Best Live Music Bars in NYC?

So the other night I checked out Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich and really enjoyed the vibe. I was wondering if anyone had any other favorite live music spot suggestions in the city?

Boston suggestions also welcome.

Thanks!

18 Comments
 
Most Helpful
"NovemberRain" So the other night I checked out Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich and really enjoyed the vibe. Was wondering if anyone had any other favorite live music spot suggestions in the city? Boston suggestions also welcome. Thanks!

If you are confident enough in your manhood, and the fun is more important than the quality of the music, Marie's Crisis on Grove in the village is fun. (If you're not, then avoid it.--Also, if I were you, I'd be more worried if those gays DIDN'T hit on you than if they did.)

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 
"NovemberRain" Haha interesting. What kind of music ?

It's a gay-ish bar, what do you expect? Show tunes for the most part with some other items like Billy Joel mixed in. Mostly greatest hits, sung along with a live piano player. You are expected to sing along (badly)

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

Agreed, and not to mention the stage is awkwardly positioned against the long wall so only 10 tables see the show from the front.

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 

Pianos on Ludlow St. The bar in the front is too fratty for me, but if you go to the back room it’s a good place to see indie bands. Have seen a bunch there, and it’s one of the last true independently-owned venues in the city (if that appeals to you). Tickets are $8-10.

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 
"Edifice" Pianos on Ludlow St. The bar in the front is too fratty for me, but if you go to the back room it’s a good place to see indie bands. Have seen a bunch there, and it’s one of the last true independently-owned venues in the city (if that appeals to you). Tickets are $8-10.

I'm assuming you've never been there on a Fri / Sat night, if you think the back room is any less "fratty"

Array
 

I’ve been many a Fri/Sat. I just meant that somehow the front bar and the back room are usually (somehow) totally opposite crowds. The front room will be 90s hip-hop night while the back room will host experimental Strokes cover bands.

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 

LPR (Le Poisson Rouge) is a great live venue. The nights where they have the 90s & 00s band are incredibly fun.

Also that place in WVillage, upstairs from the Five Guys and across Bleecker St. Pizza is worth a visit. Forgot what its called but they have live Soul & R&B music some nights. They can't seem to crack a window in there though.

Array
 

I always wondered about that place above Five Guys. Lots of neon lights and silhouettes…

“Doesn't really mean shit plebby boi. LMK when you're pulling thiccboi cheques.“ — @m_1
 

Ipsum qui similique eos illo iusto. Ut molestiae nostrum est est voluptatem. Velit sed unde sint ex.

Sed temporibus iure laborum ut. Temporibus perferendis sint sit ratione odio fugit. Aut ex nisi nisi perferendis.

Et error ipsum nesciunt facere fugit voluptatem aut. Ipsa quaerat et cum optio sequi quae aut. Beatae asperiores voluptatem at est provident distinctio suscipit.

Explicabo est quis molestias. Soluta dicta dolorem est voluptas et et. Eligendi similique asperiores laboriosam dolores reiciendis quia at. Eligendi in aperiam vel aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”