New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [117]
Rock Clubs
Fodor’s Choice | Lit Lounge.
With a rock roster that’s included musical forces as diverse as Devendra Banhart and the Hold Steady, Lit is a wonderfully grungy East Village classic. The raucous arty crowd hits not only shows but its charming art gallery Fuse and its theme parties, which cater to fans of specific bands (the White Stripes, Devo, and the Buzzcocks, to name just three). | 93 2nd Ave., East Village | 10003-8352 | 212/777–7987 | www.litloungenyc.com | Subway: F to Lower East Side/2nd Ave., 6 to Astor Pl.
Louis 649.
At this warmly lighted nook the major draw is the free nightly jazz, with a range of performers from Brazilian to traditional quartets. Choose a drink from the extensive selection of single-malt scotches and Kentucky bourbons. | 649 E. 9th St., between Aves. B and C, East Village | 10009 | 212/673–1190 | www.louis649.com | Subway: L to 1st Ave.
LOWER EAST SIDE
Acoustic and Blues Venues
Living Room.
Terre Roche, Connie Acher, and other ace singer-songwriters—some solo, some with their bands—are found at this unpretentiously delightful club. Craving a more intimate experience? Head upstairs to Googie’s Lounge, their humbler acoustic space with just a piano. (Or else sashay next door to Cakeshop, which has music and boozin’ in a shabby-chic setting.) | 154 Ludlow St., between Stanton and Rivington Sts., Lower East Side | 10022 | 212/533–7235 | www.livingroomny.com | Subway: F to 2nd Ave.
Bars
Back Room.
The Prohibition-era atmospheric touches here include tin ceilings, chandeliers, velvet wallpaper, mirrored bars, an amply sized fireplace, and a “hidden” outdoor entrance (which you’ll find easily enough, though the back-alley walk to the second, indoor entrance puts you in the speakeasy spirit). The music consists of rock CDs rather than a live spinmeister, and the drinks come in old-fashioned teacups or wrapped in paper bags. These, and other prize quirks, attract a slightly older clientele than many of its rowdy “boho” (aka bohemian) neighbors do. | 102 Norfolk St., between Delancey and Rivington Sts., Lower East Side | 10002 | 212/228–5098 | Subway: F to Delancey St.; J, M, Z to Essex St.
The Box.
A white-hot sensation as soon as it opened several years ago, Simon Hammerstein’s Roaring Twenties–style cabaret-cum–burlesque show–cum-performance art emporium remains one of the biggest players in any nightlife category you can think of. The tripartite gorgeousness—gorgeous decor, gorgeous customers, and gorgeous performers—explain why tickets are so steep and hard to come by. But for those who want to splash out a bit, it’s worth it. | 189 Christie St., between Stanton and Rivington Sts., Lower East Side | 10022 | 212/982–9301 | www.theboxnyc.com | Subway: F to Lower East Side/2nd Ave.
Element.
Bank, striptease joint, dance club, studio for the painter Jasper Johns—what hasn’t this gargantuan space been in its former lives? Well, it’s a dance club again, with all the usual fixings—VIP section, megawatt sound system blaring techno, flashing lights that can induce epilepsy—but there are some groovy touches: brick walls with candles, and the beautiful downstairs lounge called the Vault. Even though it’s not quite as chic as it was when it opened a few years back, that means only that the velvet ropes will part for you much more readily. | 225 Houston St., at Essex St., Lower East Side | 10002 | 212/254–2200 | www.elementnyc.com | Subway: F to Lower East Side—2nd Ave.
Max Fish.
This Grand Palace of Kitsch on the now most gentrified strip of the Lower East Side still has one of the most eclectic jukeboxes in town, a pool table that draws barflies to it like a magnet, a pinball machine in the back, and—in constant attendance—young rock-and-rollers