Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pete's Candy Store
So many quality sounds come through here that you'll feel like a kid in a great music
venue. Housed in a friendly former fountain shop, the small stage area in back brings in surprisingly big acts.
There's also a rotating selection of nonmusical entertainment, from readings to spelling bees (p. 277). No cover
or drink minimum, but the staff encourages contributions to the musicians' tip jar.
709 Lorimer St., btw. Frost and Richardson
sts., Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
718/302-3770.
www.petescandystore.com
. Subway: L to Lorimer St.; G to Metropolitan Ave.
Todd P. & the Brooklyn Renaissance
With so many bands calling Brooklyn home, it's no surprise to find a thriving live music scene east of the East River.
The DIY movement skews young for both fans and performers, and as such the prices are rock bottom. Shows go off
without covers (or for $3-$5 a head), and there's cheap booze to go with them. Venues are improvised: An old Masonic
lodge, a cheap Mexican restaurant, and above an auto parts store have flared up as music magnets. Impresario
ToddP.
(
www.toddpnyc.com
) is a major mover, although volatile venue churn has narrowed his focus to the warehouse space
at 285 Kent Ave. in Williamsburg. Check in at his website for details. As long as you're in the Williamsburg/Bushwick
nabe, you might also check out the free/cheap shows at
SheaStadium
(
www.liveatsheastadium.com
)
,
DeathbyAudio
(
www.myspace.com/deathbyaudioshows
)
, and
Big Snow Buffalo Lodge
(
www.bigsnowbk.tumblr.com
)
.
Rockwood Music Hall
It took some vision—and a well-developed sense of irony—to conceive of these two post-
age stamp-size spaces as a “music hall.” The close quarters don't seem to scare off the crowds, though, and the
intimacy makes for great sound. Local singer-songwriters are interspersed with the occasional touring band, up
to 10 acts per night. With success has come more breathing room: an annex now extends back to Orchard Street.
Usually no cover, but the tip jar is passed and there's a one-drink minimum.
196 Allen St., btw. Houston and Stanton sts.
212/477-4155.
www.rockwoodmusichall.com
. Subway: F to Second Ave.
Rodeo Bar
This is as country as Manhattan gets, which admittedly isn't saying much. Rodeo's sprawling space
doesn't have the feel of an intimate honky-tonk, but the stage area is segregated and more or less self-contained.
The cream of the local crop rounds up here, as do a handful of national acts. Mostly Americana and alt-country
(whatever that is). There's no cover, usually a one-drink minimum.
375 Third Ave., at 27th St.
212/683-6500.
www.rodeobar.com
.
Subway: 6 to 28th St.
Sidewalk Café
Having outlived the other live-music spots on Avenue A, the Café serves as a home base for
East Village singer-songwriters. A little comedy and open mics get thrown in as well. Each night sees a big
bunch of acts.
No cover, but a two-drink minimum during performances.
94 Ave. A, at 6th St.
212/473-7373.
www.sidewalkny.com/events/calendar
. Subway: F to Second Ave.
Jazz It Up
Arthur's Tavern
A West Village relic, Arthur's would be eligible for social security if it were a person and not
an amiable, low-rent jazz joint. The music runs the Dixieland-to-trio gamut, and the quality can be spotty, but
something's on stage 7 nights a week.
No cover, but a one-drink per set minimum.
57 Grove St., btw. Bleecker
Cleopatra's Needle
Organ trios and quartets highlight the calendar at this Upper West Side neighborhood club.
On Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons things get even more neighborhoody with open mics. In the
wee hours, the floor belongs to jam sessions. Never a cover, though there is a $10 minimum per set. A decent
Mediterranean menu provides an alternative to boozing the night away. Usually two sets per night.
2485 Broadway,
btw. 92nd and 93rd sts.
212/769-6969.
www.cleopatrasneedleny.com
.
Subway: 1/2/3 to 96th St.
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center has really made the most of their box office,
supporting it with a high-design public space. You can pick up discount day-of Lincoln Center tickets, or come
by on a Thursday night for free music. Target sponsors these 8:30pm concerts, representing genres as diverse
as jazz, classical, pop, and world. Shows tend to be well-attended, with the Columbus Avenue entrances often
