The Best Folk Music Venues in New York
Contents
New York is a mecca for live music, and that includes folk music. Check out our list of the best folk music venues in the city.
The Bitter End
Location
There’s no shortage of great folk music venues in New York, from the iconic Café Carlyle to the more intimate Joe’s Pub. Here are some of our favorites.
Café Carlyle: Located in the Upper East Side’s Carlyle Hotel, Café Carlyle is one of New York’s most iconic folk music venues. The café has been host to some of folk music’s most legendary performers, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen.
Joe’s Pub: This small venue, located in New York’s Public Theatre, has a long history of hosting intimate folk music performances. Recent performers include Ani DiFranco and Iris DeMent.
Music
New York is a music lover’s paradise, with a wide variety of genres and styles to choose from. But if you’re a fan of folk music, you might have a tough time finding the perfect venue. Here are our top picks for the best folk music venues in New York.
The Bitter End
This Greenwich Village mainstay has been hosting live music since 1961, and its intimate stage has been the launching pad for many famous careers. The Bitter End is the perfect place to catch up-and-coming folk artists, as well as established acts.
The Living Room
Also located in Greenwich Village, The Living Room has been one of New York’s most popular music venues since 1988. The venue has two stages, which host everything from jazz and blues to country and folk. With a cozy atmosphere and great sightlines, The Living Room is the perfect place to catch a great show.
The Mercury Lounge
Located on the Lower East Side, The Mercury Lounge is one of New York’s most popular music venues. The venue has two floors, with the upstairs lounge providing a more intimate setting for live shows. The Mercury Lounge showcases all genres of music, but it’s especially known for its indie rock programming.
Rockwood Music Hall
Rockwood Music Hall is another Lower East Side favorite, known for its three stages that host everything from solo acts to full bands. Rockwood Music Hall is the perfect place to see both up-and-coming and established folk artists in an intimate setting.
History
The Bitter End is a club in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The club has been host to a wide variety of artists, many of whom got their start there, including Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Richie Havens, Peter, Paul and Mary, Woody Allen (who used the club as the setting for his film Annie Hall), Diane Keaton (who also used the club as a setting for her film Manhattan), and Joan Rivers. The Bitter End is currently owned by Gaillee Tully.
The Bitter End opened its doors on March 7, 1961. It was originally conceived as a coffee house on the site of the old Caffeboom music venue. The first headliner was Fred Neil, and over the next few years the club became known as a folk music venue. In 1966, the club began to booking more rock-oriented acts, and by 1968 it had become primarily a rock venue.
In 1971, the club was sold to Joel Rosenman and John Roberts (the developers of Woodstock), who then sold it to Bernard Ginsberg in 1974. Ginsberg then made some significant changes to the club, including expanding the stage and increasing the size of the audience area. He also began booking more mainstream acts such as Steve Martin, Bette Midler, and Cheech & Chong.
The Bitter End has undergone several changes in ownership since Ginsberg’s death in 1987. The club was sold to Stanley Tate in 1988, who then sold it to Mark Flanagan in 1992. Flanagan then sold it to current owner Gaillee Tully in 2000. Under Tully’s ownership, the club has continued to book both up-and-coming and established artists across a wide range of genres.
The Mercury Lounge
The Mercury Lounge is one of the best folk music venues in New York. It is located in the East Village and has been open since 1993. The Mercury Lounge has a great atmosphere and it is a great place to see a folk show.
Location
The Mercury Lounge is a music venue in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. The venue is located at 217 E Houston St (between Ludlow St & Essex St).
Music
For many, live music is an experience that cannot be missed while in New York City. The Big Apple boasts a number of iconic music venues, each with its own unique atmosphere. If you’re a fan of folk music, there are a few places in particular that you won’t want to miss.
The Mercury Lounge is one of the most popular folk music venues in New York. Located in the Lower East Side, the Mercury Lounge regularly hosts up-and-coming folk acts from all over the world. The intimate setting and excellent acoustics make it a perfect place to see a show.
If you’re looking for something a bit more low-key, check out Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. This historic venue has been hosting folk musicians since 1960, and has been called “the birth place of the modern folksong revival” by Musichound FolkAlbums. Caffe Lena is known for its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere – perfect for enjoying some great live music.
Whether you’re a folk music aficionado or just looking for a unique live music experience, be sure to check out one of these excellent venues next time you’re in New York City.
History
The Mercury Lounge is a music venue in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. The club was established in 1993 by Jean-Pierre BKS and Jennifer Draper. It is known for its intimate shows and indie rock music.
The Mercury Lounge has a capacity of only 250 people, making it one of the smaller venues in New York City. It has two floors: the main stage on the ground floor and a smaller stage upstairs. The upstairs stage is sometimes used for comedy shows or DJs.
The Mercury Lounge has hosted many up-and-coming bands, including Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and The Strokes. It has also been featured in films and TV shows, such as “The Walkmen: In Time” (2005) and “Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013).
The Rockwood Music Hall
The Rockwood Music Hall is one of the best folk music venues in New York. It is located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and is known for its great acoustics. The venue has a capacity of 200 people and there is a small stage where the musicians perform. The venue also has a bar and a restaurant.
Location
The Rockwood Music Hall is located on 196 Allen Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It is conveniently located near public transportation and several restaurants and bars. The venue is small and intimate, with a capacity of only 200 people.
Music
The Rockwood Music Hall is a music venue in New York City. It is located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Rockwood Music Hall was founded in 2008 by Singer-songwriter Alec Ounsworth and is one of the most popular folk music venues in New York. The Rockwood Music Hall has three stages and a capacity of 300 people. The venue hosts a variety of folk music events, including concerts, workshops, and open mics.
History
The Rockwood Music Hall is a music venue located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. The venue comprises three stages, each with their own unique atmosphere. The main stage is located on the first floor and has a capacity of 400 people. The second stage, located on the second floor, has a capacity of 200 people. Finally, the third stage is located on the third floor and has a capacity of 100 people.
The Rockwood Music Hall was founded in 2008 by David Satterfield and Michael Swier. The two had previously been involved in the New York music scene as part of the Knitting Factory and Mercury Lounge. They decided to open their own venue because they felt that there was a need for more intimate music venues in New York City.
Since its opening, the Rockwood Music Hall has become one of the most popular music venues in New York City. It has been featured in numerous publications, including Time Out New York, The Village Voice, and The New Yorker.
