First off, let it be known that I am so not familiar with the area or much of a bar hopper. Friends…read moreplanned for us to meet up here. When we arrived, there was a line at the door. Luckily, a table reservation for our party of had been made so we were able to go right in. Having just come from dinner, we did not eat any food. Drinks were all that we had. Shortly after arriving, the tables disappeared and it got way more crowded & loud on this Saturday night. It was a fun bar with live music. We did dance albeit very closely together. It was a perfect vibe for our birthday girl!

This is The Red Lion? Oh I see, this isn't the same as The Lion where an unknown singer named…read moreBarbra Streisand burst into public view for the first time over six decades ago. You can turn your gaydar off now. However, like The Lion in days of yore, this is indeed a live music venue and has been for quite some time. Jamie W and I were just trying to avoid the heat, so here we were. It was past noon, and the live music didn't start until 1PM. The space felt like a vintage tavern with a lot of dark wood wainscoting panels. We ordered a couple of their signature cocktails. Jamie went with the $14 Strange Brew, a caffeine-fueled mix of Jameson cold brew whiskey, Bailey's, and iced coffee (Photo 8). I ordered the $14 Start Me Up, a tart version of a Pimm's Cup mixed with lemon juice, berries, and mint (Photo 9). Neither drink had the potency we were hoping to find. Mine was particularly watery, and frankly we weren't sure if the bartender was trying to encourage a second round from us. We did manage to feel peckish and ordered the $9 Deviled Eggs which they well overstuffed with mayo, Dijon, and curry powder (Photo 10). We got served just as a talented young girl took the stage with her guitar in front of only a handful of people (Photo 6). Good luck, sweetie. DRINKS / FOOD - 3 stars...not as potent as we were hoping...the eggs were overdressed AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...a true Village tavern of an earlier era...still as a tomb early in the day SERVICE - 2.5 stars...kinda transactional TOTAL - 3 stars...go for the live music RELATED - Thirsty in NYC? Here's my collection of bars and restaurants l've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2YS9ELS

You walk into the Bowery Ballroom and the air smells like stale sweat, old wood, and cheap…read moreambition. It's dark enough to hide your sins and loud enough to drown out the citys crime. ​The Bogmen took the stage like they had nothing to lose and everything to bleed out. Down on the floor, the boards were bouncing up and down beneath a hundred pairs of stomping feet, like the whole damn building was having a seizure. ​I stood back with a cold PBR tallboy in my hand, watching the band members, 20 tears later dance themselves into a stupor while the music hammered away. It's a great dark lounge for people who prefer their noise honest and their whiskey cheap. No pretense, just sweat, steel strings, and gravity doing its best to hold the room together.

It is an interesting experience, and I would say this spot definitely has a relaxed vibe. You can…read morepre-order the tickets on your phone (ticketmaster). It is just standing the whole time for the concert unless you are VIP (then there will be a small table with chairs set aside for you.) When you walk in, they check your bags and make sure you are of age (need photo ID and will get a wrist band), and there was no wait when I arrived at 6:30 PM, and the show was scheduled for 7 PM. There is a spot downstairs when you walk in to rest on a couch if you need. There are drinks: wine, beer, cider. The bathrooms are decent if you have to use them. Some positives: There is a coat check for $3, and they accept credit card. There are multiple stalls in the ladies' bathroom, and there is soap! I saw non-alcoholic drinks: Poland Spring water, Monster energy drink.

Went to the Village Vanguard on a Monday night for the house band and drinks, and it's easy to see…read morewhy this place is considered a legendary jazz club. The music was fantastic and the sound in the room was incredible. The space is definitely tight, and they pack people in, but that's pretty standard for a jazz club and honestly part of the experience. Drinks are expensive, but the service was good and you're really there for the music. Definitely worth experiencing if you're into jazz, and I'll absolutely be back.

Oh my gosh, what a great jazz music spot! There is so much history in these walls. All the greats…read morehave played here and still play here. It is a small venue with very tight seating, but not a big issue unless you are a need space person then please avoid this venue. Your ticket does not guarantee a seating location, your place in line is how you get seated. If you want to sweated on by the band, be first in line. They also don't like you using phones during the concert and neither do your crowded neighbors. There is a drink minimum with your ticket, a bottle wine is worth 4 drinkers, and once the music starts service is limited, thankfully, so you can enjoy the music. Totally worth going if you love small venue jazz!

My wife and love Jazz music and when my son said his friend works at one and we could go if we…read morewanted, we said of course we would. I was so surprised by the crowd that was there to listen to jazz. The club is small and with the long line of people waiting to get in, the club got full instantly. We were early that we got front seats. It was a nice band and it just made the evening enjoyable and we got to meet up with our son's friend.

Kinda wild that I didn't write a review the last time I was in this jazz joint…read more Last time I popped into the 2am show and it blew my sox off. I saw Miki Yamanaka randomly for the 1st time. But apparently i missed writing a review. Maybe because there are many glowing reviews already. But may I put my 5 star review on the pile. This time we caught the 2pm Sunday open jam. We were smartly near the front of the line so we got my favorite spot, right on the bar rail near the stage. The drinks were good and strong, the service was quick and succinct. The jam was incredible. I didn't know all the guys but the guy on drums is a legend named muppet. He held back on his solos on the first 2 songs. On the third, when the baton was passed to him, he ripped off an impressive solo that would be amazing for anyone, and he is 93. We had to dip out to catch our flight, but cant wait to stop in again next time.

The Bitter End is NYC's oldest rock-and-roll club!…read more First time here, what I enjoyed the most about the venue was the seating. When I went to The Iridium over the summer, the seating was situated more for dining and the performance is more of an afterthought. At The Bitter End I was front and center facing the stage The big attraction is the history of the club. The Bitter End opened in 1961 and was a launching pad for performers who later became major stars. I started following The Curtis Family when we were all locked down in 2020. Now in 2026, the family band hit the road and one of the stops on tour was The Bitter End. As with any of these small venues, they have a two drink minimum. Once my wife & I were seated, we ordered a few cocktails and settled in. The stage was large enough to have the (7) members of the band and they had two keyboards! The sound system was great and the drinks were strong. The seating, even though I was able to be in front, it was tight seating. It was a little too close for comfort. The Bitter End is a small, intimate, old-school Greenwich Village club. If you're looking for a classic New York City music-night experience, The Bitter End fits extremely well into Greenwich Village. It's a great venue for a folk singer or a small jazz performance.

Staff is super friendly both at the door and waiting tables. The small venue is cozy and well lit…read morefor shows. The two drink minimum menu is reasonably priced, I had a ginger beer and bottled water. I really enjoyed this music venue and would definitely come back if an artist I like is playing and I'm in the area again.

Definitely a hidden gem! If I hadn't looked it up on Yelp first we would have walked right by…read morewithout noticing it on while walking by. The unassuming outside hides a tremendously cool inside. As soon as we walked through the door, we were greeted warmly by Dinara (sp?) who was effortlessly cool in her own right. A young lady ( whose name I didn't catch) promptly seated us. It's not a huge space, but we didn't feel cramped. There was a bar up front, tables along the side walls and a stage in the back. Apparently they have live music nights and open mic nights too. When we went there was 80s/90s music playing and it was very cool. The decor is unapologetically Black and I love it! The restroom is clean and contemporary. The service staff is amazing and attentive. They gave us cornbread with berry butter. Very tasty! My only complaint is that they could have given us each a piece instead of giving us one piece cut into 2. Lol! But it was free! And if that's the "worst" part of the experience then you know it was an overall good time! I was wavering between whether or not to get the collard greens and asked if they were sweet or bitter or spicy. Our server went and got a small sample for me to try because it was hard to describe. I was grateful for her willingness to let me try them. By the way I did order them and they are more savory than any of the above. It's a gentle savory flavor. I also got rice and beans and teriyaki salmon. The beans weren't exactly what I expected. They were black beans which I don't typically associate with soul food. They weren't bad although next time I think I'll get potatoes. My dining companion got lamb chops and collard greens and mac and cheese. She loved everything and at it right up! The food presentation, flavor, and portion size were all good. I didn't leave feeling overstuffed but I was satisfied. The servers checked in on us an appropriate amount of times (we didn't feel rushed or under surveillance but they made sure we had what we needed). The manager/owner stopped by to make sure everything was good and chatted with us. All around good vibes & good eats--I would go again. Highly recommend!

Thursday, 07May26 - A night of celebrating Taurus' at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar Lounge - and…read morewhat a celebration it was. So much joy. So much talent. Thank you, Valerie Simpson, and your late husband; Nickolas Ashford, for creating this amazing venue. The guest host for the evening was the incredibly talented Olutayo. Olutayo is joy exemplified. His vocal range, dance moves, entertaining facial expressions...infectious. I fell in love with this man and did not hesitate to tell him so. Beyond his talents was Olu's ability to manage / juggle the night's open-mic entertainers with such grace. From the lyrics of En Vogue and Salt-N-Peppa: "Whatta Man, Whatta Man, What a Mighty Good Man!" All of the entertainers were incredible. What a range of singers, dancers, a poet, a violinist. And the band! The band! The band! Come on!! Outstanding. I was seated next to Darius, one of the several background vocalists that were positioned throughout the lounge. We became fast friends in this space filled with exuberance. Darius was a delight. He was also a big brother to me, making sure no one blocked my view of the performance. Thank you, Darius, that was so kind of you. I had such a wonderful time being in the company of all these amazingly talented people. It was a 6-hour dopamine rush that should not be missed. The dinner that was served was top-notch. I had the Sea Bass. My friend had the Golden Fried Chicken. Both meals were delicious. I had the ginger mocktail with rosemary and blueberries - so yummy I had two. Dessert was key lime pie - suffer we will. Our server; Vickie, was a delight and amazing to observe as she maneuvered around the performers and kept us and everyone around us well served and continually hydrated. Vickie is to be commended for how hard she worked throughout the evening. I made sure our tip reflected our appreciation of her. Put the Sugar Bar on your bucket list when visiting NYC. You'll leave there feeling you have experienced Heaven on Earth.

What a melodic way to honor John Coltrane's Centennial by celebrating 100 years of the legendary…read moresaxophonist & composer's life. I've loved all things Coltrane for as long as I can remember. His music was the soundtrack of my childhood & my introduction to jazz & the blues. So, while planning my return to NYC, I made sure to find a jazz club where I could experience his legacy. That led me to Dizzy's Club at Lincoln Center for A Masterful Tribute to Trane: Roxy Coss Quartet. I'll admit, I hesitated at the $60 cover & $20 minimum. Yet my server, Nidia, was amazingly engaging, & the seamless hospitality throughout, led by GM Raymond, was impressive. Most importantly, the extraordinary music made it worth every penny. The John Coltrane Centennial Celebration was nothing short of transcendent. Honoring Coltrane's iconic "Classic Quartet" era, saxophonist Roxy Coss led a powerhouse ensemble featuring Geoffrey Keezer on piano, James Cammack on bass, & Rudy Royston on drums. Together, they balanced fierce modal intensity with profound spiritual depth. Keezer's captivating commentary connected the music to Coltrane's history & legacy, while the musicians brought that history vividly to life. I especially appreciated the reflection on Coltrane's composition Alabama, written in response to the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Artist Insights *Roxy Coss; Saxophones & Clarinet: Commanded the front line with muscular tenor solos & soaring soprano lines that captured Coltrane's questing spirit without merely imitating him. *Geoffrey Keezer; Piano: Followed his historical introductions with thunderous block chords & explosive modal runs. *James Cammack; Bass: The Ahmad Jamal Trio veteran anchored the ensemble with a deep, resonant pulse & commanding presence. & a gentle note: JC performs with a walker, yet his passion for playing remains unmistakably powerful. I love seeing that kind of dedication to the music. *Rudy Royston; Drums: Fueled the quartet with polyrhythmic fury & an exhilarating, Elvin Jones-inspired drive. The intimate space & ambience were supremely curated - pun intended: A Love Supreme. Great Jazz at the Lincoln Center & a salute to Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis for helping sustain this extraordinary jazz tradition. A triumphant & unforgettable homage to jazz royalty - TRANE, encore. I plan on visiting Dizzy's every time I return to NYC.

I had a super fun solo dinner date at Dizzy's Club! It's a bit hard to find -- you have to go up an…read moreelevator right inside the Columbus Circle shopping mall -- but well worth the trip. I arrived shortly before showtime and was able to snag a last-minute seat at the bar. The acoustics and views are wonderful in the venue. Plus, nothing beats really good live music. It was packed when I was there on a Sunday night, but it felt cozy rather than crowded. Be aware that there is a food and drink minimum included with your ticket. I wasn't in a drinking mood, so I enjoyed a mocktail and an appetizer, plus the cornbread to go. Buying tickets in advance is recommended. I got lucky that it wasn't full. They also run some discounts, like student tickets, so check online if that applies to you. Overall, I really enjoyed Dizzy's Club and would definitely come back.

Simply incredible, truly. This is what you would expect a NYC jazz club to be, beautiful intimate…read moresetting, comfortable seating, not too noisy. The service was superb. Yes, I got the fact that food was basically pre-prepared and served almost immediately, but I did not mind. It was delicious and didn't taste manufactured. The services was beyond friendly and I was genuinely, pleasantly surprised. I did not mention the band, which was the highlight of the evening, but I am guessing even a D-level group would be elevated to an A+ by this venue.

I had a lovely experience at Birdland! The venue offers great views of the performance from your…read moretable. It's a very intimate and cozy environment, and the musical act was excellent. For dessert, we had the warm chocolate sponge cake. I thought it was alright, but nothing to write home about. Although, I did enjoy my coffee drink. Our server was nice and our drinks and dessert came out within a reasonable amount of time. This was a great experience for my first time at a jazz club!

VENUE: As someone who caught numerous shows at the OLD PALLADIUM in the EAST VILLAGE, I found it…read morewonderful that this Theater Venue took on the historic name in 2020, keeping the rich tradition of live entertainment alive for a new generation.

I saw Method Man and Redman here with B-Real from Cypress Hill opening, and it was an absolutely…read morefantastic night. Times Square has never been my favorite part of New York, but the Palladium (called the Best Buy Theater at the time when I went) was clean, well-run, and surprisingly fun, with an intimate energy that worked perfectly for a hip-hop show. The crowd was great, everyone seemed to be having a blast, and seeing three legends in a venue this size made for an unforgettable night.

We were pleasantly surprised that we were seated near the stage since they were reportedly all…read morebooked when we made the reservation. Depending on how long guests stay sometimes those seats are available as a first come first served so we were lucky. Our server was great and she explained the menu. I opted for the chefs menu which did not disappoint. Every course was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. It was fun to try everything including their starter course of three items. The oyster miso was quite a stand out for me. All of the fish prepared was delicate and lovely. The Parker rolls were soft and a nice complement. My friend who is less adventurous with seafood opted for their shrimp tempera roll, which was as good as you could make a shrimp tempera roll. Well prepared as well as their charcuterie board which we could not finish after everything. It was a memorable night I won't forget with nice entertainment and great staff. My partner held my hand as we walked back to the hotel which never happens. Quite a night thank you!

Went here for a casual get together with some colleagues when I was in NY. The Jazz vibes were…read morehonestly the reason to pick this place. It's a low key establishment from the outside but once you are in it feels a lot more trendy. The stage is right in the front and all the tables can get a good view of the stage. The music can be loud at times and the ambience is more on the dimly lit side but still a great spot. The service was great, and the drink selection was cool too. I would definitely pick from the selection of speciality cocktails. I got the smoked old fashioned (or similar) and that was potent, Smokey and delicious. We also got a few bites to eat. Other than the tuna tartare (didn't feel fresh) everything we got was nice - nigiri combo, kimchi fried rice, kings toast.... Nice drinks, nice atmosphere, good food and great service!!