Just looking for something fun and maybe a little different for lunch or dinner. Live music would be a plus. Thinking average entree price would be about $12-17.

Thanks!
BokChoy

Just like everything else in Times Square, I endured the presence of this establishment during those days when I was shacked up for a few months, due to the limited choice, in my corporate housing on 51st and 7th.

This restaurant is called Ellen's Stardust Diner (51st and Broadway). Lot's of live music from the singing wait staff, harmonized by the busboys.

LOL!

bokchoy, the Brooklyn Diner on West 57th and Seventh Avenue.

Oops! Didn't see the live music request!

The Carnegie Club has a Frank Sinatra night on Sats. (west 58 st)

Swing 46 has live music and dancing most nights.

Iridium is a jazz club right around there.
http://iridiumjazzclub.com/

Birdland is also not far
birdlandjazz.com

No offense, but $12 to $17 with Live Music in the heart of midtown is a fairly tough set of criteria. Maybe some smaller, pub type spots closer to 9th Avenue would be possible for both. But, unless you're aiming for Hooters/Mars 2112/Jekyll and Hyde type spot, I'm assuming by different you mean somewhere with an atmosphere that can't be described as "inane"

Assuming the lack of live music isn't a deal breaker, I might suggest Tout Va Bien on 51st and 8th. The food is very reasonable (a bit more, but close to your price range) and the quality is outstanding. It's actually one of my favorite low-key spots in NY. (It's frequented by many French ex-pats.)

Again, while no live music, I like Langan's on 47th between 6th and Broadway. Good food, reasonable prices - your basic, Irish bar