Please Advise - NYC - Questions/Central Park/ Restaurants/Entertainment
Jul 23rd, 2001, 09:47 AM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'll address only the issue of places for live music...
If there's an act you have a strong desire to see, Irving Plaza and Bowery Ballroom are great midsized rock venues - good line of sight to the stage and great sound. Both are targeted at standing only crowds and it makes little difference whether you're single or with a group. BB King Blues Club will have a mix of toutists and NY'ers in the audience depending on whos playing that night - music is of all types not just blues. It's the most comfortable club in NYC - they don't pack you in like sardines, line of sight is good from nearly wevery seat and sound is fantastic - IMHO the best in NYC. I have been there many times alone (I am early 40's male) and wqas seated at tables that seat six - there were generally one or two other singles at a table or several couples. I always managed to meet some interesting folks this way and found ages/backgrounds to be quite varied. The Bottom Line usually has a 30's and 40's crowd, has great music and sound but line of sight problems at some seats and is so crowded/packed in that conversation with strangers tends not to occur (it has to do with the way in which seating is set up). The Bitter End is folk oriented - cheap cover and low key. If you're in town on Monday see if they're having NY Songwriter's Circle that week - it's a terrific round robin performance by three separate songwriter's who perform and discuss the influences behind their work and often talk about the inspiration behind particular songs and/or lyrics. It starts at about 6 and runs until 8:30 or 9 once each month on a Monday. I the lower east side I've been to the Living Room - mixed age crowd and fol oriented - small and fun. Have also checked out Arlene Grocery - tends to be a 20's through late 30's crowd and features (usually) unknown rock bands - several per night and no cover charge. Very comfortable place as a single. Mercury Lounge is also near there. Crowded and smoky front bar area but great separate room in back for music. Almost no seating in the back but some great up and coming groups play for the standing crowd. I jazz you should consider skipping Iridium and the Blue Note unless someone you really want to see is playing there. Check the Village Voice for smaller jazz clubs such as Small's or the Internet Cafe, which will feature local performers and draw more of a neighborhood crowd.
If there's an act you have a strong desire to see, Irving Plaza and Bowery Ballroom are great midsized rock venues - good line of sight to the stage and great sound. Both are targeted at standing only crowds and it makes little difference whether you're single or with a group. BB King Blues Club will have a mix of toutists and NY'ers in the audience depending on whos playing that night - music is of all types not just blues. It's the most comfortable club in NYC - they don't pack you in like sardines, line of sight is good from nearly wevery seat and sound is fantastic - IMHO the best in NYC. I have been there many times alone (I am early 40's male) and wqas seated at tables that seat six - there were generally one or two other singles at a table or several couples. I always managed to meet some interesting folks this way and found ages/backgrounds to be quite varied. The Bottom Line usually has a 30's and 40's crowd, has great music and sound but line of sight problems at some seats and is so crowded/packed in that conversation with strangers tends not to occur (it has to do with the way in which seating is set up). The Bitter End is folk oriented - cheap cover and low key. If you're in town on Monday see if they're having NY Songwriter's Circle that week - it's a terrific round robin performance by three separate songwriter's who perform and discuss the influences behind their work and often talk about the inspiration behind particular songs and/or lyrics. It starts at about 6 and runs until 8:30 or 9 once each month on a Monday. I the lower east side I've been to the Living Room - mixed age crowd and fol oriented - small and fun. Have also checked out Arlene Grocery - tends to be a 20's through late 30's crowd and features (usually) unknown rock bands - several per night and no cover charge. Very comfortable place as a single. Mercury Lounge is also near there. Crowded and smoky front bar area but great separate room in back for music. Almost no seating in the back but some great up and coming groups play for the standing crowd. I jazz you should consider skipping Iridium and the Blue Note unless someone you really want to see is playing there. Check the Village Voice for smaller jazz clubs such as Small's or the Internet Cafe, which will feature local performers and draw more of a neighborhood crowd.
