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| The weekly Live Bluegrass night at Lucinda's on April 21 (photograph by David Sussman) |
You live in (or near) the greatest city in the world where, as a music lover, every night can be filled with exciting, spontaneous music. Why stay home for another same-old same-old couch-potato evening in front of the television when terrific live music is nearby and is either free or under $20? Make the most of New York nights by discovering new music!
Here are just a few excellent live music clubs in Manhattan that fit your budget. Entrance to these venues is usually (but not always) free or under $20. We suggest buying a drink to support the venue and, in some cases, drop a few dollars in the tip bucket to support the musicians. Check the venues' websites for details.
The 11th St. Bar, 510 East 11th Street, https://11thstbar.com/
Established in 1997, the 11th St. Bar hosts live music on Sunday through Thursday nights. Sundays are dedicated to the Irish Seisiun, and Mondays are the jazz nights, featuring the 11th St. Bar Quintet. Admission is free.
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| The Bakersfield Breakers at the 11th St. Bar on April 21 (photograph by Seth Okrend) |
The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker Street, https://bitterend.com/#/events
Established in 1961, The Bitter End is the oldest continuously-operating rock and roll club in New York City. For more than 60 years, artists including Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Jackson Browne, Neil Diamond, Gavin DeGraw, Kris Kristofferson, Carly Simon, Norah Jones, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, and thousands more have gotten their start there. The cover charge is usually $20 or less, although sometimes it rises for bigger acts.
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| James Maddock at the Bitter End on April 20 (photograph by Jini Sachse) |
The Cellar Dog, 75 Christopher Street, https://www.cellardog.net/
Formerly Fat Cat, the Cellar Dog opened in 2021 and has maintained the former premise’s tradition of balancing a 9,000-square-foot game hall with nightly live jazz. Visitors pay a small cover charge, usually $5, and listen to live jazz while playing billiards, ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, checkers, chess and arcade games.
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| Saul Rubin at the Cellar Dog on April 26 (photograph by Seth Okrend) |
Cowgirl, 519 Hudson Street, https://www.cowgirlnyc.com/
Founded in 1989, Cowgirl has several restaurant rooms, but the live music happens in the back room. While the room does not have a full live music schedule, the Emily Duff Band plays once a month and other shows are staged irregularly. Admission is free.
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| The Emily Duff Band at Cowgirl on April 20 |
The Ear Inn, 326 Spring Street, https://www.theearinn.com/
The Ear Inn is one of the oldest operating drinking establishments in New York City. The building was constructed around 1770 for James Brown, an African aide to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Live music happens on Wednesday nights at 11 p.m. Admission is free.
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| Jason Green (left) at the Ear Inn on April 22 (photograph by Seth Okrend) |
Lucinda’s, 169 Avenue A, https://www.lucindasnyc.com/
A new hot spot owned partly by country music artist Lucinda Williams, Lucinda’s is a country music bar with live music. Williams has performed there twice, and surprise shows pop up unexpectedly, like the Black Keys and the Lemonheads. Live music happens almost every night, and songwriters can participate in an open mic on Sunday afternoons. Lucinda’s even offers free two-step lessons on Thursdays. Check the website; most shows are free admission, but some are $20 or less.
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| E.W. Harris at the Songwriter's Open Mic at Lucinda's on April 26 |
Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston Street, https://mercuryeastpresents.com/mercurylounge/
The building that houses Mercury Lounge originally housed servants for the Astor mansion, reportedly connected by tunnels. From 1933 to 1993, the street floor space was a tombstone shop before becoming a music venue. For more than 30 years, Mercury Lounge has been a premier 250-capacity indie rock venue, helping to launch the careers of the Strokes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol and many other bands. Shows are frequently $20 or less.
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| Jay Webb at Mercury Lounge on April 23 (photograph by Kevin Keane) |
Mona’s, 224 Avenue B, https://www.facebook.com/monasbarnyc#
Established in 1989, Mona’s has a pool table in the back room, and hosts live bluegrass jams on Mondays and traditional jazz on Tuesdays in the front room. Members of Lake Street Dive, the Steep Canyon Rangers and Della Mae sometimes join in the jams. Admission is free.
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| The weekly Monday Night Bluegrass Session at Mona's on April 20 (photograph by David Sussman) |
Otto’s Shrunken Head, 538 East 14th Street, https://www.ottosshrunkenhead.com/
Opened in 2002, Otto's Shrunken Head is a new interpretation of the Tiki Bar, mixing traditional Polynesian decor and potent-rum based concoctions. The back room features live music, comedy, poetry and just about anything else. Admission is often free or under $20.
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| King Morgan & Friends at Otto's Shrunken Head on April 21 (photograph by David Sussman) |
Perelman Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton Street, https://pacnyc.org/series/free-music-at-pac-nyc/
The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) is a modern complex in the World Trade Center campus. PAC-NYC has three flexible theater spaces, a lobby stage, and a lobby restaurant, plus a terrace open to the public day and night. The lobby stage hosts free performances almost nightly.
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| Tamtam at the Perelman Performing Arts Center Lobby Stage on April 25 |
Tompkins Square Park, https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/tompkins-square-park/events
Tompkins Square Park is a 10.5-acre square-shaped park, bounded on the north by East 10th Street, on the east by Avenue B, on the south by East 7th Street, and on the west by Avenue A. Many music acts play there by securing the proper permits, but others take their chances by busking. Admission is free.
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| The Ed Gunderman Band at Tompkins Square Park on April 26 |
Related Article
Good Live Music Venues Off the Beaten Track in NYC
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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken 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 of the home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."
For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's April and May calendars.
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