(Le) Poisson Rouge

158 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012 212-505-3474

Description: WEST VILLAGE. Art and alcohol - a combination at which (Le) Poisson Rouge excels. Situated on the site of the former Village Gate, LPR now functions as a multimedia art showcase. There are two sections of the LPR: the Gallery and the Main Space. The Gallery itself has a full bar and showcases artwork on a rotating basis, but its true function is to serve as a place for fans to congregate pre-show. The main events occur in the Main Space. The lineups are always eclectic - previous artists run the gamut from rapper Wale to British indie rock group Florence + the Machine to author Salman Rushdie.
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55 Bar

55 Christopher St, between 7th Ave S and Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014 212-929-9883

Description: WEST VILLAGE. If you can handle the run-down atmosphere of this legendary dive, then you'll be treated to some of the best be-bop jazz in New York. Students and young folks love the low-key vibe and the affordable drink prices, but music lovers of all ages show up to hear jazz guitar greats in action.TRAIN: 1, 9 to Christopher St
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Blue Note

131 West 3rd St, between MacDougal St & 6th Ave, New York, NY 10012-1208 212-475-8592

Description: WEST VILLAGE. This is the first name in big-name jazz; a place where all of the greats have graced the stage at some point ­ from B.B. King and Roberta Flack to Manhattan Transfer and Spyro Gyra. A trip to the Blue Note guarantees good jazz in a hip, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Expect to pay steep prices to see top-name performers at this Greenwich Village landmark. Dinner is served nightly before the show, making this an impressive place to take a client or a date. TRAIN: A, B, C, D, F to W 4th St-Washington Sq
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Bowery Ballroom

6 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002 212-533-2111

Description: LOWER EAST SIDE. Housed in a lovely Beaux Arts building that dates from 1929, this small venue manages to bring top acts while also maintaining its edgy attitude. What's more, the classic swankiness of the brass handrails and mahogany walls is a nice complement to more modern elements like, say, the state-of-the-art sound system. Featured performers have included the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Lennon, Coldplay, Metallica and White Stripes. The box office accepts cash only. TRAIN: J, M to Bowery; B, D to Grand St
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Fat Cat Billiards

75 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014 212-675-6056

Description: WEST VILLAGE. Live music and games: What more could be better? This basement-level dive, associated with jazzy Smalls on West 10th, is as classic as they come. There are no frills, no fancy themes, no cleverly-named cocktails. What attracts the West Village crowd to Fat Cat is its simplicity ­ it's a great place to relax with friends and catch a terrific jazz act, and it's an even better place to play backgammon, ping-pong, pool, or (gulp!) chess. TRAIN: 1, 9 to Christopher St
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Hiro Lounge & Ballroom

371 W 16th St, Maritime Hotel, New York, NY 10011 212-727-0212

Description: CHELSEA. Located in the über-sexy Maritime Hotel, this spacious ballroom is equipped to host a variety of events, including fashion shows, dances parties and live music performances. The space features excellent acoustics thanks largely to its 20-foot vaulted ceiling, and its Japanese aesthetics (most noticeably, the many "floating" paper lanterns) are a true feast for the eyes. The upstairs lounge, which attracts jetsetters, models and scores of wannabe, is a great place for people-watching ... but only if you're cool about it. Past performers have include Staind, Sondre Lerche, Beck, Sonic Youth and Lily Allen. TRAIN: A, C, E to 14th St; L to Eighth Ave
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Jazz Standard

116 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016 212-576-2232

Description: GRAMERCY. Snuggled between Park and Lexington Avenues, this jazz club/restaurant combo has garnered a good amount of praise from local critics and discriminating patrons. If you want to hear good jazz, find your way downstairs to the cozy lounge area, which has the ambience of a circa 1920 speakeasy and great acoustics for live music. The upstairs restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere and serves an excellent new American menu that is a big hit with well-heeled locals. TRAIN: 6 to 28th St
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Joe's Pub

425 Lafayette St, The Public Theater, New York, NY 10003 212-539-8770

Description: NOHO. Attached to the Public Theatre, Joe's Pub is an intimate venue that's highly regarded all over the city for its eclectic weekly lineups. On any given night, the featured performer may be a little-known jazz ensemble or a pop-culture icon like Elvis Costello, Liz Phair, Neko Case, David Byrne, Mos Def or Sandra Bernhard. The scene has an unmistakable "old school" quality that incorporates velvet couches, lucite tables and plenty of dark-stained wood. If a bite to eat is in order, Joe's kitchen serves up a delicious assortment of classic Italian dishes. Table reservations are accepted. TRAIN: 6 to Astor Pl; N, R, W to 8th St-NYU
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La Belle Epoque

140 2nd Ave, between 8th and 9th St, New York, NY 10003 212-924-7077

Description: EAST VILLAGE. La Belle Epoque presents Argentine Tango and Latin Music dance events. Ever popular are the on-going Fridays Tango Club. All day the sounds of live music and the visual dance shows with optional dinner, create an atmosphere for all the senses.
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Living Room

154 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002 212-533-7235

Description: LOWER EAST SIDE. For terrific folk and acoustic sets, few places hold a candle to the Living Room, an understated little space in the LES that hosts up-and-coming acts (Norah Jones played here before her big break). Hanging on the wall behind the bar is an impressive collection of beer-related tchochkes, and there's counter seating as well as a few comfy pieces of furniture. Head on down the hall, through the brown curtains, and you'll find the main performance area, which features a small stage and handful of cafe-style tables. Upstairs, Googie's is a blue-hued lounge with sofas, intimate tables, a piano and its own musical lineup. TRAIN: F, V to Lower East Side-2nd Ave; J, M, Z to Essex St
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Rockwood Music Hall

196 Allen St, between E Houston & Stanton St, New York, NY 10002 212-477-4155

Description: LOWER EAST SIDE. Located between Houston and Stanton, Rockwood is a cozy listening room that engages patrons with its sophisticated atmosphere and fascinating live music slate. Snug and dimly lit, the venue is a great place to catch performances by singer-songwriters, and the seats are arranged close to the stage, affording a certain level of intimacy between the performers and the crowd. Stop in before the show, and enjoy a little something from the bar paired with a charcuterie plate. Owner Ken Rockwood, aka "The Professor," is himself a musician of no small acclaim. TRAIN: F, V to 2nd Ave
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Rodeo Bar

375 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016-9065 212-683-6500

Description: GRAMERCY. The Rodeo Bar, conveniently situated on the corner of 3rd Avenue and 27th Street, is one of the few places in the Murray Hill area where you can hear live blues, country, Southern rock and down-home bluegrass all in one spot. Resembling a Texas roadhouse, this bar and grill may have gone a little over the top with the country-western theme, but the majority of the peanut-munching patrons seem to pay it no mind. The Rodeo serves up a pretty decent Tex-Mex menu that features everything from "Cowboy Kisses" (jalapenos and shrimp wrapped in bacon) and Texas fajitas to barbecue and country-fried steak. Of course, the big draws here are their jumbo margaritas, which come in fish bowls. TRAIN: 4, 5, 6 to 28th St
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Rue B

188 Ave B, New York, NY 10009 212-358-1700

Description: EAST VILLAGE. Live jazz only adds to the cool, bohemian vibe at this laid back East Villager, located about halfway between Tompkins Square and Stuy Town. Per the name, the spécialité de la maison is French cuisine, and offerings like Tuscan truffled eggs and Sicilian-style French toast make for particularly tasty weekend brunch (all the better, of course, when paired with a mimosa or Bloody Mary). That said, the choice of elixirs is legion, and it's not uncommon to see folks sipping on mojitos, margaritas, orange cosmos and even Brooklyn Lagers. TRAIN: L to 1st Ave-14th St
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S.O.B.'s

204 Varick St, at W Houston, New York, NY 10014 212-243-4940

Description: SOHO. This Latin American dance club, whose abbreviation stands for Sounds of Brazil, is located just on the fringe of SoHo and the West Village. A popular place to shake your money maker, S.O.B.'s is also a good place to hear great live music ranging from reggae and Afropop to samba and Latin R & B. Recent acts have included Brand Nubian, Erykah Badu, and Blackalicious. Patrons love to spend all night here, and who could blame them? The tasty island drinks, the beautiful scenery and the great music make this place hard to leave ­ even if it is early in the morning! Closing hours vary. TRAIN: 1, 9 to Houston St
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Smalls

183 W 10th, New York, NY 10014 212-252-5091

Description: WEST VILLAGE. If you're out to experience jazz at its dive bar best, this snug spot on West 10th is back again after taking a long sabbatical (there were more than a few tears when it closed in 2003 after a decade-long run of great music). Smalls, once again, has emerged as a great place to catch a live performance and its subterranean confines now boast a cool full-service bar area. Booked acts are mostly up-and-comers; however, it's not uncommon for established musicians to stop by and try out new material. Two early sets (the first is free!) and three evening sets each night. TRAIN: 1, 9 to Christopher St
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Terra Blues

149 Bleecker St, between Thompson St and LaGuardia Pl, New York, NY 10012 212-777-7776

Description: WEST VILLAGE. Terra Blues sits between LaGuardia and Thompson, right in the heart of the West Village. This small blues lounge attracts a more well-heeled crowd than most of its counterparts, which is due in part to its romantic, almost adult atmosphere. Enjoy the soulful sounds of traditional blues performers. The best tables are located near the windows, but if you want one you better plan on arriving early. TRAIN: A, C, E, B, D, F, Q to W 4th St
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The Bar at Gonzalez y Gonzalez

625 Broadway, at Bleeker, New York, NY 10012 212-473-8787

Description: NOHO. Gonzalez y Gonzalez is restaurant by day and a swinging bar by night -Wednesday-Saturday nights that is. This dance house serves up great Latin music as well as traditional Mexican dishes. No cover charge, but plan on wearing your best togs as stylish apparel is the norm. Although well dressed, these Latin dancers are pretty low on attitude, so its great fun for all. TRAIN: 6 to Bleeker St; B, D, F, Q to Broadway-Lafayette St
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The Duplex

61 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014 212-255-5438

Description: WEST VILLAGE. The legendary caberet performances staged at this West Villager bring in folks from all walks of life. Indeed, where else but here will you find a theatre whose illustrious alumni include Barbra Steisand, Woody Allen, Lovelady Powell, KT Sullivan and Lea Delaria? The Duplex's Piano Bar, meanwhile, gets kicking at 9pm, when the staff leads the place in a night-long celebration of drinking and open mic performances. TRAIN: 1 or 9 to Christopher St
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Village Vanguard

178 7th Ave S, at Perry St, New York, NY 10014 212-255-4037

Description: WEST VILLAGE. The Village Vanguard, one of the West Village's most well-established live jazz venues, proudly lays claim to being the former haunt of such greats as Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk and John Coltrane. Located in a basement on the corner of Perry St and 7th Avenue, the club's intimate table arrangement and laid-back atmosphere make everybody here feel that much cooler. Keep in mind, the place tends to get crowded quickly, and the regulars don't take kindly to chatterboxes. TRAIN: 1, 2, 3, 9 to 14th St
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Waldorf Cocktail Terrace

301 Park Ave, Waldorf-Astoria and Waldorf Towers, New York, NY 10022 212-355-3000

Description: MIDTOWN EAST. Since 1893, the Waldorf has been a landmark of success and elegance. The terrace cocktail lounge overlooks the elegantly restored lobby, where one might relax with a drink or afternoon tea while enjoying the strains of piano music. Mosaic floors and oil murals make up the fine décor that surrounds guests. TRAIN: 6 to 51st St
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