Best Live Music Bars in New York

Cool and trendy, one of Chinatown's original watering holes; in fact, a mainstay of the neighborhood for over 50 years. Listen to live music, or just chill out, play pool and enjoy the DJ.

Regarding the Jazz scene in New York City, one of the Blue Note's managers matter-of-factly told us: "This is it." Indeed, the Blue Note is arguably the world’s most popular jazz club. Although the club only opened their doors in the early 80’s, it has the feel of a longtime veteran in the New York Jazz scene. Once you get over the commercial feel of the joint, including its gold-plaque embedded tables, mediocre meals named after jazz songs, and overpriced gift shop, the Blue Note is truly among the best of its kind. Expect to see world-renowned talent on any given day except for Mondays, which is reserved for exceptional local talent. Show times are 9:00 and 11:30 during the week and additional Sunday matinees at 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Check the schedule link for show details.

This oh-so-Ludlow Street place is like a cliché, a place where you can hear live bands, buy old records, drink coffee, wine or beer, and uh, also buy a cake! True, you might not discover the next Blues Traveler here, but it's a great venue for local music and right in the midst of the Ludlow Street scene.

Fat Cat is a great pool hall that doesn't scream pool hall when you first walk in. It feels like you are entering a jazz club and the fact of the matter is you are. The eleven tables here are located underground. In addition to the fine tables, Fat Cat also houses a number of ping pong tables for open play and it regularly features live jazz performances. A very nice, low-key venue for anyone interested in billiards, ping pong, or jazz.

A place to get down and hear the deep sounds that only the Lower East Side can offer in an enormous space, often with attitude indoors and outdoors.

The Parkside Lounge has been slowly heating up for about four years now. If you move beyond the bar in the front, you'll see why. The back room hosts local New York rock bands, DJs, and cabaret shows. For up to date info on who is playing, just click on the schedule tab.

Great live music in an interesting venue on the Lower East Side's original nightlife capital, Ludlow Street. You never know who (or what) will be playing here, but a good time is guaranteed. Some shows are free, and others usually range from $5 to $10.

A cozy little venue tucked into the shy side of Allen Street, with nightly performances by singer-songwriters and bands, although the stage seems fit to burst when the latter goes on. The range of beer is impressive, especially for a live music venue, and the wine list isn't too shabby either.

Even though this safari style club is called Sounds of Brazil, you can expect to dance to all different types of music here. There’s reggae, hip-hop, R&B, jazz and Monday’s is salsa. There is even a now famous night of South Asian dance hits, called "Basement Bhangra."

The Bitter End is a nice place to go if you’re interested in seeing local bluesy and folk singer-songwriters. Most of the acts are happy just to be standing in the same space where their idol Dylan had been singing songs all those years ago.

Don’t really feel like leaving the comfort of your own living room for the evening, but still want to listen to some great live music? Then transplant yourself to a living room that is probably a hell of a lot bigger than yours, has cocktail waitresses, live music and amazing acoustics! The Living Room is a small, personal space where people smile and talented singer/songwriters get up and play. The focus here is on the performers and the attitude is refreshing, with a crowd that listens and musicians that reward them with some real talent. Afterwards make sure you drop a dollar in the hat being passed around for the artists.

Both a characterization and a caricature of the Williamsburg music scene, this well-designed music venue also serves as a bar and as a training ground for the hip-to-be.