A Guide to the Top Music Venues in Downtown Manhattan

Primus headlined at the Rooftop at Pier 17 on July 21

While uptown Manhattan and the outer boroughs host more than 100 active music clubs, nothing beats catching a concert at a larger venue in downtown Manhattan followed a few minutes later by a second show at a nearby music club. Here is a neighborhood guide to the music circuit south of 14th Street, where the distance between music venues is often walkable. A click on the name of the venue below will lead you to the venue’s website,

The weekly Monday Night Bluegrass Session at Mona's on July 21 (photograph by David Sussman)

The 11th St. Bar Quintet at the 11th St. Bar on July 21 (photograph by Seth Okrend)

East Village

After enjoying a major headliner in concert at Webster Hall, several music clubs are within walking distance. These include Sugar Mouse, Pangea, the 11th St. Bar, Otto's Shrunken Head, Mona's, Scratcher, the Red Room at the KGB Bar, Night Club 101, drom, Club Cumming, Nublu, and the Francis Kite Club.

Ty Segall at the Rooftop at Pier 17 on July 21

Marta Cascales Alimbau (right) with Irene Labrador at the Perelman Performing Arts Center on July 19

Financial District and Tribeca

Manhattan gets very narrow this far south. After a show at the Rooftop at Pier 17, visit the new local music scene. These clubs include Cowgirl Seahorse, 1803, Daisy Dukes NYC, Django, Perelman Performing Arts Center, and the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

Maynard & the Musties at Cowgirl Seahorse on July 21

The Marvelous Manhattan Mandolins at the Bitter End on July 21

Greenwich Village and West Village

Greenwich Village and the West Village presently have no large concert halls. Nevertheless, the area has dozens of outstanding music clubs within a few blocks from each other. These include Arthur's Tavern, the Bitter End, the Blue Note, Cafe Wha?, the Cellar Dog, Fiddlesticks Pub, Groove, Joe's Pub, le Poisson Rouge, Mezzrow, the Red Lion, Small's, the Stone, Terra Blues, the Village Vanguard, and the Zinc Bar.

The Coronas at the Bowery Ballroom on July 22

Niall Connolly at the Bowery Ballroom on July 22

Lower East Side

Enjoy a national touring act in concert at the Bowery Ballroom, then stroll to nearby music clubs. These include Arlene's Grocery, Baker Falls, Sour Mouse NYC, the Delancey, Pianos, Mercury Lounge, Berlin, Book Club, Parkside Lounge, and the Bowery Electric.

Ten Ton Mojo at Arlene's Grocery on July 23

Thornes at Arlene's Grocery on July 23

Soho

Soho has no major music emporia since City Winery moved to Chelsea. The district does have a few notable music clubs worth visiting. These include the Ear Inn and S.O.B.'s.

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The Manhattan Beat reports on New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.

For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."

For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's July calendar.