Mercury Lounge ★ 4.4
$$$$
Lower East SideDaily 18:30 doors, varies by show.
Mercury Lounge on East Houston is the 250-capacity Bowery Presents room where touring indie bands play one of their first New York shows. Two sets most.
TipDoors usually 18:30, openers at 19:00. Bandstand has no bad sight line; arrive early to claim a spot at the rail.
Bowery Ballroom ★ 4.6
$$$$
Lower East SideMon-Wed varies by show, Thu-Sat 19:00 doors, varies, Sun varies by show.
Bowery Ballroom on Delancey is the 575-capacity room with the perfect Manhattan sight line, an upstairs balcony and a downstairs lounge bar that opens.
TipBalcony seats fill first; the floor is general admission. The downstairs Pianos-style lounge runs through the show.
Music Hall of Williamsburg ★ 4.4
$$$$
WilliamsburgMon-Wed varies by show, Thu-Sat 19:00 doors, varies, Sun varies by show.
Music Hall of Williamsburg on North 6th is the 650-capacity Bowery Presents room that took over the former Northsix and books indie, electronic and rock.
TipDoors typically 19:00 with show at 20:00. The mezzanine has a clear sight line; the floor pit fills fast at the rail.
Brooklyn Bowl ★ 4.4
$$$$
WilliamsburgMon-Wed varies by show, Thu-Sat 18:00 doors, varies, Sun varies by show.
Brooklyn Bowl in a converted Hecla Iron Works building pairs sixteen bowling lanes with a 600-capacity music stage and Blue Ribbon kitchen serving the fried.
TipReserve lanes early on show nights; standing-room music tickets are cheap and let you eat at the rail.
Webster Hall ★ 4.3
$$$$
East VillageMon-Wed varies by show, Thu-Sat 19:00 doors, varies, Sun varies by show.
Webster Hall on East 11th has hosted music in its Queen Anne assembly hall since 1886. The current 1,400-capacity room runs touring indie, hip-hop.
TipDoors typically 19:00, headliner around 21:00. Coat check is paid and the line outside can stretch a block on weekends.
Beacon Theatre ★ 4.6
$$$$
Upper West SideMon-Wed varies by show, Thu-Sat 19:00 doors, varies, Sun varies by show.
The Beacon Theatre on Broadway and 74th is a 2,894-seat 1929 movie palace turned concert room that hosts the Allman Brothers tradition and an annual Steely.
TipBest sound is the orchestra rows behind the mixing desk. Doors typically 19:00 and the show starts on time, not on the rock-time grace period.