Patrick Healy: Whether it's a basketball game, a concert or the circus you will feel like you're at the center of the universe in New York's most famous venue. Penn Station being downstairs is very convenient too.
Rewan Parti: Best arena for concerts and games in the heart of NYC. It's a must visit for a sports event and a concert. If you haven't seen the energy of people in MSG, you haven't witnessed NY!
Kimmie Ohh: Spacious venue. Great place to watch sports games, concerts or shows.
2. Washington Square Park
9.5
W 4th St (btwn MacDougal St & University Pl), New York, NY
Park · Greenwich Village · 708 tips and reviews
BigBossPaul: Great park, packed with live music entertainment. Special beautiful at nite.
Compass: Defined by its giant white arch, the park is best known for its chess games, gorgeous fountain, and live musicians. It acts as a meeting ground for NYU students, artists, and neighborhood regulars.
Joury Ibrahim: LOVE this place; the artworks, street performers and the view of the area. There is always something going on here. NYU is around the corner so I think that is the secret of the liveliness around
Colleen McAndrew: Great free and benefit concerts. Artists always put on a great show in this unique spot. No bad views or acoustics either.
Cristina: Any concert here is good! Inside the park, great vibes, and amazing music. Free concerts: thank you NY! Hungry? Try the tacos and the ice cream.
Ashley Rose: Great atmosphere for an outdoor concert! City Winery with a few wines on tap, pizza, hot dogs, etc. Ingrid Michaelson put on a great show in June!
4. Carnegie Hall
9.3
881 7th Ave (at W 57th St), New York, NY
Concert Hall · Theater District · 110 tips and reviews
Reuters Business Traveller: One of the world's greatest concert halls, choose from three spaces, holding between 268 and 2,800 people.
Fabiano Rampazzo: Legendary concert venue where they have performed Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and others unforgettable legends!
Brennen Collier: Good gift shop, excellent performances, amazing acoustics, ambient atmosphere, and an ornate hall perfect for any performance no matter the occasion. What's not to love?
5. Bowery Ballroom
9.1
6 Delancey St (at Bowery), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 216 tips and reviews
Will Oliver: My favorite place to see a concert in NYC. Great sound, great staff, good atmosphere. Love it
Peter Wu: My favorite concert venue in NY. Great acoustics, w/ an intimate feel. They do a great job of booking indie bands that complement the space. Don't forget to check out the balcony!
Wesley Batista: Great place for a concert. Saw Johnnyswim and it was very nice!
6. Beacon Theatre
9.2
2124 Broadway (at W 74th St), New York, NY
Concert Hall · Upper West Side · 172 tips and reviews
The Corcoran Group: One of the best places in the city to catch a live performance. Fantastic old-time, authentic New York venue to see a band, with what feels like the original, upholstered seating.
New York Habitat: A historic theatre perfect for everything from a comedy show to musical acts. It's small and broken up into 3 levels so there's not really a bad seat in the house. Seeing a concert here is a must!
Brett Wells: A beautifully restored 1920's movie house. Plenty of great places to eat/drink in the area for before/after the concert.
7. David Geffen Hall
9.1
10 Lincoln Center Plz (at W 65th St), New York, NY
Concert Hall · Lincoln Square · 68 tips and reviews
amNewYork: SUMMER 2012: The Kravis Prize Concert: Yo-Yo Ma Plays Dutilleux (JUNE 26) -- The inaugural honoree of the Marie-Josée Kravis Prize for New Music is French composer Henri Dutilleux.
Concert Ticket Agency: Avery Fisher Hall is located at the northern end of the Lincoln Center Plaza. Amazing acoustics. Catch the NY Philharmonic or another live performance w/killer acoustics.
HISTORY: Designed by Max Abramovitz, the hall opened in 1962 as Philharmonic Hall, as the new home concert venue of the New York Philharmonic, after the orchestra moved from Carnegie Hall.
New York Public Library: Love the arts? Explore one of the world’s most extensive collections of historic recordings, videotapes, sheet music, stage designs, posters, and photographs at the Library for the Performing Arts. Read more.
New York Habitat: Dress to impress here and get a glimpse of some of the best performances in the world. There is so much diversity you can't go wrong with any show but we love the Met Opera in the wintertime.
BuzzFeed: Whether it’s fashion week, a performance by the Metropolitan Opera, or the NYC Ballet, Lincoln Center is always bustling with excitement. Zoom pass the breathtaking fountain and enjoy crisp, cool air. Read more.
11. Little Branch
8.9
20 7th Ave S (at Leroy St), New York, NY
Speakeasy · West Village · 336 tips and reviews
Ravin Dave: Great libations- in either booths or bar. Sam the mix master serv perfect complimentary cocktails to the down-tempo live jazz. Be sure to tell him of your likes when ordering the bartender's choice..
NY Waterway: Fun place to go for a subterranean, speakeasy experience. Dim lighting, cozy booths, and live jazz provide for an intimate setting. Great bartenders serving a variety of cocktails. Cash only.
Rich Daniel: Killer cocktails, live jazz.
M J: Sure there are other dance theaters, but there's none like the Joyce! I've worked there,I know! The best companies perform here and more than likely you'll be able to spot a few celebs in the crowd Read more.
Peter Frank: I only come here every few years, usually when my mom is in town. And every time I'm reminded what a treasure it is. Always interesting performers, no bad seats in the house, and gentle ticket prices. Read more.
THIRTEEN: THIRTEEN members receive 20% off day of performance tickets at New York City’s home for dance for over 25 years! Read more.
13. Apollo Theater
9.1
253 W 125th St (btwn 7th & 8th Ave), New York, NY
Theater · Central Harlem · 143 tips and reviews
New York Habitat: Every Wednesday the Apollo hosts an Amateur Night, where you can cheer on performers or boo them off the stage! Be sure to get there early for tickets, as this night sells out quickly!
Untapped Cities: The 1,853 seat Apollo Theatre opened on December 15, 1913 is most known for its Amateur Night, at which Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, James Brown and Lauryn Hill all performed. Read more.
California Bakery: Lo storico teatro dove hanno suonato tutti i protagonisti della black music: da Aretha Franklin a Michael Jackson | The historic black music venue, where all the big and famous artists have played
14. Blue Note
8.8
131 W 3rd St (btwn MacDougal St & 6th Ave), New York, NY
Jazz and Blues Venue · Greenwich Village · 174 tips and reviews
Jeetendra Chandragiri: Get here early to ensure a good table close to the stage. Place your orders (vegetarians, you're taken care of), sit back and lose yourself as the legendary performers transport you to Heaven.
Jennifer C: Great jazz band in the west village. Definitely go back there again
Anthony Crawford: The performance was great and visiting such a great historical place like this is great; but the seating is tight. Table seating will force you to sit shoulder to shoulder with strangers.
15. Joe's Pub
9.0
425 Lafayette St (btwn Astor Pl & E 4th St), New York, NY
Music Venue · NoHo · 89 tips and reviews
The Corcoran Group: Awesome space to catch a new and undiscovered performance. In addition to the ticket price, there’s a $12 FOOD minimum if you sit at a table.
SideTour: Great date space and intimate performance space. Get here early to snag one of the coveted tables.
Irina B: Beautiful and intimate space for performances. Creative cocktails complete the experience.