NYC Nightclubs Are Making a Comeback

For the first year of the pandemic, musicians created a new performance path, performing mostly in public spaces and outdoor restaurants. Governmental restrictions relaxed gradually from April to June 2021, allowing indoor music venues to reopen. With the Village Vanguard finally reopening recently, the last of the old mainstays to reopen will be the Iridium in November.

Primarily known as a jazz club since opening in the Lincoln Center area  in 1994, the Iridium has been a basement club at 1650 Broadway since 2001. It featured weekly performances by Les Paul for nearly 15 years until his death at age 94. The venue will reopen on November 1 with King Solomon Hicks, followed by performances by Sue Foley, Midge Yure, Sonny Landreth, Popa Chubby, Duke Robillard, Jane Monheit, Robert Gordon, Carl Palmer, Mike Zito, Davy Knowles, the Ed Palermo Big Band and Alex Skolnick throughout the month.

New York City nightclubs are enforcing the municipal government's Key to NYC executive order. Only vaccinated customers may enjoy live music in indoor nightclubs. Only a handful of clubs, including Café Wha? and Groove, still offer live music to outdoor guests. Here are some of the scenes we have caught recently on New York stages.

Dave Tierney and Sam Hariss of the Sweet Things at the Bowery Electric on September 5

Jill Fiore at the Bowery Electric on September 3

Val Kinzler at the Hard Swallow on September 7

Rew Starr at the Hard Swallow on September 7

Nino Mendoza at the Hard Swallow on September 7

The Lauded at Arlene's Grocery on September 7

The Luc Moutin Trio at Rue-B on September 8

Coffee Biscuits at Groove on September 9

SuperMoon at the Bitter End on September 9

Contemporary Adults at the Anyway Café on September 9

Gary Lucas at le Poisson Rouge on September 11

Brian & Anthony at the Red Lion on September 12

Ayanyss at the Bowery Electric on September 12

Fang at the Bowery Electric on September 12

Antidote NYHC at the Bowery Electric on September 12

Alfonso Velez at Berlin on September 14

Strange Majik at the Canary Club on September 15

Steven Chelliah performs three sets at Sour Mouse NYC on Friday nights

Guitarist David Kolker jammed at Richie Cannata's Monday Night Jam at the Bitter End on August 16

The Olive Tree features an unnamed assortment of musicians perform pop songs on Monday nights

The 11th St. Bar Quintet features guest jazz musicians on Monday nights at the 11th St. Bar (photograph by Seth Okrend)

New Moon Acoustic Blues at the Ear Inn on August 30; the Ear Inn has live music every Monday starting at 10 p.m.

The Karma Exchange at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2, on August 31

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's September and October 2021 calendars.