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» Best Live Music New York
The world’s coolest cities have live music scenes that come in all shapes and sizes. The common denominator is that they deliver an outstanding evening of great music—be it blues, Latin, soul, funk, jazz, rock, indie-pop, or something in between. These are our hands-down favorites.
Best Live Music in....
Best Live Music
New York
Blue Note 131 W. Third St., West Village, 212-475-8592 bluenotejazz.com
The Draw: Though it’s only been open around 30 years, the Blue Note is a jazz venue of historic proportions. The lines are long, the cover can be steep, and the food is mediocre—but, hey, this joint is always jumping.. The Scene: The sound system is good and the bookings are top-notch. Ticket prices for bigger acts go for up to $45 for table seating and $30 to stand at the bar. The Sunday brunch is a good deal, but don’t expect to see household names playing at midday. Hot Tip: Although there are many superior restaurants in this area, if you want the good seats, dinner at the Blue Note may be necessary.
Madison Square Garden 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, Chelsea, 212-465-6741 thegarden.com
The Draw: The Garden is, arguably, the most famous performance venue in the country. The Scene: Agoraphobics beware: This space is so dizzyingly large that you need a map to navigate it, via many escalators and staircases. Leave your cell on vibrate in case you get separated from your pack—once the show starts, you won’t be able to hear it ring inside the arena. Hot Tip: Almost every seat in the house is a good one, but before booking you can preview your stage view using the Garden’s photo-enhanced online seating chart.
Village Vanguard 178 Seventh Ave S., West Village, 212-255-4037 villagevanguard.com
The Draw: Opened in 1935, this legendary room is small and rich with history. When jazz musicians of the past bragged of playing big gigs in the city, they generally meant the Village Vanguard. The Scene: The Vanguard may be less refined than its contemporaries, but you can’t touch its historical lineup: You can almost hear the ghosts of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, and the other giants who recorded here. No matter who’s playing at this cozy basement club, the crowd—both jazz lovers and jazz tourists—is always entranced by the music. Hot Tip: The Vanguard fills up in a hurry. If you want to see Roy Hargrove and Wynton Marsalis, buy your tickets in advance. Hit up the ATM too; the Vanguard is cash-only.
