1. Caveat
9.0
21 Clinton St, New York, NY
Performing Arts Venue · Lower East Side · 15 tips and reviews
Carrie Brown: Lovely performance space, has a nice bar, too.
Shelly: Great vibes, and ace performing space with affordable tix, food and drink.
Steve Dean: NYC's most iconic spot for "intellectual nightlife," Caveat features 2 live shows every night of the week, ranging from "Why Your Train Is F*cked" and "Anybody: a Hamilton-inspired hip hopera."
2. SummerStage - East River Park
7.2
East River Park Bandshell (FDR Dr. btwn Cherry & Jackson), New York, NY
Performing Arts Venue · Lower East Side · 16 tips and reviews
SummerStage: One of salsa's biggest singers, Tito Rojas, performed at SummerStage to a packed crowd!
Flavorpill: SummerStage spans all five boroughs, provides free, all-ages, rain or shine cultural stimuli, and is one of the reasons why we <3 NY. http://bit.ly/yHDHKm
SummerStage: #summerstage2012 – August 28th to 30th at 8 PM: “I’m Going to Make a Small Incision Behind Your Ear to Check and See if You’re Actually Human REDUX”, a theater piece performed by Witness Relocation!
3. Dixon Place
8.5
161A Chrystie St (btw Rivington & Delancey), New York, NY
Bar · Lower East Side · 23 tips and reviews
Mariana L: Discover some of the most interesting theater pieces in a great space! Absolutely loved Symphony of Shadows.
FringeNYC: We are so excited that Dixon Place is going to be VENUE #5 at 2011 FringeNYC! Read more.
Little Lord Theater: Home to one of our favorite evenings of performances, Little Theatre, usually the second Monday of the month. Be sure to buy a reasonably-priced drink at the bar to support indie arts programming!
10. Mercury Lounge
8.1
217 E Houston St (btwn Ludlow & Essex St), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 132 tips and reviews
Caroline Chung: Great small venue for music lovers discovering up and coming talent!
Concert Ticket Agency: Great intimate venue. Bands love playing here, you'll love seeing them here. Just grab your drinks on the way in and stake out your place on the floor. It's going to get crowded.
SPIN: Cults say their Mercury Lounge gig was “the scariest show we’ve ever played, we had been a full band for less than a month.” Fun fact: The Strokes & Yeah Yeah Yeahs cut their teeth here too.
11. The Slipper Room
8.0
167 Orchard St (at Stanton St.), New York, NY
Music Venue · Lower East Side · 57 tips and reviews
Sriram Krishnan: Super fun entertainment, esp with Alfredo as the host
How To Make It In America: They’re known for their burlesque revues, but go for Seth Herzog’s SWEET comedy show on Tuesdays at 8:30pm. Big name guests. Read more.
Nate Bear: Just go to any burlesque night here. You're sure to be entertained! Performers are all creative and some are hilarious.
12. Old Man Hustle
7.9
39 Essex St (btwn Hester St & Grand St), New York, NY
Wine Bar · Lower East Side · 22 tips and reviews
Eliza Lievano: Great vibe love this place drinks are great bartender is funny and they have a comedy show
The New Yorker: “The wine list is small but affordable, and hot dogs, topped with ethnic-inspired combinations like chopped onions and teriyaki sauce, are offered sporadically.” Read more.
Jonathan L.: Super duper hole in the wall dive bar. Love the set up. Happy hour specials are on point as well. Very small place so don't come with a large group. About 20 people fit comfortably in this joint.