LIVE MUSIC IN NEW YORK
Webster Hall, 125 East 11th St +1 212 353 1600
Beach House, Lupe Fiasco, Royksopp, and the Klaxons are some of the bands lined up to play at Webster Hall in the East Village this year. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s played the Grand Ballroom last year and wooed the crowd into sitting down on the drink splattered floorboards to essentially kumbaya with their prophet-esque lead. Doing biz since 1991, the space has great acoustics, a plush staffed bathroom and ticket checkers let you wait inside when it’s cold outside.
Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Avenue +1 718 963 3369
Bowling, dancing, DJs, gigs, great food, huge space: the Brooklyn Bowl is wicked fun for everyone whether you’re sporty, clubby, quiet, foody or social. It all works here. Take a group of friends and book a bowling aisle for a few hours, then order anything from Cajun Catfish to Organic greens to BBQ Beef (the whole menu is amazing.)
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas +1 212 307 7171
A New York classic. People rave about the epic quality of the sound here, the friendliness of the staff, the plethora of good seating, and the Art Deco interior which was deified as a city landmark in 1978. Located in Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall also hosts the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” every year, which has been a big apple tradition since 1933.
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street +1 212 533 2111
Ample bars, bathrooms and neither too big nor too small, the Bowery Ballroom hosted Lauryn Hill and Kanye West last year, and gets points for being “less formal than most spots of this caliber.” What this means is relaxation and enjoyment of some great sounds in a space that doesn’t scrimp on quality.
Madison Square Gardens, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza +1 212 465 6741
“The Garden” or MSG hosts large scale concerts as well as sporting events and is the third busiest arena in the world when it comes to ticket sales, behind the O2 and M.E.N, both in the U.K. John Lennon played his final show here in 1980, as did The Police, while Elton John just keeps coming back for more (60 shows and counting!)
Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North 6th St (between Wythe Ave & Kent Ave), Brooklyn +1 718 486 5400
Part of the ‘Bowery Presents’ family which parents the similarly-styled Bowery Ballroom, the Music Hall of Williamsburg is intimate with easy to access bars offering drinks for $3 until the headliner plays. The railing from the main floor is the best place to ‘see’ a show, whilst its location is somewhat down to earth hipster.
The Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston Street +1 212 260 4700
On the Lower East Side, the Mercury Lounge used to house servants to Astor Mansion via a labyrinth of tunnels, before the storefront began selling tombstones. What is essentially a no-frills dive bar, the venue really is all about the music. Lots of local bands, musicians of great calibre, and an atmosphere to truly chillax in: this is the place to see bands play before they “get big, or fade away.”
Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street +1 212 477 4155
A cosy and sophisticated place on the Lower East Side to get intimate with live musicians. They play on a small raised corner stage while a full bar stretches across the wall. Best of all, it’s FREE. The diverse variety of artists (singer/songwriters, acoustic rockers, flamenco guitarists, tubas, pianos and ukeleles) will constantly surprise. Thurs-Sat nights are best.
Piano’s, 158 Ludlow Street +1 212 505 3733
Happy hour attracts many to Pianos which has now extended the happiness until 8pm every night. Great bands, delish bar food ($5 english muffin burgers & fries, and some say the best calamari in town), attracts many to the blue painted piano-shop store front with the ‘magical’ back room. No cover charge, and two levels split the DJs and dancers from the minglers drinking downstairs.
The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street +1 212 673 5179
Catering to the singer-songwriter genre, with consistent ‘ridiculously talented’ acts, the Living Room features lots of spots to relax in a homey atmosphere. Table service makes the live music experience greater, and the staff are very friendly. No cover on most nights, sometimes $5 with a one drink minimum, but be warned – they accept cash only. Just like your own living room.
Cake Shop, 152 Ludlow St (between Rivington St & Stanton St) +1 212 253 0036
Cake, beer, and literally underground music in an unpretentious atmosphere draw happy return veterans to Cake Shop. If you’re recovering, sober, detoxing or had a few too many, you’ll be taken care of via baked vegan goods and tea or coffee. Browse records, surf wifi, then head to the stage downstairs at the bottom of a gently sloping narrow room, serviced by their second bar. Best nights: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
City Winery, 155 Varick St +1 212 608 0555
Semi-intimate venue in Tribeca with friendly bartenders and ample seating in a restaurant style setting. Not a ‘hard-core’ winery like you’d find in Napa, but a warm and elegant space dedicated to the unique pairing of wine and live music from the likes of Nick Lowe, Leo Kottke and Aimee Mann. Reserve seats online and get on the email list for the best ones.
Kenny’s Castaways, 157 Bleecker Street +1 917 475 1323
“Creepy old-school cool” characterizes this Bleecker street dive-bar/ live music venue. It happens to be the first place Bruce Springsteen ever played, and the crowd is a mixture of younger people with a few more mature patrons who are all cheerful. Live-band karaoke, multiple levels and inexpensive drinks – many stay the whole night for some ‘down home American fun’ on a street that’s packed with activity.
By Sophie Ward
