Where to hear live music in New York City

New York City is home to dozens of live music venues, from hole-in-the-wall dive bars to extravagant theaters—and just about everyone, from world-renowned stars to up-and-coming artists, makes a pit stop here. Whether it’s your first or 500th time catching a show, it’s an adrenaline rush not to be missed. Here are the eight of the best live music venues in NYC to check out pronto.

Nicknamed “The Showplace of the Nation” and first opened in 1932, Radio City Music Hall is one of the largest indoor theaters in the world seating nearly 6,000 people on any given day in Midtown Manhattan. Largely known for its massive concerts and Christmas Spectacular, this storied stage has seen everything from Lady Gaga and Dave Matthews to Ray Charles and The Grateful Dead. Throughout the year, the entertainment venue hosts a variety of comedy shows, orchestral performances, and even TV shows and award ceremonies like the Grammy Awards. If you want a BTS view of the iconic space, be sure to book an hour-long tour which includes a meet-and-greet with Rockettes and an overview of the space’s history and architecture.

Complete with sparkling chandeliers, golden corridors, and elaborate interior decor, this Washington Heights icon dates back to the 1930s and transports you back in time. Similar to many decades-old venues in New York City, United Palace operated as a movie theater before becoming a spiritual, cultural, and performing arts center. Nowadays, you can attend shows from some of music’s modern-day stars like Carly Rae Jepsen and show-biz veterans like the Allman Brothers Band. June 2023 is particularly special at the United Palace, as the Tony Awards, which celebrate excellence in Broadway theater, will be held here for the first time in over 75 years.

Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood pays homage to heavy metal culture with its gothic décor and live music line-ups. The venue may only hold some 250 people, but has hosted A-list bands like Anthrax and Pentagram since it opened in 2011, and continues to provide a space for punk, metal, and rock ‘n’ roll acts to perform memorable shows. Plus, when there isn’t a live band for the night, guests can enjoy the full-service bar set to a grungy soundtrack. The venue also offers art exhibits, late-night synth parties, comedy shows, and even heavy metal yoga.

Located at Lincoln Center on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the Metropolitan Opera House reigns as the largest repertory opera house in the world. The place to go for live classical music, the Metropolitan Opera House also offers backstage tours so you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the on-site carpentry shops, dressing rooms, and 90-foot-deep stage. Classical music and opera buffs may want to subscribe to Met Opera on Demand for access to more than 800 full-length Met performances from wherever you are.

Blue Note is a legendary jazz club in Manhattan's Greenwich Village that promises patrons high quality, cutting-edge jazz music. Blue Note hosts live shows every evening from 8 p.m.; has a bi-weekly “Late Night Groove” series showcasing up-and-coming jazz, soul, and R&B artists; and even hosts a Sunday jazz brunch. FYI: Blue Note has expanded beyond NYC and is now in California, Brazil, China, Hawaii, Italy, and Japan.

Officially a multipurpose indoor arena, Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden—more commonly known as MSG or the Garden—has hosted some of the biggest names in music over the decades. Concerts for mega-artists like Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, and Phish live in infamy to this day. Also dubbed “The World’s Most Famous Arena” because of its historical impact in both sports and entertainment, MSG is home to both the New York Knicks basketball team and the Rangers hockey team.

Housed in a converted 24,000 square-foot warehouse in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Elsewhere is a multi-room music venue, nightclub, and art space that focuses on showcasing underground music. The venue uses its spacious grounds and roof to promote new artists and DJs, with a focus on house and techno music. In the summer, be sure to visit Elsewhere’s rooftop bar, where it often hosts live concerts with table seating, bar service, and a solid food menu—all with a view of Manhattan.

Located within Manhattan’s South Street Seaport district, the rooftop stage at Pier 17 is one of the city’s newer venues and has already welcomed star-studded performances from artists such as Billie Eilish and Elvis Costello & The Imposters. Concertgoers can also take advantage of the many amenities, like the Grey Goose Terrace, a private rooftop hideaway with lounge seating, and a slew of bars and restaurants along the pier. Along with musical glory, guests will be treated to magnificent views of both the East River and Brooklyn Bridge come showtime. In 2023, Barenaked Ladies, CAKE, Rebelution, and Yungblud are on the lineup.