My Best Loved NYC Music Venues

I am a sucker for a live show - I've seen more live performances than even I can remember. These are some of my favorite places to see shows around the city.

1. Mercury Lounge - actually one of the best places to see a live performance in the East Village (which is saying a lot, there are tons of venues here), the Mercury Lounge offers an intimate setting for little-known bands as well as those with heftier monikers
2. Pianos - the scene in the LES has changed a bit over the years; the place is looking less like a hipster playground and more like Soho all the time. Pianos, however, still plays host to a number of up-and-coming indie acts like the ones you read about on your fav blog (Brooklyn Vegan, anyone?).
3. Don Pedro's - there's something about a live music venue that doubles as a Latin American cocina. This is way off the beaten track, people, and the venue is most often taken over by local bands, so don't expect to see U2 here anytime soon. Not that this fact makes Don Pedro's any less awesome.
4. Next Door at La Lanterna di Vittorio - this jazz bar entices you to stay all night, unlike most bars in the city. A little cover charge is worth cozying up all night in this basement bar with a few bottles of wine and some great live music.
5. Goodbye Blue Monday - there is something incredibly ingenious about a coffee shop that doubles as a wine and beer bar. Oh, and there is a stage for live music obviously. Prepare to feel like you are witnessing a show from inside of a junk shop, as the interior is fully stocked with, well, junk.
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hhusted Jan 03, 2010
Interesting. I will need to check one of those places. Thanks for the list. I love music and being able to relax while listening to some relaxing music is great for me.
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Uraniumfish Jan 03, 2010
What do you think of le poisson rouge on Bleecker? They seem to have decent taste in the artists they feature, though the haute-design thing they do sometimes strikes me as charming and sometimes as trying too hard.
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uptowngirl Jan 03, 2010
Broadway Bk I love Next door at La Lanterna di Vittorio ..thank you for including it in your list..
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uptowngirl Jan 03, 2010
By the way have you ever checked out Antique Garage?beautiful Turkish restaurant in Soho.. velvet curtains, antique chandeliers and live jazz on the weekends at brunch time .. interesting to say the least..
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BroadwayBK Jan 03, 2010
@uptowngirl I've never been to Antique Garage, but it sounds amazing. Brunch and jazz should make an excellent combo. @uraniumfish I'm all for any venue that hosts an Afrika Bambaataa set, though admittedly I gravitate to more of a home-y atmosphere.
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