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| Lucinda Williams performed at the opening of her new nightclub, Lucinda's, on July 29 |
New York City has no shortage of music venues, from stadiums and arenas to tiny record stores and neighborhood bars. Here is a random survey of a dozen under-the-radar places to catch good live music. Visit the venues’ websites or follow their social media for alerts on upcoming shows.
Established in 1997, the 11th St. Bar merges the traditions of the classic Irish pub and the East Village bar. The back room hosts live music five nights each week, from Irish music on Sundays to jazz on Mondays to singer-songwriters Tuesdays through Thursdays. The homey, casual night spot never charges admission or a minimum.
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| The 11th St. Bar Quintet at the 11th St. Bar on July 28 (photograph by Seth Okrend) |
Established in the West Village in 1937, Arthur's Tavern in a neighborhood bar with the feel of old NYC inside of a designated historic building. The venue nightly features live jazz and blues.
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| Joe Taino at Arthur's Tavern on July 26 (photograph by Seth Okrend) |
Located in the former site of Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Baker Falls recently got its full liquor license. The owners aim for the small venue to be a night spot where the downtown crowd can attend live performances, crash a late-night dance party, sip cocktails or coffee, have a meal, or buy and sell goods. The club hosts free open mic nights on Mondays, Singer-songwriter nights on Tuesdays, comedy and clown nights on Wednesdays, and just about anything else on the other nights.
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| Brokeneck Girls at Baker Falls on July 27 |
Located in the Lower East Side’s newly-restored Essex Market, Catalyst Records is an independent record store focusing on vintage and rare as well as new vinyl records. The store also sells record players, music-related t-shirts, stickers and postcards. In-store events include live performances, podcasts and community events for record collectors.
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| Tommy Nova at Catalyst Records on July 28 (photograph by Bob Krasner) |
As a bar and restaurant founded in the West Village in 1989, Cowgirl specializes in Southern Texan BBQ food and margaritas. In recent months, the proprietors of Cowgirl have had to lower the volume on live music in the back room due to neighbor’s complaints. Nevertheless, rhe Emily Duff Band’s monthly residency continues to pack the room, and other country-folk shows draw a local crowd as well.
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| The Emily Duff Band at Cowgirl on July 28 |
Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Fred's Dog House specializes in its multiple adaptions of the American hot dog, including plant-based dogs. The restaurant also serves blues, country and other American roots music.
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| New Moon Acoustic Blues at Fred's Dog House on July 26 (photograph by Seth Okrend) |
Groove has been drawing music fans to Greenwich Village since opening in 1998. While the majority of the bands play pop and rhythm & blues covers, quite a few of the attractions perform original music. The music typically begins about 7 p.m. and goes past midnight.
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| The Tray Wellington Band at Groove on July 25 (photograph by David Sussman) |
Lucinda’s location in the East Village has a decades-long history as Brownie’s, the Hi-Fi Bar, Coney Island Baby, East Berlin and Heaven Can Wait. Country-rocker Lucinda Williams has lent her name to the club and performed a livestreamed concert there tonight, the opening night. So far, only open mics and karaoke nights have been announced for the coming nights, but one can expect that country music bands will soon be eager to perform on Lucinda’s small stage.
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| Lucinda Williams at Lucinda's on July 29 |
An East Village institution, Mona’s is a brick-walled bar with a pool table, Skee-Ball and juke box. Monday nights feature a bluegrass jam and Tuesdays feature old time jazz with guest vocalists.
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| Monday Night Bluegrass Session at Mona's on July 28 (photograph by David Sussman) |
Three months ago, midtown record store Rough Trade expanded by adding a new 4,000-square-foot space, Rough Trade Below, to its pre-existing 2,000-square-foot street-level store. The basement has a significantly larger space for live performances than the upstairs space of the past. Shows are often free and are announced with a short window of opportunity for ticket requests. Subscribe for ticket offers.
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| Office Hours at Rough Trade Below on July 26 |
A new open-air space alongside the East River promenade, the waterside staging area features numerous live music performances over the summer. The free concert series will end in early August.
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| Duchess at Stuyvesant Cove Park on July 28 (photograph by Seth Okrend) |
Sunny's Bar first opened as John's Bar and Restaurant in 1890 along the waterfront in Redhook, Brooklyn. It became a go-to breakfast and beer spot for the sailors. It is now a knickknack-adorned saloon that features bluegrass, blues, folk and jazz nights.
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| The Hilary Hawke Band at Sunny's Bar on July 24 (photograph by David Sussman) |
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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 and August calendars.
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