Bowery Ballroom is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

1. Bowery Ballroom

9.1
6 Delancey St (at Bowery), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 216 tips and reviews

Peter K.Peter Knox: My favorite place to take my girlfriend to see a show in the city. Intimate accessible venue with always great talent. Sierra Nevada is the move here.

MTVMTV: Frank Ocean killed the stage here for a small audience on 11/27/2011 during his first NYC performance.

Patrick V.Patrick Valenzuela: Watch a show from the balcony right next to the soundboard.

Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3 is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

2. Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3

8.5
185 Orchard St (Houston Street), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 11 tips and reviews

Meg F.Meg Farmer: Great underground music scene for up and combing bands. Can't beat live music and fun groups.

Lauren D.Lauren Dellaquila: Unlike other stages at Rockwood, this is a temperature controlled, intimate space. There's a two drink minimum. I wouldn't bother with the wines. Seating is limited. Show up early for scheduled shows.

DustinDustin: Go downstairs.

Rockwood Music Hall is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

3. Rockwood Music Hall

8.5
196 Allen St (btwn Stanton & E Houston St), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 143 tips and reviews

Rishe G.Rishe G: One of the best spots in the city for live music. Intimate experiences with soon-to-be-famous bands. Great place to stop off for a chilled out vibe on a weeknight.

Kevin S.Kevin Skobac: Stand a few feet from a passionate musician during an intimate concert to really experience music

Joe F.Joe Froh: Terrific intimate space to hear live music. Saw Glen David Andrews here and he melted the place like butter...

Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

4. Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2

8.5
196 Allen St (at Houston St), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 25 tips and reviews

Tj O.Tj Olsen: perfect sound, mostly free and fantastic wine selection. very classy Read more.

Shannon Q.Shannon Quisenberry: Love music? You should know this spot.

Shannon Q.Shannon Quisenberry: This is the best place to see music in the city, country, world?

Le Poisson Rouge is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

5. Le Poisson Rouge

8.2
158 Bleecker St (btwn Sullivan & Thompson St), New York, NY
Rock Club · Greenwich Village · 165 tips and reviews

L. T.L. T.: Great venue for any kind of music! Nice side-stage views at shows if you come in late. Some all ages shows make me feel old as hell, but it's great for live music culture in the city! Very cool vibe!

Concert Ticket AgencyConcert Ticket Agency: This has that vibe of a classic New York dance club. Great place to see a live concert as well. Clean bathrooms but the attendants can be pushy about tipping. Dress in layers...can get hot on floor!

Time Out New YorkTime Out New York: Come here for Gameshow Speakeasy, the best game night in NYC, featuring wisecracking panelists from NYC’s nightlife circuit and a famous mystery guest. Read more.

Hudson River Rocks is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

6. Hudson River Rocks

8.1
New York, NY
Rock Club · Meatpacking District · No tips or reviews
Mercury Lounge is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

7. Mercury Lounge

8.0
217 E Houston St (btwn Ludlow & Essex St), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 132 tips and reviews

Concert Ticket AgencyConcert 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.

SPINSPIN: 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.

IFCIFC: The small stage, energetic crowd and top-notch indie bookings make Mercury Lounge an anomaly in New York, where indie bands regularly play to thousands. Come smell the bands you love! - IFC Staff

Parkside Lounge is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

8. Parkside Lounge

7.7
317 E Houston St (at Attorney St), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 86 tips and reviews

Sara .Sara 🌈⚔🍾: Attended and hosted many events here - Love their event space in the back! The skeeball and video games are a great touch. Good prices too.

Christopher L.Christopher Lee: You deserve a Bailout Package. Go let the bartender give you some financial aid.

Daniel U.Daniel Udell: Get a St. Charles with BULLDOG. They make their own pickle brine.

Arlene's Grocery is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

9. Arlene's Grocery

7.7
95 Stanton St (btwn Ludlow & Orchard St), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 103 tips and reviews

Haley B.Haley Bissegger: A cool, laid back venue. Low-key and intimate atmosphere.

Concert Ticket AgencyConcert Ticket Agency: great small venue (bar) to see a show. great vibe...nothing snooty here. drinks are on the cheap side. great bands.

Songza MusicSongza Music: Epic live band karaoke Monday nights at 10pm. Bring your inner Axl Rose.

Pianos is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

10. Pianos

7.3
158 Ludlow St (at Stanton St), New York, NY
Rock Club · Lower East Side · 268 tips and reviews

Calvin M.Calvin Multanen: Fun place to catch a live show or just dance the night away

How To Make It In AmericaHow To Make It In America: Pianos usually runs late with their set times. That’s OK, ‘cause the food menu’s great: surprisingly good nachos with chickpeas. Read more.

Songza MusicSongza Music: In addition to fresh new music coming out of the main room, Piano's often has more stripped-down acts perform upstairs. Also, the burgers are pretty darn good.

Shrine World Music Venue is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

11. Shrine World Music Venue

8.2
2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd (134th St), New York, NY
Music Venue · Central Harlem · 49 tips and reviews

Akiko B.Akiko Bombita: Love this performance space for world music. Good drinks, good people. Everyting is irie!

WeHarlemWeHarlem: Nice addition to Harlem's music venues. Shrine has a eclectic live band music vibe with a rustic artsy decor. Visit www.WeHarlem.com. Download WeHarlem iPhone/Android App 4 FREE

Angela W.Angela Williams-Valdez: Music is Great !

Prohibition is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

12. Prohibition

7.8
503 Columbus Ave (btwn 84th & 85th St.), New York, NY
Bar · Upper West Side · 81 tips and reviews

KarenKaren: Great outdoor seating for people watching while you enjoy a cocktail and some appetizers.

FrankieFrankie: Check out Sean and Jeff on Tuesdays!

Reign L.Reign Low: Steak nacho's are so good with a glass of Stella... Live bands are really good I'll be back soon

Gramercy Theatre is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

13. Gramercy Theatre

8.1
127 E 23rd St (btwn Park & Lexington Ave), New York, NY
Music Venue · Rose Hill · 102 tips and reviews

Valerie S.Valerie S: Fun venue for concerts! Old movie-style seats in the back for those who want to enjoy the music in a less sweaty/crowded way.

Concert Ticket AgencyConcert Ticket Agency: Medium size. Clean bathrooms. Decent acoustics. Stand and rock out or go to back for stadium style seating. Basement bar has more secluded lounge area, w/TVs & speakers so you don't miss anything.

The New YorkerThe New Yorker: Did you use your MasterCard to purchase your New Yorker Festival tickets? Don't forget to claim your complimentary beverage.

Nuyorican Poets Cafe is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

14. Nuyorican Poets Cafe

8.0
236 E 3rd St (btwn Ave. B & C), New York, NY
Theater · Alphabet City · 39 tips and reviews

TaylorTaylor: One of my all time favorite spots. Can't leave NYC without seeing a Friday night poetry slam. Get there early (9:15ish) to wait in line if you want a seat!!

NY WaterwayNY Waterway: If you have to wait awhile outside to get in...it is still worth it!

Akshay P.Akshay Patil: See a Moth StorySLAM

Otto's Shrunken Head is one of The 15 Best Rock Clubs in New York City.

15. Otto's Shrunken Head

7.4
538 E 14th St (btwn Avenue A & B), New York, NY
Bar · Stuyvesant Town - Peter Cooper Village · 127 tips and reviews

Red & BrownRed & Brown: The OG of NYC tiki bars. Order whatever looks good, you can't go wrong. Bonus points for getting to take the mug home with you (if you want).

helvis p.helvis presley: buy a drink in a tiki mug

Dixie D.Dixie D'Amour: Go to Otto's Shrunken head for Rebel Night. One of the best 1950s sock hop style dance party in the city.