Suggest good venues for seeing live music in New York NY?

[Kosh Naranek]

The GF and I are flying to New York NY for sight seeing for a few days. She came across a great deal on a hotel. We are leaving Wednesday Aug 22nd and getting back on Sunday the 26th.
We have found out that Mike Stern is scheduled to play at the 55 Bar on one of those nights. I'm excited to go see him at the venue he's played regularly for so many years.
Does anyone know any other venues in New York that are good for seeing live music? Doesn't have to be jazz. I like rock, reggae, blues, and a few other styles. Rap, hip hop, polka and country are the only ones I don't. But I'd go listen to Albert Lee or Ray Flacke pick country.

[ginormous]

Les Paul's home venue for his last years...
http://theiridium.com/

[ginormous]

Home of the legendary Amateur Night; a Harlem landmark.
http://www.apollotheater.org/

[Kosh Naranek]

Thanks, ginormous!

[TwilightOdyssey]

Best thing to do when you land here is grab a copy of Time Out New York. It will have all you need inside. BB King's regularly has great shows. The mid-sized theatre scene in NYC has all but died when it comes to rock; if you want to have a fun time/play musical roulette, walk around the Lower East Side; there are tons of lounges/bars with live music. Local 269, Living Room, Mercury Lounge, Arlene's Grocery, UC Lounge are all within spitting distance of each other and have live music every night. A very short trip on the L train will take you to the mecca of hipsters, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There are a couple of bars with live music venues there, nothing worth noting except for Brooklyn Bowl.

[Bludave]

http://www.ny.com/clubs/pop/

http://rightherenyc.com/MUSIC_SCENE_ROCK.html


Most of these clubs listed will be in NYC & if you go to their websites you should be able to get an idea of who is playing where! NYC is fairly condensed, but can be difficult to get around in due to traffic issues. It would also be best for you to study & understand the subway system. I personally ;like to walk when in NYC it's a great way to take in all the variable cultures & observe the beautiful architecture of all the buildings. Here is a look at the subway system..... Enjoy your stay in one of the greatest cities in the world!

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

[ginormous]

It would also be best for you to study & understand the subway system. I personally ;like to walk when in NYC it's a great way to take in all the variable cultures & observe the beautiful architecture of all the buildings. Here is a look at the subway system..... Enjoy your stay in one of the greatest cities in the world!

http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Not only is the subway system a great way to beat traffic, but they also have...

live entertainment!
When this lady got a gig in Morocco in 1992, I backed her up. Someone tossed a card in her hat, gave her a number, and she was flying to northern Africa a week later.

[Bludave]

It's a little more complicated now then people just randomly performing in the Subway stations or in Penn Station or Grand Central. Now they have a program called "Music under the City" I don't know exactly what you have to do, to qualify but I believe they are paid by NYC & you have to have a permit issued by the City. There are a lot of really good street musicians playing and I never really cared if they were sponsored by NYC or not. If they are good, they will usually gather a crowd and collect a good amount of tip money. I think its a great way for a musician to supplement income!

[LesStrat]

What about those other places I've heard of, like Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Gardens

[Evan Skopp]

The Brooklyn Bowl is fun. Live music, BBQ chicken, and bowling, all under one roof.

[Jake]

I've never been, but just about every band I like makes an obligatory stop at the Knitting Factory when they tour.

[verbotenco]

I read CBGB used to be the gathering place for the best in blues and rock, but it is closed now. Remember those black shirts CBGB OMPUG?

[Bludave]

The Brooklyn Bowl is fun. Live music, BBQ chicken, and bowling, all under one roof.

I went to a guitar show this spring there. First time there, very cool place!