As well as seeing the sights and the unrivaled shopping districts, many tourists flock to New York to indulge themselves in a city with a rich musical heritage like no other.
The wonderful melting pot of immigrants in NYC has created a vibrant history of music with something for everyone, including the birth of Irish-influenced folk music and also salsa, which has been attributed to the Cuba and Puerto Rican communities that set up home in the Big Apple.
Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay.
Easy listening, blues, and jazz, punk and new wave, hip hop…these are musical genres whose DNA can be found in New York. So if you find yourself in the city, you are sure to be able to find a musical style to suit your tastes at one of these iconic venues.
The Bowery Ballroom
Once described by Rolling Stone as the number one venue in America, the Bowery Ballroom is an unmissable stop for pilgrims seeking a slice of modern musical history in New York.
The Ballroom manages to somehow be both intimate (the capacity is 575 people) and grand, with its early 20th-century interior design remaining largely untouched to this day.
Opened in 1998, the Bowery Ballroom might not have the detailed history of some of the other venues in this list, but it has hosted some of the foremost bands and acts of the new millennium.
The likes of Coldplay, R.E.M., The Strokes, Lou Reed, and Kanye West have stopped by this Delancey Street venue, and with a packed schedule for the year ahead there’s still the chance to catch a star of tomorrow, too.
The Beacon Theatre
The musical heritage of Broadway requires no introduction, and slap-bang in the middle of this stretch of Manhattan musical memories sits the Beacon Theatre.
With its sleek golden interior and Gothic-inspired design, this is a music venue that has a classic feel and hosts everything from opera to '70s soft rockers Steely Dan.
Beacon Theatre (New York City) https://t.co/WIlC5TOzV3 via @HippieMagnet pic.twitter.com/aIv07CcmFN — HippieMagnet (@HippieMagnet) September 24, 2019
A night at the Beacon feels like an event in itself, and its handy uptown location ensures you can grab a bite to eat before the show and party into the night afterwards if you desire.
Resort Worlds
While known primarily as a casino stacked with slot machines and games tables, Resort Worlds also hosts a variety of kitsch and retro theme nights.
The ‘I Will Survive’ singer Gloria Gaynor has performed in the third-floor Jamaica, Queens venue, and other icons of soul, dance, and house music have taken to the stage as well.
Of course, you could always try your luck in the Resort Worlds Casino before or after a show, too. If you find that you're a fan of the classic casino aesthetic and want to carry on the fun after you leave for home, if you hail from across the border you can check out the best Canadian operators for online casinos.
Wherever you are, these sites offer some of the best classic tabletop games for you to enjoy in the palm of your hand, as well as offering exciting live casino games that transport you right back to that glamorous casino atmosphere.
Blue Note
Widely recognized as the headquarters of jazz, some of the genre-leading stars of past and present have taken to the stage at the Blue Note.
The owners have retained that classic smoky feel too, with close-set tables helping to create an intimate ambiance that will have visitors reminiscing of yesteryear.
If the timing of your trip is right, tickets to the Blue Note’s New Year’s Eve soiree exchange hands like hot cakes…but are worth every cent.
Forest Hills Stadium
Now for something slightly different. If you prefer your live music in expansive surroundings, the Forest Hills Stadium is definitely worth a visit.
In the 1960s and '70s the likes of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Simon & Garfunkel all performed here, and the stars of the noughties are now getting their chance to shine at this unmissable arena.
And it’s not just music either. Forest Hills has hosted food festivals, theatre shows, improv, and much more besides.
As mentioned, music lovers in New York are not short of options when it comes to catching a live show in the city.
