts for several years. From 1990 onward it reverted to the name "The Ritz." The original 11th Street space is now known as Webster Hall.
The club received national attention after an antagonistic performance by Public Image Limited on May 15, 1981. They were a late substitution for Bow Wow Wow, who were originally scheduled to perform. The band was more interested in creating performance art than giving a traditional concert. To this end, they appeared onstage deliberately obscured by a projection screen and played their records through the club's public address system while playing entirely different music onstage. Taunted by lead singer John Lydon, the Ritz's unhappy patrons rioted, throwing bottles and garbage cans, and pulling on the video screen that covered the front of the stage.
Parliament-Funkadelic first performed at the club in April 1981. They returned to the venue in 1984, 1990, 1992 and 1993.
Duran Duran performed at The Ritz in September 1981 during their first U.S. tour.
"Mommy, Can I Go Out & Kill Tonight", the only live track on the Misfits' album Walk Among Us, was recorded at The Ritz in 1981. Parts of Evilive were also recorded there in 1981.
Ozzy Osbourne recorded the live album Speak of the Devil at The Ritz on September 26–27, 1982.
Dead or Alive performed two sold out shows at The Ritz in 1983 during their first U.S. tour.
Run-DMC taped an early MTV appearance at The Ritz in 1984.
Sting made his solo debut at The Ritz on February 26, 1985, prior to the release of his first solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles.
The Exploited performed at The Ritz in September 1985 during their third U.S. tour, supported by U.S. Chaos and the Cro-Mags, and the club was almost shut down due to death threats.
D.R.I. recorded Live at The Ritz on June 27, 1987.
Little Steven filmed a Ritz concert in October 8, 1987 for broadcast in Japan, at which Bruce Springsteen made an appearance.
Guns N' Roses recorded Guns N' Roses: Live at The Ritz, a full concert for MTV on February 2, 1988, as well as the live footage used for the "You Could Be Mine" music video in 1991.
White Lion made a television recording at the club in 1988. This concert was released as the second disc of the 2007 compilation The Definitive Rock Collection.
Danzig filmed music videos for their songs "Mother" and "Twist of Cain" at the club in early 1988.
"Memories Can't Wait" from the Living Colour EP Biscuits was recorded live at the club on April 22, 1989.
