The best music in New York
There’s plenty to choose from in New York, but here are four that are able to combine good quality with lots of personality:
1. Radio City Music Hall — Located on Avenue of the Americas, Radio City Music Hall is one of the classiest and most recognizable performance halls in the country. The room isn’t just for classical music and Christmas specials: you can see a variety of different shows here, from orchestral performances to rock concerts.
Vibe — The room commands some “oohs” and “aahs” as you’re ushered in by custodians in white gloves. Although the drinks are a bit of a splurge, the performance and historical atmosphere are enjoyable regardless of what kind of show you’re seeing or how many cocktails you sip.
Sound Quality — The sound is excellent, even in the back rows, however things do tend to get a little muffled if you’re sitting under an awning.
2. Brooklyn Bowl — Built in 2009, the Brooklyn Bowl is a newer venue that doubles as a bowling alley, providing plenty of space, comfort foods, and beer. While the floor can get crowded on busy nights, the entryway in front provides easy access to a break and some fresh air.
Vibe — The combination of the bowling alley feel with the music venue setup is a an interesting mix. Add the great selection of beer and snacks and you’ve got a laid-back, relaxing atmosphere.
Sound Quality — The stage is raised high enough to be clearly visible, so there’s no real line-of-sight issues here. The acoustics of the room are good, considering that it shares a space with bowling lanes.
3. The Bell House — What makes the Bell House unique is its location away from the hustle of Manhattan. Seventh Street in Brooklyn is easily accessible by a short cab trip and also has plenty of parking spaces available. High ceilings and a raised stage make the room inside feel spacious with no visual obstructions.
Vibe — The spaciousness of the room encourages you to walk around and do some exploring. Visibility of the stage and the raised platform of the bar make you feel like you’re up close with the musicians. The feel is calming and removed, especially considering it’s a close escape geographically out of Manhattan.
Sound Quality — While things sound pretty good up front, the back of the room and off to the sides will take on some strange audio qualities. Thankfully, it’s not tough to center yourself as the room is so spacious, but an improvement in The Bell House’s sound system would really turn this place into one of the best NYC music venues.
4. Music Hall of Williamsburg — The building used to be the Northsix music venue before it was bought and renovated by the Bowery Presents and reopened in 2007. The room itself holds about 550 people with balconies that allow the crowd to spread out, making it easy to push your way to the front on the floor.
Vibe — The room is strewn with couches, which offsets an otherwise concrete and metal room. You’ll also find plenty of tables and chairs near the balcony railing. Drinks are available in the building, but no food is served. If you get hungry, there are plenty of restaurants within a short walking distance.
Sound Quality — The room’s ceiling is curved to improve acoustics, leaving only a few dead spots. Overall, the sound experience is pretty good for a room with a metal ceiling and concrete floors.
These are just a few places where you’ll find not only great music, but great company as well.
