Owner Terry Dunne, opened Tramps in 1975 on 15th Street in Manhattan as a blues and roots venue. With his late brother, Conleth, they moved the club to 21st Street in 1990, where booking agent Steve Weitzman presented a plethora of world class acts.

The 21st West Street address seems to vary between number 45 and number 51 depending on the age of tickets/posters etc.