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| Music: |
Alternative Rock
Bluegrass
Blues
Country
Funk
Hip-Hop
House
Jazz
Metal
R&B
Rock
Soul |
| Dress: |
BCBC: Business Casual
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THEATRE DISTRICT. This impressive venue pays tribute to soulful blues legend B.B. King and features musicians who specialize in everything from blues, jazz and hip-hop to funk, blue grass and even heavy metal. In fact, there's really no telling who may be slated from week to week – it may be a Pink Floyd tribute band one night, Peter Frampton the next, and then either Ricky Skaggs or Little Richard. Sundays are especially popular thanks to the live gospel music and brunches that feature downhome ditties like baked yams, mac-n-cheese, fried catfish and collards. TRAIN: 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S, W to Times Sq-42nd St
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LOWER EAST SIDE. Located between Houston and Stanton, Rockwood is a cozy listening room that engages patrons with its sophisticated atmosphere and fascinating live music slate. Snug and dimly lit, the venue is a great place to catch performances by singer-songwriters, and the seats are arranged close to the stage, affording a certain level of intimacy between the performers and the crowd. Stop in before the show, and enjoy a little something from the bar paired with a charcuterie plate. Owner Ken Rockwood, aka "The Professor," is himself a musician of no small acclaim. TRAIN: F, V to 2nd Ave
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3. Snitch
59 W 21st St, New York, NY 10010 · 212-727-7775
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FLATIRON DISTRICT. Awesome impromptu sets are common at this rocking watering hole, co-owned by Scott Wieland and Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver. This place is all about music and attitude – it's even billed as a "rock 'n roll sports bar" – and the management does its best to back the claim, scheduling performances by groups like The Killers, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Metallica, System of a Down and Smashing Pumpkins. And if a band isn't on the slate, you can bet the house that a world-class DJ is. Cash only, at the door. TRAIN: N, R, W, 1 to 23rd St
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LOWER EAST SIDE. Housed in a lovely Beaux Arts building that dates from 1929, this small venue manages to bring top acts while also maintaining its edgy attitude. What’s more, the classic swankiness of the brass handrails and mahogany walls is a nice complement to more modern elements like, say, the state-of-the-art sound system. Featured performers have included the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Lennon, Coldplay, Metallica and White Stripes. The box office accepts cash only. TRAIN: J, M to Bowery; B, D to Grand St
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TRIBECA. For cutting edge sounds and up-and-coming jazz, rock, reggae and alternative acts, few places hold a candle to this music club, which boasts a younger sister in LA. A show on the main stage is sure to draw big crowds, but don't let that dissuade you because the Factory draws a much mellower clientele than it did in its younger days. The aptly-named Tap Room features an impressive selection of brews and is a good place to hang out pre- or post show; meanwhile, the Old Office is a brick walled listening room that affords more interaction between listener and musician. TRAIN: 6, A, C, E, J, M, N, Q, R, W, Z to Canal St
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6. barbès
376 9th St, Park Slope, NY 11215 · 718-965-9177
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BROOKLYN. For those who wouldn't think of leaving Manhattan to catch a live band, consider this: Folks who're regulars at Park Slope's barbés have no intention of passing up the free shows here. Who can blame them? The two French musicians who run the smart, cafe-styled space are committed to exposing their crowds to as many different types of music as they can find, leading them to book everything from opera singers to East European funk acts to Mexican bandas. TRAIN: F to 7th Ave
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| Music: |
Acoustic
Folk
Rock |
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LOWER EAST SIDE. For terrific folk and acoustic sets, few places hold a candle to the Living Room, an understated little space in the LES that hosts up-and-coming acts (Norah Jones played here before her big break). Hanging on the wall behind the bar is an impressive collection of beer-related chachki, and there's counter seating as well as a few comfy pieces of furniture. Head on down the hall, through the brown curtains, and you'll find the main performance area, which features a small stage and handful of cafe-style tables. Upstairs, Googie's is a blue-hued lounge with sofas, intimate tables, a piano and its own musical lineup. TRAIN: F, V to Lower East Side-2nd Ave; J, M, Z to Essex St
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8. Joe's Pub
425 Lafayette St, The Public Theater, New York, NY 10003 · 212-539-8770
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NOHO. Attached to the Public Theatre, Joe's Pub is an intimate venue that's highly regarded all over the city for its eclectic weekly lineups. On any given night, the featured performer may be a little-known jazz ensemble or a pop-culture icon like Elvis Costello, Liz Phair, Neko Case, David Byrne, Mos Def or Sandra Bernhard. The scene has an unmistakable "old school" quality that incorporates velvet couches, lucite tables and plenty of dark-stained wood. If a bite to eat is in order, Joe's kitchen serves up a delicious assortment of classic Italian dishes. Table reservations are accepted. TRAIN: 6 to Astor Pl; N, R, W to 8th St-NYU
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9. Southpaw
125 5th Ave, between Baltic & Bulter St, Park Slope, NY 11217 · 718-230-0236
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| Cover Charge: |
No Cover
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| Music: |
Alternative Rock
Hip-Hop
House
Punk
Rock
Techno
Varies |
| Dress: |
CC: Casual
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BROOKLYN. One of Brooklyn's top live music venues, Southpaw occupies over 5000 square feet of space that was once a neighborhood dime store. Management keeps the scene fresh by booking a wide array of acts, including past draws like KRS-One, J. Mascis, TV on the Radio and even stand-up comics. Below the main performance area is a Down South, a full-service bar that's a great place to catch one's breath between sets (they even have a projector screen set up there so that you can stay tuned to the goings on upstairs). TRAIN: Q to 7th Ave; 3, 2 to Bergen St; M, N, R to Union St
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| Music: |
Alternative Rock
House
Rock
World |
| Dress: |
TT: Trendy
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| Food Served: |
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CHELSEA. Located in the über-sexy Maritime Hotel, this spacious ballroom is equipped to host a variety of events, including fashion shows, dances parties and live music performances. The space features excellent acoustics thanks largely to its 20-foot vaulted ceiling, and its Japanese aesthetics (most noticeably, the many "floating" paper lanterns) are a true feast for the eyes. The upstairs lounge, which attracts jetsetters, models and scores of wannabe, is a great place for people-watching ... but only if you're cool about it. Past performers have include Staind, Sondre Lerche, Beck, Sonic Youth and Lily Allen. TRAIN: A, C, E to 14th St; L to Eighth Ave
From rockin' groups to singer-songwriters, these venues have earned a reputation for bringing in topnotch talent and big crowds.
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