New York's Best Live Music Venue

Check your pretensions at the door of this Greenwich Village institution.

Reviews:

• “Had a great time!”
• “Music not worth the unfriendly staff”
• “Tourist Trap (Literally Trapped by Husky Doorman)”
• “Not Like It Used To Be”
• “Had a most enjoyable evening”

Tips: Get here before 10pm on weekends. The good seats fill up fast, and so does the line around the block.

Cafe Wha? or email Cafe Wha?

Get the royal treatment at this five-star palace of rock clubs.

Reviews:

• “Worst staff ever”
• “Great Concert, Rude Staff”
• “The best venue”
• “A great venue with a weak staff”
• “Intimate venue”

Tips: The cash-only box office is at the Mercury Lounge, 217 E Houston St.

Bowery Ballroom

A swank performance spot for live music of any variety—rock, punk, Brazilian, blues or jazz.

Reviews:

• “Great Atmosphere!!”
• ""The Freams" are playing on Feb 13th at 7pm. It will be a show you shouldn’t miss"
• “great way to dance the night away”
• “Big Sam’s Funky Nation”
• “i love this place!”

Tips: Though owned by the same people, Crash Mansion has a distinctly more relaxed feel than its trendier upstairs neighbor BLVD—including a sneakers-OK policy.

Crash Mansion or email Crash Mansion

Outta left field and plunked down in Park Slope: Big-sound bands and nightly DJs.

Reviews:

• “COMPLETE DISASTER”
• “The RUB? A ROB of my Saturday night!”
• “ONLY go on 1st SATURDAYS”
• “boooooooring”
• “my favorite venue in NYC”

Tips: Duck into the downstairs bunker lounge, Down South.

Southpaw

The downstairs location is just part of this jazz bar’s charm.

Reviews:

• “Romantic, hip, relaxing”
• “Romantic place to celebrate a special occasion”
• “Love it!”
• “Dopest Jazz Music Spot”
• “The Best Food and Music!”

Tips: $8 cover charge for live music (Mon-Thurs, Sun at 8pm; Fri and Sat at 9pm and 11:15pm)

Next Door at La Lanterna di Vittorio or email Next Door at La Lanterna di Vittorio

A pure-bred neighborhood wine bar, with free jazz nightly and a resident pit-bull.

Reviews:

• “Horrible Service”
• “UNFRIENDLY OWNER/BARTENDER”
• “best live jazz – no cover – just donation; best wine selection”
• “very chill evening”
• “Great Experience!”

Tips: Ordinarily there are two shows each night (one at around 6pm, the second at around 9pm), but check the online calendar for specific details.

Louis 649

Theme restaurant-meets-concert hall in this lavish Times Square club.

Reviews:

• “42nd’s best”
• “Whatever you do – Don’t get Steve the waiter!”
• “Best Food, Great Music”
• “Disgusting Food”
• “Reflects badly on the name of BB King (I bet he doesn’t know)”

Tips: Stop by for Sunday Gospel Brunch—doors open at 12:30pm and the show starts at 1:30pm.

B.B. King Blues Club & Grill or email B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

The glitzy antithesis of the Village Vanguard gets powerhouse bookings—and respects the music.

Reviews:

• “The Best!”
• “Omarrr…..Omar Sosa”
• “Legendary Venue with Great Perfomers”
• “Boring!!!”
• “Great Jazz and Great Food”

Tips: In addition to any ticket or cover charge, there’s a $5 minimum at tables and a one-drink minimum at the bar.

Blue Note or email Blue Note

Hard-partying revelers unite at this mixing ground for drinking, dancing and decadence.

Reviews:

• “THAT’S HOT!!!”
• “best night EVER!!!!”
• “BEWARE of PICKPOCKETERS!!!!”
• “Great music and dancing”
• “BEST PARTY PLANNER AND BOUNCERS IN NYC”

Tips: Each banquette fits about six people. Splitting a bottle, which average $150, saves time and effort, as the waitresses are quick to replenish mixers.

Village Underground or email Village Underground

A no-cover Village R&B house with live entertainment seven nights a week.

Reviews:

• “Indeed a great time!!! SLAMMING BAND!!!!!”
• “Great Changes”
• “Always a good choice”
• “Not impressed the first time…”
• “Rahj and Groove House band!”

Groove

Powered by Citysearch