Are These Really the Top Live Music Venues in NYC?

When you want to know which venues to catch live music at in NYC, you wouldn't think to check the UK's Guardian, and there's probably a reason for that. However, they've just released their top 10 list of "where to catch the hottest new bands" in New York (written by a 5-year resident of Brooklyn)—sorry Manhattanites, the venues are all in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. The writer's top picks (and the fact that outside of these two Brooklyn neighborhood's the author suggests Bleecker Street's Bitter End as a go-to should be very telling) include Enid's (which hasn't had live music in quite some time), Trash Bar (which besides suffering from a case of bad booking, doesn't exactly boast the most convivial atmosphere), ~~Sound Fix Lounge (which may not even host live music anymore)~~, and Rock Star Bar (which they describe as dirty and desolate—agreed!). Some notable omissions: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Zebulon and Monkeytown. Any other Williamsburg/Greenpoint gems missing from the list?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on March 9, 2009 4:07 PM

Comments [rss]

kcin122

I believe those are discussed in AARP.

SmackCracker

There is also Waltz Astoria and Miller Theater where you can go to hear some pretty hard hitting contemporary classical that isn't of the Reich/Glass/Nico Muhly vein. Why is it that whenever music is mentioned it is only pop music?

jaycjay

Should probably also point out that neither the article nor the headline say that these are "the top live music venues in NYC." Only the Gothamist headline says that.

"Ten top" does not mean "top ten."

rbeshenk

Isn't the Up Over Jazz Cafe still open? That's in Brooklyn. The part of Brooklyn where people from Brooklyn live.

ides_of_march

I heard some good live jazz at Bohemian Hall in Astoria recently. I like jazz music a lot more than I like pompous, insecure jazz snobs.

SP

*YAWN*

jaycjay

"Some notable omissions: Music Hall of Williamsburg,"

Not a "rock n' roll drinking hole."

The article's premise: "Today, future icons are being nurtured in a network of underground bars, all within close reach of one another, that bustle with live music every night. Here's your essential guide to the area's top 10 rock n' roll drinking holes."

While the headline, by the way, says "live music bars," the article doesn't. Most likely the writer of the article didn't read the headline, and the editor who did didn't read carefully.

"Enid's (which hasn't had live music in quite some time)"

Again, the article doesn't say it has live music. What' mentioned about the place is "its selection of DJs.

SP

"sorry Manhattanites, the venues are all in Williamsburg and Greenpoint."

If I want to listen to a live performance it's for jazz or symphonic music, not the hipster shit you douchebags ironically bob your heads to in your ironic 80's clothes and ironic sunglasses drinking disgusting overly hopped microbrew beers. Lincoln Center is firmly planted in Manhattan last time I checked, so is the Stone, Cleopatra's Needle, Zinc, Small's, Birdland, Blue Note, etc etc etc. Are there ANY jazz venues outside of Manhattan anyway?

rfkorp

brooklyn venues off the top of my head that host a healthy dose of good jazz:

Douglass Street Music Collective

Barbes

Zebulon

Headzo

Your icon photo features the fat dude who shows up at basically every "indie" rock show in the city, yet you bash the head bobbing hipsters?

SP

I know. It makes me laugh every time I look at it.

jaycjay

"Are there ANY jazz venues outside of Manhattan anyway?"

Actually one place that is mentioned in the article, Coco66, has live jazz at least one night a week.

Tyler Adams

I like Jazz as much as the next guy and i've even been to some of the venues you mention, but, seriously, chill the fuck out. And you wonder why we prefer Brooklyn...

SP

"And you wonder why we prefer Brooklyn... "

No I don't actually.

ides_of_march

To be fair to the writer, the Bitter End is mentioned with a caveat; it's a great place for nostalgia. Sounds about right.

Polite New Yorker

Trash Bar books excellent shows. Murphy's Law is playing there on St. Patrick's Day and they have kick ass shows all the time there. Rock Star Bar ripped off some friends of mine who booked a private party there so I try to avoid it. Europa has excellent shows there.

whitecastlerock

Wow Murphys Law is still around? i used to see them in the mid 80s.. Is Jimmy about 50 now?

Kyle T

Jimmy owns New York Hardcore Tattoos on Stanton st with Vinny Stigma and is still one of the best frontmen around.

whitecastlerock

he always seemed like a nice guy so I am glad he is still doing what he likes...

Kyle T

Did not know about that Murphy's Law show, I'll be there for sure!

ides_of_march

Can't believe they're still around. I remember seeing them open for the Ramones at the Ritz in 85 and a few times at CB's.

Polite New Yorker

Also on St. Patrick's Day there is a FREE punk show at Otto's Shrunken Head featuring Endangered Feces, World War IX and Beer Drinking Fools.

amg2000

The Bell House is a pretty nice venue, plus I can walk there. As far as NYC goes, I'd love to know how Sullivan Hall is (I would never have known abouth them had they not added me as a friend on both my Flickr accounts)