10 Places to See Live Music in New York
Where to See a Concert in New York?
The best places to see live music in New York range from intimate indie venues to grand theaters, highlighting the city’s diverse performing arts scene. These famous establishments attract talented musicians and bands from across the globe. In fact, many places have even helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Whether you want to listen to local up-and-coming talent in a converted ballroom or see an international star in a historic auditorium, we’ve compiled this guide just for you.
Where are the best places to see live music in New York?
1. Radio City Music Hall
One of the most iconic concert venues in North America
Good for: History, Nightlife
Radio City Music Hall has been a mainstay of New York City’s music scene since the 1930s. Housed inside the Rockefeller Center, this 6,000-capacity art deco venue goes by the nickname: ‘Showplace of the Nation’. It famously hosts the annual Christmas Spectacular that stars the Rockettes and over 140 performers. It’s also hosted numerous music stars such as Ray Charles and Lady Gaga.
Many of the biggest names in music aspire to grace Radio City Music Hall’s stage. Big events tend to sell out fast, so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for the latest announcements and buy tickets as early as possible. Read more
Location: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times.
Phone: +1 212-465-6000
Radio City Music Hall
2. Carnegie Hall
A national historic landmark and musical stalwart
Good for: History, Nightlife
Carnegie Hall is a national historic landmark with three auditoriums. It accommodates a total capacity of nearly 3,700 people. Opened in 1891, it’s one of the world’s most prestigious venues for popular and classical music. It’s located near a number of luxury hotels in Midtown Manhattan.
Designed in the Renaissance Revival style, Carnegie Hall is as much of an architectural landmark as an iconic concert venue. If you attend a show in the Stern Auditorium, you can browse over 400 archival artifacts in the Rose Museum beforehand. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the box office, which opens daily.
Location: Corner of 57th Street and 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times.
Phone: +1 212-247-7800
Carnegie Hall
3. Beacon Theater
One of Broadway’s most well-known live music venues
Good for: Couples, History, Nightlife
The Beacon Theater has been one of New York’s leading music venues since the 1970s, though it first opened as a movie theater in 1929. While it boasts of three tiers that can accommodate around 2,900 spectators, it exudes a very intimate atmosphere.
Thanks to its architecture and design, the Beacon Theater has been a protected landmark since the 1980s, making it just as appealing to history buffs as it is to concertgoers. You can find it on Broadway, close to the 72 Street subway station.
Location: 2124 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times.
Phone: +1 212-465-6225
Beacon Theater
4. Blue Note Jazz Club
New York’s most influential jazz joint
Good for: Couples, Food, Nightlife
Blue Note is a prominent venue on New York’s jazz scene, having hosted legendary acts such as Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sarah Vaughan. Established in the 1980s, it also showcases up-and-coming talent from various genres including soul, hip-hop, and funk. Most notably, it hosts the famous Blue Note Jazz Festival, which usually takes place in June.
You can watch live music performances at Blue Note Jazz Club every evening between 8 pm and 10.30 pm. Musicians often provide entertainment for Sunday brunch just after midday. The nearest subway station is West Fourth Street–Washington Square, which is just minutes away on foot.
Location: 131 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 6 pm to midnight, Sunday from 11 am to midnight
Phone: +1 212-475-8592
Blue Note Jazz Club
5. Brooklyn Bowl
A genre-defying music venue and high-tech bowling alley
Good for: Families, Nightlife, Unusual
Brooklyn Bowl is a revered live music venue that doubles up as the one of the first LEED-certified bowling alleys in the world. It occupies a restored 19th-century building in Williamsburg, less than a 10-minute walk from the Bedford Avenue L Train stop.
Brooklyn Bowl regularly hosts live rock, pop and R&B. Besides bowling and enjoying music, you can fill up on a wide range of American dishes by Blue Ribbon. You can reserve bowling lanes at half price every Wednesday from 6 pm. Musicians usually take to the stage at around 8 pm, and it’s worth booking tickets in advance.
Location: 61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times, otherwise Wednesday–Friday from 6 pm to close and Saturday–Sunday from midday to close
Phone: +1 718-963-3369
Brooklyn Bowl
6. Terminal 5
Multistory music venue in a renovated nightclub
Good for: Nightlife, Unusual
Terminal 5 occupies a former nightclub in Hell’s Kitchen, a vibrant neighbourhood in Manhattan. This lively music venue boasts five distinct room environments across multiple floors, plus a bar and a rooftop seating area. With its 3,000-person capacity, the venue hosts electrifying performances spanning numerous genres including rap, K-pop, and country.
Terminal 5 is a very popular nightlife spot among students from nearby Fordham University, so expect it to be loud and packed to the rafters on weekends. You might want to arrive as early as possible if you want a seat. Terminal 5 sits on West 56th Street, just a short walk from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
Location: 610 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times.
Phone: +1 212-582-6600
Terminal 5
7. Webster Hall
Designated City Landmark and a hub of live rock
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
Webster Hall dates back to 1886, but became a notable New York City landmark and concert venue in the 1980s. Notable rock acts such as The Pretenders, Metallica, U2, and Eric Clapton have graced its stage. Most weekends, usually after 11 pm, it becomes a pulsing nightclub that hosts live electronic music acts.
Webster Hall is in the East Village neighbourhood of Manhattan, just a short walk from the Astor Place and Third Avenue subway stations. The Bao, a well-known Chinese restaurant, is just around the corner if you’d like to fuel up before visiting the concert hall.
Location: 125 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times.
Webster Hall
8. Irving Plaza
Storied rock concert venue in Union Square
Good for: History, Nightlife
Since its opening in 1888, Irving Plaza has been a German theater, burlesque house, movie house, and community center for Polish Army veterans. This ballroom-shaped hall was transformed into a notable venue for rock concerts in 1978. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have graced its stage.
Irving Plaza is in the Union Square neighbourhood, just a short walk from the 14th Street–Union Square subway station. Note that this is a general-admission venue, so it’s best to arrive early if you want to stand close to the stage.
Location: 17 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times.
Phone: +1 212-777-6817
Irving Plaza
9. Bowery Ballroom
Legendary music haunt on the Lower East Side
Good for: Couples, History, Nightlife
The Bowery Ballroom is an intimate Beaux-Arts performance venue that has achieved cult status with musicians and audiences in New York. Established in 1929, it’s hosted various artists over the years including Coldplay, Joan Jett, Patti Smith, and Arcade Fire.
The Bowery Ballroom sits directly in front of the Bowery subway station in Manhattan. If you’re looking for something to do before your evening concert, we recommend exploring the New Museum of Contemporary Art, which is less than 5 minutes away on foot.
Location: 6 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times.
Phone: +1 212-260-4700
Bowery Ballroom
10. Mercury Lounge
Indie enclave with space for 250 music fans
Good for: Couples, Group, Nightlife, Unusual
Mercury Lounge is one of New York’s most iconic indie music venues, credited with fostering and launching the careers of many local artists. Audiences and musicians alike praise its excellent acoustics, sightlines, and no-frills presentation. It can accommodate around 250 fans, giving it an intimate yet lively atmosphere.
Mercury Lounge is on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, just a 2-minute walk from the 2nd Avenue subway station. You can purchase tickets to gigs here via Ticketmaster online (sometimes they’re sold at the door on the night of the event).
Location: 217 East Houston St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Open: Check the official website for show times.
Phone: +1 212-260-4700
Mercury Lounge
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