The Sunset Lounge, a once-vibrant cultural hub in West Palm Beach, has seen both its heyday and decline. Originally a hotspot for jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and James Brown, the venue closed its doors in 2018 after decades of lively performances. Fast forward to today, and after a more than $20 million renovation project, the Sunset Lounge is still waiting to welcome back the public.
The venue’s revival has been delayed by legal battles over who should manage it. A local group, Vita Lounge, was selected to oversee the space back in 2022, but a legal dispute with the City of WPB has stalled the reopening, with the issue now dragging into its third year. Despite the setbacks, City officials remain optimistic, targeting summer 2025 for the final phase of renovations, which includes interior finishes and fixtures.
The Sunset’s reopening is a key part of revitalizing West Palm Beach’s historically Black Northwest area. The City has invested in infrastructure improvements and new parks, but the Sunset’s delayed comeback has left taxpayers footing the bill for ongoing maintenance costs, totaling about $50,000 per month.
While the Sunset Lounge still stands locked, the hope is that, once open, it will once again serve as the cultural centerpiece of the neighborhood—a symbol of both the area’s rich past and promising future.
