10 Places to See Live Music in New York

The 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 venue goes by the nickname of the ‘Showplace of the Nation’. It famously hosts the annual Christmas Spectacular that stars the Rockettes and over 140 performers. It has also hosted numerous music stars such as Ray Charles and Lady Gaga.

Many of the biggest names in music aspire to grace the Radio City Music Hall's stages of Radio City Music. 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.

Carnegie Hall is a national historic landmark with 3 auditoriums and a total capacity of nearly 3,700. Opened in 1891, it's one of the world’s most prestigious venues for popular and classical music. 

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 before the start of a show. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or at the box office, which opens daily.

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 consists of 3 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 concertgoers. You can find it on Broadway, close to the 72 Street subway station.

Blue Note Jazz Club 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 showcases up-and-coming talent from various genres, including soul, hip-hop and funk. It also 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 day, between 8 pm and 10.30 pm. Musicians often provide entertainment for Sunday brunch at 12.30 pm. The nearest subway station is West Fourth Street–Washington Square, which is just minutes away on foot.

Brooklyn Bowl is a revered live music venue that doubles up as the one of the first LEED-certified bowling alley in the world. It occupies a restored 19th-century building in Williamsburg, less than a 10-minute walk of the Bedford Ave 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.

Terminal 5 occupies a former nightclub in Hell’s Kitchen, a vibrant neighbourhood in Manhattan. This lively music venue has 5 distinct room environments across multiple floors, plus a bar and a rooftop seating area. This 3,000-capacity music venue has hosted excellent performances across numerous genres, including rap, K-pop and country.

Terminal 5 is a very popular nightlife spot among students from nearby Fordham University, so you can expect it to be loud and packed 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.

Webster Hall dates back to 1886, but became a notable New York City landmark and concert venue in the 1980s. Notable rock bands such as The Pretenders, Metallica, U2 and Eric Clapton have graced it stage. Most weekends, usually after 11 pm, it becomes a lively 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.

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 Jelly, 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.

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 has 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.

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 and lively atmosphere.

Mercury Lounge is in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, just a 2-minute walk from the 2nd Avenue subway station. If you want to make the most of the outdoors before a show, head to the nearby John V. Lindsay East River Park or cross the elevated footpath on Williamsburg Bridge.