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55 Bar
An unpretentious basement gem favoring jazz and blues driven by funky, guitar-laden combos that will get your feet tapping, 55 Bar has a glow all of its own. Spilling music onto a historic corner of the Village (it's next to Stonewall) at all hours, 55 features local artists and international players.
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Arlene's Grocery
Formerly a bodega and butcher shop, Arlene's Grocery now serves up heaping portions of live talent with shows every night. Drinks are cheap and the crowd is good looking - make an impression Monday night with Rock-n-Roll Karaoke. It's free, and you're backed by a live band. Probably your best shot at getting a groupie.
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Bar 4
Grungy and a little worn down, Bar 4 is nonetheless relaxing, and it serves up some mean Martinis - flavored with juice, or straight up. DJ styles change daily, and Tuesday nights are open mic starting at .
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Bar Next Door
One of the loveliest boÎtes in the neighborhood, the basement of this restored townhouse is all low ceilings, exposed brick and romantic lighting. You'll find mellow, live jazz nightly, as well as the tasty Italian menu of the restaurant next door, La Lanterna di Vittorio.
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Barbes
This bar and performance space, owned by two French musicians and longtime Brooklyn residents, is named after the North African enclave of Paris. It hosts music, readings and film screenings in the back room, and plays eclectic music, ranging from Lebanese diva Asmahan to Mexican bandas, Venezuelan joropos and Romanian brass bands.
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Bemelman's Bar
The only surviving commissioned mural from Ludwig Bemelmans still on display to the public infuses this namesake café with the artist's legendary wit. Bemelmans' plush red interior is a perfect place to canoodle, making it a favorite for in-love couples and those wishing to conduct an affair of the heart with discretion. Suave and sophisticated piano jazz is the musical mainstay.
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Birdland
Named for Charlie Parker, or 'Bird,' this jazz club has been turning out big-name acts since 1949 when Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Stan Getz and others made music and cut records in front of a live audience. Today you're likely to catch big names from European festivals, like Montreux, North Sea Jazz and other up-and-coming local talent. Regular performers include Chico O'Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band, Barry Harris and David Berger's Sultans of Swing.
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Bowery Ballroom
The clue to the Bowery's success, besides its cool location and look, is that it's the kind of place you want to hang in before and after the show, as well as during. Drinks are long and strong, acoustics are grand, and the list of talent is phenomenal. Dirty Pretty Things and Ziggy Marley play regularly, and the Losers Lounge nights (The Cure vs The Smiths) sells out instantly.
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Cafe Carlyle
Monday nights its Woody Allen on the clarinet, playing with his jazz ensemble; sometimes Ute Lemper's headlining, and if she's unavailable, it could be Eartha Kitt, although that depends on whether or not she's doing a Broadway show. In short, it's an A-list crowd all the way.
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Carnegie Hall
Step through the arched doors and fluttering flags into the lobby, and you've entered the world of Toscanini, Tchaikovsky, Ravi Shankar and Frank Sinatra. The Carnegie has hosted some of the world's greatest musicians and continues to fill its cream-colored, multitiered main hall with crowd-pleasing performers.
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Cleopatra's Needle
Late-night and open-mic jams are a hallmark at Cleopatra's Needle, where the music goes until . Some of the best band views are from the bar, where you can have a pint on tap and nosh on surprisingly good Mediterranean-influenced fare. There's never a cover, but mind the around US$10 drink and/or food minimum, as well as the fact that some performers resent being seen as background music to your dinner conversation.
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Fontana's
Kitschy posters on teal-colored walls, and red booths in front of the bar give Fontana's a faded, 1960s appeal that seems to have hit a chord with neighborhood drinkers. The three-level bar packs in the best live bands (in the basement) and the spinning-est DJs (main floor), and a knowledgeable and friendly crowd unassumingly nods along to the beats.
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Galapagos Art Space
They call it an art space , but it's more of an atmospheric hang-out of late 20-year-olds in collared shirts and their SOs seeking a diverse line-up of experimental music, disco and campy ukulele bands singing about gay paradise. Some nights Hipsters Feud is held - a spoof on the game-show Family Feud , based on polls taken of Billyburgians.
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Iridium
The cover is high, but you get what you pay for at the Iridium. Great food, perfect sight lines, and glossy, sophisticated jazz that will carry you away on a swell of music. Space is tight so reserve early, especially for the Les Paul trio on Monday nights and the Mingus Big Band on Thursdays.
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Irving Plaza
An old-time hall, Irving Plaza shows run the gamut, from classic hard rock to emo to punk - sometimes in the same night, depending on who's opening for whom. U2, Prince, Rufus Wainwright and others have played here. A nonprofit organization hands out free condoms at the door, and proceeds from ticket sales go toward AIDs initiatives in developing nations.
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Jazz At Lincoln Center
Of the three venues, the fancy Rose Theater and Allen Room, it's Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola that you're most likely to wind up in, as it's got nightly shows. And how lucky for you, since, with the exception of its awful name, the nightclub is flawless, with stunning views overlooking Central Park and excellent lineups of both local and touring artists.
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Maritime Café At Pier 1
Come the warm season, this ingenious use of the Riverside Park esplanade - an outdoor café with grilled grub, fruity cocktails and lounge chairs set up on the grass to those who reserve in advance - is totally hopping. It's no wonder, as there are few better city spots for a front-row view of the sunset, let alone those with such service. Summertime brings frequent live music, as well as movies, shown al fresco at the end of the connecting pier.
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Mercury Lounge
Some former Mercury Lounge acts have hit the big time, like The Strokes. A few others are on the verge, like Beirut, but this is generally the place to hear bands that are still several leagues away from stardom. That doesn't mean they're not good though. The Mercury's got a good eye (and ear) for talent, so expect to be entertained, if not enthralled.
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Mo Pitkins
Words really can't do justice to the whacked out, high energy shows that appear at Mo Pitkins, a 'Judeo-Latin' restaurant/cabaret/literary salon. Mo Knows Songwriters is a popular weekly crooner event, but you'll also see acoustic sets and all-out big band swing on other nights. Either way, it's innovative entertainment with some kicking kosher Latin food. Monday night is literary night; expect live readings.
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Perk's
On the weekends Perk's is packed with hip swinging dancers who take over the floor and move to the fusion sounds produced by the DJ. On weeknights this sedate looking club pulls in the best local jazz artists to play live sets. You can't go wrong either way.
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Sobs
SOBs - aka Sounds of Brazil - means lots of people shaking it to samba, Afro-Cuban rumba and salsa, reggae and more. The cheery (if kitschy) decor and decent food make it a popular choice for after work parties; the real dancing doesn't start until . Check out the weekly Basement Bhangra, a six-year-old party that's become a mecca for the rapidly growing number of Asian-hip-hop fanatics, and La Tropica on Monday nights to see some seriously old-school throw-down Latin moves.
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St Nick's Pub
Started in 1940 by Duke Ellington's piano player, St Nick's launched the careers of Billie Holiday, Sonny Rollins and many other American greats. In keeping with its tradition of encouraging collaboration, Monday and Wednesday nights are open mic, under the careful direction of the house manager. You can hear amazing jam sessions in a no-fuss atmosphere, sitting at one of the city's most comfortable bars.
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Symphony Space
Founded and supported by community contributions, Symphony Space is renowned for its three-day series dedicated to one musician. The first one was given over to Bach, but they've also included Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim, Burt Bacharach and others. It's got an affinity for world music - Gypsy Kings, Salif Keita, Cesaria Evora, and many more.
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The Living Room
There's never a cover at this intimate space, where Norah Jones once played to sold out crowds before winning every Grammy in sight. Most acts are acoustic, but the occasional amplifier will slip in. Look for bands like Mudfunk, Happy Chichester and Julia Darling. If the live music doesn't thrill you, the upstairs lounge features a DJ.
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The Oak Room
Let these excellent martinis loosen your tongue and channel all the wicked Dorothy Parker energy palpably careening around The Oak Room. Soon though your barbs and bon mots will be hushed by the tinkle of the Baby Grand piano - expect talent along the lines of Barbara Carroll and Andrea Marcovicci (who has an annual holiday show through New Year's), with a Harry Connick Jr sighting always possible.
