Local Venues
Dec 21, 2008 at 7:38 PM Ace of Clubs (formerly Acme Underground)
9 Great Jones Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-677-6963
6 to Bleecker Street ~ map
"With its dim interior and worn floorboards, this subterranean rock room appears at first glace to have preserved the East Village rawness that spawned punk music just a few blocks away. But a small bar in the corner serving wine and single-malt (and the booming clarity of the top-grade sound system) reveals that, like the surrounding neighborhood, this former dive has been upgraded for more discerning consumers. They come by the L-train-full for the occasional country artist performance, but the rest of the time, the stage is more likely to hold at least one distortion pedal. Comedy and theater nights allow the audience to slip into the shadows while emerging talent squints at the lights and everyone gets to experience the awkward excitement of something new. Perhaps the East Village hasn’t completely lost its former function after all.", New York Magazine
Arlene’s Grocery
95 Stanton Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-995-1652
F or V to 2nd Avenue ~ map
"Despite its name, Arlene’s Grocery has nothing to do with food—at least not anymore. In 1995, the former bodega and neighboring butcher was transformed into this bar and music venue that helped forge the thriving music scene on the Lower East Side. Known for booking bands like The Strokes before anyone had heard of them, Arlene’s continues to take risks on everything from singer/songwriters and country music to edgy hard rock groups. Loyal hipsters provide a solid fan base assuring that the joint is rarely empty. With all shows costing an equal opportunity $10 or less, why would it be? And if the band falls short of expectations, there’s always the cozy, neighborhood, free front bar—the Butcher Bar, which is also a marvelous, atmospheric place for an afternoon cocktail." ~
For booking inquiries, contact julia@arlenesgrocery.net.
Asterik
258 Johnson Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-349-6300
L to Montrose Avenue ~ map
A mecca for those with inclinations toward the raucous and the angular, this converted loft space offers an increasingly rare combination of both excellent sound and house party intimacy. Cheapish drinks are available at a pair of impromptu bars in the main area and in the basement, but BYOB is tolerated and a large backyard patio area offers sweet relief from the ubiquitous smoke and heat inside. Peerless for punk and noise in Brooklyn, bar none. ~Ben Mattison
BAMCafé
30 Lafayette Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-636-4100
G to Fulton Street/23 or 45 to Nevins Street ~ map
BAM, one of Brooklyn’s oldest, most progressive nonprofits dedicated toward supporting the performing and cinema arts, offers free, live music every Friday and Saturday in their vibrant café. The best of New York’s R&B, funk, jazz, world and rock is showcased here, along with national and international acts. You can have dinner and coffee before moving on to beer and music for the night, either seeing a show in the Café or in one of the other rooms at BAM (including a beautiful, classic opera house). With a knack for crossing genres to create perfect combinations, BAM prides itself on booking multicultural shows involving music, dance and visual performance. Just one example would be Akim Funk Buddha, who combined his insane talents to play a holiday show that kicked your family’s dinner in the ass. According to the BAM website, “From Indonesian monkey chanting to Balinese body popping, there’s little Akim Funk Buddha hasn’t embraced as means of revealing the true richness of hip-hop culture.”
Indonesian monkey chanting? As crazy as he sounds, he only rivals other BAM performers.
BAM has multiple buildings in two locations, along with BAMbuses that transport visitors from Manhattan to Brooklyn for free. This place is a premiere center for the arts with a serious mission to bring great music to the average person. They make it easy and cheap for us, so go enjoy. ~Becky Firesheets
Banjo Jim’s
700 East 9th Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-777-0869
L to 1st Avenue ~ map
Lying on the outskirts in the shadow of Manhattan’s commercial hustle and bustle is Banjo Jim’s, a one room Appalachia retreat. Self-proclaimed as New York’s best spot to catch a bluegrass or folk show, the small bar is also a great place to catch a small, roots jam. Earplugs probably won’t be needed, but a spittoon might be handy. There’s no stage really, only a rug and a sound-system, leaving a very homey and intimate setting. Beers are relatively cheep: $5 for good beers and $3 for a PBR, and the bartender is nice. Rarely, if ever, a cover; just a tip bucket for the band. The ambiance, with the Christmas lights and the leather couch along the back wall, give off a pleasant aura. A solid investment to get in touch with New York’s roots and get a breath of fresh air from zany music. ~Sam Houghton
The Bell House
149 7th Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-643-6510
F or G to Smith and 9th Streets/M or R to 9th Street and 4th Avenue ~ map
Clean up a 1920’s warehouse (originally used as a paper-making factory), add rustic and artsy knick-knacks, insert a thrust stage into a room as broad as most concert halls are long, and you’ve got The Bell House. The width of the main room takes some getting used to but offers advantages such as improved acoustics and a relatively clear view of the stage. The venue has the discomfiting vibe of a hut assembled from incongruous found materials, and the sheen of recent renovation lends a feeling of contrivance. Still, The Bell House is a superior option for underground acts that have outgrown the tiny bar circuit. ~John Engelmann
For booking inquiries, contact booking@thebellhouseny.com.
The Bitter End
147 Bleecker Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-673-7030
ACE or BDFV to West 4th Street ~ map
Since 1961, Paul Cosby’s The Bitter End has been the home of many musical legends. From Bob Dylan to Billy Joel, The Bitter End is the place to go to accidentally stumble upon a legend playing a small show, or to discover a great new band. Most shows will run from $7-10 and drinks are $5 and up. If you are looking for some of the top music in New York, or just want to hang out with your friends, The Bitter End is the best spot in The Village. ~Allie Miller
For booking inquiries, contact info@thebitterend.com.
Blender Theater @ Gramercy
127 East 23rd Street ~ New York, NY
6 to 23rd Street ~ map
"The classic marquee and Gramercy location of this former movie house might inspire romantic notions about good, old New York but inside, the no-frills décor dash such frivolous thoughts. The theater offers an ultimate rarity among the city’s mid-sized music venues: a mix of actual seating in back with general admission standing room in front, and a sound system that carries well to both. The venue books a mix of up-and-coming bands (the Blow), indie-circuit stalwarts (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) and the occasional chart-topper (Dashboard Confessional) which puts its programming on par with the Bowery Ballroom and Irving Plaza. Though there are two bars on the main level and another on the lower, the Gramercy Theatre lacks an inviting lounge space so you’ll have to take your post-show after-party to the street." ~
Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212–260–4700
JMZ to Bowery Street ~ map
As it’s one of the most popular rock-n-roll venues in New York City, most people are familiar with the Bowery’s velvety décor, spacious but not overly large performance area, and pricey drinks. It’s definitely a solid standard of the scene, with nightly shows by known-but-not-too-mainstream bands like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Ra Ra Riot, and O’Death. The minimalistic yet still classy vibe is welcoming, and the downstairs lounge offers a place for hanging while the live music from upstairs is played over the speakers. ~Becky Firesheets
The Bowery Poetry Club and Cafe
308 Bowery Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-614-0505
FV to 2nd Avenue-Lower East Side/6 to Bleeker Street ~ map
"Bob Holman, a bearded, linen-suited veteran of St. Mark’s Poetry Project and the Nuyorican, founded the Bowery Poetry Club in 2002 as a haven for verse in all its forms - not just the shrill nursery rhymes and political rants associated with its noisier, smokier forebears. The stage and DJ booth loom impressively over the café’s sleek tables and exposed-brick walls, focusing all eyes and ears on performers who, in a single night, can range from improv-Dada-cabaret group the Typing Explosion to Bowery flophouse poet Bingo Gazingo. Big shows and regular gigs draw the steadiest audiences, but the chilled-out, wireless-accessible coffee shop opens at noon Tuesday through Sunday and at 6pm on Mondays. 'We’re trying to make it a place where you can hang out,' Holman says, 'and let inspiration take its time.'” ~New York Magazine
Brooklyn Masonic Temple
317 Clemont Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY
G to Clinton-Washington Avenues ~ map
Located in Fort Greene, this beautiful temple offers up great architecture and great bands, usually of the TV on the Radio caliber or even further above ground. Sadly, their concert schedule is sporadic but worth checking out. Usually runs $20/ticket and up. Oh, and beware of the stinky bathrooms... ~Becky Firesheets
Bruar Falls
245 Grand Street ~ Brooklyn, NY
L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
This sister to Cake Shop opened almost two years ago and quickly made its name as a hoppin' place for indie hipsters to party. Complete with a backyard, stage and pinball machine, Bruar typically books loud rock with no cover. Expect elbows and crowds on weekends! ~Becky Firesheets
Caffe Vivaldi
32 Jones Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-691-7538
ACE or BDFV to West 4th Street ~ map
Song writers and cool jazz musicians come to Caffe Vivaldi to bang on the classy grand piano in the corner. Ryan Adams, during his Heartbreaker days, would have fit well in front of the ivory keys here. The place is a bit small so if you’re tall, forget it. If you’re trying to watch the show, it can make for an unpleasant experience, bending your neck to catch the band shoved into the corner. Plus, waiting for the waitress to wind her way through the cluster of tables can be an unwanted experience. But it’s a good place to start the night off: a cool beer and romantic Chianti stare downs is the name of the game. Take the wife here to rekindle the old fire. It’s not too expensive, and rarely a cover. ~Sam Houghton
Cameo
93 North 6th Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-302-1180
L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
The trendiest block in Williamsburg is now home to Cameo, a surprisingly down-to-earth, barebones art and music space. Walk through the Lovin’ Cup Café (formerly Anytime) and down a long hallway to find the space, a mid-sized room with high ceilings and enormous, colorful, abstract paintings hanging on every wall. A small bar hugs a corner in the back while the stage spans the front of the room, leaving the rest of the space for dancing. Their vodka and tonics are only $5, their bartenders wonderfully friendly, and the entire vibe focused on enjoying some good music. Their web presence is limited but you can find a schedule by calling the café at the number above. ~Becky Firesheets
Canal Room
285 West Broadway ~ New York, NY ~ 212-941-8100
1 to Canal Street/ACE to Canal Street ~ map
"Stars who want to frolic in a no-holds-barred, to–hell–with–'Page Six' environment know that Marcus Linial is their man. When he shut down his music mecca Shine, gave it a gorgeous seven-figure makeover, and reopened it as the Canal Room in September of 2003, it became an instant party destination for A-listers like Tyson Beckford, Diddy, and the Ronsons. And the stories haven’t stopped since: Lil’ Kim treating fans to a wee-bit-too-intimate view onstage, Ashton dancing on banquettes as Demi fumed nearby—a near sensory overload of spectacle for civilians usually overjoyed to catch a passing glimpse. Just remember, arriving with a video camera probably won’t endear you to the doorman." ~New York Magazine
The Cake Shop
152 Ludlow Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-253-0036
JMZ or F to Delancey Street ~ map
The Cake Shop is the best café/bar/record shop/music hall in New York City. With so many different aspects, it could either feel way too crowded or spread too thin. But the Cake Shop manages to avoid the split personality complex and find a sweet balance of clutter with organization. The happy hour specials are killer (like 2-for-1!) and the vegan scones taste richer and finer than their buttery twins. A tiny record shop shares the upstairs with tables and chairs, while the bar and a stage span the long, narrow basement. Everyone there shares the same groovin’ attitude, and the bands are always worth seeing. This is by far one of New York’s best. ~Becky Firesheets
For booking inquiries, contact andybodor@gmail.com.
The Charleston Bar and Grill
174 Bedford Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ (718) 782-8717
L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
A free cheese pizza pie with every drink purchase is an enticing deal, especially when the pizza tastes pretty good and the drinks are reasonably priced. But such a deal in a bar on Bedford Ave is bound to result in claustrophobia attacks, right?
Shockingly, no. The Charleston somehow never gets too crowded, despite the friendly bartenders, eclectic punk rock décor, and recently added live music. Though the layout of the venue is not prime for a good sound mix, the usually rockin’ music is a great addition to the low-key yet excited vibe. ~Becky Firesheets
Crash Mansion
199 Bowery Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-982-7767
JMZ to Bowery Street/JMZ to 2nd Avenue-Lower East Side ~ map
“This cool basement space features live bands most weeks and lots of dreadlocks all weeks. Old-school reggae has a home on Sunday nights at Reminisce Reggae Sundays at this Lower East Side live-music club.” ~ New York Times
To submit a band/performer/event to Crash Mansion, send an email to booking@crashmansion.com.
Cyn Lounge
216 Bedford Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-384-0100
L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
“Like a homesteader who finally landed a house on Main Street, the owner of Williamsburg's almost impossibly out-of-the way dive Rockstar Bar has set up a second joint just two blocks from the Bedford Avenue subway stop. Given the prime location, you’d think that this cozy, red-and-brown candy-striped room would teem with the young and fashionable. But Cyn, like its predecessor Rain Lounge, is a chasm in the middle of the swirling hipness that surrounds. Aside from the replacement of the former tenant's hip-hop soundtrack with an internet jukebox and DJ's spinning rock, little has changed. Amidst the dim red lighting and the modest crowds, you come here not because you want to join the see-and-be-seen carnival outside, but because you want to escape it with a $2 Pabst in the spacious back garden." ~Keach Hagey, New York Magazine
Dead Herring
141 South 5th Street ~ Brooklyn, NY
JMZ to Marcy Avenue/L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
Yet another DIY music space in South Williamsburg. This venue, however, isn’t located in an abandoned warehouse, nor is it in an old, run-down lot. Dead Herring, located in someone’s apartment, is incredibly intimate, meeting all the criteria for house-party excellence. Hosting local rock acts, the space boasts anything you’d want out in an apartment: roomy kitchen, lofted bedroom, plenty of space. But come show nights, you’ll find someone posted at the front door to collect a small cover, and a foldout table acting as a bar displaying PBR cans, vodka, whiskey, and liters of soda. Then, of course, there’s the band, set up at the window in front that reveals the view of the JMZ line going by on the Williamsburg Bridge. Things get hot and sweaty, and it’s probably wise to bring your ear plugs. In addition to the relaxed, anything-goes vibe, household conveniences like a bathroom and couch put this place above the rest.
Death by Audio
49 South 2nd Street ~ Brooklyn, NY
L to Bedford Avenue/JMZ to Marcy Avenue ~ map
Death by Audio should be a Mecca for all the DIY freaks. Hip in its grunge, it has the apparition of a raggedy, new-age catacomb, a place where financially challenged vampires might hang out. It’s in rough shape, which only adds to the punk vibe. Off the beaten path past Williamsburg amidst a sea of grey, broken windowed industrial warehouses, abutted next to the river across the water from the brooding, capitalist machine, it’s good to have a place like this one, if for the experience alone. Shows usually have a cover, but the music is frequent and the booze (as in Pabst or Brooklyn Lager or a shot of well whiskey) flows cheap. Its only flaw is a less than stellar sound system. Lets just say, the low, office-like ceiling and the small, cramped performance room were not designed by A students from MIT. Naturally, things get a little clamorous. But, if there were a punk revival, Death by Audio would be the place. ~Sam Houghton
For booking inquiries, contact askdeathbyaudio@gmail.com.
Desmond's Tavern
433 Park Avenue South ~ New York, NY ~ (212) 684-9472
6 to 28th Avenue ~ map
On a Sunday afternoon when you will find most sports bars packed with rowdy football or baseball enthusiasts drinking half-price pitchers of Bud, this gritty Irish tavern on Park Avenue South provides a gentler, more continental contrast. “The cheapest bar on Park Avenue” according to the appropriately brogued bartender also broadcasts sports, but of the Anglo-centric kind. Watch international competitive golf, English Premier League soccer, or Irish sporting events with a crowd that is more mature than your garden-variety yuppie sports fan. Nurse a draft beer—an “imperial” pint, meaning twenty ounces to our sixteen—for $5-$6, from selections like Guinness and Smithwick's, or choose from one of several Irish whiskeys, including the ultra authentic Tullamore Dew, Jameson 1800, and Bushmills 16-, 12-, or 10-year (upward of $6 a shot).
The Delancey
168 Delancey Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-254-9920
JMZ or F to Essex Street-Delancey Street ~ map
First and foremost, the upstairs garden overlooking the Williamsburg Bridge and East River with actual trees and fountains and blooming flowers is freaking incredible. Then they have the ground level lounge and bar with cushiony seats and pillows scattered about. And further below is their stage and music hall, offering DJ dance extravaganzas, queer nights, rock-n-roll shows and even Afro Punk parties. The Delancey nicely blends the Lower East Side’s posh vibe with a gritty Brooklyn edge, but sadly maintains Manhattan prices. However, the green, soothing, serene garden is way worth any priced beer. ~Becky Firesheets
Don Pedro’s
90 Manhattan Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY
L to Monstrose Avenue/G to Broadway ~ map
This Bushwick venue-via-Mexican restaurant is ground zero for the fuzzhounds and skronkmongers who frequent the nearby Crypt Records store. It has previously hosted such luminaries as King Khan & BBQ and the Black Lips, as well as local racketeers Golden Triangle. It’s a bit of a walk from public transportation, but the drinks are strong and cheap, the cover’s typically reasonable and the sound’s loud and typically soaked in reverb. Trash and glory. ~Ben Mattison
Duck Duck
161 Montrose Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY
L to Montrose Avenue ~ map
Ride the L train long enough and Williamsburg reverts almost entirely to its pre-hipster days: a quiet, largely ethnic community (more Hispanic than Jewish on this stretch of Montrose nowadays) unconcerned with the latest fashions. But even here in the far eastern reaches, pockets of youth culture crop up. Housed in a converted garage, this blithe, quirky bar may share some of its neighbors' taste for vinyl kitchen chairs, cheesy nature paintings, and curtains stenciled with mallards, but it's more artsy, too: Check out the winding staircase that hangs from the ceiling like an Escher print come to life. Summer finds the garage door sliding open and transforming the setting from mildly ironic to as casual and lively as the stoops of the rowhouses nearby.
Europa
98 Meserole Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-383-5723
G to Nassau Avenue ~ map
Club Europa’s unassuming exterior—wood signage, semi-seedy sidestreet location—belies the nonstop, no-holds-barred, Euro-disco fantasy within. (Yes, there’s a smoke machine involved.) The crème de la crème of Greenpoint’s young, thriving Polish population packs the enormous dance floor amidst elaborately choreographed lightshows, neon faux-stained glass windows, and gilt and red velvet everything. Hilton-twin-lookalike cocktail waitresses shimmy to the beat, toting translucent trays full of vodka drinks and bottles of Zywiec. Though the language barrier impedes conversation (not to mention drink orders) for English-only strays, Europa’s unique ambiance allows you to skip the velvet rope of Manhattan clubland as you catch an Eastern European case of dance fever.
Fat Baby
112 Rivington Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-533-1888
F or JMZ to Essex Street-Delancey Street ~ map
This spacious bar and live music venue from Rob Shamlian (creator and original owner of the Dark Room) invokes the spirit of uglier-than-thou nineties grunge; the exposed guts of the bare-bones interior has the studied industrial-minimalism of old NIN music videos while the glass chandeliers emit the ghostly light you'd expect in an off-path subway tunnel. Heroin-chic bartenders don't look too happy about cranking out staples like Jack and Coke en masse but they're responsible for the gritty, moody, instant hip-in-a-can feel as much as the un-decorations. To really secure indie-cred, patrons are best off sneaking downstairs to catch a band or two: Rising acts such as the iOs, Snowden, and Morning Theft played during the openings weeks.
The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
17 Irving Place ~ New York, NY ~ 212-777-6800
NQRW, 456 or L to Union Square ~ map
This high-profile midsize music hall is the prime stop for national name rock bands that aren't quite big enough yet (or anymore) to sell out Hammerstein, Roseland, or the Beacon. Think Five for Fighting, the Eels, Jars of Clay, Badly Drawn Boy, the Reverend Horton Heat, the resurrected Television, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Cowboy Junkies, and Cheap Trick. From time to time, big-name artists also perform -- Bob Dylan, Prince, Patti Smith, and A. J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys have all played "secret" shows here. All in all, it's a good enough place to see a band, though when it's packed even the tall stage won't help your sightlines from the floor. Fortunately, there's an upstairs balcony with amazingly open views, but come early for a spot leaning on the rail. ~ New York Magazine
Frank's Lounge
660 Fulton Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-625-9339
G to Fulton Street ~ map
"Veterans of Frank's Cocktail Lounge in Fort Greene were rattled when its vintage block-text front sign gave way to an all-too-tasteful burgundy awning. But their worries were premature. Oh, sure, weekends now have a $5 cover and hip-hop DJs spinning rap, R&B, house, and reggae, and trust-funders and BAM-goers mingle with the moldy zoot-suiters. But to gaze upon the stucco ceiling over the bar and mounted TVs tuned to BET is to enjoy truly authentic kitsch in a city full of pretenders. Saxophone whiz Lonnie Youngblood still occasionally plays Thursday nights. There's live jazz starting around 8pm on Sundays, and presiding over it all is Frank Perkins, who never misses a chance to throw a bash complete with a hot southern buffet and generous helpings of liquor and blues." ~New York Magazine
Freddy's Bar & Backroom
485 Dean Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-622-7035
23 to Bergen Street/45 or Q to Atlantic Street ~ map
A former bowling alley, speakeasy, and cop bar, Freddy’s was bought in 1996 by Frank Yost, a gruff veteran pub owner, under whom the place has launched faux-French rockers Les Sans Culottes (“A crazy, stupid idea,” says singer Bill Carney, “but Freddy’s was so supportive”); hosted dozens of literary events (one involved Frank McCourt, his mother, an egg-salad sandwich, and ’Tis); and has generally served as a neighborhood living room for die-hard regulars. ~ New York Magazine
For booking inquiries, contact freddys@freddysbar.com.
Fontana’s
105 Eldridge Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-334-6740
BD to Grand Street/F or JMZ to Essex Street-Delancey Street ~ map
“This surprisingly enormous bar and music venue just south of Delancey Street is owned by the ladies behind The Arrow. If that charming dive is a snappy hot dog, Fontana’s is an enormous, delicious triple-decker sandwich with the works, boasting a bar up front, another in the cavernous, balconied back room, and a third in the basement area where bands play. The wall paintings define the campy, comfortable mood: In a shiny palette of primaries, they depict bikini babes, muscle cars, and portraits of ’70s rock and movie icons. Tallbacked red patent leather booths are more than big enough to accommodate the large, loud groups that begin to fill up the space at around 10pm. Extra-sweet and solicitous bartenders guide patrons through the extensive and ever-changing roster of tap and bottled beers, including hard-to-find favorites. Despite the neighborhood's reputation as a haven for music snobs, the clientele at Fontana’s is refreshingly relaxed and attitude-free.”
For booking inquiries, contact bandsatfontanas@yahoo.com.
Goodbye Blue Monday
1087 Broadway ~ Brooklyn, NY
JMZ to Myrtle Avenue ~ map
Part folksy cafe, part junk shop, (nearly) never a cover and a laid back atmosphere that borders on the catatonic. On any given night, one can expect an amalgam of touring and local acts that vary from avant-jazz to hushed indie pop to Appalachian folk. In between sets, grab a Ballantine’s bigmouth and poke around the vintage curiosa and art crawling up the walls, or saunter out to the backyard and bum a smoke from a regular. ~Ben Mattison
Hank's Saloon
46 Third Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY
D, M or NR to Pacific Street ~ map
"Folks, yer prayers have been answered! Here on the cusp of coldness, sniffling, misery and driving rain mixed with snow, a ray of light beams down from Honky-Tonk Heaven. Unravel the noose, put the hemlock back in the cupboard, pull yer toe out of the trigger and put yer damn dancin' shoes on! Live music, cheap drinks and NEVER a cover!" ~Hank's Website
Highline Ballroom
431 West 16th Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-414-5994
ACE or L to 8th Avenue-14 Street ~ map
“This classy music venue—former home to dance clubs Power and Glo—has the fairly dubious distinction of being located next door to a Western Beef supermarket. But indoors, the spartan 700-person-capacity space distinguishes itself with exposed beams, lounge-worthy lighting, and a column-free main floor with great sight lines from both the wide downstairs area and the carpeted balcony. (When seats are added to both levels, the place maxes out at 400 people.) Bookings are consciously eclectic, but overall reflect the evolved vibe of the neighborhood with bling- and controversy-free hip-hop acts, mellow songstresses, and veteran critical darlings. Owner Steve Bensusan (of B.B. King’s and Blue Note) donates 25 cents of every ticket sold to Friends of the High Line, an organization supporting the conversion of the nearby elevated railway into a public park.”
Hiro Ballroom
371 West 16th Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-727-0212
ACE or L to 8th Avenue ~ map
This place is classy! The cheapest beer is seven bucks, there’s bottle service, and a small, intimate stage. But the customer base is as expected (I recently saw RRIICCEE, Vincent Gallo's "band," if that gives any clues). Time spent here was boring and uptight, but if you like to get dressed up and stand around enjoying the scenery with a Japanese theme, this is your spot. Cheers! ~Alex Lary
Issue Project Room
232 3rd Street, 3rd Floor ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-330-0313
MR to Union Street ~ map
“ISSUE Project Room embraces the integrity of creative exploration and the spirit of unfettered artistic expression by offering a vital meeting place for disparate forms of creativity. ISSUE Project Room provides an open and versatile environment in which established and emerging artists conduct, exhibit and perform new and site-specific work. Through an evolving collaboration with curators, artists and educators, ISSUE Project Room foments widely ranging artistic projects that challenge and expand artistic practice. ISSUE Project Room fulfills its mission by curating innovative programs, events, exhibitions, performances, talks and concerts.” ~ Our Mission, Issue Project Room
Jalopy Theater and School of Music
315 Columbia Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-395-3214
FG to Carroll Street ~ map
“Devoted pickers can find a little slice of Memphis down by the BQE. Jalopy abounds with stringed instruments of all stripes, hanging from the ceiling and lining the walls. A tiny bar plies concertgoers with beer, wine, and coffee drinks, but the focus is the intimate theater in the back. Even in the last row of audience church pews, you feel close to the band onstage. Shows go on most nights, and range from folk to bluegrass to straight country, with a cover that rarely jumps above $15. If the music inspires you to pick up a banjo, Jalopy can help you there, as well, with evening classes, instrument rentals, and sales.”
Joe’s Pub
425 Lafayette Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-967-7555
6 to Astor Place ~ map
This chic venue, located near Astor Place in the Joseph Papp Public Theater, combines a Classic Italian menu with specialty cocktails and an intimate stage hosting top notch performers. Often crowded but still relaxed, Joe’s Pub will always provide a stylish night and high caliber concerts. Despite its upscale air, the servers are chill and the audience friendly, a typical customer being a true music enthusiast. Tickets usually cost $12 and up, but the atmosphere, sound quality and music in general are far worth the price. ~Becky Firesheets
Kenny’s Castaways
157 Bleecker Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-979-9762
ACE or BDFV to West 4th Street ~ map
“The street cred of this Bleecker Street club may have peaked long ago, but for a bar on one of the city's most homogenized nightlife strips, hosting up to five bands every night, the interior retains a surprising bit of mystique. The more than 40-year-old club has played host to the New York Dolls, Blondie, Kiss and Patti Smith, witnessed the meeting of Joey and DeeDee Ramone, and, a little less punk rock, introduced the city to Phish—a group whose jam band spirit is carried on by some of the club's current rock, blues, experimental and R&B acts. Gold records, signed photos, lanterns, buoys, an illuminated stained-glass Kenny's sign and other bric-a-brac decorate the bar, which leads back to rows of tables in front of the small stage. Up an old-fashioned wooden staircase, the dark mezzanine is a little sexier, with couches, beaded lamps and a cut-away floor allowing a privy view down to the band. The crowd varies with the performances, but suburban youngsters, long-haired oldsters, clean-cut and shaggy musicians, and urbane friends of the band are all mixed together, vying for space with the next act's guitar cases.”
Contact: Maria Kenny for press, bookings and private parties. @ info@kennyscastaways.net
The Knitting Factory
74 Leonard Street ~ New York, NY ~ 347-529-6696
1 to Franklin Street/AC to Chambers Street ~ map
“The Knitting Factory isn’t one for inaction: The music venue, opened as an experimental-noise haven in 1987 on Houston Street, relocated to Tribeca in 1994 and slowly mutated into a more accessible concert hall, until rising rent forced it to make moves once again in the summer of 2009. Its latest home is in Williamsburg, in the space of the old Luna Lounge (another music venue that went through a few homes before its demise). Luna regulars will barely recognize the interior, as the expansive room has been smartly split in two. First up is an airy bar area, with glass-front walls, big, cushy booths, and a large window into the back, where the shows actually go down (snippets of the live music can be heard when the iPod playlist switches songs). The show room is much smaller than Knitting Factory Tribeca, but the organizers have managed to carry over some of that space’s idiosyncratic, intimate charm. The bills are KF’s same combination of small-stakes indie rock, underground hip-hop, and oddball one-off events (Hannukah Gone Metal, the Miss Lez Pageant).”
Le Grand Dakar
285 Grand Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-398-8900
G to Classon Avenue ~ map
“Nestled among brownstones on a side street of Clinton Hill, Le Grand Dakar emphasizes the global influence on Senegalese cuisine with a hip insouciance that makes it worth the venture. The warm-toned, high-windowed space is as comfortably uncluttered as the menu, and its scattering of African art and wood accents complement the comfy entrees and unpretentious side dishes. Don't be lulled, though—the cooking exhibits an understated panache. The succulent, squash-like baked plantain papillote, which spills decoratively out of its peel, is sweet enough to be dessert; in fact, it outshines the Paris Dakar, a serviceable apple-mango galette. A piquant, lemony confit of the lamb-rib yassa may have you gnawing the bone despite the meat's peak tenderness, while the grilled beef kafta (sans skewer) is graced with an elusive spiciness. The tamarind slaw garnish may be bland, but entrées as distinctive as these don't need the competition anyway.
Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-796-0741
ACE or BDFV to West 4th Street ~ map
“Tucked into the basement of the long-gone Village Gate—a legendary performance space that hosted everyone from Miles Davis to Jimi Hendrix—(Le) Poisson Rouge was opened in 2008 by a group of young music enthusiasts with ties to both the classical and indie-rock worlds. The booking policy reflects both camps, often on a single bill. No other joint in town books such a wide range of great music: young classical stars, feverish Afropop bands, indie-rockers, progressive jazzers and every subtle shade in between.” – Time Out New York
Lit Lounge
93 2nd Avenue ~ New York, NY ~ 212-777-7987
L to 1st Avenue/6 to Astor Place ~ map
The cavernous, dark and narrow basement of Lit Lounge serves up punk rock, metal and heavy jams every night. Walking downstairs feels almost like spelunking, complete with the overwhelming smell of dank mold. The stage is small and intimate with a section in front of it separated from the rest of the room with long, wooden benches. The upstairs is brighter and less stinky, serving as a lounge with a full bar and less edgy vibe. ~Becky Firesheets
The Living Room
154 Ludlow Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-533-7235
JMZ or F to Essex Street ~ map
The front room of this bar, with its grungy couches, hanging curtains and warm lighting, definitely lives up to the name. Dim lamps and pillows help transform this Lower East Side club into a friend’s living room, who just so happens to have a full service bar running along the wall. Heavy, dark drapes divide this from the performance space, a larger room painted with maroon and pink and lit by red, glass lanterns. Though small, the room produces a solid sound and typically hosts average to great musicians, always with no cover. And upstairs, Googie’s Lounge offers a more relaxed vibe with quieter, smaller acts. ~Becky Firesheets
The Mark Bar
1025 Manhattan Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY
G train to Greenpoint Avenue ~map
One of Greenpoint's hidden treasures, The Mark Bar offers a 10-hour Happy Hour with amazing discounts on their 65+ beers and cocktails, including well OR call shots for super cheap. What?? Complete with darts, pinball and pool, The Mark Bar attracts an eclectic crowd from the hippies with their dogs to the older Polish men hangin' around the 'hood to the middle-aged, blue collar couples to the hipsters gearing up for a big night out. Pizza and cold cuts are served for free every evening plus a Sunday bagel brunch from Luchbox, a nearby cafe opened up by the same owner (Tommy). If you aren't in the mood for that big of a snack, hit up the popcorn maker by the bar. Occasional live performers, mostly acoustic solo acts or groups, add a cozy, festive vibe to this already hoppin' scene. ~Becky Firesheets
Matchless
557 Manhattan Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-383-5333
G to Nassau Avenue/L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
Across the street from McCarren Park, Matchless is a hardware store turned very happy bar. The former garage but now performance space is free and rockin’, and the gated smoker’s lounge with multiple benches and tables is open year round. It’s always fun to pass a late summer’s night smoking, drinking and watching people in the park. DJs entertain the main room, often playing soul music, classic rock, electro or all of the above. A smaller, hallway like section with booths offers more privacy while the main room houses a foosball table and mini dance floor, typically sparsely filled with around five, very energetic dancers. Tuesday nights’ two-for-one special is killer (literally), and even though weekends can get crowded, there are enough sections to disappear in for a break. ~Becky Firesheets
Mehanata - The Bulgarian Bar
113 Ludlow Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-625-0981
F or JMZ to Essex Street-Delancey Street ~ map
The Lower East Side’s Mehanata Bulgarian Bar offers entertainment rooted in the sounds and cultures of Eastern Europe. Two full bars heavy on the vodka offer classy cocktails, but keep the thrifty satisfied with $2 plastic cups of red wine. If drinking is not your thing, enjoy a hookah stuffed with one of many flavored tobaccos. And if remaining clothed is not your thing, go downstairs to the bumpin’ dace floor, where a brief bout of nudity will earn you a free shot. Catch a Gypsy dance party downstairs or a set from regular DJ Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello, or enjoy the more casual performance space upstairs where local bands play on the intimate stage. Though at times dance music thumps from downstairs, the cozy top floor seating or the wraparound balcony offer a relaxed setting for all types of performers. ~Liz Levine
Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston St ~ New York, NY ~ 212–260–4700
F or V to 2nd Avenue-Lower East Side ~ map
“Of all the box-shaped Bowery Presents venues, the Mercury Lounge is the most compact. It's fitted with a fully-stocked, hallway-sized bar and a show space capable of holding 250 people, perfect for its roster of hometown indie rockers who have yet to graduate on to the double-sized Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg. A decent lot of them do.” – The Village Voice
Mexicali Live
1409 Queen Anne Road ~ Teaneck, NJ ~ 201-833-0011
NJ transit bus #167 from New York City ~ map
Monster Island
128 River Street ~ Brooklyn, NY
L to Bedford Avenue/JMZ to Marcy Avenue ~ map
The trek to Monster Island, past abandoned factories and construction sites, is a little unnerving, but eventually you'll turn the corner on River Street and find a scene of people dressed all silly and chatting it up in front of a wall of Technicolor graffiti. Everything is going to be okay; Monster Island is part of the Todd P canon of DIY venues. Thus, you are guaranteed a meticulously curated cast of musicians as scuzzy and endearingly punk-rock as Monster Island's own feedback-incubating basement space.” ~ The Village Voice
Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 North 6th Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718–486–5400
L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
“Bowery Presents, the bookers behind Webster Hall and Bowery Ballroom, have expanded their indie empire again with the rebirth and renaming of the former Northsix. The fancy face-lift stretches the space from two to three levels (with bars to match), adds balcony seating, and reshapes the interior via a curved wall for optimized acoustics. With the removal of the steel columns, sightlines were also markedly improved. And as if the cosmetic modifications weren't enough, the inaugural lineup put the previous incarnation's schedule to shame; Top notch indie acts and veteran critical faves look sure to pack the house while a gamut of great, on-the-verge bands should solidify the rep on the street.” ~Sara Cardace, New York Magazine
The National Underground
159 E Houston Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-475-0611
FV to 2nd Avenue-Lower East Side ~ map
If you’re looking for an intimate venue with a Western farmhouse feel and just a touch of elegance, National Underground is the place to be. Sepia-toned framed photos, model racecars, alternating plain concrete/mosaic tile floors, and patriotic decor establish a fittingly rustic setting for country-tinged musical acts with chops that are generally excellent. A dimmed alcove with cushy walls and red velvet couches provides a posh retreat from the sometimes-chilly front room. Show up at the right time and you might catch a glimpse of co-owner Gavin DeGraw. ~John Engelmann
Otto's Shrunken Head
538 East 14th Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-228-2240
L train to 1st Avenue ~ map
“Most of us are familiar with the concept of a tiki bar, but few locals can say they've really done time in one until they've spent a night at Otto's. Perennially unhip, but always a good time, this Polynesian-themed East Village joint specializes in quirky drinks and quirkier music, ranging from surf rock to avant-garde jazz.” ~ Time Out New York
Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-302-3770
L train to Lorimer Avenue ~ map
Pete’s Candy Store is slightly off the beaten Bedford path, but well worth the extra subway stop and five-minute walk from Lorimer. One of Brooklyn’s best venues, Pete’s offers free rock shows in their back room every night, along with quiz nights, a reading series, a poetry series and a biweekly spelling bee. And if you’re needing a little Jesus in your life, the tattooed Jay Bakker (as in Jim and Tammy Faye’s son) hosts Revolution Church on Sundays, for those “who have given up on church” and agree that a typical Christian is “a self-righteous, judgmental bastard.” The bar itself is warm and festive, serving delicious, fresh sandwiches and specialty cocktails in addition to the typical drinks and beer (including Yeungling for cheap). Outside is a large garden that’s perfect for a summer night, with benches, Christmas lights and tall walls (open year round for the more desperate smokers). According to us here at Knocks, Pete’s Candy Store is a must. ~Becky Firesheets
Pianos
158 Ludlow Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-505-3733
FV to 2nd Avenue-Lower East Side ~ map
“The younger, very popular Pianos follows Arlene’s Grocery protocol, keeping the 'Pianos' name and sign from the store that was there when it was conceivable that a piano store might make it on the Lower East Side. Pianos is kind of an entertainment multiplex. The bar there doesn’t just feel like the antechamber to the performance space; it could stand on its own. There are two stages: one that has free shows upstairs in a funky loungelike setting and later brings on a D.J. spinning eclectic dance music; and one in a back room on the main floor where past concerts have found groups like Andrew W. K. and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah performing.” ~ Seth Kugel, New York Times
For booking inquiries, contact Zachary Waldman and Billy Jones at booking@pianosnyc.com.
Public Assembly
70 North 6th Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-384-4586
L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
Offset into what looks like a grungy car-dealership section of Williamsburg towers the hip Public Assembly. What used to be a classy, Zen-like pool at the entrance to the bar has sadly been changed to a hardwood floor with tall tables and bar chairs lining the walls, leaving the middle area open and spacious. This new space offers a great view of the stage yet a quieter, slightly removed environment.
The Public Assembly is large. Two big stages allows for them to host some good party scenes where any number of bands perform. Some night might be an electronic rave hosted by a DJ, while other nights you might luck out and catch six good, underground performances. Most bands that play are wild and often dark. Rumor has it that very disgusting and cruel things can happen. the crowd is usually, or always, hip and young, loud but appreciative. Prices could scare you, a little hefty for the underground scene. There are often cover charges, but still, a great place to go place for the occasional wild time. ~Sam Houghton
R Bar
218 Bowery Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-334-0484
Fv to 2nd Avenue-Lower East Side/6 to Spring Street ~ map
“Without sacrificing the liberal door policy or the many beers on tap, the owners have given the Bowery stalwart a clubby makeover by throwing a black epoxy resin on the floors, red light boxes under the bar, and squares of pleather on the walls. The old-school hip-hop and indie Britpop tunes emitting from the D.J. booth (modeled after a Chesterfield sofa) should complement artist Benjamin Kay's paintings and photos of Mick Jagger and Deborah Harry. The icing on the cake? Stripper poles in a reservable private back room."
For booking inquiries, contact leesobel@aol.com.
The Red Lion
151 Bleecker Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-260-9797
6 to Bleecker Street ~ map
“[The] Red Lion has something for everyone: sports fans cheer for the satellite football games shown on three large flatscreen TVs, neighborhood drinkers appreciate the English pub decor and mellow mid-week atmosphere, while music heads dig the live performances. The Red Lion showcases bar-band talent seven nights a week, with an emphasis on classic rock, cover bands and singer-songwriters.— Jane Lerner, New York Magazine
The Rock Shop
249 Fourth Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-230-5740
DNR to Union Street ~ map
"Michael Winsch of the Bowery Ballroom gives the bi-level space that once housed Cattyshack a butch makeover. He teamed up with Brian Harkenrider (a former Bowery manager) to open what you might or might not consider a sports bar — “we’re not necessarily going to call ourselves a sports bar,” says Harkenrider, “but we have a bunch of flat-screens.” Ten of them, to be exact. But sports isn't the only focus here: With a new stage and soundboard intact, the first floor will eventually host the sort of live bands you’d expect to see at the Bowery Ballroom’s sister club, Mercury Lounge (the booker is Diane Perini, who’s also responsible for the just-announced lineup of the 2010 Siren Music Festival). Upstairs, a bar will offer nightly $3 drink specials, and Cattyshack’s roof deck remains.” ~Daniel Maurer, New York Magazine
Rock Star Bar
351 Kent Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-599-3241
L to Bedford Avenue/J to Marcy Avenue ~ map
“Rocky changes the name of his bar every few years, the perky bartender will inform you. Waterfront, Splash, On the Rocks, Ship's Mast, Local and Rocky's have been just a few of the monikers adopted by this spacious dive tucked under the Williamsburg Bridge. Loyal regulars brave the desolate locale for an antidote to Bedford Avenue's self-consciously hip scene. Bright orange and yellow walls provide the backdrop for a large, octagonal black bar with a pair of ships' figureheads in the center. Aside from that, the surroundings are set-piece dive bar: a jukebox, a beat-up television, pool and air hockey tables, and a sketchy mix of chairs and couches." ~Christopher Brescia, New York Magazine
For booking inquiries, contact Sherri at 718-599-3052.
The Rodeo Bar
375 3rd Avenue ~ New York, NY ~ 212-683-6500
6 to 28th Street ~ map
This honky-tonk bar and Tex-Mex restaurant specializes in live southern rock, country and bluegrass. They’re proud to be a raucous roadhouse with talented and rowdy brass bands, banjo pickers, jug drummers and yodelin’ fools. The wood walls and antler chandelier contribute to the rustic look, yet a full sized bus decorated with stickers and magazines keep the place feeling urban. Chosen by Village Voice and AOL City Guide as Best Ofs, The Rodeo Bar offers true barbecue and the “world’s best margaritas.” But beware – they have an enormous buffalo hanging above the bar. ~Becky Firesheets
Rose Live Music
345 Grand Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-599-0069
L to Bedford Avenue/JMZ to Marcy Avenue ~ map
“Basically a bar, a back room, a tiny stage and an even smaller booth, this Williamsburg hangout hosts all manner of live bands and DJ-driven events. It's small, extremely casual and, on the right night, a hell of a lot of fun.” ~ Time Out New York
Roseland Ballroom
239 West 52nd Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-247-0200
BDE to 7th Avenue ~ map
“Since opening on New Year’s Eve 1919, the Roseland has played host to Charleston-crazed flappers in the twenties, dime-a-dance hustlers during the Great Depression, Lindy-bopping swingers up through World War II, and saddle-shoed bobby-soxers in the fifties. Today, ballroom is a haven for indie rockers, mosh pits, and eardrum-shattering amps, although once in a while megastars like Metallica or The Rolling Stones will up their street cred by playing this 3,500 standing-room only venue. The space itself recalls an era of black-tie Friday nights and posh society parties. Hardwood floors, an elevated concert stage, and a room-circling balcony give this relatively small venue a classy sense of intimacy absent in most arenas."
Roulette
20 Greene Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-219-8242
ACE or NQRW to Canal Street ~ map
Roulette is a major New York City venue for contemporary music and intermedia art, internationally recognized for the presentation and promotion of experimental contemporary music, an incubator for young talent and a laboratory where new ideas and new technologies are examined, appraised and developed. It is also an artists’ resource center, offering cheap rehearsal space, high quality recording facilities, information and commissions.” ~ Roulette Website
Secret Project Robot
210 Kent Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY
L to Bedford Avenue/JMZ to Marcy Avenue ~ map
“Secret Project Robot: Art Experiment is a not for profit dedicated to the documentation and proliferation of contemporary art and current cultural trends in music, performance, dance the party and social theory…Secret Project Robot reaches out to the community and hosts bimonthly music showcases, in addition to monthly art openings, and an annual block party, where bands play on the streets or in abandoned lots. Bands such as Lightning Bold, Oneida, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, ExModels, The Liars, Golden Triangle, The Vivian Girls and Big A Little a have all played in recent years.” – Secret Project Robot Website
Shrine Bar and Restaurant
2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard ~ Harlem, NY ~ 212-690-7807
23 to 135 Street-Lenox ~ map
“Playfully adapting a sign left over from previous tenants (the Black United Foundation), the Shrine deems itself a “Black United Fun Plaza.” True enough. The interior is tricked out with African art and vintage album covers (the actual vinyl adorns the ceiling). Harlemites and downtowners pack the Shrine for nightly concerts, which might feature indie rock, jazz, reggae or DJ sets. The cocktail menu aspires to similar diversity: Drinks range from a smooth mango mojito to signature tipples like a snappy Afro Trip (a lime and ginger concoction enhanced by Jamaican or Brazilian rum), and a sweet vodka-and-Bailey’s-driven Muslim Jew.” ~ Time Out New York
For booking, contact info@shrinenyc.com.
Silent Barn
9-15 Wyckoff Avenue ~ Queens, NY
L to Halsey Street ~ map
Anything with the word “barn” harkens images of a bucolic abode in rural Pennsylvania. But don’t let the name mislead you – this place is neither silent nor barn-like. It’s an extremely loud art and music space in an industrial no man’s land. Enter the space and find yourself surrounded by colorful wall-sized murals and a cozy basement bar, a nice contrast to the grit of the surrounding neighborhood. On the upper level, the stage sits in the corner of a spacious main hall lined by worn out couches. Adding to Silent Barn’s loft-like feel is an old piano and various colorful movie-set props.
To get there, hop on the L train to Halsey Street, walk two blocks from the station and look for the unmarked door next to the salsa club. Don’t let the location – it’s listed as in Ridgewood, Queens – intimidate you. For those who are willing to brave the subway ride, Silent Barn will reward. ~Patrick Burns
Solomon's Porch
307 Stuyvesant Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-919-8001
AC to Utica Avenue ~ map
Solomon's Porch just reopened with a great new look after a long time closed for renovations! Swing by for some delicious, authentic soul food and be serenaded by the finest R&B/Soul music around.
Southpaw
125 5th Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-230-0236
MR to Union Street/23 to Bergern Street ~ map
“When Southpaw opened in 2002, it filled a gaping hole in the area's music scene. Enter Southpaw—and now the 'hood is almost mandatory as major acts blow through. Showcasing everything from indie rock to rockabilly to hip-hop, with the occasional burlesque show and DJ, there's always something going down. On busier nights, the downstairs lounge (the Downsouth) offers up couches, a plasma TV and a projector, plus a second full bar where you can escape the madness upstairs and chill out, in a space laid out not unlike an old-time bomb shelter.” ~ Metromix New York
Spike Hill
184-186 Bedford Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ (718) 218-9737
L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
In the heart of Bedford Avenue insanity, Spike Hill somehow maintains its laidback attitude with a tavern/restaurant on one side and music space on the other. Almost always no cover, Spike hosts live music every night, featuring up-and-coming local musicians as well as travelers from faraway places like Indiana and Israel and super stars like Norah Jones. The Monday night jazz series combines traditional bebop with nu-jazz, freeform and who knows what else, while the weekend nights typically offer rock-n-roll. But if you like singer songwriters, don’t worry; you can catch that on Sundays.
Their bar food, specialty seasonal drinks, multiple whiskeys ranging from $4 to $50 a glass, and extensive beer selection make Spike Hill a perfect meet up for getting stuffed and drunk. Then throw in the funky graffiti on the walls and above-mentioned music, and you’ve got a fun, well-rounded night. ~Becky Firesheets
For booking inquiries, contact booking@spikehill.com
The Studio at Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street ~ New York, NY
NQRW/456/L to Union Square ~ map
If you’ve been to Webster Hall, you’ve probably glanced at the Studio without knowing it. This venue-within-a-venue caters to bands far too small to play the Grand Ballroom: It’s located just to the side of the downstairs bathrooms. An open room where the sound from upstairs is miraculously shut out, it’s a bare-bones operation (just a wide stage and an often unobstructed bar, a great way to skirt the melée at the upstairs bars) with an interesting twist: In a nod to Webster Hall’s original identity as an old-timey recording studio—the one where RCA Victor sound engineers created Stereophonic music in 1953, no less—the place is equipped with a multitrack recording system to capture bands’ live sets. Look out for the fruits of the system’s labors, the Live at Webster Hall Series, currently featuring Bear Hands and Young Love.” ~
Sycamore Bar and Flower Shop
1118 Cortelyou Road ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 347-240-5850
BQ to Cortelyou Road ~ map
"Sycamore Flower Shop + Bar is located in the heart of Ditmas Park. The bar, open 7 days a week, has a full bar, though we tend to focus in the things we like, domestic and international craft beers and American whiskeys (we have one of the largest collections in Brooklyn and Manhattan). The boutique flower shop, open 5 days a week, offers a variety of unique flowers by the stem. Our ivy-surrounded garden is open year -round and is worth the visit on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Feel free to bring in your own food, order from one of the numerous acclaimed neighborhood restaurants, or use our grill to create your own delicious BBQ. We have a broad array of events offered, from live music shows to whiskey and beer tastings. Join us soon for an event, a music show, or just a beer & bouquet!" ~Sycamore's website
Terra Blues
149 Bleecker St ~ New York, NY ~ 212-777-7776
ACE or BDFV to West 4th Street ~ map
Situated right smack dab in the middle of Greenwich Village, amidst all the giddy tourists snapping pictures of Bobby D’s old digs, sits one of New York’s greatest escapes into the deep roots of music. This bar is The Blues. Not John Mayor angst blues, but real, straight from the swamp, Delta Blues. Sometimes a legend like Hubert Sumlin will trek in and play a set or two, but usually, there’s some deep moaning black singer dressed in the old regalia, throwing his heart out to the crowd and wailing on his guitar until the early mornings.
Terra Blues is a tight bar, continuously, from about nine until morning, packed to the gills with smiling, glassy eyed music lovers. It’s romantic. The small, jazzy, round tables fit with candles makes for a perfect spot to impress a girl with your heartfelt, undying faith and love for music, or a boy to show him how bad ass you really are: a classy but not too classy, grungy but not too grungy, exodus for any blues lover. Drinks are moderately priced and covers start at eight bucks. ~Sam Houghton
Town Hall
123 West 43rd Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212-840-2824
123 or NQRW or 7 or S to Times Square ~ map
From the beginning, The Town Hall has been more focused on ideas than grandiosity, and it carries on that legacy by acting as a hub for performance…he building itself has quite a history of its own as well. As the former headquarters for The League of Political Education, a suffragist group dedicated to educating women about socio-economic issues, the Georgian-Colonial-style Town Hall, designed by McKim, Mead and White, was unveiled five months after the 19th Amendment was ratified, on January 12, 1921. To honor its political genesis, the Hall was designed to be democratic, providing both acoustic clarity and unobstructed sightlines from every seat in the house. As a nod to those egalitarian roots, the workaday exterior is reminiscent of a school building, composed of simple brick with only a few theatrical flourishes such as arches above the windows. Inside, the space feels like an elegant community center—much in keeping with its programming.”
Trash Bar
256 Grand Street ~ Brooklyn, NY 11211 ~ 718-599-1000
L to Bedford Avenue ~ map
Trash Bar somewhat lives up to its name, scattering used bus and mini-van seats with weird stains and equally weird smells around the basement and performance space. But the colorful Christmas lights draped from the ceiling, vintage Amalie motor oil poster hanging behind the stage, neon signs and amazing photography framed and scattered around the walls create an eclectic, kind of crazy but kind of chilled out, overall fun atmosphere. The sound is great in the back room and the front room offers free tater tots with every drink, a pool table, TVs playing wonderfully weird music videos, and an awesome jukebox. The staff is always friendly, vibing like one big, trashy family (check out their group photos on the website). Though the drinks are pricey, the shows are usually under $10 and the happy hour specials are pretty sweet. ~Becky Firesheets
For booking inquiries, contact 718-326-2353.
Union Hall
702 Union Street ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-638-4400
MR to Union Street ~ map
Indoor Bocce ball? Fireplaces? Overflowing bookshelves lining the walls? Great live music? $3 Modelos? Uh, I’m in heaven.
This venue, located in an exciting but not overwhelming part of Park Slope, is honestly incredible. The first floor, a huge room that extends so far back it’s funny (5,000 square feet!), boasts the above-mentioned Bocce and books along with excellent music floating from the house speakers and truly cheerful people. The basement performance space, typically $10 or less for a show, features stellar local bands and a hot P.A. system. And the cozy but totally happening vibe makes you wanna stay and never leave. You can drink, roll some balls around, hear good music, drink some more, go to the outdoor garden for a smoke, read and then curl up by the fireplace, all in one night in the same place. Most definitely heavenly. ~Becky Firesheets
Union Pool
484 Union Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY
L to Lorimer Avenue ~ map
"There’s a 1950s, Vegas-Middle American Motel feel to Union Pool, and old pool supply and pest control shop. Plop your hiney into one of the big, cushy half-moon booths or hunker up to the boomerang-shaped bar. Only three taps (Guinness, Stella…) but there are some good brews in bottle (Duvel, Chimay). A modest liquor selection but it too holds some gems- Blanton’s, Woodford Reserve. Young, laid-back, hipster clientele come for the ambiance, DJ and bands, and the generous happy hour (5-8). Sport for the bored- sit at the bar and try to land lemon peels from your martini atop the bust of JFK on the ancient beer fridge. They also have a great backyard which is open during the warmer months. It tends to get a bit crowded when the garden is closed in the winter.” ~ Free Williamsburg
For booking inquiries, contact unionpoolbooking@gmail.com.
Warsaw
261 Driggs Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-387-0505
G to Nassau Avenue ~ map
“An integral part of the city's music scene, Warsaw (located inside the Polish National Home, in Williamsburg) has played host to outré newcomers (Le Tigre, the New Pornographers), as well as still-relevant favorites (Patti Smith). It's a discerning balance that most clubs—with their unsubstantial underground acts or museum-worthy oldies bands—fail to achieve. Warsaw's high ceilings, good sight lines, and clear sound make the venue one of the city's premier nightlife destinations—in any borough.” ~ New York Magazine
Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street ~ New York, NY 10003 ~ 212-353-1600
L to 3rd Avenue/6 to Astor Place ~ map
“Those who know Webster Hall solely as the roomy host to ascendant indie-acts and faded legends alike will be surprised to hear that the faux-marble labyrinth often doubles as a real-life night club featuring cover-charged theme parties and big-name DJ sets. The four-story, 40,000 square foot space includes a main stage, lined with balcony space on either end, as well as a few amenities and extras: an underground coat check, a large back-area bar (plus a few rarely-trafficked side bars,) bathroom attendants, and the Studio at Webster Hall, a smaller venue-within-a-venue home mostly to tiny Brooklyn bands. Attendees are usually too entranced by the spinning stage lights and gothic chandeliers to notice the multi-culti hieroglyphic hode-podge lining the venue’s wall; the upstairs unisex bathroom – complete with checkered, hop-style design and blackboard walls and chalk sticks on string to encourage scrawled musings from stall occupants – is harder to ignore. Most importantly, the house sound system’s crisp low end refuses to be ignored.”
Zebulon
258 Wythe Avenue ~ Brooklyn, NY ~ 718-218-6934
L to Bedford Avenue/JMZ to Marcy Avenue ~ map
“Only a few blocks from the art-school monoculture of Bedford Avenue, Zebulon Cafe Concert is a dark, glittering, entirely different world—an authentically bohemian boite better suited to the Boulevard St. Germaine. Under dim streetlamp-style globes, a casual, congenial, international crowd snacks on hummus and chorizo while toasting at tables with a glass of Lillet or one of the reasonable reds from the Cotes du Rhone. The small, L-shaped room's décor includes an antique tin ceiling and dark mirror behind the bar, set off by old LP covers and posters of Miles, Monk, and Mingus—complementing the main event, nightly jazz or world music on the undersized stage. Owned by two Gallic music lovers who spin vinyl rarities from their own collection between sets, Zebulon never charges a cover or a minimum for a serious roster of artists that has included saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and cornetist Graham Haynes, plus salsa, zydeco and Afro-Brazilian musicians. Instead, a tip basket winds its way across the tiny, packed dance floor as revelers finish their rounds and decide to stay for the late set.”
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